Review and Evaluation of Educational and Reference Materials Pertaining to Nutrient Management and Soil Health for Sustainable Agriculture Production.

Review and Evaluation of Educational and Reference Materials Pertaining to Nutrient Management and Soil Health for Sustainable Agriculture Production.

Summary

Summary
This project worked to identify and collect materials related to nutrient management and soil health. In April 1998, the committee categorized and selected materials to include in a packet of information to distribute to sustainable agriculture leaders in the Northeast region. The final packet of information was organized into a binder form in the fall and winter of 1998. We have distributed two copies of the binders, “Review and Compilation of Soil Health and Nutrient Management Resources,” to each of Northeast SARE’s state Professional Development Program coordinators. Distribution of the binders concluded the funded portion of the project. The binders contained a reply card for users to return to the project coordinator to further evaluate how the information was being used.

Objectives
1.Collect free materials and purchase materials related to soil health and nutrient management.
2.Evaluate materials based on their quality and accuracy of information.
3.Select materials to be used for future soil health/nutrient management workshops.
4.Identify information gaps in existing materials related to soil health and nutrient management.
5.Assemble a complete binder of information to be used as a tool for future educational programs.

Results
Materials were gathered and evaluated by the project committee during a joint conference in New Jersey in April 1998. The group decided on which materials to include in the final binder with the intent for use at future educational programs. The result of this collaboration was a completed binder of fact sheets, reports, articles, worksheets, booklets, manuals, etc. to be used in the region. When certain areas of information did not exist in the Northeast Region, materials available from other land grant universities in the U.S. were sought and used to fill the gaps. Binders were printed and then disseminated to P.D.P. State Coordinators, with 2 copies per state.
The anticipated results for this project is for improved quality of educational programs related to soil health and nutrient management and increased programs in these areas.

Impacts
The intent of this grant is to foster educational programs related to soil health and nutrient management and to also heighten awareness of information available in these areas.

Recommendations & Areas Needing Additional Professional Development Efforts
With increased regulations in NE States dealing with fertility and water quality, more professional development is needed to ready extension personnel and agriculture industry workers about the areas of soil health and nutrient management.

Reported May 1999

Collaborators: