Ellen M. Bauske

A Multivirus Epidemic of Tomatoes in Alabama

During 1992, a multivirus epidemic reduced tomato production by as much as 25% in the major tomato-growing region of Alabama. Estimated yield losses of 100% resulted from the epidemic in over 250 ha in two counties of North Alabama. Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), alone or in combination with potato potyvirus Y (PVY) and/or tobacco etch potyvirus (TEV), was responsible for the crop failure. CMV was detected alone or in combination with PVY and/or TEV in over 70% of the samples tested and was present in 90% of the fields surveyed. In 1993, 21 tomato fields were monitored weekly from transplanting through harvest for CMV, PVY, TEV, tobacco mosaic tobamovirus, and tomato spotted wilt tospovirus. All 5 viruses were detected, with CMV occurring most frequently. Incidence of CMV at the 61% level or higher was found in 16 of the 21 fields surveyed. Tomatoes transplanted in April and May were least effected and had relatively low virus incidence until late in their development. Tomatoes transplanted in June and July were infected at an earlier age, had the highest virus incidence, were the most severely affected, and suffered the greatest loss in yield. In 1994,Aphis gossypii, the cotton aphid, was the most common virus vector found during an aphid monitoring/virus spread study. Populations of A. gossypii peaked in late June, immediately preceding a period of rapid CMV incidence and spread.

Evaluating the influence of septic systems and watershed characteristics on stream faecal pollution in suburban watersheds in Georgia, USA.

To determine the impact of septic systems on water quality and in so doing identify watershed level characteristics that influence septic system impact.

Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of the 21st Century: Educated, Prosperous, and Committed

This present quantitative study documented the demographic base of 21st century Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers in the United States. As the EMG program approaches its fifth decade and momentum builds for national leadership, collaborative programming, and innovative impact reporting, it is important to understand the characteristics of the current volunteers and their coordinators. A national study of EMG coordinators and volunteers was conducted in Fall 2016. Response was strong, representing 71.4% of state programs and 7498 volunteers. Responding state coordinators are primarily white females, have a mean age of 51.2 years, and have served in their position an average of 7.2 years. Most state coordinators (94.1%) have a graduate degree (master’s or higher). Responding local coordinators are primarily white females, have a mean age of 51.9 years, and have served in their position 7.5 years. Some local coordinators (57.4%) have a graduate degree (master’s or higher).EMGvolunteers respondingwereprimarily female,white, educated, retired, and of economic means; have a mean age of 64.8 years; and have served an averageof 7.7 years. Four generations [Traditionalist (born 1925–42), Baby Boomer (born1943–60),GenX (born1961–81), andGenY (born1982–2000)]were represented in survey responses. EMG volunteers were 14.5% Traditionalists, 73.2% Baby Boomers, 11.5%GenX, and 0.9%GenY. There were significant differences in the age, age at initial training, years of active service, and service hours reported in 2015 (the prior complete program cycle) among four generations of EMG volunteers. Responses from EMG volunteers and their coordinators represented all six extension programmatic regions established by the EMG National Committee. Significant differences in age, years of service, and number of volunteer service hours reported in 2015 exist among EMG volunteers across extension programmatic regions. The majority of EMGvolunteers responding to the survey indicated they volunteered in an urban county (80.5%), whereas 17.2%of respondents served in a suburban county and 2.1% were connected with rural counties. There were no significant differences in the average age, years of service, and number of volunteer service hours reported in 2015 for EMG volunteers in urban, suburban, and rural programs. Historical data and the present study share similar trends within demographics, including age, income, gender, education, and race/ethnicity, yet offer important considerations for future program growth and development.

Assessing the Economic Contributions and Benefits of Consumer Horticulture

Consumer horticulture (CH) programming can result in outcomes and impacts at the individual level, such as money saved by reducing inputs, greater return on the landscape investment, healthier plants, and improved quality of life. It may also lead to community-level impacts that provide public value, such as water quality protection, water conservation, and protection of biodiversity. In addition to documenting such outcomes and impacts, it is important to quantify their economic value, connect the value to actions taken by extension audiences, and demonstrate to extension’s stakeholders a return on investment. However, it is difficult to document the economic contributions of consumer horticulture and even more difficult to document the economic impact of consumer horticulture extension programs. CH reaches individuals and communities directly and indirectly through personal gardens and landscapes, indoor flowers and plants, school and community gardens, and horticulture therapy. The economic contributions and benefits of consumer horticulture are challenging to quantify, but can be evaluated using several different strategies, including measuring the consumer dollars spent and the economy driven by consumers’ purchase of gardening supplies and landscape services. A second strategy is to examine the value of consumers’ gardening actions on environmental ecosystem services that support soils and plants, provide food and raw materials, and regulate functions, such as pollination, storm water catchment, water quality preservation, green waste reduction, and wildlife habitat and diversity. A third strategy is to focus on cultural, social, and health system services, such as education, recreation, and therapy, that result in exercise, nutrition, health, and happiness. Using a combination of these strategies, workgroups of Tennessee extension professionals are balancing the feasibility of data collection with the usefulness of the data gathered by developing realistic and robust outcome indicators that will form the basis for local and statewide reporting.