Conducting and Delivering Practical Weed Science Research To Enhance Extension Credibility

Summary

Field research is conducted annually to provide immediate, practical, and science-based answers to question from extension clientele and the results of this research are delivered through various venues including telephone, text, e-mail, 50-60 educational meeting/year, popular press articles, blogs, and personal interactions (~4000 contacts/year).

Situation

During certain times of the year, it is not uncommon for UGA Extension Weed Specialists to receive 50 to 100 inquires per day for information from clientele via telephone, text, e-mail, or face-to-face. In some instances, the answers to these myriad of questions are well known. Frequently, science-based answers to these information requests are unknown which then become a focus for new research.

Response

Dr. Prostko routinely conducts applied research throughout the state of Georgia. The bulk of his research is conducted on UGA research facilities (Attapulgus Research and Education Center and Ponder Farm), as well as on-farm in cooperation with local growers and county extension agents. The goal of this research is to provide immediate and practical science-based answers to new issues. From 2015 to 2019, Dr. Prostko conducted more than 230 field trials.

Impact

Annual Weed Science Research Reports from 2010 to 2019 are available on-line on the UGA Weed Science Web-Page (http://gaweed.com/reports.html). Currently, Dr. Prostko is one of the few, maybe only, UGA Extension Specialists who regularly publishes an on-line annual summary of his research. Additionally the results of this research are disseminated through various venues including telephone, text, e-mail, 50-60 educational meetings/year, popular press articles, blogs, and personal contacts (~4000 contacts/year).

State Issue

Plant Production

Details

• Year: 2019
• Geographic Scope: State
• County: Tift
• Location: Coastal Plain Station, Tifton
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources