Progress report for NCND22-002
Project Information
The North Dakota SARE State Professional Development Program continues with 5 initiatives:
1) Soil Health, Cover Crops, and Water Quality,
2) Local Agriculture serving Diverse Communities and Meeting Nutritional Needs,
3) Integrated Production Systems - Livestock and Crops,
4) Advancing Sustainable Agriculture in 1994 Land Grant Colleges and Tribal Institutions, and
5) Adapting to a Changing Climate and other food systems disruptions (regional initiative).
These initiatives encompass a broad effort to increase knowledge and awareness of sustainable practices in County Extension agents and other agricultural professionals in North Dakota.
Professional Development Initiatives
1) Soil Health, Cover Crops, and Water Quality
The NDSU soil health team has created a variety of learning experiences for farmers to improve saline and sodic soils and advance the concept that improved soil health leads to improved water quality. This team addresses research and educational issues related to soil health and underlying water quality issues in North Dakota. ND SARE will cooperate with the team to support efforts that meet our goals and provide funds for professional development workshops and projects.
Outcomes will include increased knowledge about soil health and improving water quality including use of cover crops to enhance soil health, saline soil management and general soil health management aspects and effects on water quality. Tours of cover crop plantings and outreach meetings will be provided to visually share the effects of cover crops. Café or shop meetings will be used to expand the soil heath discussion among farmers to advance new ideas in soil health and water quality. Thirty farmers and 20 extension and NRCS personnel will be trained with a 30 % increase in knowledge of cover crop and soil health.
Evaluation of these outcomes will be via NCR SARE PDP evaluation forms to determine changes in program delivery and new collaborations.
2) Local Agriculture serving Diverse Communities and Meeting Nutritional Needs
The North Dakota Farmers Market and Growers Association meets annually and conducts outreach efforts to the public. The state co-coordinators will help facilitate these efforts, when appropriate.
Short-term outcomes will include increased knowledge of small farms and local foods. ND SARE will work to advance the Local Foods effort of 8 educators and 12 non-team educators. We anticipate increased delivery of local foods programming by the educators involved as well as collaborative efforts to find funding for additional research and outreach to support scaling up initiatives.
Increased partnership with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and Local Foods program will enhance outreach and education in limited access areas. Annual conference support and speakers will be provided.
This initiative also includes a proactive approach to involve tribal college educators throughout the project. Tribal youth and college students will participate in gardening workshops and then grow food locally at home or school. They will expose 40 tribal members to opportunities for growing food locally.
Evaluation of these outcomes will be via NCR SARE PDP evaluation forms to determine changes in program delivery and any new collaboration.
3) Integrated Production Systems - Livestock and Crops
Farmers markets are finding a demand for locally-sourced meat and crops. While limits on processing facilities impede growth of the market, ND SARE will provide information on developing local markets. Market support will be addressed in collaboration with the ND Department of Agriculture.
Outcomes will include increased knowledge of livestock marketing in North Dakota, educational support for raising livestock and poultry with a local food and sustainable emphasis, increased North Dakota meat local food co-ops and Food Hub markets, development of trainings and activities showing benefits from integrating livestock with crops including organic production. Twenty farmers and 15 extension personnel will be trained with a 40% increase in knowledge of synergies from integrating crops and livestock. Cover crops and grazing mentoring networks will be used to advance sustainable production through synergies of crops and livestock.
The initiative will seek opportunities to provide education and experiences to tribal college educators and youth about sustainable livestock production and purveying.
The interaction of soil health, cover crops and livestock will be demonstrated through on-farm projects. Field days will be hosted by NDSU Extension agents to teach sustainability with an emphasis on soil and livestock.
Evaluation of these outcomes will be via NCR SARE PDP evaluations. Evaluations will also identify strengths and weaknesses in program delivery and collaborations.
4) Advancing Sustainable Agriculture in 1994 Land Grant Colleges and Tribal Institutions
In 2019, ND SARE actively engaged tribal colleges in North Dakota. One ND SARE PDP Co-coordinator was designated to build relationships to enhance sustainable activities at North Dakota tribal reservations. While contacts and relationships with the tribal colleges were encouraging, turnover in tribal positions limited growth. ND SARE PDP will provide continued emphasis on outreach and program development.
North Dakota has five 1994 Land Grant institutions:
- Sitting Bull College, Standing Rock Reservation, Fort Yates, ND
- Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Spirit Lake Tribe, Fort Totten, ND
- United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, ND
- Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, Three Affiliated Tribes, Fort Berthold, ND
- Turtle Mountain Community College, Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation, Belcourt, ND
Within the two-year plan of work, ND SARE PDP will provide SARE-funded travel scholarships and mini-grant support to further educational programming that increases agricultural sustainability.
