Progress report for GS21-248
Project Information
The project seeks to understand gaps in knowledge surrounding rural land conservation practices by African American current and potential absentee landowners living in Houston, Texas. Significant research addressing the education of absentee landowners on land conservation via timber management exists. There is a need to educate small acreage absentee landowners, where timber may not be a reasonable conservation option- focusing on the African American community. Much of the reported African American owned land is in heir property. Settlements usually end in the fractionation of the property, with some members choosing to continue to live away from their portion of the land. Without proper education, land conservation may become an afterthought to absentee landowners. The novelty of this project lies with the target population and the small acreage size. Some timber companies specify that they will not service areas less than 30 acres, making timber relatively easy to establish, but difficult to harvest. Conservation practices should be practiced and understood by everyone who owns or leases rural land. The objectives are to develop a needs assessment survey to gain insight into what rural conservation topics potential small acreage absentee landowners are unfamiliar with. Information gathered from the needs assessment will be used to develop a pilot workshop series that will increase participant knowledge on rural conservation practice options and government agency assistance. A retrospective post-test will be given to workshop participants and results will help extension educators determine the need for similar educational programs.
- Conduct a needs assessment to identify gaps in knowledge and level of understanding of rural landownership conservation practices by urban African American current and potential absentee landowners. The needs assessment will include three sections:
- Current attitudes of African American landowners and potential landowners on rural land and rural landownership
- Perceptions of African Americans in regard to rural land and conservation practices.
- Perception of African Americans in regard to the status and trends of rural land ownership
- Increase the dissemination of conservation resources by engaging key stakeholders, including U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) personnel in specifics of the project design and implementation.
- Increase knowledge and understanding of rural conservation practices of small acreage, urban potential absentee landowners by executing a 2-part pilot workshop series based on the information gathered from the needs assessment.
- Workshops will give participants access to information and personnel that can assist them with understanding and developing conservation plans.
- Inspire expansion in regard to the scope of landowner education by the extension system in Texas by sharing project findings and results extension professionals and stakeholders.
Research
Approach and Methods
Objective 1 (YEAR 1)
- Phase 1: Exploration and Preparation A participatory, anonymous needs assessment survey will be developed by the PI and the Graduate Advisor and reviewed for validity by Texas A&M AgriLife and Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension Program Specialists/Leadership.
- Development of an assessment tool with assistance from Graduate Advisor and extension statistician
- Landowner demographics (Gender/Race/Ethnicity/Age)
- Landowner Education
- Landownership size (acres owned)
- Resident status (Resident, absentee landowner)
- Knowledge of the Natural resources Conservation Service and programs
- Knowledge of the Farm Service Agency and programs
- Knowledge of State Extension Service and programs
- Understanding of what is meant by land conservation practice (open ended)
- Understanding of income related benefits to conservation planning
- Development of an assessment tool with assistance from Graduate Advisor and extension statistician
- Identification of partners/stakeholders to assist with dissemination of needs assessment questionnaire:
- Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program- Agriculture and Natural Resources Unit (Harris Co., TX);
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service- Agriculture and Natural Resources Unit (Harris Co., TX Unit);
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (Xi Alpha Omega and Alpha Kappa Omega Chapters);
- Knights of St. Peter Claver, Incorporated (All Houston Affiliate Churches);
- Additional churches, community groups and stakeholders
- Phase 2: Dispersion of Assessment The needs assessment will be distributed to Texas extension program participants and other stakeholders from partnering community organizations either in person or via email (if programming is virtual).
- Each community organization will be provided a box to collect needs assessments filled out in person. Digital needs assessment responses will be automatically logged on the Qualtrics system. In person assessments will be picked up or mailed to the PI by partnering community group leaders and stakeholders.
- Reminder postcards or e-mails and a follow-up mailing to all nonrespondents will be sent to increase returns and minimize nonresponse bias
- Phase 3: Evaluation of Assessment Results The results from the assessment will be evaluated and topics receiving the lowest average score will be noted and used for the development of a pilot educational program to be delivered in year 2 of the project to give better guidance for future programming and its future implications.
- Objective 2
- Phase 4- Formulation of Program Committee A committee of extension professionals and stakeholders with natural resource and programming experience will be asked to assist with the development and implementation of the pilot workshop program. Establishing a committee with professional and community members will ensure that the program is delivered at an appropriate time, locations and local needs are being met.
- Objective 3 (YEAR 2)
- Phase 5: Utilization of Data Information gathered from the needs assessment survey will be used to generate content for a two-part educational workshop series that will include a 1-day lecture and a 1-day field day program to a selected operation where conservation practices are being upheld by and absentee landowner who leases their land but has a conservation plan in place. Participants will be evaluated after each workshop and the workshops will be open for any absentee landowner, or future landowner to attend. All data will be reviewed and analyzed. More specifically, data from African American participants will be evaluated and reported for the purposes of this study, as they are the targeted population which is in most need of conservation education.
- Workshop #1- Educational Presentations
- Workshop # 2- Field Day
- Phase 6: Dissemination of Results The dissemination of the results of the needs assessment and pilot study will be important in the development of future programming recommendation and an indication of future uses beyond the life of this grant. Project findings and results will be shared in an interpretive document that can be used as a program planning tool for county agents and specialists. Professional development opportunities can be offered to educate extension professionals who work with urban populations, on this population that is in need of additional support in the area of land management and conservation.
- Phase 5: Utilization of Data Information gathered from the needs assessment survey will be used to generate content for a two-part educational workshop series that will include a 1-day lecture and a 1-day field day program to a selected operation where conservation practices are being upheld by and absentee landowner who leases their land but has a conservation plan in place. Participants will be evaluated after each workshop and the workshops will be open for any absentee landowner, or future landowner to attend. All data will be reviewed and analyzed. More specifically, data from African American participants will be evaluated and reported for the purposes of this study, as they are the targeted population which is in most need of conservation education.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
No activities were performed.
Project Outcomes
There are no project outcomes to report.
Due to a change in life status, the graduate student was unable to initiate and conduct the project.