Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture

Tree Health and Pruning Workshop

The agent organized a tree health and pruning workshop that had twenty three participants that participated in a classroom discussion that was led and instructed by the agent and a specialist. A hand on demonstration was held that same afternoon where twenty individuals were present. As a result 80% of the participants reported that they were improperly pruning their trees and shrubs

Urban Horticultural Inquiries to the Cooperative Extension Office

The agent recorded 492 agricultural inquires for the past year and feels strongly that one of the Cooperative Extension Service’s greatest impacts is the one-on-one service we provide to those who walk in, call in, or E-mail the office with questions on varieties that grow best here, insects, plant diseases, weeds, urban wildlife management, plants’ water needs, and damage done to plants by ignoring the factors that make up our particular growing environment. Certainly more people are reached in public presentations but, these programs cannot come close to the value of the personal attention and abundant information provided by NMSU and the Land Grant University system that is now available at the touch of a computer keyboard to the agricultural agent serving those clients that contact the Cooperative Extension Service office. Even to those clients who are not new to the county, if a weed, or insect, or plant disease is not know by name it is almost impossible for the client to find any information on the Internet or elsewhere, but because of the training provided for the agricultural agent and resources made available, especially the ready access to the NMSU Extension Specialists, problems can be identified and quickly researched to provide timely University-research-based information for the urban grower as well as the larger production grower. At no other place can a person walk in without an appointment with an insect, plant disease, or weed, have it identified and receive a virtual library of information for its management in their garden/landscape environment within minutes.

The Lea County Master Gardeners has been functioning for 12 years. This program serves as a major asset to the Agent. The involvement of this group has become more noticeable within the community through there projects. projects consist of Landscaping of three historical house in the county, four beautification projects in both Lovington and Hobbs and operating the farm and garden show during the annual county fair. Since 2008 participation in the Master Gardeners has increased by 57%. This can be attributed to the annual course being moved from Lovington to Hobbs. In 2009 and 2010 the course has served 56 members of the community. By increasing enrollment by 57% the Master Gardeners have been to certify more Master Gardeners in the county thus being able to become more involved with community projects. Also, Lea County was able to able to work with New Mexico Junior College along with NMSU and offer the course for credit for potential students at both NMJC and NMSU. Agent will have further information relative to credit to the Master gardeners.

The agent responded to in excess of 185 urban horticultural calls from horticultural professionals and the gardening public. The agent utilized The NMSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic, NMSU SWAT LAB, NMSU Publications, NMSU Extension Specialists, Postal Services, phone conversations, and Direct Contact both in office and at home/garden. All of which allowed him to deliver applicable information on the wide variety of calls, ranging from basic cultural practices to complex deficiencies and rare diseases.

Agent Responded to 85 different Urban Horticulture calls that involved inefficient use of water and poor watering practices. Remedial recommendations were given to theses members of the gardening public to increase their water use efficiency and the overall management of their landscapes.