North Central SARE grant funded programs will be promoted to each of the five 1994 Land Grant colleges to increase sustainable agriculture education and provide funding for tribal projects in sustainable agriculture.
Short-term outcomes will include increased knowledge of sustainable agriculture issues and how to address these issues with sustainable practices. Educators will include tribal entities in programming.
Increase profitability and knowledge of beginning farmers and ranchers. Program knowledge increase by 50% in 40 participants.
Evaluation of these outcomes will be via surveys held at workshops and via follow-up meetings.
5) Adapting to a changing climate and other food system disruptions
In order to participate in the NCR-SARE regional initiative for 2023-24, one of our state initiative focus areas will be on “Adapting to a changing climate and other food system disruptions.” Activities under this topic may include workshops, study tours, webinars, or other educational programming.
During the two-year plan of work period, we will also offer additional SARE-funded travel scholarships, and where appropriate, mini-grant support to further educational programming that provides professional development for educators working with farmers and ranchers on programs related to climate change and other major food system disruptions, such as the COVID pandemic.
Program evaluation will use regionally developed evaluation tools. Local surveys and questionnaires will be used to measure local changes. Since this is a new initiative, The first year will be used for planning and regional in-service trainings.
Advisors
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Education
The North Dakota SARE program reaches out to professional educators and farmers/ranchers via 3 part time coordinators employed by North Dakota State University Extension. The SARE coordinators provide out reach, share SARE information, promote the SARE grant programs, and deliver educational support. Professional development training is focused on five areas:
1) Soil Health, Cover Crops, and Water Quality,
2) Local Agriculture serving Diverse Communities and Meeting Nutritional Needs,
3) Integrated Production Systems - Livestock and Crops,
4) Advancing Sustainable Agriculture in 1994 Land Grant Colleges and Tribal Institutions, and
5) Adapting to a Changing Climate and other food systems disruptions (regional initiative).
These initiatives encompass a broad effort to increase knowledge and awareness of sustainable practices in County Extension agents and other agricultural professionals in North Dakota.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
To create a variety of learning experiences for farmers to improve saline and sodic soils and advance the concept that improved soil health leads to improved water quality.
ND SARE provides programming to increased knowledge about soil health and improving water quality including use of cover crops to enhance soil health, saline soil management and general soil health management aspects and effects on water quality. ND SARE supports programming and provides funds for professional development workshops and projects.
Events and activities related to this initiative:
Sponsorships and programs in 2023:
Carrington Research Extension Center Field Day - Sustainable and Organics Tour - (45 participants)
Central Dakota Ag Day - Break Out sessions - (73 participants)
Ransom County Extension Shop Talks - (25 participants)
Mercer County Extension Crops Meeting- (30 participants)
Travel Scholarships:
FARRMS - Travel support to Food and Farming Conference Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society
Annual Meeting Society for Range Management - Extension Agent
NACAA Professional Improvement Conference - Extension Agents (7)
2023 Langdon Research Extension Center Soil Health Tour - (60 participants)
Participants in the CREC Field Day indicated an increase in knowledge and awareness of soil health.
There were 57 people who attended the reduced tillage strategies session at Central Dakota Ag Day. Of the 57 attendees, 39 people filled out an evaluation, a 68% response rate. 90% of the respondents indicated they strongly agree or agree the session increased their knowledge and 77% of the respondents indicated they strongly agree or agree they plan to act on what they learned.
There were 19 people who attended the reduced tillage strategies session Central Dakota Ag Day. Of the 19 attendees, 13 filled out an evaluation, a 68% response rate. 92% of respondents indicated they strongly agree or agree the session increased their knowledge and 77% indicated they strongly agree or agree that they plan to act on what they learned.
Ransom County Extension Shop Talks had 30% of the producers indicate they were going to make some changes to their practices over the next year.
Crop producers in Mercer County anticipate a 15 % increase in Cover crops planted.
Bowman County Crop Tour had a 34% increase in producer participation
2023 Langdon Research Extension Center Soil Health Tour - Organizer response - By hosting this soil health tour an approximately 60% knowledge gain is anticipated among the participants.
To increase knowledge of small farms and local foods by Extension Educators and producers
ND SARE provides programming to increase knowledge and awareness for local food producers and extension educators. Local food program effort included outreach to 1994 tribal colleges, gardeners and organized local food programs.
Events and activities related to this initiative:
Sponsorships and programs in 2023:
Carrington Research Extension Center Field Day - Local Foods tours Tour - (75 participants)
Carrington Research Extension Center Field Day - Fruits and Berries Tour - (80 participants)
Community Garden Tour - CSA, Fargo - (22 participants)
FARRMS - Local tours - (25 participants)
Improving soil Health in Gardens - (30 participants)
Participants in the CREC Field Day indicated an increase in knowledge and awareness of local foods. Extreme interest in wine production from fruits!
