Final report for STX24-A02
Project Information
Texas’ Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Committee meets annually to oversee the state program for training agricultural professionals in concepts of sustainable agriculture. The program involves a multifaceted effort that provides training opportunities for County Extension Agents, FSA personnel, NRCS personnel, producers, and other agricultural professionals and also incorporates concepts of sustainable agriculture in existing, state-wide training efforts. These training opportunities include conferences, field meetings and workshops held at various locations in Texas.
Another approach of the Texas Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Committee is to support travel of selected professionals to regional and national conferences on sustainable agriculture, with the intent of participants gaining knowledge and skills that they will share with other agricultural professionals in Texas.
Program evaluation will be accomplished with pre- and post-tests designed to measure knowledge gained by participating in educational programs. A subset of attendees will be mailed an additional survey instrument four to eight months after the training to determine if participants have adopted any of the sustainable concepts presented. The aim of the evaluation is assessing knowledge gained and to determine whether new knowledge will be applied in future programs for their clientele.
- At least fifteen Agriculture Extension Agents and five NRCS Field Technicians will become knowledgeable about sustainable grazing systems.
- At least fifteen Agriculture Extension Agents and five NRCS Field Technicians will become knowledgeable about direct on-farm marketing of livestock and poultry.
- At least ten Extension Agents and five NRCS Field Technicians will become knowledgeable about organic production of field crops and inform producers of such information related to organic crop production systems.
June Ranch Raised, Beef Cattle Short course College Station
John Smith will deliver rainwater harvesting for sustainable livestock operations educational programming to attending Extension personnel and mentor farmers whose leadership is key to increased adoption of science-based management practices in sustainable and organic enterprises. The training will include SARE Producer Grant and on the Farm Research opportunities.
July Texas County Agricultural Agents Association (TCAAA) Meeting, Dallas
John Smith and Vanessa Corriher-Olson will deliver SARE educational programming and will develop, establish, and staff a booth highlighting SARE educational materials and approaches. Work closely with TCAAA to host NACAA national meeting.
July Texas Extension Specialist Association Meeting, Port Aransas
John Smith and Joel Pigg will deliver SARE educational programming and will develop, establish, and staff a booth highlighting SARE educational materials and approaches encouraging specialist to submit PDP grants.
July Sustainable Water Quality and Quantity Training.
John Smith will serve on the organizing committee and will deliver sustainable agriculture educational programming based on AC recommendation for Extension agent and mentor farmer education on irrigation water quality and quantity. John also will deliver programming highlighting sustainable methods and SARE educational approaches.
Aug. Sheep and Goat Expo, San Angelo
John Smith will deliver rainwater harvesting for sustainable livestock operations educational programming to attending Extension personnel and mentor farmers whose leadership is key to increased adoption of science-based management practices in sustainable and organic enterprises. The training will include SARE Producer Grant and on the Farm Research opportunities.
Aug. Sustainable Gardening, Edinburg
John Smith will deliver irrigation water quality and private water well management, rainwater harvesting and SARE educational programming to attending Extension, NRCS and Texas Dept. of Agriculture personnel and mentor farmers whose leadership is key to increased adoption of science-based management practices in sustainable and organic operations.
Aug Texas County Agriculture Agents Association-cover crop agent training, Overton
Vanesa Corriher- Olson will provide cover crop and SARE educational training to 5 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agents who will travel to the Overton Center from across the state. Vanessa Corriher-Olson and John Smith will deliver cover crop training and SARE educational programming to attending Extension whose leadership is key to increased adoption of science-based management practices in sustainable and organic operations.
Aug. Texas Beef Cattle Short Course. A booth will be used to accommodate a display highlighting SARE educational materials and approaches.
Nov. Annual Agriculture Day at Prairie View A&M educational booth space. A booth will be used to accommodate a display highlighting SARE educational materials and approaches.
Dec. Cooperative Extension Program ANR agent training, College Station
Prairie View A&M University or Texas A&M University SARE will provide SARE educational training to 10 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agents who will travel to College Station from across the state
Jan. Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (TOFGA) Conference, San Antonio
Joel Pigg and John Smith will deliver irrigation water quality and private water well management, rainwater harvesting and SARE educational programming to attending Extension, NRCS and Texas Dept. of Agriculture personnel and mentor farmers whose leadership is key to increased adoption of science-based management practices in sustainable and organic operations.
