Final report for SFL17-002
Project Information
Florida activities for 2017-2018 will build upon the basic framework for the model state program. Planned activities include integrating results of SARE funded research and Extension activities, and other relevant research, and using this information as resources for educational programs. We also plan to continue to strengthen our focus on targeted training for state and county Extension faculty, representatives of non-profit organizations, representatives of state and federal government agencies, and farmer representatives. To fulfill the priorities and objectives of our program, our training funds will be used to address programs in three subject matter areas:
(1) new and emerging solutions for Florida agricultural production,
(2) advancing Extension capacity in sustainable agriculture, and
(3) entrepreneurial innovation in sustainable agriculture.
Our expected outcomes are:
(1) Extension faculty will participate in SARE in-service training programs and use this information in their own
programming,
(2) Extension faculty will participate in regional and national training programs in sustainable agriculture and apply the lessons learned in their own programming,
(3) at least two of the statewide Extension priority teams will include information and resources about sustainable agriculture and SARE in their professional development training programs and Extension programming,
(4) through SARE, Extension agents and farmers will identify opportunities for the development, outreach, and research of alternative crops and enterprises,
(5) regional and local county agents will develop new collaborations with organizations, agencies, and groups working in sustainable agriculture, and
(6) Extension faculty and agents will make increased use of resources to support programming in sustainable agriculture.
I. Maintain existing and establish new collaborative Extension training and programs with faculty members and county agents at University of Florida and Florida A&M University whose work addresses sustainability in production agriculture.
II. Extend collaboration with organizations that are active in the post-production components of food systems, particularly non-profit, state, and governmental organizations whose work fosters development of food and agriculture businesses.
III. Support the development of Extension programs in food systems, including Regional Specialized Agents whose work includes both on-farm production and post-farm gate aspects of food system development.
IV. Expand participation of minority, women, and limited resource farmers and professionals in SARE activities and programs, ensuring that these groups are well represented in the full range of SARE-funded professional development opportunities.
SARE Expected Outcomes:
I. County faculty members will participate in regional and national training programs in sustainable agriculture and will apply the lessons learned in their own programs.
II. At least two of the statewide Extension priority teams will include information and resources about sustainable agriculture and SARE in their professional development training programs and Extension programming.
III. Extension agents and farmers will identify opportunities, such as SARE-funded Research & Education, Professional Development, and On-Farm Research projects, for the development of alternative crops and enterprises and will play key roles in outreach and research projects that focus on alternative crops and enterprises.
IV. Regional and local county agents will develop new collaborations with organizations, agencies, and groups working in sustainable agriculture, including non-profit and for·profit organizations involved in post-farm gate food processing, marketing and distribution, and policy development.
V. State, regional, and county Extension faculty members and agents will make increased use of resources to support programming in sustainable agriculture, including fiscal resources such as Southern SARE grants.
Advisors
- Brittany Cowart (Educator)
- Dudley Calfee (Educator)
- Howard Gunn, Jr. (Educator)
- Samuel Scott (Educator and Researcher)
- Faith Clarke (Educator)
- George Johnson (Educator and Researcher)
- Erin Rosskopf (Researcher)
- Don Burnam (Researcher)
- Alex Bolques (Educator and Researcher)
- Muhammad Haseeb (Educator and Researcher)
- David Dinkins (Educator and Researcher)
- Ed Skvarch (Educator and Researcher)
- Russell Mizell (Educator and Researcher)
- Karen Stauderman (Educator and Researcher)
Education
Our educational approach used in this project provided:
- A half-day hands-on workshop with three facilitated presentations and follow-up question and answer sessions about recent scientific advancements relative to soil enhancement and sustainability in Florida.
- Field demonstrations, workshops, and informational materials provided at the FAMU Annual Farm Fest, Fall Field Day, and Grape Harvest Festival.
- Travel scholarships for faculty, students, the State Coordinator and farmers to attend meetings, conferences, and trainings.
The target audience for these events consisted of county Extension agents, industry collaborators, research scientists, private sector technical advisers, small scale crop producers, pasture and hay producers, organic growers, home gardeners, agriculture teachers, students and citizens.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
The target audience for this initiative is county Extension faculty, state faculty, service providers, and mentor farmers. The objectives of this initiative will focus on behavioral changes in participants that will enable them to bring about change in their local audiences and themselves.
2017 FAMU Farm Fest
The FAMU Annual Farm Fest took place at the Extension/Research farm located in Quincy, FL. Featured activities included:
- workshops on organic farming and protective structures such as high tunnels,
- culinary preparations
- demonstrations
- exhibits
- farm tours
- youth activities
2017 FAMU Fall Farm Field Day
The FAMU Fall Farm Field day was held at the Extension/Research farm located in Quincy, FL. This event featured activities such as growing cool season vegetable crops hydroponically as well as a tour of the 260+ acre farm.
FAMU Annual Grape Harvest Festival
The FAMU Annual Grape Harvest Festival was held at the Center for Viticulture located in Tallahassee, FL. Guests participated in harvesting and grape stomping.
2017 FAMU Farm Fest
Over 600 people, including young adults and children, attended the occasion and informational materials on sustainable agriculture from SARE were handed out.
2017 FAMU Fall Farm Field Day
Over 70 people attended this activity and informational materials on sustainable agriculture from SARE were handed out.
FAMU Annual Grape Harvest Festival
Over 85 people attended this activity and informational materials on sustainable agriculture from SARE were handed out.
The target audience for this initiative is county Extension faculty, state faculty, service providers, and mentor farmers. The objectives of this initiative will focus on behavioral changes in participants that will enable them to bring about change in their local audiences and themselves.
FAMU Compost Workshop
The soil is a major component of our environment and function in many ways to enable us to live comfortably. One function is provision of the necessary input materials for plant growth and development to enable adequate supply of our food system requirements as well as the aesthetic appearance of the environment, which are globally required items. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss ways to ensure that the soil maintains adequate amounts of these inputs to meet present and future food system demands.
Travel Scholarships
We sponsored travel for faculty, students, the Florida SARE State Coordinator, and farmers to several meetings, conferences, and trainings this year.
FAMU Compost Workshop
Travel Scholarships
Faculty, students, the Florida SARE State Coordinator, and farmers attended the following:
- Ag Biotech Summit 2018 in Chapel Hill, NC
- National SARE Conference, Our Farms, Our Future, in St. Louis, MO
- 2018 Produce Safety Alliance Train the Trainer Training Course in Hernando, MS
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Face of SARE
We distribute SARE educational materials at all of our SARE trainings and other relevant programs in Florida. SARE materials are distributed to the public by state and county faculty that participate in our programs. We also distribute SARE books and educational materials to our advisory council and scholarship recipients.