Community Garden tour in Fargo provided a new perspective on community gardens were everyone tends to all gardens at their allotted time and food in given to pantries.
Improving soil Health in Gardens events showed that many gardeners already practice crop rotation and other simple techniques that they may not realize increases soil health. After attending the program, the gardeners understood what soil health means and further techniques on how to improve soil health. With the help of NDSU Extension publications, gardeners were able to interpret their baseline soil lab analysis. From this program, 90% of participants to implemented one action they learned. Additionally, 60% of participants soil sampled their gardens, and 55% of participants utilized cover crops.
To increase knowledge of livestock marketing in North Dakota, provide educational support for raising livestock and poultry with a local food and sustainable emphasis, increase North Dakota local meat markets, development of trainings and activities showing benefits from integrating livestock with crops including organic production.
ND SARE provides programming to increase knowledge and awareness for integrating local food and meat production with crop production for producers and extension educators.
Events and activities related to this initiative:
Sponsorships and programs in 2023:
Central Dakota AG Day - Livestock Breakout Session Local meat Inspection - (25 participants)
An evening on the Prairie- Emmons County Extension - (40 participants)
Oliver County Extension Livestock program - (30 participants)
Sheridan County 2024 Ag Forum Day - (25 participants)
Participants in the Central Dakota Ag Day indicated an increase in knowledge and awareness of meat inspection rules and meat sales rules.
An Evening on the Prairie -
Overall, 50% of participants are going to incorporate livestock onto their crop ground. Also, many hope to improve soil health by 30% on their crop ground. Through integrating rotational grazing into their pastures, attendees are hoping to extend their grazing season by 2-4 weeks.
Oliver County onsite producer visits provide a resolution of production issues
To build relationships that enhance sustainable activities at North Dakota tribal reservations.
North Central SARE grant funded programs will be promoted to each of the five 1994 Land Grant colleges to increase sustainable agriculture education and provide funding for tribal projects in sustainable agriculture. ND SARE coordinators will work with trial leader to promote sustainable agriculture issues and how to address these issues with sustainable practices.
Events and activities related to this initiative:
Sponsorships and programs in 2023:
Field Trip - Sitting Bull College and United Tribes Technical College - (8 participants)
Youth Safety Day - Nelson County Extension - (15 participants)
Youth Safety Day - Traill County Extension - (15 participants)
Tribal leaders were more aware of NC SARE and ND SARE programs and possible funding streams through conversation with ND SARE coordinators.
Youth Safety Days - over 50% of the youth that attended the program will be more cautious of their surroundings, over 70% of the youth understood PTO and ATV safety, and estimating 25% of the youth to take what they have learned home, and tell those on the farm about it. The money saved by preventing an accident is priceless and cannot have a figure attached to it
To provide professional development for educators working with farmers and ranchers on programs related to climate change and other major food system disruptions
ND SARE will offer travel scholarships to extension and other educators and mini-grant support to further educational programming that provides professional development for educators working with farmers and ranchers on programs related to climate change and other major food system disruptions.
Events and activities related to this initiative:
Sponsorships and programs in 2023:
2023 Langdon Research Extension Center Soil Health Tour - ( 60 participants)
Increased extension agent and specialist awareness of weather and climate change programming provided by SARE.
2023 Langdon Research Extension Center Soil Health Tour - Participant response - The knowledge gained will be useful for two courses that I teach annually: a) ABEN 456/656 – Biobased Energy, and b) ASM 323 – Postharvest Technology. Woven in these courses are concepts that will be captured in the two initiative categories. For ABEN 456/656, transferring knowledge of soil health, cover crop and tillage responses will be useful in understanding the State’s Biobased Energy potential. Specifically, being able to identify areas and resilient crops that have the capability of boosting this sector. Regarding ASM 323, knowledge soil health within the state and related management practices would provide guidance on the modification/s needed for effective postharvest operations.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Face of SARE
A perpetual NC SARE display is provided at the Carrington Research Extension Center. Also a SARE book share library is available at the CREC. Booth Displays were provided at the Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society Food and Farming Conference, NDSU Extension Fall Conference, and North Dakota Soil and Water Conservation Society Conference. The SARE book Farming with Soil Life was mailed to 54 County Extension Ag Agents and Research Extension Centers. News Releases were shared on the NC SARE grant programs. ND SARE coordinators provided SARE awareness at numerous extension and outreach meetings and events. SARE coordinators contributed and presented at grant writing workshops.