More details can be obtained from the August 2000 Yuma County Farm Notes or from B. Tickes, Extension Agent, who conducted the experiments. There is a national program operating in 33 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and 4 Indian Tribal organizations to link farmers and low-income families. Arizona is not yet among them. The benefits to growers are expanded and diversified direct marketing opportunities and developing support for local agriculture. WIC participants benefit by eating fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Communities benefit by enhanced economic growth provided by farmers markets.
The Arizona Direct Marketing Association has potential to expand awareness of agriculture and farmers markets in the state. The diversity of crops that are interplanted and grown adjacent to each other presents challenges in making chemical applications on to a target crop. Chemical drift could occur if its windy during applications or when inversions occur with air movement. Spray tanks could also contain residues of a previous spray mixture that may cause injury on a sensitive crop. Vegetable crops such as fall melons, lettuce, and cole crops are off-target sensitive crops that could be affected by cotton defoliants during this time of the year.