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Impact Report
| For plan | Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Valencia County) |
| Date | October 27, 2009, 6:39 pm |
| For Objective | Short-term Show short-term objectives |
| Impact Report | Although the majority of agriculture is forage related products, a large component of Valencia County’s agronomic profile is small farm or backyard gardening (less than 1 acre). Although often considered non-commercial producers, many of these individuals are beginning to sell their excess produce at local farmers markets, generating supplemental income from agriculture. Subsequently, information related to reducing risk, improving crop production and subsequent economic returns on small farm fruit and vegetable operations is increasingly requested, and handled by the agriculture agent on an individual basis. These topics include business planning, resource allocation, and effective cultural practices including but not limited to variety selection, crop diversification, disease and pest control, high-value crops, planting and harvesting dates, soil testing and amending, and effective irrigation. In addition to small acreage produce farming, the extension agriculture agent has been involved in the development, feasibility, and implementation of high-value, low acreage alternative crops in the county. Technical assistance, field visits, NMSU lab services, and assistance in allocating grant funding were demonstrated at a local commercial hop farm, which experienced a successful harvest and significant success. A crop not known to be commericially grown in the state of New Mexico. Personal contact from small farm fruit and vegetable producers accounts for approximately 10% of extension agent incoming phone calls, and clientele field and office visits. |