Mississippi State University Training Grant- MSP22

Progress report for SMS22-001

SMS22-001 (project overview)
Project Type: PDP State Program
Funds awarded in 2022: $11,000.00
Projected End Date: 06/30/2023
Grant Recipient: Mississippi State University
Region: Southern
State: Mississippi
State Coordinator:
Dr. Leyla Rios
Email
Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences at Mississippi State University
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Project Information

Abstract:

This project is an innovative approach to a small ruminant extension program focusing on sustainable practices that will impact in a positive way the efficiency of sheep and goat operations in Mississippi. TAKING THE LAB TO THE FARM will help improve the performance of Mississippi sheep and goat farmers, through teaching Extension Agents and Farmers how to apply sustainable parasite control, contributing to the decrease of parasite resistance, making effective commercial de-wormers work for more time, having less death of animals and increasing their revenues.

Project Objectives:

SARE Outreach objectives 2022/2023
a) Implement an innovative small ruminant extension program focusing on practices for Sustainable Parasite Control: TAKING THE LAB TO THE FARM, will help improve the performance of Mississippi sheep and goat farmers.
b) Sustainable parasite control will allow farmers to have more control over the increasing problems of parasite resistance, have effective dewormers, less death of animals, and increase their revenues.
c) Increased use of SARE resources in educational programs will result in a 10% increase of sustainable farming acres in Mississippi.
d) Increase in awareness of sustainable agriculture concepts that improve the quality of life in Mississippi communities.

 

Advisors

Click linked name(s) to expand/collapse or show everyone's info
  • Dr. Steve Martin (Educator)
  • Herschel Bradley Jones (Educator)
  • Paige Manning

Education

Educational approach:

The goal is to teach sustainable practices for small ruminant producers, and Extension Agents in MS. Other target audiences for this Program include educators, researchers, commodity organizations, agri-business leaders, community leaders, and the public with program delivery through workshops, seminars, conferences, in-service training, and mass media.

TAKING THE LAB TO THE FARM hands-on training for small ruminant farmers to have a better understanding of sustainable parasite control to fulfill the mission of the S-SARE program: “to expand knowledge and adoption of sustainable agriculture practices that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and good for all members of the community.”

Education & Outreach Initiatives

Training for small ruminant farmers
Objective:

Expand knowledge and adoption of sustainable agriculture practices that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and good for all members of the community.”

Description:
Conducting demonstrations and training related to sustainable parasite control to Extension agents and sheep and goat farmers, so their investment of time in this learning process will not only increase their productivity but also will increase their skills and help them be certified as sustainable parasite control in farms.

 

Outcomes and impacts:

Hands-on learning

Demonstrations

Talks

To:

Extension agents involved with small ruminant farmers, Extension agents, and farmers in MS, the more efficient and sustainable operations we have, impacting directly on the environment and the economy of the State.

Educational & Outreach Activities

30 Consultations
3 Curricula, factsheets or educational tools
1 Journal articles
1 Minigrants
4 On-farm demonstrations
2 Online trainings
2 Published press articles, newsletters
1 Travel Scholarships
2 Workshop field days

Participation Summary:

10 Extension
20 NRCS
2 Researchers
2 Nonprofit
2 Agency
2 Ag service providers (other or unspecified)
30 Farmers/ranchers
10 Others

Learning Outcomes

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

Project Outcomes

2 Grants received that built upon this project
5 New working collaborations
5 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
40 Farmers reached through participant's programs

Face of SARE

Face of SARE:

Apart from the tagging of SSARE in social media each time we do our events. We usually take to training and events a table and books from SARE for farmers and participants.

We could start this again for this new project, but we need a supply of handouts, flash drives, and books that describe the activities and funding program that Southern SARE has to offer for MS and all of the South.

 
 
50 Farmers received information about SARE grant programs and information resources
50 Ag professionals received information about SARE grant programs and information resources

Information Products

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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.