SOK18-001

The learning and action outcomes and impacts of this initiative as a direct result of the above programming is as follows:

1. The Adapting Grazing Management for Future Needs Conference increased educator knowledge on sustainable grazing systems management.  Specifically, they learned about the benefits of rotational patch burn grazing.  they also learned about the impact of grazing management on greenhouse gas emission with specific discussion about enteric methane emissions response to feed supplementations. Lastly, educators learned about the importance of  selecting beef cattle genetics that are suitable for the production environment of the Southern Plains, in that it is important to select traits that don't simply maximize production but that provide resilience to drought conditions commonly experienced in the region. 
2. The OSU Winter Crop School returned the following synopsis of the impact of that program,             "The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service has seen an annual decrease in funding support for more than five years now. The decrease impacts both the funds for salary and travel/education.The impact of OkSARE PDP is that of making sure Cooperative Extension Service Educators and key identified speakers are able to attend the Winter Crops School (WCS). The WCS is the most intensive and comprehensive programming for cropping systems that OSU provides all year.  So the educators that can attend due to the OkSARE PDP are able to bring back the most relevant and timing information to their county and constituents."
3. The 2019 Oklahoma All-Crops Conference increased knowledge about the use of cover crops and the benefits of no-till cropping systems with respect to reduced fuel and labor.  It also provided knowledge on the current state of precision ag technologies and how they can be used to improve sustainability through input management as well as decision support tools usefulness in identifying land suitability of crop production. 

The learning and action outcomes and impacts of these programs are as follows:

1. The 2018 Organic Oklahoma Fall Farming Conference has resulted in an increase in the interest of organic production practices particularly in our urban areas.  It encourages the pursuit of organic transition and raises awareness of the potential for conventional producers to reduce their input of synthetic amendments.  Integrated Pest Management has become a topic of great interest to our producers.  Techniques such as trap cropping, companion planting and banker plants have been reported as of very high interest to the participants. 
2. The IPM Scouting Training Initiative received the following feedback statement from the training coordinators. "Extension educators receive samples of small arthropods or sticky cards on a daily basis.  Few county offices have a microscope, so the educators rely on the Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory (PDIDL) to identify small arthropods.  Since insects must be shipped to the PDIDL, this results in a shipping cost to the lab and several days pass before an identification is made.  Since each county now has completed this program and received their identification supplies (which includes a portable lens system which attaches to a smart device and is priced at $12.15 apiece which received ratings comparable to full microscopes costing hundreds of dollars), they can now make at least 80% of the identifications on site.  If additional help is requested, they can forward images or video captured (example video attached above) with the small portable digital microscopes to the PDIDL.  This has reduced the time from identification from days to minutes.  It has also reduced the sample load on the PDIDL so that they devote limited time and resources to the ever expanding number of samples received by the lab.has been extremely well received and many of our Educators have reported experiences like the following, "Using my materials from the IPM Training today I realized that I never said thank you for providing this program. Please thank all those responsible for providing it. Sugarcane aphids are attacking our forage sorghum, and grain sorghum, across the county.  What a mess."

The learning and action outcomes and impacts of the above mentioned programs are as follows:

1. The Oklahoma Irrigation Conference provided education on the benefits of irrigation system audits in optimizing water uniformity and energy efficiency. The attendees also learned about the use of mobile drip irrigation systems which could potentially increase water application efficiency compared to conventional systems. Lastly the attendees were educated on the use of soil moisture and other irrigation scheduling tools.  This discussion was well received and allows educators to improve their ability to help producers adopt this technology that has been shown to reduce irrigation water use. 
2. The Plant Materials Conference reported the following statewide impact summary,                          "During the 2018 school year, the OkSARE PDP financial assistance resulted in at least 12 extension educators now financially able to attend extension workshops chaired by the OSU Horticulture Department.  Schnelle expressed appreciation that not only were his attendee numbers bolstered as a result of OkSARE but more importantly attendee diversity was markedly enriched.  Mike also commented on the “multiplier effect” conservatively estimating that the 12 extension educators returned to their county(ies) and easily reached 12,000 people, collectively.  In summary, the impact of the Oklahoma SARE PDP was parlayed into statewide impact especially in the area of environmental stewardship."
3. The OSU Winter Crop School provide attendees with improved knowledge on the impact of cover crops on water quality.  they also learned about the current state of soil health testing procedures and their current limitations with respect to decision support for cropping system decisions. lastly, the educators learned about best management practices for the utilization of manures and biosolids.  

