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.
Producing Sustainable Agronomic Crops in New Mexico
Plan Goals
This program conducts applied research and outreach in order to collect information on best fit variety selection, irrigation, nutrient use and chemical inputs that can optimize or limit agronomic plant growth.
Impact Reports
In the fall of 2008 the Public Regulatory Commission passed rate changes for Excel Energy subsidiary company South West Public Service Company. Because these rate changes went into effect in the fall most irrigated producers did not realize the impact. Fifteen farmers approach the Eddy County Agent identifying how the rate change would have an adverse effect on their ability to stay in business. The 2008 rate change removed the irrigation rate and added in with all industrial rates, thus requiring a “demand charge” which would be applied based on the maximum amps demanded in a 15 minute period. If a producer had a 12 inch well and a 100 horse power electric motor if it ran for more than 15 minutes in a meter reading period (30 days) a charge of $600 plus accrual use of electricity in KWH. Woods Houghton Eddy County ag agent contacted local elected officials and meet with Mr. Sandy Jones of the PRC while attending the association of counties meeting in Santa Fe. Mr. Jones advised Mr. Houghton and Senator Asbill and Leavell to write a letter explaining the problem. Mr. Houghton and a local producer Mr. James Waltershied field as interveners in a new rate case being presented to the PRC. They could do so because Excel had used the 2008 rate case to justify the 2009 rate case. Excel officials worked with the Extension office to put together a panel of producers to have a discussion with. For large producers which would run a well for at least 13 days in a metering period for 24 hours the 2008 rate would break even or be lower than previous rates. Excel did not realize that many of the producers in South Eastern NM would not pump a well for that long, and for those whose wells are supplemental to surface irrigation have limited control on the date of pumping. A compromise which increased the KWH rate a little and reduced the demand rate a lot was worked out. This saved the producers in South Eastern NM a tremendous burden. The Extension Economist Dr. Jerry Hawkes and water specialist Mr. Crag Runyan were extremely helpful. A number of producers expressed that this kept them farming. If the rate change had stayed in effect it would have increase the cost of production by 128%, instead there will be a 8% increase which is fair and reasonable. Excel did not realize the difference in production from west Texas to South Eastern NM, and have called the Eddy County Office on three other issues for advice in dealing with Agriculture.
Through mass media, news letters and personal contacts over 400 producers and hobby agriculturest were informed of research based informain including irrigation, pest managment, for sustainable agriculture production. Two farmer markets were supported one in Artesia and one in Carlsbad in cooperation with main street project. Four pesticide applicators traing workshop were conducted with 120 attendies. Two pesticide disposal day were conducted in cooperation with the City of Carlsbad, Eddy County goverment and New Mexico department of griculture and pesticide distributors.
The major activities in the first year of this five-year project have been: (1) collaborative linkages were continued between community stakeholders of the Navajo Nation and researchers from the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University; (2) IRB approval was gained from the three institutions involved in overseeing this research (UNM, NMSU, Navajo Nation); (3) six model farmers were recruited; (4) model farmers were trained to be certified Crop Inspectors; (5) pre and post test surveys were developed and formatted on Teleforms, facilitating data entry; (6) a database was developed to enter demographic information; (7) 63 participant farmers were recruited and consented; (8) farm plans were developed for participating farmers; and (9) an amendment was submitted to the IRBs of the three institutions.
Community stakeholders from the prior project have continued to be involved in the new project. They have attended several meetings and will be called on to provide advice during the new project as it unfolds.
The IRB approval progressed as planned, and although it required six months work, the process proceeded smoothly without hitches. The Navajo Nation IRB expressed its appreciation that we had applied for and received subsequent funding to continue our work in the area of agricultural injury. Reporting requirements for the three IRBs are annually and quarterly, deadlines which we have been meeting continuously without interruption.
Six model farmers were recruited. These model farmers live in the ditch system in which they will be working (one of three ditch systems in the catchment area of the project). Five of the six completed their certification training on schedule; one model farmer required more time to complete the training but as of the time of this writing has now done so.
Pre-tests and demographic information forms were created. The pre-test (post-test) surveys were formatted into Teleforms, a scannable format that facilitates data entry. A SPSS database was developed to collect the demographic information.
Beginning in August 2007, participant farmers were recruited. The approved research design was a randomized control design in which the control farmers received only standard training. Many farmers complained about this and initial recruitment was much lower than anticipated. At the SW Center Advisory Board meeting in August, the PI proposed a design change to a cross-over design; the intervention group would be trained for two years, after which they would be observed for maintenance of their new skills. The control group would be observed for two years, after which they would be given training. This proposed design would enable researchers to provide an added benefit to the control group and to assess whether the changes due to training could be maintained by the farmers.
