Small Acreage Success: Connecting Natural Resource Professionals with a Non-Traditional Audience

Small Acreage Success: Connecting Natural Resource Professionals with a Non-Traditional Audience

Summary

Three Host Acreages were accepted in 2011 for a 3-year project. One additional reservation Host Acreage “Wingsprings” was added in early 2012 due to additional funds from another source. An initial site visit was performed by project participants at new host site near Martin, SD, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Annual Workshops were held at three of the four Host Acreages in July (Wingsprings-first workshop) and October of 2012 (Butte Vista Farm and Bad Warrior Acreage-second workshops for both). Forty-seven participants learned about SDSU Extension and other Natural Resource professionals (new collaborator: Oglala Sioux Tribe Parks & Rec Authority). They also learned about various techniques, goals and issues at each site, including: water quality management, wildlife habitat, horse and goat (multi-species) pasture management; noxious weed ID and control; permaculture; meat goat production; reducing hay waste; backyard chicken production; review/update of native food garden, tree plantings and lawn establishment comparing fertilizer types; USDA cost-share opportunities; manure mangement/composting. New in 2012 was a discussion at all locations about drought effects on acreages, due to significant drought conditions in the region. Also new in 2012 was a small acreage expo with >20 educational seminars and 45 vendors, including multiple acreage owners, geared towards small acreage production and product marketing. Butte Vista Farm demonstrated meat goat production, and other workshop participants from 2011 workshops attended. Over 400 people attended the weekend expo. Program promotion for all events included trade-show booths; newspaper and magazine advertisements; mass e-mailings and word-of-mouth by Hose Acreage owners. The SD Small Acreage Facebook page was continually updated and now consists of 166 fans (50% increase). Project news and pictures were reported on Facebook. Quarterly e-Newsletter reached 1400+ respondents. An in-depth 6-month post-workshop survey was conducted in early 2012 to determine extent of impacts.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Short-term outcomes of this project will be 1) improved management and sustainability of 3 small acreages, 2) increased knowledge and skills of 150 small acreage owners regarding weed identification and control, appropriate stocking rates, manure management, soil/water quality and finances; and 3) 150 small acreage owners will have increased awareness of the technical assistance available to them for sustainable natural resource management information. A one-day workshop will be held on each Host Acreage in each of the three years of this project. In Year 1, participants (we anticipate approximately 20 at each site in Year 1) will be introduced to the Host Acreage where their workshop is being held, including the issues, goals, and management strategies identified by the owners with the help of the SAT. Kit Distribution: Kits contain plant ID and pasture management and monitoring tools, as well as technical resource information Newsletters: We will send electronic newsletters to the Electronic Contact List featuring such topics as “small acreage of the month”, “have you seen this weed?” and “new fencing strategies”, every 3 months. Teach/Coach/Mentor: We will utilize the Teach/Coach/Mentor education philosophy adapted by Patterson et. al (2003). In this method, sustainable natural resource principles and skills will be taught by the SAT to the Host Acreage owners and workshop participants in Year 1; advertising in country print media, direct phone calls and emails, flyers, and radio advertising were the most effective methods, and that Saturdays are the best available day of the week for reaching the small acreage audience.Progress of Host Acreages in meeting their objectives will be evaluated through several different land monitoring techniques (e.g. photo-monitoring, forage availability measurements, species frequency, etc.) through the 3 years of participation in the program

Accomplishments/Milestones

In 2012, 47 small acreage owners/managers/interested parties attended workshops (6% increase from 2011). Three Host Acreages workshops were conducted: Butte Vista Farm (13 attendees), Bad Warrior Acreage (25+ attendees, & >300% increase over 2011)and Wingsprings acreage (new Host): 9 attendees. Summer labor for fencing was provided to help meet acreage and project goals. Water quality testing was conducted on 1 host acreage, to determine Total Suspended Solids and their relationship to wildlife habitat (Results in progress). Over 100 acreage kits were distributed in 2012 to acreage owners. 4)Continued learning and communication among Host Acreage owners and their peers is ongoing. New contacts made on weekly/monthly basis. Quarterly e-Newsletter reaching 1400 acreage owners statewide. Host Acreage workshop progress, pictures, techniques and other ideas are posted weekly on Facebook. Facebook has 166 fans receiving weekly info. Feb 2012: Booth at Black Hills Stock Show-hundreds of passersby, handouts about SD Small Acreage program including SARE workshops and small acreage management. September 2012: 400 people attended small acreage expo learning from 20 seminars and 45 vendors.

• workshop at Bad Warrior acreage featuring permaculture presenter
• hay nets for reduction in hay waste were discussed at Butte Vista Farm
• pasture management during a drought/multi-species grazing discussion at Butte Vista Farm
• advertisement for small acreage expo
• new Host Site on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The services of SDSU Extension was heavily promoted by Host Acreages to their peers in 2012. Two of four SARE Farmer and Rancher grant applications submitted by either Host Acreage or workshop participants were accepted for funding in 2012 as a result ($22,500); their projects heavily utilize natural resource services. Six month post-workshop survey of Host Acreage impacts included:

• >13 post-workshop one-on-one contacts have occurred in 2012 among the three Host Acreages and their 2011 workshop attendees, demonstrating the development of learning communities.
  Common goals among these early-stage LC’s included meat goat and fiber animal production and marketing, pasture management techniques, and a transition to native grass pasture from introduced grasses.
  Management changes that workshop participants have implemented include goal setting, natural resource management strategy implementation, secondary mentoring (one of the original workshop participants is now mentoring others), knowledge that Extension exists and they are a resource of helpful information, business planning and marketing and grant proposal submission.
  Increased participation in other SDSU Extension programs including AgCEO by 2 of 4 Host Acreages, demonstrating a long-term relationship commitment.

Collaborators: