Agriculture Glance 10-21-12

Master Gardener training
The Yuma County Cooperative Extension will offer the 2012 Master Gardener volunteer training program starting in November.

Classes will meet from 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays Nov. 6 through Feb. 26 (no classes Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) at the extension office, 2200 W. 28th St. Cost is $150, which includes a required background check, the Master Gardener handbook, Desert Landscaping for Beginners, Desert Gardening for Beginners, other materials and refreshments.

Master Gardeners receive specialized training in urban horticulture, then volunteer to help educate the community on various aspects of horticulture, including turf, landscaping, vegetables and pest management. Graduates must volunteer 50 hours of service back to the community within the first year after completing the program.

For more information, and to apply, call the extension office at 726-3904.

Agricultural Statistics Bulletin
For the past several decades, the University of Arizona's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been providing the funding to offer the Agricultural Statistics Bulletin free of charge. This state-funded bulletin includes all of the annual statistics published by USDA-NASS for its federal statistics program, including county-level data, plus special state-funded statistics when available.

Due to a lack of state public funding, the bulletin this year will only be available online at www.nass.usda.gov/az. Click on the Annual Statistical Bulletin title under Publications to view it.