SAR17-001 Model State Program

Project Overview

SAR17-001
Project Type: PDP State Program
Funds awarded in 2017: $44,444.00
Projected End Date: 06/30/2018
Grant Recipient: University of Arkansas
Region: Southern
State: Arkansas
State Coordinator:
Dr. M. Elena Garcia
Email
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Animal Production: predatory wildlife protection for animals
  • Crop Production: cover crops, food product quality/safety, greenhouses, high tunnels or hoop houses, pollinator habitat
  • Education and Training: workshop
  • Farm Business Management: farmers' markets/farm stands, risk management, recordkeeping
  • Natural Resources/Environment: habitat enhancement
  • Pest Management: wildlife pest management - protecting crops from
  • Production Systems: holistic management, hydroponics
  • Soil Management: green manures, organic matter, soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems, partnerships

    Abstract:

    The Arkansas SARE PDP for 2017-2018 will focus on providing sustainable agriculture education and training opportunities for Extension agents, associates and program aides, USDA staff, farmers' market managers, farmer leaders and other agriculture professionals. Key issues in the 2017-2018 program include cover crop demonstrations and workshops, a food safety and food safety modernization act workshop, wildlife management in agriculture, and travel opportunities to sustainable agriculture events in and out of state. These priorities were identified through the AR SARE advisory committee, feedback from previous events, and conversations with extension agents and growers on emerging and current needs. These activities and opportunities will allow agriculture professionals to advance their skills, confidence and understanding of sustainable agriculture issues, allowing them to communicate and educate growers and producers on the benefits more easily.

    Project objectives:

    The objectives of the Arkansas SARE PDP program are:
    1) To provide learning opportunities for Extension agents and specialists, farmers market managers, and farmer
    leaders in Arkansas to expand their understanding and application of sustainable agriculture, and increase their
    ability to implement and share information on sustainable agriculture.
    2) To increase the awareness of the SARE program among agriculture leaders in Arkansas, the resources it provides
    and increase awareness of training opportunities and scholarships for Arkansas agriculture leaders interested in
    sustainable agriculture.
    3) To continue to employ the advisory board to provide input to the AR SARE PDP program, and share information
    about the AR SARE program through their professional circles.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.