The learning and action outcomes and impacts of this training objective are as follows:

1. The 2019 SSAWG Conference has always been an event that serves to energize and inspire the attendees in promoting food systems and food safety.  Our representatives this year have reported that they thoroughly enjoyed the diverse and numerous opportunities for learning and that they, once again, returned from Arkansas inspired and ready to get to work! 
2. The 2019 Horticulture Industry Show allowed our attendees to continue their education regarding pollinators and their role in protecting food production systems and the challenges that are faced promoting their healthy populations in Oklahoma (and surrounding states).  This is a topic that will be addressed in future OkSARE PDP programming as a direct result of our Educators attending this and other workshops that have addressed the issue of promoting and protecting pollinators
3. The OSU Global Horticulture Conference reported the following statewide impact summary,            "The OkSARE PDP financial assistance made it possible that attendee numbers were bolstered but more importantly attendee diversity was markedly enriched.  The “multiplier effect” conservatively estimates that the participating extension educators returned to their county(ies) and easily reached in excess of 10,000 people.  In summary, the impact of the Oklahoma SARE PDP was parlayed into statewide impact especially in the area of food production and food safety."
4. The OkSARE PDP has received great feedback from organizers of the trainings where the Southern SARE printed materials were distributed.  These publications relating to soil health, cover cropping, crop rotations on organic farms, managing pollinators and insects on farms are made available at trainings attended by professionals and producers at events such as small farms, tribal trainings, market gardeners, master gardeners and even young and beginning farmer groups.  This year, OkSARE PDP has distributed over 400 copies of Southern SARE printed materials.  The recipients are always very grateful to receive them and have reported that they have become extremely useful reference materials to have both in the office and on the farm.  The fact that we can provide them free of charge is just so very important for many of these recipients are low-income and could not afford to have this information available otherwise.  THANK YOU and WELL DONE, Southern SARE!

The learning and action outcomes and impacts of this initiative are:

1. This past year, the OkSARE PDP has seen an increase in the number of inquiries from educators and producers regarding preparing grant proposals for several of the programs available through Southern SARE.  It is our understanding that these proposals will be submitted when appropriate throughout the coming year. 
2. Our county educators have continued to make use of the materials that OkSARE provides them for local demonstration activities.  These demonstrations have been used for local field days, tours, and have even been known to turn up along highways.  Reported by one county educator, "...thank you for purchasing the materials for the demo plots.  I plan to put mine to use very soon as a pasture demonstration along a state highway."  That is certainly great exposure!

The learning and action outcomes and impacts of this initiative are as follows:

1. The 2018 Women in Agriculture and Small Business Conference reported the following, "98 % of participants from the statewide conference responded very positively to the information, education and/or workshops provided, citing the overall satisfaction of the conference as “Good” or “Excellent”. As a result of the programs, attendees said they would “be able to take a stronger role in their farm/ranch business” and will be able “to improve [their] operation”.  It was also noted that the programing will assist them in “starting and growing [their] business”.  The statewide conference has also encouraged county Extension educators and local Ag teachers to launch of several regional women in agriculture conferences around the state."
2. The 2019 Oklahoma All-Crops Conference provided knowledge on the use of alternative cover crop grazing approaches that allow growers the option to generate revenue directly from cover crops while improving soil health.  Conference also provided education on how to take advantage of technology available on modern equipment to increase input efficiency and reduce production costs while optimizing return on investment. 
3. The OSU Winter Crops School provided knowledge to develop alternative economic opportunities through the production of Teff grass.  The attendees learned about best management practices for its production as well as marketing opportunities of this high quality hay. 

