Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture

Thomas L. Dean has signed on to support Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture within Socorro County.

Elizabeth Gordon has signed on to support Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture within Otero County.

Urban Horticulture

The citizens of Sierra County rely on the agent for advice on horticultural problems that they are faced with. The agent with the help of specialists assist these small producers and plant enthusiasts through answering question, finding information, and identifying problems. This year the agent responded to approximately three hundred calls, office walk-ins, and home visits on plant and insect problems for Sierra County residents. This year there was also a large infestation of White-lined Sphinx Moth larvae where the agent received over twenty calls and questions as well as a press release to inform the public of the problem. The agent was also asked to conduct a presentation on the larvae to the Sunshine Valley Garden Club which was very well received.

Jeff Anderson has signed on to support Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture within Doña Ana County.

Master Gardener’s Program

In New Mexico, most urban residents are increasingly interested in home gardening and landscape gardening, but have few opportunities to gain research-based information in these areas. To assist in meeting this need, the Chaves County Master Gardener Program was coordinated by the agent. The 12 week-long program met three hours each week to address pertinent topics for the Chaves County area. Various specialists, agents, and local individuals taught the programs. Fifteen individuals, including personnel from the Chaves County Maintenance Department, attended the programs to gain knowledge of southwestern gardening, for a total of 172 contacts during classes. Eleven of the 15 individuals agreed to donate volunteer hours to assist the Extension Office after the gardening classes were finished. Four individuals assisted the agent in disseminating NMSU Cooperative Extension Service publications on horticulture and related topics at a local hardware store in Roswell twice during the spring. Five volunteers assisted the agent with planning, constructing, and maintaining the Pecos Elementary School 4-H Garden throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Participants of the Master Gardener Program are more knowledgeable about gardening in the Pecos Valley and are more successful, saving time and dollars. The community has gained gardening information from the Master Gardener volunteers, as well.