2023 Southern University Model State Program

Progress report for SLA23-002

Project Type: PDP State Program
Funds awarded in 2023: $22,000.00
Projected End Date: 06/30/2024
Grant Recipient: Southern University Agcenter
Region: Southern
State: Louisiana
State Coordinator:
Mila Berhane
Southern University Agcenter
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Project Information

Abstract:

Abstract

 The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC) in collaboration with the Louisiana State University AgCenter (LSUAC) will implement programs that enhance the capabilities of Louisiana’s agricultural professionals in the area of sustainable agriculture.  Themes for 2023 - 2024 include:  Hemp production, pastured poultry, food processing, cattle production and ethnic vegetable production, sustainable farm tour, pasture walk. The target audience for trainings will be extension professionals, non-profit representatives, and mentor farmers who will share information and skills gained with local audiences. LSUAC and SUAREC extension personnel will be strongly encouraged to attend the training sessions. Information delivery systems to be utilized include trainings, workshops, conferences, networking sessions, farm tours, field days, hands-on demonstrations, handouts, resource manuals, SARE publications and informational bulletins.  

Project Objectives:

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC) in collaboration with the Louisiana State University AgCenter (LSUAC) will implement programs that enhance the capabilities of Louisiana’s agricultural professionals in the area of sustainable agriculture.  Themes for 2023 - 2024 include:  Sustainable Farm Tour and Vegetable Production Day in East Louisiana, Hemp Production field day for small farmers in North Louisiana, Fall Garden workshop (topics include: Pastured poultry and meat rabbits, NRCS grant opportunities), Spring Garden workshop (topics include: Food Preservation and Vegetable workshop). The target audience for trainings will be extension professionals, non-profit representatives, and mentor farmers who will share information and skills gained with local audiences.  LSUAC and SUAREC extension personnel will be strongly encouraged to attend the training sessions. Information delivery systems to be utilized include trainings, workshops, conferences, networking sessions, farm tours, field days, hands-on demonstrations, handouts and resource manuals.

Advisors

Click linked name(s) to expand/collapse or show everyone's info
  • William Afton (Educator)
  • Anna Timmerman (Educator)
  • Angelina Harrison
  • Burnell Muse
  • Mark Wilson
  • Allison Guidroz
  • Monica Melancon
  • Lillie Howard
  • Chris Adams (Educator)
  • Lauren Jones (Educator)
  • Dr. John Pitre
  • Jeremy Hendrix
  • Zanetta Augustine
  • Terra Polite
  • Dr. Jodi Morton (Educator)

Education

Educational approach:

The educational approach has been opened to include more mixed media and hands-on activities during workshops to retain interest during lecture-like presentations. Students and service learners are also included to learn more about SARE programs, promote civic engagement, and increase the agricultural literacy of the communities in which we serve.

Education & Outreach Initiatives

Fall Garden Workshop
Objective:

Promoting local agricultural practices to increase awareness of sustainability and environmental activities.

Description:

Marketing and Value added

Flier

The newly appointed USDA urban agriculture program director talked about grant opportunities for urban agriculture and other programs. Monica Hernandez discussed T. Moise Farms' approach to agrotourism and value-added products. Mitchell Provensal, the program director of Baton Roots Community Urban Farm, spoke about Bokashi composting and included a hands-on demonstration—he provided Bokashi buckets as a giveaway item. John Nettles of Slow Hike Co spoke about local foraging specialties such as mushrooms and plants; he also offered culinary samples of different dishes that used foraged items for participants. Ashlyn Harrison leads a session on the importance of mental health. 

Outcomes and impacts:

Fall Garden Workshop 11.23

The audience learned about safe foraging practices, alternative composting, USDA-NRCS Grants available, economic benefits of agritourism, and value-added products. Participants also had the opportunity to network with other agencies during breaks and following the event. SARE books and flashdrives were distributed to participants with relevant information to the workshop. 

St. Helena Field Day
Objective:

Adult and Youth community members were invited to learn about agriculture.

Description:

Preparing produce for attendees.

Both land-grant institutions partnered to educate community adults on vegetable production, drones, Hurricane Preparedness safety, Livestock Show Information, Composting, and Liquid Prep. Youth activities included livestock production, insect identification, nutrition, and 4-H. Information tables provided resoucful information about the NRCSD, Mental Health, ANR, LSU AgCenter, FSA, and  SU CAFCS. 2024-05-23 11-57 (1)

Outcomes and impacts:

Community members gained knowledge as well as tools and plants for them to take home. All demonstrations were outside, except for the produce give-away. All attendees got a free box of produce from local farmers.

SARE books and flashdrives were distributed to participants with relevant information to the workshop. 

 

2024-05-23 11-57 (1)

Spring Garden Workshop
Objective:

The theme of this workshop is "down-to-earth herbs for everyday use," and it provides hands-on learning activities to keep the audience engaged. SUAREC Extension and Professors discussed herb propagation, herbs for IPM, Feeding herbs to Livestock, traditional uses, and more.

