Progress report for SLA24-A02
Project Information
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 2024-2025 include: Spring Garden Workshop, Fall Garden Workshop, Everything Engines, Sustainable Small Livestock Production, and Irrigation/Water Harvesting.
For the 2024-25 year, the proposed topics are Spring Garden Workshop, Fall Garden Workshop, Sustainable Small Livestock Production, Everything Engines, and Irrigation/Water Harvesting.
Advisors
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Education
The educational approach used in the project used and placed emphasis on hands-on interactive learning, catering to diverse gardening interests and needs. Through these educational methods we were able to focus on participants gaining real-world knowledge proven to be practical through workshops on container gardening, environmentally responsible farming practices, and ethnic vegetable cultivation. Each session combined blended theoretical presentations with opportunities to directly engage with the material, ask questions, and receive personalized guidance in a group setting. The workshops also featured expert speakers and provided useful resources, such as the Ethnic Vegetable Planting Guide printed with SARE funds.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
To provide participants with practical, hands-on knowledge and skills in container gardening, focusing on selection of plants, containers, and effective gardening techniques for small spaces to empower them to create and maintain successful container garden in urban or limited-space environments.
Porchscaping 101: A Container Gardening Workshop, held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, is an opportunity for attendees to receive personalized guidance and practical tips to assist them in growing plants successfully with making it simpler to create productive and lush gardens on porches, balconies, or other limited outdoor spaces.
Porchscaping 101: A Container Gardening Workshop, held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Press Street Garden, attracted 35 participants. The workshop offered a hands-on learning experience focused on container gardening, where participants gained practical knowledge on selecting plants, containers, and gardening techniques suitable for small spaces.
To educate participants on the integration of traditional and high tunnel production methods while providing and equipping them with practical knowledge on topics such as fall crop management, heirloom sugarcane cultivation, integrated pest management, produce safety, and the role of pollinators, while also introducing key agricultural programs and resources to support farming practices.
Warner Hall Farm's Fall Field Day: Combining Traditional and High Tunnel Production, held on October 22, 2024, is an opportunity for attendees to witness how to blend traditional and modern farming techniques to create a successful and productive farm. The event features participation from various farmers and agencies and covered a wide range of topics, including fall crops, growing heirloom sugarcane, crop management, planting dates, fertilization of Cole crops, integrated pest management, native bees, produce safety, and the importance of pollinators. Additional discussions include the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, FSA and NRCS programs, and a BREADA Red Stick Farmers Market presentation. The field day will conclude with a garden tour and food provided by local farmers.
Warner Hall Farm's Fall Field Day: Combining Traditional and High Tunnel Production, held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in St. Helena Parish, attracted over 90 participants and provided an in-depth exploration of diverse agricultural techniques. The event featured a blend of traditional farming practices and modern high tunnel production methods, allowing farmers to learn effective strategies for growing fall crops, managing heirloom sugarcane, and improving soul and pest management, as well as an introduction to essential agricultural programs like the Farmers Market Nutrition Program and FSA/NRCS services. The day also included a farm tour and local food showcase, providing attendees with valuable insights to enhance their farming practices.
To provide participants with hands-on learning experiences about ethnic vegetable gardening, environmentally responsible growing practices, and food preparation techniques, while introducing them to the newly developed Ethnic Vegetable Planting Guide and relevant agricultural programs. The workshop will also offer the opportunity to hear from experts in the field, enhancing participants' understanding of culturally significant crops and best gardening practices for the Louisiana region in order to expand their market.
