Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.
Impact Report
| For plan | Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture (Quay County) |
| Date | October 27, 2010, 9:16 pm |
| For Objective | Short-term Show short-term objectives |
| Impact Report | Impacts for this have a vast range of areas in which several accomplishments can be measured. The City of Tucumcari’s Community Garden has continued for another year with the help of a USDA grant amount of $2700. Other grants were also received for this noble initiative through state and federal organizations. America the Beautiful Fund and Common Ground Garden program allotted donations of seeds, plants, and equipment valued at over $1,200. Volunteers included local and area neighbors, single parent households, underserved and poverty level income audiences. The garden also served a host of youth organizations seeking community service projects. Volunteer hours on the community garden totaled a documented 590 hours with an estimated value of $16.84 an hour (Independentsector.org) for a total of $9,935.60. Community projects highlighted during the 2010 growing season include irrigation technology, soil properties and fertilization, variety selection and holistic gardening techniques. Pecans are a crop of increasing interest to local and area producers. With new varieties being developed through USDA plant sciences lab, Eastern New Mexico is becoming an ideal potential site for nut production. Program highlights for the 2009-10 year includes the annual pecan show. Area producers can learn how to grade and weigh pecans for quality, nut size, and percent kernel. Pecan producers are able to utilize this information for marketing purposes and increasing profits. Additionally, a pecan grafting workshop was held as a “hands on” management practice for incorporating newly developed cultivars into older orchards. Methods included whip graft, four flap method, and other orchard management issues. The half day program increased knowledge of producers by an overall 87% throughout all topic areas of discussion. Producers stated they will implement such practices on their respective operations for the next growing season. Overall satisfaction with the information offered at the workshop was rated excellent to outstanding. Adoption of practice was rated at 97% among participants. Horticulture contacts and on site consultations account for about 87% of all calls to the Extension office for agriculture. Topics range from soil science, plant health, disease, insects and water management issues to the home horticulturist. Programming included “Living on the Land – Small Acreage series”, Organic Farm Conference and Organic Farm tours. Presentations to Nara Visa Garden Club, local Altrusa Women’s club and assistance with New Mexico Pecan Grower’s Short Course. |