Final report for NCMO22-003
Project Information
Train the Trainer Professional Development Activities will be offered in each of the following area.
1. Sustainable Crop Production - to include: Agronomy, Horticulture &/or Floriculture production, economics, pest control
2. Sustainable Livestock Production - to include: Large and Small Livestock, Ruminants & Poultry productioni economics
3. Adaption of Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change - Regional Initiative
4. Emerging Issues - Likely to include new and alternative crops and cropping systems
- Sustainable Crop Production - In 2023 & 2024 a row crop production PDP update will be held targeting Educators from the University of Missouri and Lincoln University Extension program and include other educators as well. It will include: Soil Health Considerations, Incorporation of Cover Crops into cropping systems, the use of Green Manure crops, and Crop Rotation. It will also feature Alternative/emerging Crops & Cropping Systems currently considered alternative that may become mainstream, especially in the context of Climate Change. This PDP will be held during the winter months each year and will be led/organized by Dr. Kevin Bradley and the state coordinator.
- Also addressing Sustainable Crop Production Dr. Sam Polly will host a PDP in both 2023 and 2024 focusing on pest control These PDPs will include traditional methods of pest control but and how to use them more judiciously and safely. It will also feature alternative, environmentally friendly methods of weed and insect control for both row crop production and horticultural production.
- As the local food movement gains momentum, Dr. Londa Nwadike will host a local foods production, sales, and online marketing safety PDP in both 2023 & 2024. These will be conducted in follow-up to the ones conducted online during the "Covid - 19 lockdown". These PDPs will feature state and federal officials who oversee the safe sales and marketing of foods to consumers as well as exemplary producers.
- Sustainable Livestock Production - In the large commercial setting proper disposal of animal mortalities is a very costly and unpleasant experience. It may well be the same for the small/alternative operations but the small producer likely does not have the budget flexibility of a larger corporate entity. Dr. Teng Lim will host a PDP in 2023 on how to properly and legally dispose of animal mortalities for small and alternative operations.
- Adapting to a changing climate and other food system disruptions - NC Regional Initiative. Funding has been allocated for Missouri Educators to participate in this regional issue as it emerges.
- Emerging Issues - It is very difficult to anticipate emerging issues a year or two down the road as was demonstrated by the challenges created by Covid - 19. Funding has been allocated to conduct a "just in time" PDP each year as issues emerge. The need for these PDPs will be identified by the state advisory board and the state coordinators.
Target Audience for all PDPs: Extension Educators and other agency personnel will be the target audience for all PDPs offered during the 2023-2024 plan of work time frame. Other “agricultural educators” may be included as resources permit.
Evaluation: Standard methods will be used for PDP evaluation. Increases in knowledge of the topics of the training will be assessed with a knowledge pre/post-event knowledge evaluation. Proposed changes in behavior will be evaluated using the same post-event survey for all PDPs offered during the 2023-2024 plan of work time frame.
Expected Outcomes will focus on participants (extension educators and agency partners) increasing their knowledge/understanding (in a train the trainer format) of sustainable agriculture and the individual PDP topic. and anticipation of their conducting training offerings, transferring their knowledge to local clientele. Expected outcomes are listed with in the attached logic model.
Advisors
Education
The University of Missouri SARE program uses the train the trainer approach to multiply impact of professional development offerings. The primary audiences for MoSARE in order of priority are: 1. Extension Educators, 2. Other LGU Educators, 3. Agency Personnel with Educational Roles, 4. Other Educators.
Additionally the program offers professional development travel scholarships, and demonstration project mini-grant that incorporate professional development in the project.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Adaption of Food Systems Systems in the face of climate change
Jan./Feb. 2023, Educators and Extension personnel trained on tomato production techniques focusing on season extension through the use of high tunnel production techniques.
Fifteen Extension Educators and 80 small scale commercial producers increased their knowledge of tomato propagation utilizing IPM and high tunnel technologies through participation in one of a series of workshops.
Adaptation of Local Food Systems. in the Face of Climate Change
Twenty-seven Extension Educator and producers participated in a two day workshop on hydroponic vegetable production issues and techniques.
Educators and producers increased their knowledge of hydroponic production techniques.
Sustainable Crop Production
February 2023, Sixty Extension Educators and small producers/manufacturers participated in this online workshop focusing on production and preservation of food products for direct retail sales to consumers
Participant were trained in the regulatory structure, standards, and procedure for the home production of food stuff for direct retail sales. Safety, sanitation, production, and record keeping were included in the presentations.
Sustainable Livestock Production
The MoSARE program in conjunction with the Missouri Agri-abilty project sponsored this program to provide returning veterans with educational tool for use in consideration of entering or expanding the farming operations.
April 12, 2023, Nearly one-hundred returning veterans received information and educational materials to aide in considering expansion of or starting a farming operation. Options for livestock, vegetable, and crop production were presented and discussed.
Sustainable Crop Production
Extension Educators were trained in winter vegetable production techniques.
