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Impact Report

For plan Integrated Pest Management Systems (Bernalillo County)
Date January 13, 2011, 10:39 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report Not a day goes by in this position in which pest management is not addressed. This topic ranks second with regard to how often the horticulture agent addresses some aspect of it on the job. She estimates at least fifteen percent of the calls, walk-ins, and site visits are to address potential pest issues. Bernalillo county residents and businesses clearly have a need for information related to pest management. Activities related to pest management include facilitating Master Gardener trainings. The trainings include formal presentations during the Master Gardener classes from NMSU specialists on insects, Integrated Pest Management, and plant pathology. The horticulture agent presented on the topic of pesticide safety (Feb. 23rd, “Pesticide Safety, Good Common Sense”) and emphasized the need to take an integrated approach to pest management instead of reaching for the chemicals as a knee-jerk reaction. She trains Master Gardeners informally on a daily basis by advising them in answering pest questions while they are on the hotline. Site visits with green industry professionals almost always include a discussion about pest management (ex: what to do about sycamore scale, anthracnose, how to get rid of bagworms, what to do about wood boring insects, and aphids, etc.). These professionals include employees from TruGreen, Waterwise Landscapes, Albuquerque BioPark, HeadsUp Landscaping, Baca’s Trees, Eric’s Tree Care, A-Ron’s Pest Control, Continual Growth, and Plants of the Southwest. The agent can often advise homeowners and professionals against the use of chemicals or advise the client as to the best timing of application so that they eliminate or minimize the amount of pesticide being applied. The agent inform clients of less toxic alternatives to chemicals if there is one available. For example, she has convinced several clients to use spinosad instead of carbaryl for codling moth in apples. Walk-ins run the gamut from homeowners to green industry professionals. They usually bring in a sample or a picture that the client and agent can both look at and identify/diagnose on the spot or with the aid NMSU specialists. Other activities the horticulture agent did around the community include a presentation at a 4-Hills Garden Club meeting. There were about 25 women present. The agent and the club members had a free-form discussion and question and answer session about soil, pests, and pruning. On July 19th the horticultre agent presented a PowerPoint titled, “Top 10 Critters, Diseases, and Other Veggie Garden Issues” at the Greenbriar Coop. She Attended the Cooperative Weed Management Training in Edgewood at the SWCD Office on July 20th. She learned about Laws and Regulations regarding pesticides, pesticide application, local Noxious Weeds, and local forest pests. The training included weed management strategies and information about turfgrass management. In August, the agent reviewed a publication for Dr. Tess Grasswitz titled, “Principles of Integrated Pest Management”. The horticulture agent has received many positive comments regarding her services. Evaluations for the Master Gardener pesticide training were as follows: 95% rated the usefulness of the information as either an 8, 9, or 10 on a scale of 0 to 10. Two examples of positive client comments via e-mail after helping with questions are, “Wow Cheryl! Thanks for all the contact info! I've asked numerous people in different agencies, and no one, has given me such a thorough list of resources.” – Renuka Vajrakarur. “A short note to thank you for the information regarding, spraying fruit trees. I had no idea what to look for. I did a quick read and that is exactly what I am looking for.” – Norbert Sanchez.