2009 Annual Report for ENE08-109
An Educational Program to Expand Season Extension of Horticulture Crops in West Virginia
Summary
The West Virginia Season Extension Professional Development project has accomplished many of the milestones originally established in the grant during 2009-2010. Trainees for this professional development include seven West Virginia University Extension Personnel, one West Virginia State University horticulturist and five progressive specialty crop growers.
In 2009, five season extension workshops were conducted. In 2010, six season extension workshops were conducted. Topics covered in the workshops included: high tunnel design, construction and site selection; soil management; warm and cool season cropping systems; irrigation management; pest management; nutrient management; harvesting; marketing and economics. Workshops were conducted across the state of West Virginia on farms of cooperating growers. Training was expanded in 2010 to include USDA-NRCS personnel. Grower cooperators hosted three workshops in 2009 and two workshops in 2010.
By the end of 2010, trainees in the program actively constructed or provided advice or training for approximately 35 high tunnels in West Virginia. All grower-educators had constructed at least one high tunnel on their respective farms by December 2010. Surveys of workshop attendees revealed a significant increase in skills and knowledge related to season extension technology.
Objectives/Performance Targets
Objectives/Performance Targets:
A comprehensive survey of extension- and grower- educators at the completion of this project will document the following:
a. Extension- and grower-educators will have a significant increase in knowledge and skills specific to high tunnels and season extension technology when this project is completed in 2011.
b. All extension- and grower-educators will have used information and resources derived from this training program in 6 regional workshops and field tours which they have facilitated or participated.
As a result of this program, approximately 200 West Virginia growers will be exposed to high tunnel technology and at least 20 growers will have adopted this technology on their respective farms by 2011.
Accomplishments/Milestones
Accomplishments/Milestones:
The Season Extension Professional Development Team includes members of the WVU Horticulture Team, a West Virginia State University horticulturist and six progressive specialty crop producers. Members of the team are actively engaged in horticulture outreach across West Virginia and represent a very good cross section of horticulture extension and production.
In 2009, five season extension training workshops were conducted focusing on construction and design (May, June and October); planting methods, pest management, cultivar selection, irrigation and marketing (April, July and November). A tour of the Penn State High Tunnel Facility was conducted in July, 2009. Three workshops were conducted by grower-educators in 2009. Three of the six cooperating growers constructed at least one high tunnel on their farm in 2009.
In 2010, six season extension training workshops were conducted focusing on construction and design (May); planting methods, pest management, cultivar selection, irrigation and marketing (March, June, October, November and December). A tour of high tunnel raspberry production in western Maryland was conducted in October with members of the WVU Horticulture Team and grower-educators. Two workshops were conducted by grower-educators in 2010. One of the grower-cooperators helped new growers construct 4 high tunnels in 2010. Three of the WVU extension personnel assisted approximately 14 new growers construct, design and plan a high tunnel in 2010. All grower-educators had constructed at least one high tunnel on their farm by the end of 2010. Survey results from attendees of the workshops revealed a significant increase in both knowledge and skills related to season extension technology.
In 2010, The USDA-NRCS initiated a 3-year pilot project focusing on seasonal high tunnel systems for crops. West Virginia was one of 30 cooperating states in which a cost share program was implemented. The teaching/research high tunnel constructed by members of the Season Extension Professional Development Team located in Lewis County, West Virginia served as a model for the seasonal high tunnel design specifications in West Virginia. Two classroom-style training sessions with NRCS staff were conducted at Jackson’s Mill, WV in February 2010. WVU Extension personnel enrolled in the Season Extension Professional Development Project provided additional information to NRCS staff and interested growers throughout the year. Numerous visits by NRCS staff to the teaching high tunnel occurred throughout the spring of 2010. Over 100 applications for high tunnel cost share assistance were received. Approximately 35 applicants were approved for contracts in 2010. Many applicants have visited the teaching high tunnel and attended field day events to acquire more information.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Impacts and Contributions:
In 2009-10, members of the Professional Development Team constructed a research/teaching high tunnel on a commercial farm in central West Virginia. This high tunnel has served as a site for 5 training programs attended by approximately 165 growers, extension agents, USDA personnel and Master Gardeners interested in season extension technology. In addition, training projects for the Professional Development Team focusing on high tunnel construction, crop management and irrigation have been conducted at this high tunnel site. Research projects focused on warm and cool season vegetable crops for high tunnels have been conducted using this high tunnel.
In 2009, 150 growers and WVU Extension personnel across West Virginia attended workshops or field tours featuring season extension technology. In 2010, 675 growers were present at workshops, field tours or meetings discussing or demonstrating season extension technology in West Virginia.
Members of the Professional Development Team provided season extension advice to175 growers and gardeners from 2009-10. In addition, team
members provided advice or training for 35 high tunnel growers in 2009-10. All grower-educators have built at least one high tunnel on their respective farms since the beginning of this project. Five of the six grower-educators have hosted a season extension workshop from 2009-10.
Resource materials including slide presentations and fact sheets have been created and used by members of the Professional Development Team. Powerpoint slide presentations on high tunnel winter cropping, high tunnel warm-season cropping, high tunnel construction and irrigation have been created in 2009-10. Fact sheets detailing high tunnel construction, crop production, economics, irrigation and temperature management have been created and used for training members of the Professional Development Team. In turn, the team has used these materials to facilitate their own training workshops. Results from workshop surveys indicate that approximately 88% of attendees have acquired information which will change the methods in which they grow produce in West Virginia. At least 35 high tunnels are either in planning or have been constructed in 2009-10 on West Virginia farms. Thus, we believe the project is on track for achieving all performance targets of increasing skills and knowledge of participants and West Virginia growers at large. The results of this professional development project have greatly facilitated adoption of season extension technology. Growers are rapidly adopting season extension technology in West Virginia which will increase the supply and quality of local food.