2019 Model State Program- University of Georgia

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Animal Production: grazing management
• Crop Production: conservation tillage, cover crops
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, on-farm/ranch research, workshop
• Farm Business Management: farmers' markets/farm stands, marketing management, value added
• Production Systems: organic agriculture
• Soil Management: composting, soil quality/health
• Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems

The SARE Advisory Committee had a conference call on November 27, 2018 to discuss committee memberships, review activities for the year, and review the Logic Model for future training needs. The SARE Logic Model training objectives are conservation tillage systems, organic production, grazing-based animal production systems, composting, direct marketing, and local food systems. The Committee decided upon trainings and conferences to support for the upcoming year that would address the SARE Logic Model training objectives. The needs of these trainings and conferences include travel support for Extension agents to attend the Georgia Organics Conference, sponsorship for the Advanced Grazing School Workshop, and speaker fees and training materials for the Market Readiness In-Service Trainings. All of these activities increase knowledge and confidence in participating agriculture professionals which then translates to an increased ability to assist organic, resource-limited, and small farmers. 

The SARE Advisory Committee had a conference call on November 6, 2019 to discuss committee memberships, review activities for the 2019 year, and review the Logic Model for future training needs. The SARE Logic Model training objectives are conservation tillage systems, organic production, grazing based animal production systems, composting, direct marketing, and local food systems. The Committee decided upon trainings and conferences to support for the upcoming year that would address several of the SARE Logic Model training objectives. Specifically, the Committee felt that more opportunities needed to be present for training in organic peanut production, cover crops, and grazing/silvopasture production systems. In addition, travel support for Extension agents to attend the Georgia Organics Conference, Southern SAWG conference and American Forage and Grassland Annual Conference were discussed. These activities increase knowledge and confidence in participating agriculture professionals which then translates to an increased ability to assist organic, resource- limited, and small farmers.

The Advisory Committee had another conference call on February 5, 2021 to review activities from 2020 as well as opportunities for the coming year. Education and training opportunities for the following areas were identified: organic peanut production, cover crops and conservation tillage, grazing, online marketing for farms, GAP programs, and grazing production systems. In addition, travel support for Extension agents to attend conferences (National Grazing Lands Conference) were discussed. These activities increase knowledge and confidence in participating agriculture professionals which then translates to an increased ability to assist organic, resource-limited, and small farmers.

The Advisory Committee had a conference call on February 22, 2022 to review activities from 2020-2021 (all impacted by Covid) as well as to consider new opportunities for the upcoming year. The focus was more on field days and experiential learning opportunities for agents and influential growers in the region. Activities considered for the upcoming year included on farm programming at the UGA Durham Horticulture Farm, Fort Valley State University, and other locations (Rodale Southeastern Organic Center, UGA Watermelon Research Park in Cordele, GA) focusing on food safety, hoop house production, cover crops, and weed management.  The SARE program assistant had left in January 2022 and a new initiative where the SARE program assistant was split between SARE and urban agriculture efforts was discussed.    Ongoing support for the Journeyman Farmer Program which was heavily modified was also discussed.

The Georgia Model State Program developed a Logic Model to guide our training efforts. The Logic Model, updated in 2015, reflects the current needs of Georgia as directed by the SARE Advisory Committee. To reach our long-term goal of “Increased use of sustainable agriculture practices by producers at multiple scales supported by a knowledgeable network of agricultural professionals ensuring a high proportion of diverse, profitable, and environmentally-friendly farm operations”, we identified the following six areas for training workshops: conservation tillage systems, organic production, grazing-based animal production systems, composting, direct marketing, and local food systems.