Outputs

• Improve the production practices of plants used for food, fiber, livestock feed, industrial products, and for environmental, aesthetic, conservation and ornamental purposes, based on best cultural management practices
• Improve pest management practices Investigate adaptability and use of plants in arid environments
• Provide education for producers and public on water resource conservation Optimized production practices that affect cotton production
• Appropriate practices to manage resistance to pesticides
• Biological control practices for insects and disease
• Increased awareness regarding water resource conservation

• Per acre reduction in production costs
• Adoption of new technology to reduce pesticide use and increased use of biocontrol agents
• Adoption of practices to control development of resistance to pesticides
• Water use efficiency increased

Agricultural Literacy Reporting Category
Activities and projects in this category seek to improve the public's understanding of agriculture by 1) assisting educators with integrating information about agriculture into the subjects they teach and 2)
educating consumers about our Arizona agriculture industry and agriculture's impact on their life.

Projects include:

• AgVentures
  Vic Jimenez, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Maricopa Agricultural Center
• Ag in the Classroom
  Monica Pastor, Agricultural Literacy Coordinator, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

• COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE Working Group
  This group, in cooperation with the Urban Horticulture and Master Gardener working groups, is pursuing the education of green industry professionals, property managers, and home owners on proper pruning in the landscape.
  Coordinator: Ursula Schuch, Arid Ornamental Specialist, Plant Sciences Department.
  


• TURFGRASS SCIENCE Working Group
  There is a need for relevant turfgrass science research to be conducted and the information transferred to turf professionals so they may effectively and economically manage turfgrass optimally in desert conditions.
  Coordinators: David Kopec, Turf Specialist, Karsten Turfgrass Center, Kai Umeda, Area Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.

• Other projects within this reporting category
  • Greenhouse Management
    Current, research-based information is provided to those interested in controlled environment crop production.
    Gene Giacomelli, Professor and Director of Controlled Environment Agriculture Program, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

• ARIZONA PEST MANAGEMENT CENTER (APMC) Working Group
  The APMC provides applied research, outreach, and program assessment in integrated pest management.
  Coordinators: Peter Ellsworth, IPM Specialist, Maricopa Agricultural Center; John Palumbo, Associate Research Scientist, Entomology, Yuma Valley Agricultural Center; Paul Baker, Specialist, Department of Entomology.
  Working Group Update; Faculty Conference 2005 (ppt. 2,266K)

• COTTON IPM/ICM TEAM Working Group
  Successful desert cultivation of cotton demands a large knowledge base across a variety of interrelated disciplines. Because there is a strong link between production practices, weather, key pests, and pesticide use, interdisciplinary Extension education programs are needed to deliver timely, science-based information to cotton production clients to ensure profitable production and optimize inputs to meet environmental goals. In particular, the availability of accurate and timely information for growers and pest control advisors on integrated crop management (ICM) and integrated pest management (IPM) can affect cotton yields and quality and therefore the economic well being of Arizona cotton growers. Furthermore, information on IPM can improve pest management, reduce ineffective and/or unnecessary use of pesticides and thus reduce risks to applicators and the environment.
  Coordinator: Sam Wang, Assistant Specialist, Cropping Systems, Maricopa Agricultural Center.

• ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE Working Group
  A global world economy has many implications for American producers. Regardless of the present/future dynamics of farm policy in the US, no one can argue that farmers need to advance technologically to remain competitive. We believe that alternative management practices that incorporate larger amounts of high-quality information are a viable solution to the need for greater efficiency in farm production. In particular, we advocate the use of monitoring and control technologies to enhance site specific farm management.
  Coordinator: Pedro Andrade, Assistant Specialist, Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering.
  

• ARIZONA PEST MANAGEMENT CENTER (APMC) Working Group
  The APMCprovides applied research, outreach, and program assessment in integrated pest management.
  Coordinators: Peter Ellsworth, IPM Specialist, Maricopa Agricultural Center; John Palumbo, Associate Research Scientist, Entomology, Yuma Valley Agricultural Center; Paul Baker, Specialist, Department of Entomology.
  

• ARTHROPOD RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT Working Group
  Provides current information on insect pest resistance to pesticides.
  Coordinator: Tim Dennehy, Specialist and Professor, Entomology Department
  
  
• CROP INSECT LOSSES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT Working Group
  The availability of accurate, real-world data on crop insect losses is critical to assessing the impact of Extension recommendations, including IPM programs.
  Coordinator: Al Founier, Program Manager Integrated Pest Management, Maricopa Agricultural Center.
  
