Final report for SAR21-001
Project Information
The Arkansas 2021-2022 SARE PDP Model State Program will focus on increasing knowledge and developing skills on cover crop utilization and sustainable tree fruit management. The developed trainings and events will be made available to Cooperative Extension staff, UA and UAPB faculty, staff and students, USDA staff, farmers’ market managers, other agriculture professionals and farmer leaders. Proposed activities include a winter cover crop training that will assist UACES agents in setting up cover crop demonstrations, a workshop and travel scholarships for agriculture leaders to attend regional meetings focused on sustainable agriculture. Program participants will be assessed for changes in their knowledge, confidence and ability to share new information related to sustainable agriculture. As a result of these trainings and workshops the knowledge of, interest in and application of sustainable practices by Arkansas farmers and agriculture professionals will continue to expand in Arkansas, leading to thriving farms and vibrant communities.
The objectives of the 2021-2022AR-SARE Model State project are:
1) To increase the knowledge, awareness, and resources available to extension agents, farmers market managers, farmer mentors and other agriculture leaders in Arkansas for winter cover crops and sustainable tree fruit production.
2) To increase the confidence of extension agents, farmers market managers, farmer mentors and other Arkansas agricultural leaders in extending sustainable agriculture information and practices related to cover crops and sustainable tree fruit production.
3) To increase the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices among farmers in Arkansas.
Advisors
- (Educator)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
Education & Outreach Initiatives
To provide learning opportunities for extension agents and specialists, farmers market managers, farmer leaders in Arkansas to expand their understanding and application of sustainable agriculture and increase their ability to implement and share information on sustainable agriculture.
Travel scholarships were provided to 6 agriculture extension personnel. Recipients were able to attend the Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Conference, North American Strawberry Growers Association Conference, Mid-American Strawberry Growers Association Meeting, and the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association Convention.
Because of these travel scholarships, recipients indicated they increased their knowledge of sustainable agriculture issues, advanced their skills, and increased their networks.
Feedback from the extension personnel that attended the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association Convention was used in a post for the AR SARE blog page:
The purpose of the blog post was to highlight a meeting that agents attended using SSARE funds in hopes to encourage other ag professionals to reach out to the AR SARE program and attend more sustainable conferences.
To increase the knowledge, awareness, and resources available to extension agents, farmers market managers, farmer mentors and other agriculture leaders in Arkansas for winter cover crops and sustainable tree fruit production.
Two in-person trainings were held in Northwest Arkansas on cover crop utilization and organic tree fruit production. The cover crop training was led by horticulture extension specialist Dr. Amanda McWhirt and included topics such as cover crop selection, planting and termination as well as demonstrations comparing the impact of mixes and seeding rates on establishment and weed control. The organic tree fruit workshop was led by NCAT horticulture specialist Guy Ames and included topics such as cultivar and site selection, pest management, and grafting, as well as a tour of Ames’s organic orchard.
The cover crop training had a total of 16 attendees that consisted of extension agents and other agricultural professionals. Participants stated that they found the training and in-person demonstrations especially useful. Participants also stated that the training increased their confidence in answering questions related to cover crops and recommending their use in fruit and vegetable systems. Highlights and photos from the cover crop training were developed into a post for the AR SARE Blog page: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/horticulture/ar-southern-SARE-blog/posts/covercroptraining21.aspx that has accumulated a total of 22 page views.
The organic tree fruit workshop had a total of 25 attendees that consisted of extension agents and other agricultural professionals. Participants stated that the workshop helped develop an increased knowledge of sustainable tree fruit production and plan to recommend or utilize the practices learned. Highlights and photos from the organic tree fruit workshop were developed into a post for the AR SARE Blog page: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/horticulture/ar-southern-SARE-blog/posts/tree-fruit-workshop.aspx that has accumulated a total of 13 page views.
Participants from both outreach events were also provided free publications from SARE and the National Center for Appropriate Technology.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Face of SARE
Southern SARE grant programs are shared with Arkansas extension agents, UA researchers, and list serves for the Arkansas Farmers Market Association, Arkansas SSAWG, and the NWA Farmers Market Alliance. SARE materials and publications are incorporated into trainings where subject matter is applicable. Extension agents are given the opportunity to receive SARE books for their office.
14 blog posts have been added to the AR SARE Blog page, which has accumulated a total of 757 page views. Link to AR SARE Blog Page: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/horticulture/ar-southern-SARE-blog/
The Arkansas SARE YouTube channel has a total of 14 videos that have accumulated 1.4K views with a total of 43 subscribers. Link to AR SARE YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHgPyz3IvlvfNjpCqn_MBKg
A new AR SARE homepage is in the process of being developed that will house information regarding grants, blog page, upcoming events, training highlights, and more in Arkansas.