The learning and action outcomes and impacts of this initiative are as follows:

1. The 2018 OSU Meat Goat Boot Camp was chaired by a graduate of the Southern SARE Fellows Program (and represents a long-term outcome of the Southern SARE programming in itself!)  The program evaluation with respect to learning, action outcomes and the impact of this initiative is found in the following document: 2018-Evaluation-Summary-and-Impacts-from-Meat-Goat-Boot-Camp
2. The Grazing CAP Symposium impacted the knowledge of attendees by educating them on the use of supplements to increase production efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of beef produced.  It also increased their knowledge on the proper implementation of batch burn rotational grazing.  Specifically, they learned how batch burning increased utilization of under utilized portions of the pastures while improving pasture health and beef performance.  One of the most fascinating facts presented at this symposium has really caught the attention of many who attended.  "Agriculture contributes about 8.0 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the world, and enteric methane contributes 2.7 percent of that (EPA, 2016)."  This appears to directly address an issue which is falsely reported in the media.
3. A brief synopsis of the learning, action and impacts of the Langston University 2018 Goat and Hair Sheep Field Day is as follows:

   Participants learned about..

   1. Tools in the War on Parasites with Dr. David Pugh.
   2. Common Diseases of Small Ruminants and Their Symptoms with Dr. James Keen.
   3. Where Are They Going? A Look at Past and Future NAHMS Goat and Sheep Health National Studies with Mr. Matthew Branan.
   4. Basic Herd Management –hoof trimming, body condition scoring, FAMACHA scoring, etc. with Mr. Jerry Hayes.
   5. What Processors Want – learn from a panel of meat processors concerning the type and weights of lambs and goats that they want with Oklahoma meat processors
   6. Goat and Sheep Farm Budgeting - basics of budgeting and financial recordkeeping with Mr. Clark Williams.
   7. Pack Goats - basic goat training as a pack animal and equipment needs with Mr. Dwite Sharp.
   8. Tanning Goat Hides - basic tanning and leather treatment of goat skins with Dr. Roger Merkel.
   9. The Art of Cheesemaking with Dr. Steve Zeng.
   10. Nutrition for Health and Production - calculation of energy, protein and feed intake requirements with Dr. Steve Hart.
   11. DHI Training - supervisor/tester training for dairy goat producers including scale certification with Ms. Eva Vasquez.
   12. USDA/APHIS: Animal ID with Dr. Michael Pruitt and USDA/WS: Wildlife programs with Mr. Kevin Grant (1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. ONLY)
   13. USDA/NRCS: Conservation programs with Ms. D’Ann Peterson and USDA/FSA: Farm loans with Mr. Phil Estes (1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. ONLY)
   14. USDA/NASS: Animal inventories with Mr. Wil Hundl and USDA/AMS: Market strategies with Mr. Cole Snider (2:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. ONLY)
   15. Fitting and Showing for Youth and Adults - tips and pointers on fitting and show ring etiquette with Ms. Janet and Messrs. Robbie and Coleman Sanders (this was a half-day afternoon workshop).

       The Goat Field Day for Kids provides the opportunity for kids to explore and enjoy “old-fashioned fun activities” while their parent(s) participate in the Goat Field Day Program. With all of today’s technological gizmos from the iPod to high-end smart phones and handheld games, most kids are no longer exposed to the old-fashioned games and activities that shaped the imaginations and innate creativity of their parents and grandparents. The Goat Field Day for Kids Program is intended to challenge and enhance cognitive and social skills. The development of intellectual and socialization practices has been determined as prerequisites for helping children to learn more complex concepts, thereby enhancing their personal capabilities.

   1. The scope of predator loss on the industry and how to alleviate the impact of predation.
   2. The detrimental impact of internal parasites on animal health and productivity and how to combat internal parasites.
   3. The seriousness of zoonotic diseases and how to safeguard their animals’ health, as well as their own.
   4. The basics of animal management and nutrition and how to be better stewards of their livestock.
   5. The assistance of USDA programs and how to access those programs.