Final Report for LS10-234
Project Information
This research planning grant was submitted by a team of researchers and extension professionals in a bid to develop a proposal on agroforestry involving integration of pecan orchards with vegetable, forage, and small ruminants. The project goal was to facilitate networking of research scientists and extension specialists to develop a grant proposal that target assisting limited resource farmers in five states-Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. The team developed a SARE research proposal entitled “Enhancing the sustainability of small farmers by integrating pecan orchards with small ruminants”. The team anticipates submitting the full proposal to SSARE by November, 2013.
The main objective of this project was to facilitate networking of research scientists and extension specialists and to develop grant proposal that target assisting limited resource farmers in five states-Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. The ultimate goal is to develop a low-cost, ecologically friendly system that integrates pecans, vegetable, forage crops and small ruminants for these farmers.
The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a low-cost, ecologically friendly system that integrates pecans, vegetable, forage crops and small ruminants for resource poor farmers in five states-Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. The limited resource farmers and woodland owners in these states have faced significant production problems due to the ever increasing cost of farm inputs. These producers desire to extend their on-farm productive careers while providing an operation that can be sustained for future generations by converting existing farm operations to alternative agroforestry enterprise. The research and extension team aspire to develop a program for resource limited farmers that will incorporate innovative low-input technology of growing pecans intercropped with nitrogen fixing vegetables and forage crops, with small ruminants , for efficient forage utilization, nutrient cycling, weed control, and diversification of the production system.
Cooperators
Research
- The first teleconference held on November 15, 2010 with collaborating researchers and extension educators.
A Second teleconference with collaborating researchers and extension educators to assign research and educational topics was conducted on August 15, 2011.
A third teleconference with collaborating researchers and extension educators to discuss a detailed work program was held on January 18, 2012.
The first face-to-face meeting was held on March 21, 2012 in Arkansas for researchers and educators.
Proposal development continued from March 2012 to December 2012.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Githinji, L., U. Karki, O. Njue, J. Bettis, G. Boyd, W. Hodge, J. Idassi. 2013. Enhancing the economic sustainability of small farmers by integrating pecan orchards with small ruminants. Draft proposal to be submitted to SSARE in 2013.
Project Outcomes
- During the first teleconference a tentative program plan was developed and timeframe drawn. Assignment of research and educational topics was accomplished during the second teleconference with collaborating researchers and extension educators. During the third teleconference with collaborating researchers and extension educators a detailed work program was developed. Assessment of the benchmarks of teleconferences and outlining the challenges and opportunities was accomplished during the first face-to-face meeting in Arkansas for researchers and educators. Also the discussion of preliminary work plan and development of the initial draft of the proposal was accomplished. The proposal entitled “Enhancing the economic sustainability of small farmers by integrating pecan orchards with small ruminants” was developed and will be submitted to SSARE Research and Education Program in 2013.
Economic Analysis
The program will lead to development of low-cost, ecologically friendly systems that integrates pecans, vegetable, forage crops and small ruminants for resource poor farmers in five states-Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia.
Farmer Adoption
N/A
Areas needing additional study
N/A