Description:

A garden club attended the workshop

Flier 

The workshop held record-breaking attendance. The diverse demographics showed an interest in this given theme. Mila presented on everything herbs, which covered the multicultural uses of herbs. Stephanie Elwood led an interactive presentation about herb propagation, during which participants took and planted cuttings. During the break, participants were encouraged to visit booths and purchase herbs from Southern University Student Plant Sale. SUAREC SNAP-ED coordinator Joshua McDonald and Evan led a pesto demonstration using basil grown on campus. Following the break,  Doctor Jodi Morton reviewed her research on feeding Herbs to Livestock, which was being conducted at SU. Terra Polite led an entertaining presentation using educational videos he made in partnership with LPB on the Herbs for Integrated Pest Management using reference material from SARE. Lastly, Professional Herbalist Desiree L James guided participants through making value-added calendula, lavender, and peppermint foot soak. 

Outcomes and impacts:

Agenda

This workshop received outstanding reviews due to record-breaking registration and attendance, teamwork, event organization, and timely announcements. Because of its success, Desiree James has received invitations to give similar presentations and demonstrations at other events. Students selling their plants from the SU Ornamental Horticulture class could experience face-to-face market selling, reserve funding for future greenhouse supplies, and teaching activities. Participants gained multiple hands-on experiences and received copies of the presentations in their emails. SARE books and flashdrives were distributed to participants with relevant information to the workshop. 

Organic Gardening Workshop
Objective:

To overview qualifications, requirements, self-sustainability practices, hands-on gardening activities, and more.

Description:

Planting organic seedsFlier

 

Cornelius Jackson welcomed the participants and introduced guest speaker Audrey Kolde, a sustainable Ag-Specialist from NCAT, who spoke about qualifications and requirements for USDA Certified Organic growing.

Outcomes and impacts:

Agenda

Participants were able to take home plants from the hands-on activities. In the closing remarks, participants expressed interest in Certified Naturally Grown. SARE books and flashdrives were distributed to participants with relevant information to the workshop. 

 

Compendium of Ethnic Vegetables
Objective:

This is to inform the growers of Louisiana of additional vegetables that will grow in our area, which can increase revenue and expand the minds of conventional farmers to include certain diapsora to include underserved ethnic communities, increasing the reach of outreach extension.

Description:

This 50-page compendium contains common names, scientific names, country of origin, USDA Hardiness zone, Soil requirements, Climate Requirements, Uses, Widely used in countries, planting dates for Louisiana, planting specifications, pest and disease management, harvesting specifications, and recipes. 

Outcomes and impacts:

Has been sent to Communications for graphics and approval and has an anticipated print date of Fall 2024. 

Educational & Outreach Activities

260 Consultations
10 Curricula, factsheets or educational tools
2 Minigrants
1 On-farm demonstrations
3 Study circle/focus groups
10 Tours
3 Travel Scholarships
9 Webinars / talks / presentations
3 Workshop field days

Participation Summary:

81 Extension
12 NRCS
2 Researchers
13 Nonprofit
14 Agency
18 Ag service providers (other or unspecified)
50 Farmers/ranchers
70 Others

Learning Outcomes

116 Participants gained or increased knowledge, skills and/or attitudes about sustainable agriculture topics, practices, strategies, approaches
180 Ag professionals intend to use knowledge, attitudes, skills and/or awareness learned

Project Outcomes

2 Grants received that built upon this project
3 New working collaborations
18 Agricultural service provider participants who used knowledge and skills learned through this project (or incorporated project materials) in their educational activities, services, information products and/or tools for farmers
50 Farmers reached through participant's programs
Additional Outcomes:

With the addition of the 1890 Program Assistant, the Southern University Ag Center has noticed more productive communication and participant retention. Both Program assistants from SU and LSU have made an effort to maintain relationships with NGO's and other organizations and support their events as much as possible. 

Recommendations:

We would like to increase communication efforts with our regional SARE contacts to coordinate with the communities we serve and to be informed of grant awardees/applicants in our state. 

Face of SARE

Face of SARE:

Since the implementation of Program Assistant for Southern University, the listserve has grown to a total of +260 contacts. Terra Polite is able to attend more outreach events and promote SARE in coordination with Izzi Frank by encouraging people to sign up for email contacts and follow Louisiana SARE Social Media pages. Program Assistants have provided informational pamphlets and SARE publications on farm tours, workshops, and conferences to expand Louisiana SARE's reach. At the annual SPROUT Climate Convening at Chicot St. Parkl, Izzi and Terra were asked to represent SARE and provide an overview of programs, they also used this opportunity to assess the community's needs for future workshops. More students from Southern University are becoming aware of the grant opportunities that SARE can provide and have applied for Graduate Student Grants. 

80 Farmers received information about SARE grant programs and information resources
180 Ag professionals received information about SARE grant programs and information resources
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.