Feb. Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference, Rosenberg
John Smith will deliver irrigation water quality and private water well management, rainwater harvesting and SARE educational programming to attending Extension, NRCS and Texas Dept. of Agriculture personnel and mentor farmers whose leadership is key to increased adoption of science-based management practices in sustainable and organic operations. The program will be delivered in person Feb 2024.
April Cooperative Extension Program Small Farm Field Day
June Grass-Fed Beef Training. A booth will be used to accommodate a display highlighting SARE educational materials and approaches.
June Production, Marketing and Sales of Local Foods Training – Training will focus on food safety for cottage foods, farmers markets, on-site animal processing, and Whole Foods purchasing of locally grown produce.
Advisors
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Education
Texas SARE serves as a leader for training Texas agricultural professionals regardingconcepts of sustainable agriculture. For the reporting period, the program involved amultifaceted effort that provided opportunities to be trained or to participate indelivering training for mentor producers, county Extension agents, various groundwaterdistrict personnel, NRCS personnel, Texas Commission on Environmental Qualitypersonnel, Texas Alliance of Groundwater District personnel, Texas Department ofLicensing and Regulation personnel, Soil and Water Conservation District personnel,NGOs and other agricultural professionals and also incorporates concepts ofsustainable agriculture in existing, statewide training efforts. These trainingopportunities include conferences, field meetings and workshops held at variouslocations in Texas. Another approach of the Texas Sustainable Agriculture AdvisoryCommittee is to support travel of selected professionals to regional and nationalconferences on sustainable agriculture, with the intent of participants gainingknowledge and skills that they will share with other agricultural professionals in Texas.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Provide well water sample screening and train-the-trainer programming throughdelivery of critical information for private well owners, mentor farmers/ranchers,Master Gardeners, and county Extension agents regarding the suitability of local wellwater for sustainable agricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses.
Joel Pigg provided well water sample screening and train-the-trainer programmingthrough delivery of critical information for private well owners, fishermen, mentorfarmers/ranchers, and County Extension Agents regarding the suitability of local wellwater for sustainable agricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses.SARE funding supported some of John Smith’s travel costs and the Well Owner’sGuide to Water Supply that was made available to attendees.
Attendees including private well owners, fishermen, master farmers/ranchers, MasterGardeners, and county Extension agents will apply and share information receivedregarding the suitability of local well water for sustainable agricultural irrigationpurposes, as well as for domestic uses. The Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply wasmade available to 136 attendees. Survey participants from south Texas Countiesindicated they valued the program at an average of $!,861 per participant or a totalvalue of $253,096. !00% increase in understanding and adoption.
Participants learn about proper nutrition for locally grown fi nishing cattle, as well asscience-based information regarding carcass preparation. The training was held inthe Texas A&M Rosenthal Meats Center and included a demonstration emphasizingthe proportion of total meat product derived from end rather than middle meats inthe fabrication of a side of beef.
Texas SARE worked closely to assist Dr. Jason Cleere and Dr. Ron Gill in many waysin coordinating the Grass-fed Beef training held in the Rosenthal Meat Science lab onthe TAMU campus. Dr. Cleere also is a Texas SARE AC member. Texas SARE helpedwith press release development and financial support for the conference. TexasSARE also provided the SARE book Farmers’ Guide to Business Structures for eachparticipant. Participants learned about proper stockpiling of forages to safeguardcontinued forage availability for finishing cattle, as well as science-based informationon carcass preparation that included a demonstration emphasizing the proportion oftotal meat product derived from end rather than middle meats in the fabrication of aside of beef. The training was held in the Texas A&M Rosenthal Meats Center.
Participants including county Extension agents and mentor ranchers will apply andshare the information delivered at the conference. The training was held in the TexasA&M Rosenthal Meats Center. Five Extension agent employees, 26 mentor ranchersand 64 others attended.
Texas SARE provide SARE funding opportunities for the Battleground to BreakingGround veteran program.
Texas and Southern SARE provided SARE funding opportunities by video for theBattleground to Breaking Ground program for veterans in cooperation with TexasAgrAbility, USDA, NCAT, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas A&M AgriLifeExtension, Farm Credit, and Alamo SWCD#330. Veterans learned about TexasAgrAbility, details regarding the Battleground to Breaking Ground Project, ruralbusiness ideas, the Farmer-Veteran Coalition, veterans in production agriculture, andbusiness planning basics.
