Final report for STN23-A002
Project Information
The main responsibility of the program assistant position is to ensure that objectives in the SARE PDP Model State Program are completed timely and efficiently. This will entail the following individual responsibilities:
- coordination of efforts between the SARE State Coordinators and SARE program assistants including participation in regular meetings and meetings with SARE advisory committee
- submission of future SARE Model State Program proposals and reporting
- communications for Tennessee SARE programming through social media, website, newsletters, and design of flyers and slides for dissemination purposes
- engagement of stakeholders through in-person and virtual presentations focused on SARE funding, projects, and materials
- engagement with other SARE program personnel
- other duties as assigned
- Engage in train-the-trainer programming for agents, local officials, and farmers focused on sustainable poultry production.
The overall objectives are i) understand the feeding practices for small flock chickens (meat, egg-type and dual-purpose breed) and document the nutrient profile of mixed feed and feed ingredients that are commonly used by poultry producers in TN, ii) train county agents (and poultry producers) on the breed and age specific nutrient requirements and educate on feeding strategies.
A survey will be sent to small flock poultry producers in TN to understand feeding practices. Farmers will be identified through the database from TSU Small Farm Expo, TN New Farmer Academy and other producer trainings and Extension networks.
The findings of survey will dictate the type of chicken breed the producers rear, feeding practices, and feed and feed ingredient types utilized for their birds. Breed specific balanced feeding ration will be devised and proposed utilizing the commonly used feed ingredients by the small flock producers using formulation software Concept 5 or Brill. Feed ingredient proximate analyses for commonly utilized ingredients and mixed feeds will be conducted to identify updated and precise values for ingredients to feed the software. A train-the-trainer module will then be developed on nutrient requirements and balanced feeding strategies for egg-type, meat-type, and dual-purpose breeds. The module on feeding practices will be utilized to train 45 county agents and small flock poultry producers through training workshops held in West, Middle, and East Tennessee. The tentative topics of the workshops include breed specific nutrient requirements, feed and feed ingredients commonly utilized by TN small flock producers and understanding cost-effective feed formulation, and feeding strategies for egg-type, meat-type and dual-purpose breeds. Hands-on dietary formulation strategies will be emphasized in the training.
- Engage in train-the-trainer programming for agents, local officials, and farmers focused on heirs’ property.
The overall objectives of this project are to i) understand the specificities of heirs’ property issues in Tennessee, ii) train extension agents and limited resource farmers on how to address and prevent heirs’ property issues in Tennessee, iii) facilitate the connection between farmers and legal service providers on heirs’ property, iv) disseminate information to farmers on heirs’ property through fact sheets and short videos
A survey on heirs’ property will be conducted at the community level. The survey will address (1) needs expressed by farmers on heirs’ property and (2) impacts of heirs’ property issues on farm operations and success. This survey will be used to inform specific needs for the train-the-trainer workshops and will be provided as a community report to all Tennessee Extension agents with Agriculture and Natural Resources responsibilities. A train-the-trainer module will then be developed focused on the needs identified and implemented, one in each of the three regions of Tennessee to train 45 county agents and farmers. Other outputs include a fact sheet and video on heirs’ property, and a list of lawyers, legal services, and stakeholders working on heirs’ property that will be made available. It is expected that some of these professionals will serve as trainers during the train-the-trainer workshops. All materials will be made available to extension agents and farmers through the TSU Cooperative Extension Program website, the TSU Center for Regional Economic Development and Entrepreneurship website, and social media.
- Engage Extension agents in training focused on sustainable agriculture through current in-state and out-of-state programs. Additional program funds will be used to provide travel funding to agents to engage in other train-the-trainer opportunities, particularly in other states, to provide a diversity of knowledge on sustainable agriculture production methods. The specific subject areas will be based on agent and farmer needs as these needs and events are identified throughout the year. These programs will be evaluated by the individual agents with respect to the material learned and how the material will be incorporated into future trainings for farmers. They will also present their training experiences to other agents at their regional program planning meetings held within each region of the state.
- Engage in marketing of SARE grant funding opportunities, current and previous SARE projects in Tennessee, SARE materials through virtual and in-person methods. These will include the use of social media, newsletters, videos, and presentations and exhibits at trade shows, Ag days, conferences, and other meetings within Tennessee. The TSU program assistant position will engage in developing social media content using material from SARE publications in order to build upon existing networks, and expand the reach of SARE in Tennessee and abroad by providing relevant, important information on a daily basis. A monthly newsletter will also be created that will include digitally designed materials based on content from SARE publications, snapshots of current and previous SARE programs in Tennessee, and pertinent deadlines for SARE grant opportunities. The initial mailing list will include existing networks from TSU and UT such as Tennessee commodity groups, partners, organizations, and farmers via email databases from previous Extension events. Images, video, and content will be created and updated on a Tennessee SARE website. The TSU and UT program assistants and state coordinators will work together to provide presentations and exhibits across the state highlighting the SARE program and sustainable agriculture in Tennessee to increase awareness and engagement.
- Engage in collaboration with UT and other partners to ensure a seamless, efficient programming related to sustainable agriculture programs. Tennessee State University and UT SARE program assistants and state coordinators will meet regularly to discuss current SARE train-the-trainer programs and opportunities for agents and strategize on best methods for advertising the current programs and opportunities, utilizing the advisory committee, engaging partners, identifying new partners, collecting agent needs, and engaging in events across the state. Program evaluation and reporting from existing SARE programs will also be a part of these meetings. The Tennessee SARE team will also engage with the advisory committee to identify sustainable agriculture needs in Tennessee and assist with marketing and program promotion needs.
