Final report for SNE22-003-DE
Project Information
In this one-year project, the project leader and assistant put together educational programs on Integrated Pest Management as recommended for high tunnels. The team also conducted a needs assessment to help inform the activities of the 2023-2025 State Plan. The use of High Tunnels as 'protected culture' in crop production to aid in season extension is a popular practice in Delaware. During the concluded project, pest problems, which had ranked first as a problem faced in protected environment culture from a list of five problems through a survey carried out among Delaware Ag agents, were the focus of the education program.
Delivery of farmer education was done through demonstration plots of production in 4 high tunnels and conventional plots at Delaware State University, Smyrna Outreach and Research Center. A workshop, a twilight tour and a virtual workshop ware organized as a form of outreach activities in which topics related to pest management were covered. During these engagements, Ag service providers and farmer clientele increased their knowledge and skills in a wide spectrum of proven sustainable practices that lead to prevention and management of pests.
This project is one year in length and therefore outcomes and a Performance Target are not required. Project Objectives are provided here instead:
A needs assessment will be completed that identifies the needs of agricultural service providers and their clients as related to integrated pest management, high tunnels, and/or low tunnels. Needs assessment results and data will be used to inform this project’s educational activities and to design the 2023-2025 State Plan for Delaware State University.
Thirty (30) Ag service providers from the region will participate in at least one of three virtual engagements involving training on recommended IPM practices in High Tunnels.
Thirty (30) Ag service providers from the region will participate in at least one of three workshops that will be conducted with demonstrations pertaining to recommended crop management activities in high tunnel production.
Production of horticultural crops in high tunnels for season extension has been on the rise among small farms producers. Data and trends show that local foods initiatives driven mainly by small farms are an important way of the future. High tunnel growers continue to provide substantial food amounts in communities. In a 2018 Needs Assessment Survey conducted by Delaware Cooperative Extension, respondents indicated that “supporting family farms and local food systems”, “balance of environmental regulations and agricultural production”, and “profitability of agriculture” were very important. A survey carried out among attendees of a virtual program during the 2020 Delaware Ag week indicated that pest management remained one of the biggest concerns in horticultural crops production. Out of the 98 conference attendees, 47 out of 64 were involved in high tunnel production and ranked 'pest problems' as one of the two worst problems they faced in protected environment culture from a list of five problems. With unpredictable weather patterns becoming the order of the season, more growers have resulted into protected culture were eager for new information and proven ways of managing pests and diseases,
Delaware Cooperative Extension and Department of National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) had always hosted High Tunnel related workshops for growers since 2009. This proposal was timely, and targeted at Ag agents and high tunnel growers.
This project was delivered through various extension activities including Demonstration plots and High Tunnels, Face to Face Activities, Mentoring, Technical Assistance, Consultations, Site Visits, and Social Media. Demonstrations were set up at DSU, outreach and research farms and IPM topics covered during 3 face to face events and one virtual event. The program included provision of soil tests for high tunnel growers to help pave way for more high tunnel and farm visits.
Educational Approach
Engagement:
The project was introduced to members of Delaware State University (DSU) small farms and University of Delaware (UD) extension staff who support horticulture crops production, as well as ag professionals from USDA-Delaware and relevant non-profit organizations. Individuals, including Delaware farmers participated in needs assessment activities during a joint extension cooperative retreat meeting, a workshop and through online surveys.
Collaborations with partner organizations DNREC, DDA, USDA conservation districts to identify mechanisms and programs for increasing and accelerating implementation of best management practices for pest management through targeted farmer outreach by service providers were helpful. Through their efforts we reached out to farmers about IPM opportunities within Delaware State.
Learning
A variety of educational methods were employed.
Delaware State University’s (DSU) Twilight Tour - September 14, 2023
40 attendees (Ag agents, Ag graduate students, farmers and the public) attended a Twilight Tour of the DSU Outreach, Research Center in Smyrna Delaware. The emphasis was on IPM in small plots and high tunnels. Alternative crops for DE farmers were showcased. Attendees gained knowledge on weed management and importance of controlling plant growing environment for pest control. We showcased various crops that had been grown during the season and answered questions concerning pertinent cultural management practices. The SARE exhibit was a part of the round table tour in which visitors had the opportunity to inquire about SARE grants and sustainable agriculture. Our project involved a showcase of IPM strategies at the DSU Research and Outreach Center which is open for farmers. Demonstration material and pictorial tools for virtual presentations were developed.
Northeast Integrated Pest Management (NEIPM) power point presentations of Project- On 13th November 2023, I delivered a PowerPoint presentation of our SARE project to a team of researchers and agents. A group of 15 Ag agents from the region attended the virtual meeting.
