2023-24 University of Missouri - MoSARE Plan of Work

Commodities

Practices

• Animal Production: grazing management, grazing - continuous, grazing - multispecies
• Crop Production: agroforestry, drainage systems, drought tolerance, forestry, forest/woodlot management, greenhouses, irrigation, low tunnels, multiple cropping, varieties and cultivars
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer, networking, technical assistance, workshop
• Farm Business Management: agricultural finance, value added
• Natural Resources/Environment: drift/runoff buffers, grass waterways, riparian buffers, soil stabilization
• Pest Management: biological control, chemical control, cultural control, integrated pest management, precision herbicide use, weed ecology
• Production Systems: hydroponics, organic agriculture
• Soil Management: organic matter, soil quality/health
• Sustainable Communities: food hubs, local and regional food systems, new business opportunities, partnerships

Train the Trainer Professional Development Activities will be offered in each of the following area.

1. Sustainable Crop Production - to include:  Agronomy, Horticulture &/or Floriculture production, economics, pest control

2. Sustainable Livestock Production - to include: Large and Small Livestock, Ruminants & Poultry productioni economics

3. Adaption of Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change - Regional Initiative 

4. Emerging Issues - Likely to include new and alternative crops and cropping systems 

1. Sustainable Crop Production - In 2023 & 2024 a row crop production PDP update will be held targeting Educators from the University of Missouri and Lincoln University Extension program and include other educators as well.  It will include:  Soil Health Considerations, Incorporation of Cover Crops into cropping systems, the use of Green Manure crops, and Crop Rotation.  It will also feature Alternative/emerging Crops & Cropping Systems currently considered alternative that may become mainstream, especially in the context of Climate Change.  This PDP will be held during the winter months each year and will be led/organized by Dr. Kevin Bradley and the state coordinator. 
2. Also addressing Sustainable Crop Production Dr. Sam Polly will host a PDP in both 2023 and 2024 focusing on pest control   These PDPs will include traditional methods of pest control but and how to use them more judiciously and safely.  It will also feature alternative, environmentally friendly methods of weed and insect control for both row crop production and horticultural production.
3.  As the local food movement gains momentum, Dr. Londa Nwadike will host a local foods production, sales, and online marketing safety PDP in both 2023 & 2024.  These will be conducted in follow-up to the ones conducted online during the "Covid - 19 lockdown".  These PDPs will feature state and federal officials who oversee the safe sales and marketing of foods to consumers as well as exemplary producers. 
4. Sustainable Livestock Production - In the large commercial setting proper disposal of animal mortalities is a very costly and unpleasant experience.  It may well be the same for the small/alternative operations but the small producer likely does not have the budget flexibility of a larger corporate entity.  Dr. Teng Lim will host a PDP in 2023 on how to properly and legally dispose of animal mortalities for small and alternative operations.
5. Adapting to a changing climate and other food system disruptions - NC Regional Initiative.  Funding has been allocated for Missouri Educators to participate in this regional issue as it emerges.
6. Emerging Issues - It is very difficult to anticipate emerging issues a year or two down the road as was demonstrated by the challenges created by Covid - 19.  Funding has been allocated to conduct a "just in time" PDP each year as issues emerge.  The need for these PDPs will be identified by the state advisory board and the state coordinators.

   Target Audience for all PDPs:   Extension Educators and other agency personnel will be the target audience for all PDPs offered during the 2023-2024 plan of work time frame.  Other “agricultural educators” may be included as resources permit.

   Evaluation:  Standard methods will be used for PDP evaluation.  Increases in knowledge of the topics of the training will be assessed with a knowledge pre/post-event knowledge evaluation.  Proposed changes in behavior will be evaluated using the same post-event survey for all PDPs offered during the 2023-2024 plan of work time frame.

   Expected Outcomes will focus on participants (extension educators and agency partners) increasing their knowledge/understanding (in a train the trainer format) of sustainable agriculture and the individual PDP topic.  and anticipation of their conducting training offerings, transferring their knowledge to local clientele.  Expected outcomes are listed with in the attached logic model.