Advisors
Education
Since joining the SARE team in February 2024, the program assistant has supported the delivery of sustainable agriculture education through communication, outreach, program coordination, and administrative support. A key component of this role has been developing monthly SARE newsletters to promote sustainable agriculture programs, highlight SARE-funded projects, share upcoming grant openings, and increase awareness of SARE resources among Extension agents, producers, and agricultural partners across Tennessee.
As a member of the SARE Advisory Committee, the program assistant actively participated in advisory meetings to assist with identifying statewide educational priorities, discussing program needs, strengthening partnerships, and supporting the planning and promotion of sustainable agriculture programming.
The program assistant also provided administrative and logistical support for Extension agents participating in SARE-funded conferences, workshops, and train-the-trainer programs. This included coordinating travel arrangements, assisting with required documentation, answering questions, and helping ensure agents are prepared to participate in educational opportunities. By supporting these professional development activities, the program assistant helps Extension agents gain research-based knowledge that they can bring back to their counties and share with producers through workshops, field days, demonstrations, and other Extension educational programs.
Overall, the program assistant focused on strengthening communication, increasing awareness of SARE opportunities, supporting professional development for Extension agents, and expanding the delivery of research-based sustainable agriculture information throughout Tennessee.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Objective 5: Engage in collaboration with UT and other partners to ensure a seamless, efficient programming related to sustainable agriculture programs.
The SARE team will also engage with the advisory committee to identify sustainable agriculture needs in Tennessee and assist with marketing and program promotion needs.
Regular collaboration meetings with the University of Tennessee (UT), the Tennessee SARE team, and the advisory committee strengthened coordination of sustainable agriculture programming. These meetings improved communication among partners, supported statewide planning efforts, identified the needs of producers and Extension agents, and enhanced the promotion of SARE educational opportunities.
To increase awareness of SARE programs and funding opportunities, new marketing and educational materials were developed to support Extension outreach efforts. These materials included a floor banner highlighting SARE-funded projects, a tabletop display featuring a Tennessee farm that successfully received SARE grant funding, and the development and publication of a monthly online SARE newsletter. The SARE newsletter is distributed to all UT and TSU Extension agents as well as farmers in our contact database. The resource produced will be used at conferences, field days, workshops, and other Extension events to educate producers, agricultural professionals, and community members about SARE programs, promote sustainable agriculture practices, and encourage participation in future grant opportunities.
Objective 3: Engage Extension agents in training focused on sustainable agriculture through current in-state and out-of-state programs.
The SARE Program Assistant supported Extension agents by coordinating travel logistics, maintaining a running travel budget, and tracking travel expenditures to ensure grant funds were used efficiently and accurately. Maintaining the travel budget helped keep funding organized, monitor available resources, and support timely reporting requirements.
The program assistant worked closely with Extension agents to gather information needed for both in-state and out-of-state travel associated with SARE educational programs and professional development opportunities. This included assisting with travel documentation, communicating travel requirements, answering questions, and helping agents complete the necessary paperwork before and after travel.
During meetings and educational events, the program assistant provided administrative and logistical support by assisting with meeting coordination, collecting program information, responding to participant and agent questions, and ensuring materials and resources were available. These efforts helped Extension agents focus on receiving educational training while ensuring that knowledge gained through conferences, workshops, and training opportunities could be shared with producers and communities throughout Tennessee.
Overall, these activities strengthened communication, improved organization and accountability for grant-funded travel, and supported the successful delivery of sustainable agriculture education across the state.
This initiative strengthened overall program operations by providing administrative and logistical support that allowed Extension personnel to focus on receiving educational training to serve producers more effectively. Through coordinating meeting logistics, preparing educational materials, and assisting Extension agents before, during, and after educational events, program implementation became more organized and efficient.
Support for travel planning and coordination also improved the delivery of sustainable agriculture programming by assisting Extension agents with travel documentation, reimbursement requirements, and logistical arrangements for both in-state and out-of-state educational events. These efforts enabled agents to participate in professional development opportunities and return with research-based information and best management practices to share with producers throughout Tennessee.
As a result, communication, organization, and program coordination were strengthened, increasing the efficiency of Extension programming and enhancing the ability of agents to deliver timely, research-based sustainable agriculture education to Tennessee producers and communities.
Objective 4. Engage in marketing of SARE grant funding opportunities, current and previous SARE projects in Tennessee, SARE materials through virtual and in-person methods.
These include the use of social media, newsletters, videos, presentations, and exhibits at trade shows, Ag days, conferences, and other meetings within Tennessee.
This initiative strengthened the visibility and promotion of SARE by expanding educational outreach through both print and digital marketing materials. Since joining the SARE team, the program assistant developed a monthly SARE newsletter to communicate research-based sustainable agriculture information, highlight current and previous SARE-funded projects in Tennessee, announce upcoming grant openings, and promote SARE grant funding opportunities. The newsletter serves as a communication tool for Extension agents and producers across the state.
To further increase awareness of SARE programs, the program assistant designed a floor display banner showcasing successful SARE-funded projects and a tabletop display featuring a Tennessee producer who received SARE grant funding. These marketing materials will be used during conferences, field days, workshops, Extension meetings, and other agricultural events to educate producers about SARE resources and encourage participation in grant opportunities.
These outreach efforts have strengthened communication with producers and agricultural stakeholders, increased awareness of sustainable agriculture programs, and provided consistent educational messaging across Tennessee. The newsletters and promotional displays support Extension programming by connecting producers with research-based information, highlighting successful SARE projects, and encouraging greater participation in sustainable agriculture education and funding opportunities. Together, these marketing initiatives have expanded the visibility of Tennessee SARE and enhanced outreach efforts throughout the state. Below is an example of the latest SARE Monthly Newsletter, along with the floor display banner and the tabletop display.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
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Face of SARE
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