Delaware State’s 2024 Agriculture (AG) Week kicked off the second week of January at the Harrington Fair Grounds in Harrington, Delaware. A well-attended workshop session on Management of conditions (Salts and pests) in high tunnels was delivered by a visiting speaker from Penn State University, sponsored through SARE. Up to 120 Delaware growers were present for the presentation.
SARE was also a sponsor and vendor for DSU’s 2024 Profiting From a Few Acres Conference held at Dover’s Modern Maturity Center on March 7. It was the first one held since the end of the COVID quarantine. The event hosted 82 attendees, seven vendors, 10 speakers, and a Panel of Black Farmers. Speakers introduced new and innovative ideas to help combat climate change and highlighted specialty crops that may flourish in the Delaware Valley such as figs. During the associated pest related talks- attendees were offered pesticide credits.
Evaluation
Evaluation of the activities involved questions asked during registration to the events and surveys done or distributed after the events. For a one-year project, surveys mostly showed us aspects of pest management that farmers were struggling with. Pest management continues to form a major part of our programs as it is key in farming.
Milestones
Engagement
December 2022. Sixty (60) Ag service providers and farmers from Delaware will be reached out to and invited to participate in needs assessment.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments: Through a email list serve of Delaware Ag providers, we reached out to Ag providers with survey questions.
March 2023. Sixty (60) Ag service providers and farmers from Delaware will be reached out to and invited to participate in 3 workshops on demonstration sites and 3 virtual engagements on recommended Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in high tunnels.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments: We reached out to Ag providers and farmers, later than envisaged. Of the Sixty (60) Ag providers, Twenty-eight (28) showed some commitment in participating in the workshops, citing some form of unavailability during one or two workshops. Due to delays in setting the budget by my institution, timing of activities as planned was delayed.
Needs Assessment:
November 2022. Project leader will participate in needs assessment training offered by Northeast SARE staff, including development of an assessment plan outline.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments: As project leader, I participated in a whole day needs assessment professional training workshop where I gained insight in how to plan and put together a needs assessment for best results.
November 2023. Project leader will work with Northeast SARE staff to finalize needs assessment plan. Needs assessment will be integrated into project educational activities and will be conducted through other channels as well.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments: Needs assessment results and data were used to design the 2023-2025 SARE State Plan for Delaware State University.
December 2022- January 2023. 20 Ag service providers and 20 farmers will participate in needs assessment activities. Results will be used to develop State Plan for 2023-2025 project.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments: Thirty (30) Ag service providers and farmers from Delaware participated in needs assessment. Twenty nine (29) service providers completely filled and completed a survey that was requesting a list of concerns and topic areas of interest among farmer audiences. The agents consisted of plant specialists, animal specialists and farm management specialists. We determined that there was a critical need to provide agricultural educators with the knowledge and tools to assist farmers in making informed choices within the context of a changing climate. Our next SARE state project was then based off this need.
Learning:
March-May 2023. The project team will till up 2 to 3 high tunnels for crop production using recommended practices. With the help of a project assistant, plots with comparable practices will have data for comparison. These will serve to showcase IPM activities and will be toured by workshop attendees. Low tunnels will be set up with similar demonstrations at the Wilmington site.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments: July-Nov 2023. The project hired a part time assistant. The project team put up demonstration in 2 high tunnels for crop production using recommended practices for mainly Fall crops.
March-September 2023. Thirty (30) Ag service providers from the region will participate in at least one of three virtual engagements involving training on recommended IPM practices in High Tunnels.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments: December 2023. Photos taken from the production area were used during a virtual workshop held in early December 2023. 16 people gained knowledge on various ways to identify pests and predisposing conditions in high tunnels that invite pests. We managed to have only one virtual engagement. This was due to problems of scheduling them, having delayed in starting the project.
May-September 2023. Thirty (30) Ag service providers from the region will participate in at least one of three workshops that will be conducted with demonstrations pertaining to recommended crop management activities in high tunnel production.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments:
July-Nov 2023. IPM activities were showcased during a September-Twilight tour/workshop. 40 individuals gained knowledge on weed management and the importance of controlling plant growing environment for pest control. 15 individuals indicated that they were interested in trying alternative crops in their farms/gardens during the next season.
January 2024. More than 180 Delaware Ag week conference participants attended a SARE sponsored talk that addressed soil salts and physical management of pests in high tunnels. Five people registered to join our list serve at the SARE vendor table.
March 2024. Sixty (60) people attended talks related to Integrated Pest Management during the Profiting from a few acres conference. 25 of the attendees mentioned that they were ready to include the knowledge gained into their farming practices. Three growers signed up for pesticide credits.