John Smith Texas SARE delivered a program on available funding opportunities and other programs provided by Texas SARE.
Provide rainwater harvesting and water quality and train-the-trainer programming bydelivering critical information for private capture structures owners and countyExtension agents regarding the suitability of water for sustainable agriculturalirrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses for urban farmers.
John Smith, Joel Pigg and Ryan Gerlick provided water quality education andrainwater harvesting train-the trainer programming by delivering critical informationfor mentor farmers wanting a RWH structure and county Extension agents regardingbest management practices for private water conservation. Rachael Windham,Senior Planner at Houston-Galveston Area Council, spoke regarding the suitability oflocal water resources from their aquifer for sustainable agricultural irrigation anddomestic purposes, and plans for its sustainability. SARE funding provided theRainwater Harvesting: System Planning Manual that was made available to attendeesand supported the team’s travel as well as part of John Smith’s salary.
Mentor farmers and county Extension agents plan to apply and share the informationdelivered regarding the suitability of local water conservation for sustainableagricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses. SARE fundingsupported travel expenses and part of John Smith’s salary. One agent, 25 mentorfarmers and 39 others attended. Post-tests indicated that all attendees increasedtheir knowledge. Survey participants from 145 participants Austin County indicatedthey valued program at an average of $655 per participant or a total value of$94,975.
Staff manned a Texas SARE booth to share county Extension agent sustainableagriculture training opportunities available through SARE and grant opportunities foragents' farmers to use to solve sustainable agriculture problems they might beexperiencing.
The Texas SARE booth showcases training opportunities through SARE train-the-trainer programs as well as provides information regarding On-Farm Research andProducer Grant opportunities. Furthermore, agents were asked what training topicswere important to them. Information regarding water management practicescontinued to be requested, both for agricultural irrigation water quality, as well asrainwater harvesting. Also, Texas Extension agents were encouraged to register forthe SARE/NACAA Sustainable Agriculture Fellows program. Many of the agentsparticipated in Texas hosting the Fellows program in 2017, and so they were asked toshare information about their experiences and about the Fellows program withothers.
Agents learned about SARE training opportunities, with special focus on the SAREFellows program. Many of the agents had been involved with the TexasSARE/NACAA Sustainable Agriculture Fellows program in May 2017 and so wereable to speak from direct, personal experience. Agents also learned about both grantand train-the-trainer opportunities with SARE. The number of agents attending was147.
Provide well water sample screening and train-the-trainer programming throughdelivery of critical information for private well owners, mentor farmers/ranchers, andcounty Extension agents regarding the suitability of local well water for sustainableagricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses.
John Smith provided well water sample testing and train-the-trainer programmingthrough delivery of critical information for private well owners, mentorfarmers/ranchers, and county Extension agents regarding the suitability of local wellwater for sustainable agricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses.Joel Pigg described plans to continue to provide high quality, sustainable sources ofwater for producers and others, and the Clearwater Groundwater ConservationDistrict well registration/permitting process. SARE funding provided the Well Owner’sGuide to Water Supply that was made available to attendees.
Attendees including private well owners, mentor farmers/ranchers, and countyExtension agents will apply and share information delivered regarding the suitabilityof local well water for sustainable agricultural irrigation purposes, as well as fordomestic uses. The Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply was made available toattendees. Survey 41 participants from Burleson County indicated they valued theprogram at an average of $723 per participant or a total value of $29,643.
Provide rainwater harvesting and train-the-trainer programming by delivering criticalinformation for water conservation and county Extension agents regarding the
suitability of rainwater for sustainable agricultural irrigation purposes, as well as fordomestic uses.
John Smith provided rainwater harvesting and train-the-trainer programming bydelivering critical information for rainwater capture and water conservation to countyExtension agents and other participants regarding best management practices forwater use.
Private well owners and county Extension agents plan to apply and share theinformation delivered regarding the suitability of local well water for sustainableagricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses. The Well Owner’s Guideto Water Supply was made available to attendees. SARE funding supported travelexpenses and part of John Smith’s salary. Two agents, 3 mentor farmers and 8others attended. Post-tests indicated that all attendees increased their knowledge.Survey participants from Nacogdoches County indicated they valued the program atan average of $405 per participant or a total value of $5,265.
