Progress report for SSC22-001
Project Information
The overall objectives of the 2022-2023 SC SARE Program will be to continue the existing strategic and collaborative planning process for statewide sustainable agriculture development; provide professional development opportunities for Extension agents, NRCS field staff and other agriculture professionals; reward outstanding service; and to continue to organize and support in-service training in sustainable agriculture practices. The MSP Assistant will work with the state SARE coordinators and program advisory committee to organize training activities for 1890 and 1862 Extension and other agriculture professionals that will address critical needs identified by program stakeholders. The program is guided by stakeholder input through an advisory committee consisting of farmers, agriculture professionals, non-government representatives and others with an interest in sustainable agriculture development. Our mission/strategic plan is to foster the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices statewide through education and outreach programs on relevant topics for Cooperative Extension Service personnel, Natural Resources Conservation Service staff and other agriculture professionals, farmers, and landowners. The overall program mission/plan will not change however, training topics have been revised based on current needs identified by our program stakeholders. The program advisory committee met on January 12, 2023, and identified priority topics for 2023-2024 training programs. The MSP Assistant position will continue to facilitate program reporting and evaluation and will assist with project accounting and budgeting. Starting in 2023, Clemson University and SC State University will each have their own Program Coordinators, Program Assistants, and SARE-funded budgets.
- Continue the existing strategic planning process for statewide sustainable agriculture development. Building on new and existing collaborations with stakeholder groups, the state co-coordinators will work with the MSP Assistant(s) and with the SC SARE Advisory Committee to broaden the pool of stakeholders including under-represented groups who are involved with the planning process and the development of educational programs. As in previous years, an annual Open Forum will be organized in January to identify priorities and to plan educational programs based on stakeholder needs. We will continue to collaborate on training programs with stakeholder organizations and with SARE PDP personnel from neighboring states when appropriate. The comprehensive and inclusive planning process will limit duplication of effort and will help to leverage available resources.
2023 SC SARE Open Forum Minutes
- Continue to provide professional development opportunities for Extension agents, NRCS, FSA and state Department of Agriculture staff and other sustainable agriculture educators. The outcomes of this objective are that our agriculture professionals will enhance their knowledge and competency in sustainable agriculture, they will increase their contact with the sustainable agriculture community, and they will be recognized as local experts to be called upon for information on sustainable agriculture. Travel scholarships will be provided for select Extension agents and agricultural professionals to attend the 2023 Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) Sustainable Agriculture Conference (November) and other sustainable agriculture educational events as funds are available. These events represent valuable educational opportunities for our agents and other agriculture professionals and facilitate interactions between agriculture professionals and farmers.
- Support the “Outstanding Sustainable Agriculture Extension Agent of the Year” award to recognize SC cooperative extension personnel for excellence in sustainable agriculture outreach. A call for nominations will be released in summer of each year open to 1890 and 1862 personnel. The award recipient will receive a travel scholarship to attend a sustainable agriculture event and a plaque recognizing their service to the sustainable agriculture community. The award will continue to encourage the development of innovative public outreach programs by our Extension agents.
- The SC SARE PDP Program will continue to foster and support in-service training opportunities for Extension agents, NRCS, FSA and state Department of Agriculture personnel, agricultural educators, and for other interested persons as space permits. Workshop topics will be determined annually by the Advisory Committee. The MSP Assistant(s), in consultation with the coordinators and the SC CFSA representative, will have overall responsibility for workshop organization, publicity and evaluation.
Advisors
- (Researcher)
- (Educator)
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Education
To the extent possible we will emphasize an interdisciplinary and participatory approach to training. Primary audiences for the trainings are 1862 and 1890 Extension agents, NRCS conservation field staff, and other agriculture professionals. Agriculture professionals who serve small and large scale farms, both conventional and organic/regenerative, will be encouraged to attend. Strong stakeholder participation and input into educational program development will reinforce trainee participation and enthusiasm for the program. Participants in the educational programs will increase competency and skills in areas related to sustainable agriculture. They will have gained the knowledge and confidence (i.e. competency) which will enable them to respond positively and knowledgeably to client inquiries regarding principles and practices of sustainable agriculture.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
To disseminate knowledge regarding sustainability to Sustainable Ag. Trainers
An announcement was emailed to Clemson University and SC State University extension agents inviting them to request hardcopy publications that the SC SARE program had in stock for distribution to trainers.
To assist in the dissemination of the SARE publications, a virtual library of publications available-for-request was created. This virtual library allows trainers in our state to see which National SARE publications the SC SARE program has available for request. Emailing a link to the virtual library for trainers to peruse was a more eloquent solution compared to emailing a list of available publications, as the virtual library includes additional information such as publication descriptions, cover photos, and links to download said publications from the National SARE program website.
https://scsare.libib.com/i/national-sare-program-publications
In 2023, a special order of hardcopy publications was requested specifically for dissemination at grower interest meetings for the new Climate-Smart Grown in SC project. This project was made possible through a $70 million dollar grant funded by the USDA Building Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative. This award represents the largest single award from a federal agency in the history of both Clemson University and SC State University.