The SW Center Advisory Board approved the design change and the researchers prepared an amendment to the three IRBs to gain approval for the revised design. At the time of writing, UNM IRB had approved the new design; the NMSU IRB had not yet completed their deliberations. It is hoped that the approval from NMSU IRB will be granted in early January, allowing the researchers to submit the amendment to the Navajo Nation IRB in late January, together with the documents for the quarterly and annual review. It is anticipated that the approval from all three institutions will be completed in March of 2008.
Using the originally approved consent form, a total of 63 farmers have been recruited and farm plans are being developed for them. Once the farm plans are developed and the farmers have completed the baseline survey, they will be randomized into intervention and control groups.
A. Significance
The work to date is providing needed insight into the practicalities of carrying out research on agricultural injury as well as other topics in largely rural and ethnically diverse settings. The results of this research will prove pivotal to the design of culturally-relevant, public health programs aimed at reducing the adverse impacts of agricultural injury.
B. Plans
Recruitment will continue throughout the winter months, in the hope that the entire 120 participants can be recruited.
Once the revised study design is approved by all three IRBs, the new consent form will be administered to all previously recruited participants. Participants who no longer wish to participate will be removed from the study and all data previously collected from them will be destroyed. We do not anticipate any loss of subjects, however, since the new study design provides all participants with an equal opportunity to be trained.
Farm plans will be developed for all participants. After the farm plans are developed but before the spring planting season, participants will be randomized into intervention and control groups. At the start of the planting season, observational farm “walk throughs” will be conducted with all participating farmers
Community stakeholders from the prior project have continued to be involved in the new project. They have attended several meetings and will be called on to provide advice during the new project as it unfolds.
The IRB approval progressed as planned, and although it required six months work, the process proceeded smoothly without hitches. The Navajo Nation IRB expressed its appreciation that we had applied for and received subsequent funding to continue our work in the area of agricultural injury. Reporting requirements for the three IRBs are annually and quarterly, deadlines which we have been meeting continuously without interruption.
Six model farmers were recruited. These model farmers live in the ditch system in which they will be working (one of three ditch systems in the catchment area of the project). Five of the six completed their certification training on schedule; one model farmer required more time to complete the training but as of the time of this writing has now done so.
Pre-tests and demographic information forms were created. The pre-test (post-test) surveys were formatted into Teleforms, a scannable format that facilitates data entry. A SPSS database was developed to collect the demographic information.
Beginning in August 2007, participant farmers were recruited. The approved research design was a randomized control design in which the control farmers received only standard training. Many farmers complained about this and initial recruitment was much lower than anticipated. At the SW Center Advisory Board meeting in August, the PI proposed a design change to a cross-over design; the intervention group would be trained for two years, after which they would be observed for maintenance of their new skills. The control group would be observed for two years, after which they would be given training. This proposed design would enable researchers to provide an added benefit to the control group and to assess whether the changes due to training could be maintained by the farmers.
The SW Center Advisory Board approved the design change and the researchers prepared an amendment to the three IRBs to gain approval for the revised design. At the time of writing, UNM IRB had approved the new design; the NMSU IRB had not yet completed their deliberations. It is hoped that the approval from NMSU IRB will be granted in early January, allowing the researchers to submit the amendment to the Navajo Nation IRB in late January, together with the documents for the quarterly and annual review. It is anticipated that the approval from all three institutions will be completed in March of 2008.
Using the originally approved consent form, a total of 63 farmers have been recruited and farm plans are being developed for them. Once the farm plans are developed and the farmers have completed the baseline survey, they will be randomized into intervention and control groups.
A. Significance
The work to date is providing needed insight into the practicalities of carrying out research on agricultural injury as well as other topics in largely rural and ethnically diverse settings. The results of this research will prove pivotal to the design of culturally-relevant, public health programs aimed at reducing the adverse impacts of agricultural injury.
B. Plans
Recruitment will continue throughout the winter months, in the hope that the entire 120 participants can be recruited.
Once the revised study design is approved by all three IRBs, the new consent form will be administered to all previously recruited participants. Participants who no longer wish to participate will be removed from the study and all data previously collected from them will be destroyed. We do not anticipate any loss of subjects, however, since the new study design provides all participants with an equal opportunity to be trained.
Farm plans will be developed for all participants. After the farm plans are developed but before the spring planting season, participants will be randomized into intervention and control groups. At the start of the planting season, observational farm “walk throughs” will be conducted with all participating farmers
In the last program year of 2006-2007, 7 news paper articles were written and published in at least two newspapers, some articles were published in others on sustainable agriculture. Also 5 news letters were written in regards to agronomic techniques. One on farm trial was conducted for dodder control in alfalfa. More then 27 farm visits occurred with more then 250 contacts logged for one on one instruction.The result is better water, weed, and pest management.
Woods Houghton has signed on to support Producing Sustainable Agronomic Crops in New Mexico within Eddy County.