2020 Model State Program- Florida A&M University

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Crop Production: cover crops, cropping systems, crop rotation, high tunnels or hoop houses, intercropping, low tunnels, multiple cropping, nutrient management, organic fertilizers, row covers (for season extension), water management
• Education and Training: demonstration, display, extension, workshop
• Farm Business Management: agritourism, community-supported agriculture, farmers' markets/farm stands, whole farm planning
• Natural Resources/Environment: carbon sequestration, soil stabilization
• Pest Management: cultural control, prevention
• Production Systems: agroecosystems
• Soil Management: composting, organic matter, soil quality/health
• Sustainable Communities: food hubs, local and regional food systems, quality of life, urban agriculture

Activities for 2020-2021 will build upon the basic framework for the model state program. Planned activities include utilizing field demonstrations of sustainable agricultural production models suitable for rural and urban settings; conduct guided field tours of demonstration plots to enhance acceptance of sustainable agricultural production models; and identifying niche market opportunities (CSAs, U pick operations, etc.) for farmers who adopt sustainable agricultural production practices.  Results of these SARE funded Research and Extension activities, will provide a data driven platform for developing train the trainer educational programs.  Targeted training will be provided for state and county Extension faculty, who will transfer the knowledge gained to beginning farmers and ranchers, military veterans, representatives of non-profit organizations, representatives of state and federal government agencies, limited resource farmers, including minority farmers and farmers from other underrepresented populations. To fulfill the priorities and objectives of our program, our training funds will be used to address programs in one subject matter area:
(1) advancing Extension capacity 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 address sustainable 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 foster development of food and agriculture businesses.
3. Support the development of Extension programs in food systems, including Regional Specialized Agents whose work include 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.

Florida 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 crop and livestock enterprises and will play key roles in outreach and research projects that focus on alternative crop enterprises and niche market development.
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.