Fall 2024 Gardening Workshop: SUmthin's Growing!!, held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, had 129 participants and utilized a hands-on, interactive educational approach. It featured the introduction of Southern University's Ethnic Vegetable Planting Guide printed utilizing SARE funding, a presentation on ethnic vegetables, information on programs from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and a SNAP Ed food preparation demonstration (Salsa Verde). Participants also had the opportunity to ask questions and engage further with the material. Upon completion of a survey, attendees received a free copy of the Ethnic Vegetable Planting Guide. Additionally, the Ethnic Vegetable Planting Guide was featured in Southern University and A&M College's February 2025 Chancellor's Report on page 15 (Seeds-of-SUccess-Chancellors-Report_Vol23-No2_2-21-25-1.pdf). The Fall Garden Workshop was also featured and appeared on November 22, 2024, in The Advocate Newspaper, Louisiana's largest daily newspaper with an average daily circulation of 100,000 and an online audience of 20 million page views per month ( https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/southern-ag-center-garden-workshop-celtic-studios-toys-for-tots/article_8a875bbc-a701-11ef-86de-83e95fdd5372.html ).
By the end of the Fall 2024 Gardening Workshop: SUmthin's Growing!!, participants gained practical skills in growing ethnic vegetables, a deeper understanding of sustainable gardening practices, and insights into food preparation techniques. Attendees left with a copy of the Ethnic Vegetable Planting Guide, enhanced by expert lectures and hands-on demonstrations. They departed with an increased awareness of local agricultural programs and resources available to support their gardening efforts.
To provide participants with valuable knowledge and hands-on experiences to enhance success of small-scale farming by addressing key topics such as stress placed on farm animals due to the climate, value-added products, composting, biosecurity, and more.
The "2025 Spring Garden Workshop: Thriving on a Small Farm" offers insightful and engaging opportunities for farmers and gardening enthusiasts to learn practical skills and strategies for running a successful small farm. The event features expert presentations on important topics like managing climate stress, creating value-added products, understanding biosecurity, and mastering composting. Additionally, the workshop includes live demonstration stands and a chance to explore local products at the JagFresh Market on-site. This event is designed to empower farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in today's agricultural environment.
Although delayed due to funding issues and uncertainty caused by revisions within U.S. administration and frozen funding, the workshop remains a vital opportunity for participants to gain insights that are essential to adapting and thriving in the changing agricultural landscape. With the rescheduled date of April 22, 2025, the event aims to provide lasting value, empowering attendees to make informed decisions that will positively impact their farms and local communities.
To gain practical knowledge, share experiences, and build connections that can enhance our work in agriculture.
The SOWTH 2025 Conference, held from February 4-6, 2025, held in Atlanta, Georgia. This conference provided a multitude of networking opportunities for farming professionals, food system professionals, researchers and more. Ten individuals were able to attend this conference, 8 of the 10 were able to attend due to funding provided by the SU MSP SARE program.
All attendees unanimously agreed that they were able to form brand new relationships with other agencies, organizations, farmers, and other individuals across the region and was followed with contact information being exchanged and connections maintained. Overall, they each were able to takeaway valuable information to improve farm practices, promote sustainable agriculture, and build a more resilient and equitable food system. They also acquired various farming tips to share with others upon their return.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
- There are residents and university students utilizing knowledge gained from The Ethnic Vegetable Guide in The Virgin Islands since March 2025.
- Additionally, we have been invited to multiple workshops to share our knowledge on The Ethnic Crops planting guide, including the Climate Convening event in central Louisiana and a virtual meeting on April 29th.
Face of SARE
Outreach and promotion of the SARE program consisted of a combination of community engagement, strategic planning and partnership, and educational efforts. Through this intentional combination we were able to raise awareness and encourage participation in proven beneficial farming methods and gardening practices. We hosted hands-on workshops and fields days where we educated farmers, agricultural professionals, ranchers, and environmentally responsible agricultural practices. Collaboration with local extension services within various parishes, which included extension agents and educators, assisted in disseminating SARE information through local publications, meetings, and consultations with farmers in a group setting in rural communities. Online platforms and social media were used to promote webinars and in-person workshops. Farm tours and demonstration projects were utilized to serve as powerful and impactful educational tools in order for farmers and aspiring farmers to see firsthand the multitude of techniques that can be implemented in the field. We also partnered with local organizations to increase visibility for the SARE program and promoted SARE's funding opportunities and resources for farmers looking for resources and what they would be eligible to apply for as a farmer.