Evaluation
February-March 2023. The needs assessment identifies the needs of agricultural service providers and their clients as related to integrated pest management, high tunnels, and/or low tunnels. Needs assessment results and data will be used to design the 2023-2025 State Plan for Delaware State University.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments: Needs assessment results and data were used to design the 2023-2025 SARE State Plan for Delaware State University.
September 2023. 30 service provider and 14 farmer participants will complete evaluation surveys after participating in project educational activities. Results will show knowledge gained by participants and any changes in perception related to integrated pest management topics throughout the year.
Status: Complete
Accomplishments: Participants completed evaluation surveys before and after participating in project educational activities except during DE Ag week.
Milestone Activities and Participation Summary
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Performance Target Outcomes
Performance Target Outcomes - Service Providers
Target #1
This project is one year in length and therefore outcomes and a Performance Target are not required. Project Objectives are provided here instead:
A needs assessment will be completed that identifies the needs of agricultural service providers and their clients as related to integrated pest management, high tunnels, and/or low tunnels. Needs assessment results and data will be used to inform this project’s educational activities and to design the 2023-2025 State Plan for Delaware State University.
Thirty (30) Ag service providers from the region will participate in at least one of three virtual engagements involving training on recommended IPM practices in High Tunnels.
Thirty (30) Ag service providers from the region will participate in at least one of three workshops that will be conducted with demonstrations pertaining to recommended crop management activities in high tunnel production.
| Activity | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultations | 11 | 0 | 11 | |
| On-farm demonstrations | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Online trainings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Published press, articles, newsletters | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tours | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Webinars, talks and presentations | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Workshops and field days | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
This project is one year in length and therefore outcomes and a Performance Target are not required. [ROSE: PLEASE ADD A SUMMARY REPORT ABOUT THE THREE PARTS OF YOUR PROJECT OBJECTIVES: 1) NEEDS ASSESSMENT, 2) THREE VIRTUAL ENGAGEMENTS, AND 3) THREE WORKSHOPS.]
Needs assessment: The training was very successful and led to a meaningful needs assessment culminating into a SARE proposal addressing Climate change activities for 2023-2025 project.
Virtual engagements: We managed to have only one virtual engagement. This was due to problems of scheduling them, having delayed in starting the project. We however, had a significant presence in a robust Black farmer conference which ended up having many service providers show up and a 2 day -actively visited SARE vendor table to showcase our activities.
Workshops: One IPM workshop was hosted. 40 individuals gained knowledge on weed management and the importance of controlling plant growing environment for pest control. 15 individuals indicated that they were interested in trying alternative crops in their farms/gardens during the next season. A presentation on high tunnel IPM was also made at Delaware Ag Week, and 60 people attended talks related to IPM during the Profiting from a Few Acres conference, where 25 of the attendees mentioned that they were ready to include the knowledge gained into their farming practices.
Additional Project Outcomes
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SARE Outreach
Our outreach and Promotion of SARE involved setting up a vendor table during events as follows:
Delaware State University’s (DSU) Twilight Tour - September 14, 2023
The SARE exhibit was a part of the round table tour in which visitors had the opportunity to inquire about SARE grants and sustainable agriculture.
The Black Farmers Conference Participation -November 8-9, 2023 (www.blackfarmersconference.com)
SARE participated as a vendor during this great event that was organized by The First State African American Farmers Association (FSAAEA) partnering with DSU College of Agriculture Science and Technology (CAST), USDA and NRCS. The SARE table attracted many of the attendees with 24 requesting additional information about our grant program. This was a great opportunity of outreach for us. We distributed up to 120 SARE related publications.
Delaware State’s 2024 Agriculture (AG) held in January at the Harrington Fair Grounds in Harrington, Delaware. AG week is a collaboration of all agriculture agencies throughout the state of Delaware, such as Delaware State University, University of Delaware, Delaware Department of Agriculture, SARE (Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education), FSA (Farm Service Agency), RD (Rural Development), NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) and the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) with well over 300 attendees. Many of the attendees were commercial farmers and had little interest in outreach programs. The SARE exhibit attracted many attendees with five signing up to request more information.
SARE was also a sponsor and vendor for DSU’s 2024 Profiting From a Few Acres Conference held at Dover’s Modern Maturity Center on March 7.
SARE associated Farm visits.
A number of farm visits throughout the state were carried out (Nine farm visits in total to 5 farms). Some were as a result of farmer enquiries about SARE or high tunnel queries. We took the opportunity to SARE grants information.
Most of these farms were small farms with a variety of farm activities going on (small ruminants, chicken and mixed vegetable farming) one of the farms was practicing agritourism. We closely worked with a total of three farmers who showed interest in submitting either a Farmer Grant or a Partnership grant. A student submitted a Graduate Student Grant.
Recieved information about SARE grant programs and information resouces:
| Audience | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service providers | 21 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Farmers | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 |