  
• CROSS-COMMODITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION/OUTREACH PROGRAM
  The Cross-commodity Research & Outreach Program (CROP) working group was initially formed in 2000 to address the need for timely communication of scientific information that spans crops and disciplines, and has been very positively received by agricultural clientele. The group's major goal is to anticipate and proactively resolve problems unique to cross-commodity interactions.
  Coordinator: Erin Taylor, Area Assistant Agent, ANR/Crops, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.
  
  
• IRRIGATION Working Group
  Increase and enhance the communication between campus-based faculty and county-based faculty on issues of irrigation water quantity, quality, and other related issues.
  Coordinator: Ed Martin, Irrigation Specialist, Maricopa Agricultural Center.
  
  
• Other projects within this reporting category
  • Farm Safety
    The farm safety extension program delivers educational information via a web site, videos, and field days throughout the state.
    Don Slack, Professor and Department Head, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
    
    
  • Sustainable Agriculture
    The University of Arizona and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are working together to improve profits, protect the environment, and enhance the quality of life for Arizona farmers and ranchers.
    Rick Gibson, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, Pinal County Cooperative Extension

• ARIZONA PEST MANAGEMENT CENTER (APMC) Working Group
  The APMC provides applied research, outreach, and program assessment in integrated pest management.
  Coordinators: Peter Ellsworth, IPM Specialist, Maricopa Agricultural Center; John Palumbo, Associate Research Scientist, Entomology, Yuma Valley Agricultural Center; Paul Baker, Specialist, Department of Entomology.

• FORAGE AND GRAIN Working Group
  Coordinator: Mike Ottman, Agronomy Specialist, Plant Sciences Department

• FRUIT CROPS Working Group
  The commercial fruit and nut industries in Arizona are diverse. There is an increasing need for communication to identify, prioritize and address issues which impact one or more sectors of the industry. This group will make possible the discussion that addresses these critical issues facing fruit producers statewide. Coordinator: Glenn Wright, Associate Research Scientist/Associate Extension Specialist, Plant Sciences.
  
• Projects within this reporting category
  
  • Citrus
    Contact: Glen Wright, Citrus Specialist, Plant Sciences Department

• AG LABOR ISSUES Working group
  This group addresses risk management broadly, including management of human resources.
  Coordinator: Trent Teegerstrom, Research Specialist, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics
  
• 
  DIRECT FARM MARKETING AND TOURISM Working Group
  This group works with producers in finding new and innovative ways to market agricultural products to consumers.
  Coordinator: Russell Tronstad, Extension Economist, Agricultural and Resource Economics.

• ARIZONA PEST MANAGEMENT CENTER (APMC) Working Group
  The APMCprovides applied research, outreach, and program assessment in integrated pest management.
  Coordinators: Peter Ellsworth, IPM Specialist, Maricopa Agricultural Center; John Palumbo, Associate Research Scientist, Entomology, Yuma Valley Agricultural Center; Paul Baker, Specialist, Department of Entomology.

• Other projects within this reporting category
  • Pesticide
    The UA Pesticide Information and Training Office provides statewide leadership in educational programs concerning pesticide safety and information for the residents of Arizona.
    Paul Baker, Pesticide Coordinator, Entomology Department

• ARIZONA PEST MANAGEMENT CENTER (APMC) Working Group
  The APMC provides applied research, outreach, and program assessment in integrated pest management.
  Coordinators: Peter Ellsworth, IPM Specialist, Maricopa Agricultural Center; John Palumbo, Associate Research Scientist, Entomology, Yuma Valley Agricultural Center; Paul Baker, Specialist, Department of Entomology.
  


• VEGETABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PEST MANAGEMENT TEAM SUPPORT Working Group
  More than 13 years ago extension and research personnel from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) came to the understanding that we were in need of a means to directly communicate with our clientele. To meet this end, we established the Vegetable Advisory Committee. Previously, too many of our interactions with growers and other members of the vegetable-producing community consisted of one-way conversations, with CALS personnel providing information about what we knew.
  Coordinator: David Byrne, Professor, Department of Entomology.
  


• VEGETABLE CROPPING SYSTEMS Working Group
  Within intensive desert vegetable production, there is an increasing need for communication to identify, prioritize and address issues which are highly integrated within vegetable production but, are categorized as being nonpest. Last year in Yuma County, a grower survey identified that urban encroachment as one of the key issues facing the future of vegetable production. As a result, more vegetable growers are being forced to modify cropping systems to maintain yields with less available land. Such systems can include nutrient/water management, rotation, stand establishment, tillage, crop uniformity and sustainability. This group will be formed to serve this need, and actively facilitate discussion that addresses critical production issues facing vegetable producers statewide.
  Coordinator: Kurt Nolte, Area Agriculture Agent, Yuma County Cooperative Extension