Staff manned a Texas SARE booth to share county Extension agent sustainableagriculture training opportunities available through SARE and grant opportunities foragents' farmers to use to solve sustainable agriculture problems they might beexperiencing.
The Texas SARE booth showcases training opportunities through SARE train-the-trainer programs as well as provides information regarding On-Farm Research andProducer Grant opportunities. Furthermore, agents were asked what training topicswere important to them. Information regarding water management practicescontinued to be requested, both for agricultural irrigation water quality, as well asrainwater harvesting. Also, Texas Extension agents were encouraged to register forthe SARE/NACAA Sustainable Agriculture Fellows program. Many of the agentsparticipated in Texas hosting the Fellows program in 2017, and so they were asked toshare information about their experiences and about the Fellows program withothers.
Agents learned about SARE training opportunities, with special focus on the SAREFellows program. Many of the agents had been involved with the TexasSARE/NACAA Sustainable Agriculture Fellows program in May 2017 and so wereable to speak from direct, personal experience. Agents also learned about both grantand train-the-trainer opportunities with SARE. The number of specialist attending was 143.
Provide best management practices to improve sustainability of forage production inthe state of Texas. Due to weather conditions and fertilizer costs, livestock producersneed to improve management practices in order to remain profi table and sustainable.
Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Dr. Monte Rouquette, Jr., Dr. Larry Redmon and Dr. RaySmith provided critical information to livestock producers on ways to improvesustainability. Primary focus was on grazing management strategies and improvednutrient management.
Livestock producers plan to utilize soil testing as a means of making more effectiveand more economical nutrient management decisions. Grazing managementstrategies will be implemented to improve persistence of perennial forage stands.Four hundred livestock producers, county extension agents, NRCS faculty andstudents attended this program that was offered as part of the Beef Cattle ShortCourse. Post-tests indicated that all attendees increased their knowledge. Dr.Vanessa Corriher- Olson spoke to over 400 on Sustainable Forage production.
Provide well water screening and train-the-trainer programming through delivery ofcritical information for private well owners, mentor farmers/ranchers, mastergardeners, and county Extension agents regarding the suitability of local well waterfor sustainable agricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses.
John Smith and Joel Pigg provided well water sample screening and train-the-trainerprogramming through delivery of critical information for private well owners, mentorfarmers/ranchers, master gardeners, and county Extension agents. SARE fundingprovided the Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply that was made available toattendees. In addition, the Friends of the San Bernard River spoke regarding efforts toprotect and preserve water quality in the area for many purposes, including irrigation.
Attendees including private well owners, mentor farmers/ranchers, mastergardeners, and county Extension agents will use and share the information receivedregarding the suitability of local well water for sustainable agricultural irrigationpurposes, as well as for domestic uses. The Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply wasmade available to attendees. One agent, 6 mentor farmers/master gardeners and 33others attended. A survey of participants indicated that they valued the program atan average of $1,473 each or $58,920 total for the program.
Provide well water sample screening and train-the-trainer programming throughdelivery of critical information for private well owners, mentor farmers/ranchers,Master Gardeners, and county Extension agents regarding the suitability of local wellwater for sustainable agricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses.
Joel Pigg provided well water sample screening and train-the-trainer programmingthrough delivery of critical information for private well owners, fishermen, mentorfarmers/ranchers, and County Extension Agents regarding the suitability of local wellwater for sustainable agricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses.SARE funding supported some of John Smith’s travel costs and the Well Owner’sGuide to Water Supply that was made available to attendees.
Attendees including private well owners, fishermen, master farmers/ranchers, MasterGardeners, and county Extension agents will apply and share information receivedregarding the suitability of local well water for sustainable agricultural irrigationpurposes, as well as for domestic uses. The Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply wasmade available to 98 attendees.
Provide rainwater harvesting and train-the-trainer programming by delivering criticalinformation for water conservation and county Extension agents regarding thesuitability of rainwater for sustainable agricultural irrigation purposes, as well as fordomestic uses.
John Smith provided rainwater harvesting and train-the-trainer programming bydelivering critical information for rainwater capture and water conservation to countyExtension agents and other participants regarding best management practices forwater use.
