Las Cruces, New Mexico
October 27, 2008
The
New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service is
offering a first detector training course to help anyone
interested in plants detect pest and disease outbreaks. The
workshop will take place in Las Cruces Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. at the Best Western Mission Inn, 1765 S. Main St. There is
no charge for the workshop, but registration is required. Lunch
will be provided.
“This training is important not only for professionals, but
homeowners who work with plants and plant material on a
consistent basis,” said Jeanine Castillo, a specialist in NMSU’s
Extension Plant Sciences. “In this course, participants will
learn how to identify plant pests and diseases. They also will
learn how to properly submit both suspicious and invasive
samples to NMSU’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic. This training is
important for dissemination of information. Participants become
part of a national network of first detectors, thereby receiving
timely pest alerts and educational materials.”
Participants must register online at
http://cbc.at.ufl.edu/ or
contact Castillo at rjeanine@nmsu.edu or (575) 202-8728 for a
registration form. Attendance for the entire four-hour training
session is required for certification.
NMSU extension plant pathologist Natalie Goldberg will teach the
art and science of diagnosing plant disorders, high-risk
diseases and how to submit samples. Goldberg’s primary
responsibilities at NMSU include statewide education programming
in areas related to plant health management and crop
biosecurity. She operates the plant diagnostic clinic and
identifies new plant diseases in New Mexico, conducts applied
research projects and writes education publications. She also
provides information to the public and to regional and national
pest information databases on disease outbreaks in New Mexico.
The cost of the training in funded by New Mexico State
University, the National Plant Diagnostic Network, the Western
Plant Diagnostic Network, the Southwest Border Food Safety and
Defense Center and Agroguard, a program of the New Mexico
Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. |
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