2019 Model State Program- University of Florida

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Crop Production: application rate management, continuous cropping, cover crops, crop improvement and selection, cropping systems, crop rotation, high tunnels or hoop houses, irrigation, low tunnels, multiple cropping, nutrient cycling, nutrient management, row covers (for season extension), seed saving, varieties and cultivars, water management
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, focus group, mentoring, networking, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research, technical assistance, workshop
• Farm Business Management: community-supported agriculture, farmers' markets/farm stands, grant making
• Pest Management: integrated pest management, mulches - living, mulching - plastic, weed ecology
• Production Systems: agroecosystems, organic agriculture, organic certification, transitioning to organic
• Soil Management: composting, organic matter, soil quality/health
• Sustainable Communities: food hubs, local and regional food systems, urban agriculture, urban/rural integration

Florida activities for 2019-2020 will build upon the basic framework for the model state program. Planned activities include integrating results of SARE funded research and Extension activities, and other relevant research, and using this information as resources for educational programs. We also plan to continue to strengthen our focus on targeted training for state and county Extension faculty, representatives of non-profit organizations, representatives of state and federal government agencies, and farmer representatives. To fulfill the priorities and objectives of our program, our training funds will be used to address programs in three subject matter areas:

(1) new and emerging solutions for Florida agricultural production,

(2) advancing Extension capacity in sustainable agriculture, and

(3) entrepreneurial innovation in sustainable agriculture.

1. Maintain existing and establish new collaborative Extension trainings and programs with faculty members and county agents at University of Florida and Florida A&M University whose work addresses sustainability in production agriculture.
2. Extend collaboration with organizations that are active in the post-production components of food systems, particularly non-profit, state, and governmental organizations whose work fosters development of food and agriculture businesses.
3. Support the development of Extension programs in food systems, including Regional Specialized Agents whose work includes both on-farm production and post-farm gate aspects of food system development.
4. Expand participation of minority, women, and limited resource farmers and professionals in SARE activities and programs, ensuring that these groups are well represented in the full range of SARE-funded professional development opportunities.

SARE Expected Outcomes:

1. County faculty members will participate in regional and national training programs in sustainable agriculture and will apply the lessons learned in their own programs.
2. At least two of the statewide Extension priority teams will include information and resources about sustainable agriculture and SARE in their professional development training programs and Extension programming.
3. Extension agents and farmers will identify opportunities, such as SARE-funded Research & Education, Professional Development, and On-Farm Research projects, for the development of alternative crops and enterprises and will play key roles in outreach and research projects that focus on alternative crops and enterprises.
4. Regional and local county agents will develop new collaborations with organizations, agencies, and groups working in sustainable agriculture, including non-profit and for-profit organizations involved in post-farm gate food processing, marketing and distribution, and policy development.
5. State, regional, and county Extension faculty members and agents will make increased use of resources to support programming in sustainable agriculture, including fiscal resources such as Southern SARE grants.