Faces of RGBI
Nutrient management education team
By Danielle Supercinski
The Nutrient Management Education in the Rio Grande Valley Team was formed in 2002 to help Valley producers reduce fertilizer use to increase their profitability and make the Arroyo Colorado Watershed and Rio Grande Basin healthy again. Results achieved so far through marketing, educational programs and free soil testing campaigns are remarkable: producers adopting these best soil management practices increased by 60 percent; actual fertilizer application was reduced by more than 2.6 million pounds of nitrogen and 3 million pounds of phosphorus; growers saved $1.6 million or $9.47 to $27.07 an acre; and the watershed’s water quality improved dramatically.
The Nutrient Management Education in the Rio Grande Valley Team includes (left to right) Omar Montemayor, Brad Cowan, Dr. Enrique Perez, Dr. Tony Provin and Dr. Mark McFarland. The award was presented by Dr. Ed Smith, director of AgriLife Extension (far right).
Team members are: Brad Cowan, county Extension agent (CEA)-agriculture and natural resources, Hidalgo County; Dr. Mark McFarland, professor and soil fertility specialist; Omar Montemayor, CEA-agriculture and natural resources, Starr County; Dr. Enrique Perez, CEA-agriculture and natural resources, Cameron County; and Dr. Tony Provin, associate professor and soil chemist. These gentlemen received the 2007 Superior Service Team Award for their outstanding educational programs that enable Rio Grande Valley producers to significantly reduce fertilizer use, helping them increase profits and productivity while enhancing water quality. This project is partially funded by the Rio Grande Basin Initiative and Texas Water Resources Institute.
