Organic Agriculture Hands-on Training and Educational Materials for Extension Professionals in the Southeast

Organic Agriculture Hands-on Training and Educational Materials for Extension Professionals in the Southeast

Summary

A team of experts from five institutions – Tuskegee University, ASAN, NC State University, University of Arkansas-PB, and Auburn University – came together to offer an effective hands-on training program in organic agriculture to extension agents, NRCS personnel and mentor farmers three states. The target audience will be reached through workshops, hands-on training exercises, and by compilation and distribution of organic training resources. The first workshop is scheduled for May 17-18, 2011, hosted by Tuskegee University and a second one for May 15-16, 2012, hosted by NC State University. Educational resources will be posted on TU website in May 2011.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The overall goal is to enhance the knowledge base and practical skills of Extension personnel, mentor farmers and other educators, in organic agriculture. The specific objectives are to 1) organize and conduct a series of in-class workshops and hands-on training exercises and 2) compile and distribute educational resources which will be used by educators in the SSARE Region States.

Accomplishments/Milestones

February 2011: Project collaborators met with the target audience in their states and identified their training needs in organic agriculture.

March 2011: First teleconference was held by the collaborators to discuss the training needs, assigning of the training topics, and strategies to develop effective educational resources. The training topics identified were i) General Principles of Organic Production, ii) Overview of the Organic Farming Industry iii) Healthy Soils and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS): The Foundation of a Good Organic System, iv) Organic Pest Management,v) Organic Farming and Food Safety, vi) Economics of Organic Farming, vii) Marketing of Organic Products and viii) Organic Standards and Certification.

January-May 2011: Compilation of educational resources is underway with each collaborator contributing in their area of expertise in organic agriculture. Tuskegee University will oversee the general coordination and compilation of the educational resources.

May 2011: Posting of the educational resources on Tuskegee University website.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Collaborators: