Final report for OS23-161
Project Information
Small Scale- New Ag Farms Mentoring Program (1)
Good soil management remains critical to continued agricultural success even after new ag farm has been put into production. Therefore, the proposed research will conduct community solutions for small scale, new ag farmers. The farm cooperators will research to eliminate traditional barriers that may have hindered a greater number of sustainable practices and organic soil build-up. This research will deliver technical support planning mentoring. The small scale, new ag farming communities will learn the following
• Natural Resource Conservation Service Soil Science classification and education
• Organic Crop Management
• Have Access to Soil and Plant Analysis
• Chemical Resistance Solutions
• Less Pollution
Many small scale, new ag farms have no knowledge or limited interaction with Natural Resource Conservation Service. Limited engagement from agriculture entities also limits Soil Science classification and education. For this project, we have included the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Services as a project cooperator to assist farmers in soil research and bridge a gap. This will also give small scale farmers a comprehension of soil and plant lab analysis and chemical resistance solutions.
We have included the Organic Association of Kentucky as a project cooperator to assist farmers in creating an organic soil management plan for small scale farmers to create natural organic barriers to reduce pollution that may affect soil and healthy plant life.
The project is a mentoring program that will conduct research and education for the small scale, new ag farm community in soil health management and various sustainable agriculture practices in Kentucky. The research aims to improve soil and crop health in small scale, new agriculture communities and provide education on the benefits of utilizing natural resources to increase sustainable agriculture and organic soil science.
Workshops will evaluate the need and educate on the research variables, the benefits of organic elements added to soil to change the soil matter for healthy, sustainable farming, and what elements small scale farmers need to implement findings from the research for their new ag farm to plan a sustainable soil management plant and crop production. There is a need to process adequate research to enrich organic soil variables and to increase existing sustainable practices. Participating agriculture cooperators will work and assist farm cooperators' in evaluating agriculture conditions.
Each participating new ag farmer will designate a plot for research. The farms will begin the study by addressing common challenges with new ag soil and soil containments. Next, the farms will learn the history of the area's soil to consult with the state's environmental agency and the Cooperative Extension office to determine soil tests to assess the soil's condition accurately. Samples will be collected in different depths, leading farmers to create new ag soil science management plans to mentor Small Scale farmers. Finally, plant testing will be conducted to include in the soil science management plan to improve practices for existing sustainable new ag farmers. The overall objective of the proposed solution is to promote soil biological activity by increasing organic soil components, which is the preface for sustainable agriculture to enhance crop health.
Farm cooperators will document their research, practice methods, and assistance from project cooperators. A quarterly report will be sent to the principal investigator from participating farmers.
By implementing the above research, the intention of this project will provide small scale, new ag farmers with a broader agriculture spectrum and the knowledge of implementing new practices such as plant breeding. Plant breeding is productive and provides nutrition,. Overall, the research will determine the importance of small scale, new ag farmers and how proactive research can contribute to sustainable agriculture.
Cooperators
- - Producer
- - Producer
- (Educator and Researcher)
- - Producer
- (Educator)
Research
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
Small Scale- New Ag Farms Mentoring Program (1)
The Small Scale, New Ag farms are selected to research organic soil and plant management to mentor Small Scale, New Ag communities. This program will conduct two workshops with the assistance of the project cooperators, who are experts in their field, to answer Small Scale, New Ag farmers' concerns before the research begins to gather an analysis of new ag agriculture needs. Throughout the study, simplified planning manuals and charts will be created to assist other new ag farmers in their journey while the actual farm participants of this project conduct research. For discussion, an online forum will be created for participating research farmers and Small Scale, New Ag farmers.
Every six months, participating project farmers will conduct a webinar to discuss with other new ag farmers in their community about the progress, their soil type, and management plan implemented, and answer questions or take questions to refer to project coordinators. In addition, the research project coordinator will work with an agriculture organization to schedule one farmer's research to present at a conference session on the importance of soil testing and components to gather adequate soil values for Small Scale, New Ag farmers and the importance of agriculture agencies' involvement in communities.
A youth field day at each research farm will be held to educate on the importance of soil health and food nutrients and how plant analysis can be conducted. In addition, they will see how soil samples are gathered and the different soil types. In the project's final year, two workshops will be conducted to inform Small Scale, New Ag farms of the research results and how to conduct similar studies in an new agriculture setting.
Evaluation
A survey will be conducted at the end of each workshop to evaluate the following:
- Number in attendance?
- How likely were they to use the practices taught?
- Did attendees learn how to access resources to enhance their farm or food
security? - If the workshop topics were beneficial to their needs?
- Have they had a contact in the past to ask questions or obtain information?
On a scale from 1 to 5, how informed are attendees about food nutrients and soil
health? - How knowledgeable are attendees on sustainable farming?
Per farm agency, on a scale from 1 to 5, are they aware of the agency's purpose?
Learning Outcomes
Soil Health and Management
Conservation Practices
New Ag Farming
Sustainble Agriculture