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Impact Report

For plan Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture (Otero County)
Date November 1, 2010, 9:21 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report Short Term Objective The 2010 Otero Master Gardeners Association has 34 class participants who will finish the course in December 2010 and at that time have the option of joining the 56 member Otero Master Gardeners Association who have faithfully assisted the Agricultural Agent in extending the knowledge acquired from the NMUS Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardeners Classes and their own growing experiences to county residents through information tables at Arbor Day, Earth Day, Otero County Fair, two events at Holloman Air Force Base, speaking to local Service Organizations, designing and maintaining a Butterfly Garden at the local zoo and being present to answer questions on Earth Day when butterflies were released. Data collected from the 2010 Otero Master Gardeners Class yielded the following: 1) All class participants expected to use the information presented in the classes in their gardening, landscaping, or orchards. Class members reported that they increased their knowledge of the topics taught by 71% (averaged) when responding to the question, “By what percentage did this class increase your knowledge?” Of the classes tallied so far 91 % of class members rated the classes “excellent” and 9% rated the classes “good”. Kids, Kows, and More also provided an opportunity for Otero Master Gardeners and the Agricultural Agent to teach one of the stations on “Gardening”, and help with the general activities. Through the efforts of a Master Gardener, a meeting was set up with five city officials and the Agricultural Agent to inform and establish a line of friendly communication with the city on such topics as: Xeric Species for the Tularosa Basin, Common Disease and Pest Problems, and Proper Watering Techniques with Our High pH Water. The Agricultural Agent was accompanied by the new Otero Master Gardeners Association president on home visits for two days for the purpose of training the new OMGA president and eventually other Master Gardeners for important things to look for when making home visits in response to CES office inquiries when the Ag. agent is out of town. The Agricultural Agent responded to 1370 inquiries via E-mail, phone, or walk-ins to the Cooperative Extension Service office. Approximately 25 inquiries were not responded to due to client not home when call was returned and/or made home visit was made, or nonworking phone number. Medium-Term Objective The Agricultural Agent provided the following programs and presentations for Otero County residents: 1) “Growing in a Hoop Greenhouse” presented to 72 Mountain View Middle School Students prior to the opening of their school’s Hoop House. 2) “2010 Otero Pistachio Growers Workshop” at the Otero CES office was attended by 39 backyard and production growers. The Agricultural Agent did not give a presentation. Both backyard growers and large production pistachio growers attended. Of those in attendance and responding to the workshop evaluation 97% said the workshop increased or enhanced their knowledge and 97% said they expected to use the information presented in their pistachio orchards. 3) “2010 Otero Pecan Growers Workshop” at the Otero CES office was attended by 40 Otero county growers - both backyard and production pecan growers. The Agricultural Agent spoke on “Markets for Pecans”. “High Altitude Gardening - Container Gardening” was delivered to 45 members of the Sacramento Mountains Senior Center in Cloudcroft. 4) “High Altitude Vegetable Gardening - Container Gardening” was presented by the Agricultural Agent to 45 members of the Sacramento Mountains Senior Center in Cloudcroft. 5) “Services Provided by the Otero County Cooperative Extension Service Office” was presented to 30 participants of the “Leadership Otero” class by the Otero County 4-H Home Economist and the Agricultural Agent. 6) ) “2010 Otero County Master Gardeners Class” was provided to 34 class members and 5 to 10 additional OMGA members. Class were scheduled once a week for 13 weeks (with one week off for Thanksgiving) on the following topics: Basic Botany, Xeric Plants, Soils, Weeds, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Plant Diseases, Vegetable Gardening, Fruit & Nut Trees, Pesticide Misuse, Community Forestry, Wildlife Management, Vegetable Gardening in Hoop Houses, Composting, Fig Trees, Irrigation Basics, Water Harvesting, and Xeric Landscaping. The Agricultural Agent presented “Plant Propagation” and all other classes were presented by NMSU Specialists, NM State Forestry Division Urban Forester, and local growers/Master Gardeners/Farmers Market Vendors. Long Term Objective— Correct watering techniques and mulching of plants, shrubs, and trees is discussed with, or printed information disseminated to, at least 60% of the agricultural inquiries made to the Otero CES office. Salt damage due to shallow frequent watering is the most frequent problem seen by the Agricultural Agent and less frequent deep watering along with the use of a mulch material is encourage as clients are explained the benefits to the plants and the savings they will see in their water bills.