January 2023, Seventeen University of Missouri & Lincoln University Extension Educators were trained in the techniques to be used in winter vegetable production including lighting, heating, structures, row covers, and crop varieties. Curriculum included both classroom instruction and a production facility tour. Resources and materials were provided for use with their local clientele.
Sustainable Crop Production
July 6, 2023, Sixty Extension Educators were trained on the latest technologies in row crop production including a focus on environmentally friendly techniques, crop rotation, and organic concepts.
The participants were provided with presentations, printed and digital media, and demonstrations of current crop production technologies.
Sustainable Crop Production
August 24-25, 2023, Thirty-two Extension Educators were trained in the latest integrated pest management and scouting techniques including environmentally friendly, practices to protect water quality, and sensitive species.
The curriculum was designed for the Extension Educators to use with their clientele upon returning home. It included a focus on modern production techniques that are reported to be "more environmentally friendly" than some of the more well established practices.
Sustainable Crop Production, Sustainable Livestock Production, and the Emerging Issues objective were all addressed in this PDP.
Extension Specialists and producers heard first hand accounts from small businesses & professionals working to add value to home based products. Ten of the participants were Extension Specialists. They were also introduced to economic considerations, regulatory/health ordinances and considerations, licensure issues, facility and equipment considerations, marketing plans considerations. This one day ISE was held on February 17, 2024 with a total of forty-five participants
All participants learned new strategies for adding value to their small farm and/or home based business products that will be used in educating others, and/or enhancing their operations.
Emerging Issues - Modern Technologies and Sustainability
One hundred and twelve Extension Agricultural Educators were training and provided with materials on the use of modern technologies in production.
Oct. 23-24, 2023, Modern technology topics included virtual fencing with implications for invasive weed/brush control, water supplies and management, subsurface drip irrigation in row crops, precision application of pesticides, and production in Controlled Environments for use in programming with their clientele.
Sustainable Crop Production
Twenty Three Extension Educators from the University of Missouri and Lincoln University
Dec. 14, 2023, The participants gained insight into Missouri's source waters available for irrigation, , plant water needs, calculating water available, water storage, and distribution for the production of commodity crop production and specialty crop production. All engineering aspects of need, distribution systems, hardware and scheduling were provided along with online resources to utilize with their local clientele.
Adaptation of Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change
February 12-16, 2024 - An online series of seminars for local producers and farmers market vendors and operators. Participants heard from farmers, extension faculty, representatives from the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as well as representatives for MarketLink and the Mid-America Regional Council. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and exchange ideas.
“This series of five "online seminars" helped farmers and other food producers gain knowledge to help them sell their food products at farmers markets,” said Londa Nwadike, member of the MU Extension Food Systems Network.
Participants heard from experienced producers, extension faculty, representatives from the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as well as representatives for MarketLink and the Mid-America Regional Council. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and exchange ideas.
Sustainable Crop Production
Extension Agronomists and Horticulturalists participated in the Crop Management Clinic as and In-Service Training held on December 18-19, 2024 in Columbia. They were introduced and updated with the newest varieties, tools, and technologies available for crop production. Twenty one Extension specialist participated in this training as well as farmers. Extension specialists and farmers were also engaged as speakers during this two day event.
All Extension Specialists were updated on production and technologic advances in crop production. These new tools and knowledge will be integrated into their ongoing programming.
Sustainable Crop Production
On February 24, 2024 a training was held on the use of low tunnels in horticultural crop production. Instruction and research methods on the use of low tunnels, row covers, and insect netting was offered for use in season extension, maximizing water efficiency, increasing growth rates and production, and control/prevention of pests in vegetable production. Of the fifty-five participants eighteen extension educators from University of Missouri and Lincoln University Extension participated in this PDP as did six participants from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, with the remaining participants being producers. Examples from research results both domestically and internationally were presented reinforcing the efficacy of using these products in production systems.
All participants were introduced to the SARE program, the educational resources, and the grant opportunities available through SARE.
All participants learned how to utilize low tunnel row covers, and insect netting for use in season extension, maximizing water efficiency, increasing growth rates and production, and control/prevention of pests in vegetable production. This new knowledge will be used in ongoing programing efforts and/or enhance on farm production.
Educational & Outreach Activities
SARE Professional Development Demonstration Project Report
Years Active 2023 – 2024
By Haley Schwantz, Field Specialist in Agronomy, MU Extension
During the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons, an educational project was offered to cattle and forage producers in South Central Missouri. This demonstration provided 18 producers in Oregon County the opportunity to learn about the correlation between hay harvest timing and quality. To qualify for the project, participants had to have at least one hay field to enroll where a soil test and hay bale analysis would be completed for each field. The information provided from soil and hay test results aimed to also help producers assess the economic viability of their hay production operations. This includes the analysis of protein and total digestible nutrient (TDN) levels in hay offer insight into how timing of hay harvest can impact quality of hay. Furthermore, the importance of custom fertilizer blends to compensate for both yield goal removal rates and potential needs for phosphorus and potassium build up in the soil were demonstrated.