Private well owners and county Extension agents plan to apply and share theinformation delivered regarding the suitability of local well water for sustainableagricultural irrigation purposes, as well as for domestic uses. The RainwaterHarvesting: System Planning was made available to attendees. SARE fundingsupported travel expenses and part of John Smith’s salary. Three agents, 7 mentorfarmers and 34 others attended. Post-tests indicated that all attendees increasedtheir knowledge. Survey participants from Fannin County indicated they valued theprogram at an average of $1,412 per participant or a total value of $62,128.
Provide an educational opportunity for livestock producers on the utilization ofstockpiled forage and cover crops for maintaining livestock during the winter andspring.
Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson and Dr. Jason Banta provided livestock producers withinformation on the utilization of stockpiled forage and cover crops for winter pasturesystems. Information on SARE funding opportunities was made available to themincluding the Producer Grant and the On-Farm Research Grant.
100 producers were in attendance at this event. Based on post event evaluations80% of participants indicated that they would implement cover crops in their foragesystems in the future. 100% of the participants indicated knowledge gained.
Participants learn about primer in sustainable topics related to the beef industry.Twelve expert speakers and several tours were a part of the two day conference. Thetraining was held at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, Part of theGeorge Bush Presidential Library.
Texas SARE facilitated Dr. Jacquelyn Prestegaard-Wilson with providing the two dayprogram featuring experts speaker from around the country on a variety ofSustainable topics from Carbon markets to a Farmer / Rancher panel on SustainableBeef practices. Dr. Jacquelyn Prestegaard- Wilson also is a Texas SARE AC member.
Participants including county Extension agents and mentor ranchers will apply andshare the information delivered at the conference. The training was held at theAnnenberg Presidential Conference Center, Part of the George Bush PresidentialLibrary.
Update AC membership on 2024 project highlights. Provide recommendations for2025 plans.
The Texas AC meeting provides update on 2024 program highlights and 2025program plans from those involved. The AC involvement is greatly appreciated fromTexas SARE to provide critical recommendations to Texas SARE.
Participants including Extension specialist, agents and mentor farmers and rancherswill apply. The planning was held as a hybrid program for convenience to ACmembership the 15 participants present.
Agents and other participants learn about sustainable vegetable production througha series of break-out sessions.
Boone Holladay, Ft. Bend County Extension Agent for Horticulture, is coordinator ofone of the largest and best vegetable garden trainings in Texas. Through SouthernSARE training funds, Boone has continued to keep up to date and expand hisknowledge by attending a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working GroupConference, the 2016 Southern Cover Crop Conference, and a Texas Organic Farmerand Gardener Association annual meeting. SARE also provided books for break-outsessions for the attendees. Presentations at the 2024 conference included:Protecting pollinators in crop production areas-Bees & Honey Production, DennisGray, Pirate Honey Farm, Marketing Produce, Robert Maggiani, NCAT, Katie Triitsch,Texas Center for Local Food, Climate/Drought & Irrigation, Dr. Ali Fares, Prairie ViewA&M University, Backyard Gardening & Alternatives Techniques: An Introduction toPermaculture Design, Carol Burton, Urban Harvest, Mushroom Gardening, Dr.Venkatesh Balan, University of Houston, Integrated Pest Management, Dr. JohnGordy, Syngenta
Agents and participants attended a variety of break-out session on sustainablevegetable production. Information will be used and shared by participants and/or totrain others. 8 agents, 7 USDA employees, 4 Texas Prison System, 60 mentorfarmer/gardeners and 245 others attended. SARE provided much-appreciated booksfor break-out sessions for the attendees.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Pre and post test administered indicates 95% increase in knowledge on sustainableagricultural practices.
Face of SARE
Texas SARE serves as a leader for training Texas Agriculture professionals regardingconcepts of sustainable agriculture. Cooperative program efforts involve providingopportunities to be trained or to participate in delivering trainings for mentor producers,county extension agents, various groundwater district personnel, NRCS personnel,Texas Commission on Environmental Quality personnel, Texas alliance of GroundwaterDistrict personnel, River Authority personnel, Texas Department of Licensing andRegulation personnel, Soil and Water Conservation District personnel, NGO's and otheragricultural professionals. These training opportunities include conferences, fieldmeetings and workshops held at various locations in Texas and nationwide. The TexasSustainable Agriculture Resource Education Advisor Committee also supports travel ofselected professionals to regional and national conferences on sustainable agriculture,with the intent for participants to gain knowledge and skills that they share with otheragriculture professionals in Texas.