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Impact Report

For plan Identification and Management of New Mexico's Saline and Sodium Affected Soils
Date January 5, 2009, 6:19 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report Short-Term Objectives: Two major presentations given during the FY2009 season were, “Compost Quality Measurements / Salts.” New Mexico Environment Department Solid Waste Bureau Compost Operators Certification Course on April 16, 2008, and “Soil Salinity and Sodium Issues”: A 60-minute presentation to Master Gardeners in Eddy, Chaves, Dona Ana, Sandoval, Valencia, Santa Fe, Lea, and Otero Counties. Participants shared their level of improved awareness through a simple survey. The evaluation by the participants had the following results: 88% said they would probably have their soil tested. 100% said they would change the way they fertilize/use amendments. 72% said they may change the way that they use organic products. 72% said they have a better understanding of New Mexico soil. All respondents said that they learned at least one thing about NM soil. If clients had to put a dollar value on this presentation it would be worth: a. $$$ (72%) b. $$ (21%) c. $ (7%) d. 0 (0%) Medium-term objectives: There were 892 soil samples received for interpretation during FY 2008. Recommendations were made on 15% of those samples for controlling sodium issues and 14% of the samples needed salinity management. Each county, however, presented a different picture. The following counties had saline and/or sodium affected soils (given in the following order: County, % saline, % sodium affected): Bernalillo (19% 17%) Chaves (24% 35%) Cibola (40% 20%) Dona Ana (19% 28%) Eddy (5% 4%) Hidalgo (33% 33%) McKinley (20% 20%) Mora (13% 0%) Otero (44% 17%) Quay (50% 0%) Roosevelt (14% 14%) San Juan (9% 6%) San Miguel (4% 0%) Sandoval (7% 15%) Santa Fe (10% 14%) Socorro (5% 5%) Taos (33% 15%) Torrance (50% 50%) Valencia (16% 29%) Out of State (13% 22%) Recommendations were given for how to best proceed with these soils. Clientele need to be contacted to meet this medium-term objective. Long-term Objectives The county extension agents that attended the all-extension conference in April, 2008, received an update on the tools that have been developed to understand where to find salinity related concerns from soil tests.