Soil samples were collected late winter-early spring giving producers time to plan their fertilizer applications before spring green up. A total of 47 hay samples were collected during the two-year period of this project. Producers had the option to sample their first and second hay cuttings. Hay samples were collected by probing 10 random hay bales for each field and cutting. Average protein was 9.86% with the highest being 14.7% and lowest 6.98%. TDN averaged at 56.09% with the highest being 61% and lowest 51.68%. The results show that Oregon County producers maintain >7% protein where <7% is considered poor quality forage. Average TDN levels meet the nutritional requirement of a pregnant cow which is 55% TDN (MU Extension Publication g2092).
Additional data was analyzed for this educational demonstration to measure average removal rates of phosphorus and potassium in one ton of hay per acre. These were 5.93 pounds per acre phosphorus and 21.57 pounds per acre potassium. This provided producers insight into the importance of maintaining fertility levels using the nutrient recommendations on their soil test results to customize their fertilizer blends. Maintaining crucial building blocks in the soil like phosphorus and potassium provides forage establishment longevity and quality.
It is important to note that during the two-year period of this project, Oregon County reached a D2 drought level for at least two months with D0 and D1 being the highest reoccurring levels. Based on cattle and forage producers accounts in Oregon County, hay yields were substantially impacted during the 2023 growing season with only about a third of usual yields being produced. The 2024 growing season saw improvement where all hay needs were met for producers by the second hay cutting. Hay quality did not seem to be affected based on the average protein and TDN levels for both years. At the conclusion of this demonstrations, producers were notified of the findings of this project. The open discussion revealed that Oregon County producers and Extension Specialists in the Ozark region recognize the value of soil and hay sampling as tools to help maintain soil fertility and high quality forage production.
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Through the use of the train the trainer model and direct training of farmers the MoSARE program easily reached hundreds of farmers with technical information and resources improving their farming operations. These resources enhanced the farmers efficiency, decreased labor demand, reduced stress, enhanced cash flow, generated new business ventures, created new collaborative ventures, and ultimately improved their family's quality of life.
Face of SARE
In January of 2024 - A SARE promotional display/educational display was set up and staffed with KS, NE IA at the Great Plains Growers Conference in St. Joseph, MO with over 500 presenters and participants attending. Distributed hundreds of guides, books, publication thumb drives, and grant promotional materials. The MU & LU MoSARE coordinators hosted the SARE farmers forum and presented on grant opportunities through SARE. Approximately 500 attended.
In February of 2024 - The SARE promotional display was set-up, staffed and brief presentation about the SARE program given to the participants at the Adding Value to Your Farm Products Conference in St. Charels, MO with approximately sixty participants.
The SARE display and resources were showcased at the Western Farm Show in Kansas City in mid-February. SARE publications were distributed and/or individual consultations conducted with approximately 100 individuals although thousands of people passing through the display area were exposed to the SARE display and program.
The Low-Tunnel Workshop conducted on the University of Missouri, St. Louis provided another venue in the month of February for promotion of the SARE program and distribution of Educational Materials and an overview of the SARE grant programs. Fifty-five participants were on hand for the presentations.
April 2024 - The Missouri Organic Association hosted a workshop on transitioning to organic production at the University of Southwest Research Center near Mt. Vernon. Approximately eighty people attended and received information about the SARE educational materials and grant programs
May 2024 - The Missouri Local Food systems network hosted an online seminar with MoSARE presenting about funding opportunities available through SARE and other state/federal program. Approximately thirty people learned about SARE through this presentation.
September 2023 - The University of Missouri hosted it's Tomato Festival at Jefferson Farm providing another opportunity introducing the public to the MoSARE Program. Again the display was set up with educational materials and grant opportunity information being distributed. Approximately 600 attended the event.
Also in September the regional Master Gardeners Conference was held in St. Joseph, MO with approximately 500 people attending, viewing the SARE display, receiving publications, and asking questions about SARE grant funding for small and alternative farming operations.
October 2024 - The MoSARE program provided literature about the SARE program and sponsorship to the local foods event hosted in Kansas City by the Cultivate Kansas City organization. This is a re-occurring event with SARE having provided sponsorship for several years.
December 2024 - The Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districted hosted their annual meeting and professional training conference in Osage Beach, MO affording another venue to reach the public with SARE educational and grant funding resources. Approximately 600 attended the meeting with fifty-five direct consultations about the SARE program and offerings.
January 2023, set-up and help staff a SARE promotional/educational display with KS, NE IA at the Great Plains Growers Conference in St. Joseph, MO with over 600 presenters and participants attending.
January 2023, provided sponsorship promotion SARE at the Farm to Fork event is Western MO. 100 participants
April 2023, provided sponsorship and promotion of the SARE program in the form of funding used to purchase SARE publication for the Armed to Farm Veterans farming program with over 30 attendees.
May 2023, represented and promoted the SARE program at the Controlled Environment Agriculture Symposium at University of Missouri Kansas City with 50 participants.
November 2023, set-up and help staff a SARE promotional/educational display at the National Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Conference in St. Louis, MO with over 500 presenters and participants attending.
November 2023, set-up and help staff a SARE promotional/educational display at the Missouri Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Annual Conference in Osage Beach, MO with over 500 participants attending.