Climate-Smart Grown in SC Project Grower Interest Meeting Announcement
The outcome of this initiative was that Extension agents and Sustainable Ag. trainers were given direct access to knowledge regarding sustainable practices, which they will use in turn to train farmers, growers, students, and homeowners. Having a hardcopy available means that agents did not have to rely on electricity or an internet connection to obtain the desired information, allowing them to better serve on-site.
Input from this public meeting was used to prioritize issues and formulate plans for statewide sustainable agriculture training and education programs in 2023.
On January 12, 2023, the SC SARE Program partnered with the Clemson IPM Program to host an annual open forum. This open forum allowed for networking among extension agents, farmers, agencies, non-profits, and researchers while providing the SC SARE program with feedback regarding areas that these stakeholders felt should be focused on for 2022.
2023 SC SARE Open Forum Minutes
Discussions were held regarding what initiatives and areas SC SARE could better serve in. This open discussion allowed for prioritization of resources and recognition of areas for collaboration (see minutes).
To provide funding for Extension agents to attend the 2022 Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Sustainable Agriculture Conference. To participate as a conference sponsor.
Funding was provided by SC SARE to cover registration fees for Clemson University and SC State University extension agents to attend the 2022 Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Sustainable Agriculture Conference. SC SARE also participated as a conference sponsor and set-up a booth at the event.
The goal of this initiative was to provide Extension agents with access to the conference talks given regarding sustainable practices and provide them with an opportunity to network with those in the sustainable agriculture community. Exposure to these topics and the connections made at this conference directly impact trainer knowledge and resources. Networking opportunities open the door for collaborations, which are critical when applying for competitive grants. This conference was also an opportunity to publicize the SC SARE Program.
To participate as a conference sponsor and to support local food systems
The SC SARE Program participated as a sponsor ($1,500) for the 2022 Growing Local SC Food Summit, an event in which organizations, farmers, and businesses collaborate and network to build a resilient local food network system.
This conference was an opportunity to publicize the SC SARE Program while opening the door for collaboration with other agencies and businesses who focus on sustainable agriculture in South Carolina.
To support the multi-institutional initiative to connect SC growers with resources available to them while avoiding duplication of efforts to do so
The SC Farmer Resource Rodeo was resurrected in 2022. The Rodeo connects farmers and growers with resources available to them that can facilitate in growing their operations. SC SARE was a sponsor ($1,000), but the event was canceled last minute at no fault of SC SARE.
Event was cancelled, looking to re-sponsor in 2023.
To publicize National SARE and SC SARE funding opportunities to Clemson and SC State Extension employees
In 2022, South Carolina held its first ever joint Cooperative Extension conference between Clemson Extension and SC State Extension services. SC SARE was able to publicize funding opportunities to over 300 Extension personnel.
Nearly 300 extension personnel were enlightened as to what the National SARE and SC SARE programs were, what funding opportunites are available through those programs, and what resources (publications) are available to them at no cost.
To participate as a conference sponsor.
The SC SARE Program participated as a sponsor ($1,000) of the 2022 Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Organic Commodities & Livestock Conference. This conference brought together leaders in the organic commodities and livestock sector, presenting an opportunity for sponsors and exhibitors to have meaningful interactions with a highly targeted, niche audience of 200 commercial-scale growers, educators, extension agents, and agronomists.
This conference was an opportunity to publicize the SC SARE Program while opening the door for collaboration with other agencies and businesses who focus on sustainable agriculture in South Carolina. This conference also presented an opportunity for SC SARE involvement with livestock, which is a welcomed addition to our record.
To participate as a conference sponsor and support minority food systems
The SC SARE Program sponsored $500 to support the annual meeting of the SC Farmworkers Service Providers Institute. This organization works with farm workers brings together service providers for the farmworker community. The organizing committee includes staff from several agencies such as SC Agricultural Worker Health Program, SC Migrant Education Project, SC DEW's Mirant and Seasonal Farmworker Program, SC legal Services, among others. Attendance ranges from 50 to 100 depending on the area of town.
This meeting was an opportunity to publicize the SC SARE Program to a new community of citizens while supporting minority food networks.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Face of SARE
The SC SARE webpage was revised and migrated to a new platform (Clemson WordPress). Updates included the new Clemson Co-Coordinator Dr. John Andrae (taking over for Dr. Matt Smith) and additional SARE Resources. The webpage is an important promotional tool for allowing us to post updates, events, and news regarding the SC SARE program.
https://blogs.clemson.edu/sc-sare/
The SC SARE listserv is contacted regularly and instructions to unsubscribe are made clear for anyone who wishes to do so. This is important to prevent SC SARE from developing a reputation for being "spammy". The listserv is used to share updates about the SC SARE program and news from related programs.