Extension involved more than 10,000 citizens across the state in the Texas Community Futures Forum in each county in 1999 to identify critical needs and to partner with other agencies and organizations in developing action plans to address those needs. Many farmers and ranchers have improved their management and marketing decision-making, particularly in the face of recent droughts, with FARM Assistance, a computer software program that helps them assess their individual operations and resources. Water Quality Proper nutrient management in crop and forage production in 13 counties in the Colorado River Basin reduced nonpoint nutrient loadings by an estimated 1.1 million pounds of nitrogen and 2 million pounds of phosphorus. The Bobwhite Brigade, a boot camp on quail management and leadership skills for high school youths, has become one of the premier conservation camps in the U.S. Testing has shown a doubling of knowledge during the five-day camps. Improved Pesticide Use More than 5,000 pesticide applicators receive training each year, thereby having a major impact on the safe use of pesticides.
Pesticide use violations and reported exposures have been reduced significantly.
Biological IPM Biologically based integrated pest management has helped Texas producers boost production while reducing costs. Herd Health Beef producers who applied comprehensive herd health programs have reaped returns of 200 to 500 percent. Master Gardeners Texas now boasts more than 4,600 Master Gardeners who are certified to teach gardening and related topics. The Partners for Parenting program provides education for some 80,000 parents annually. More than half of these parents have adopted two or more positive parenting practices in communications, discipline and guidance, money management and health and nutrition.