2021 Southern Model State Program - Georgia

Project Overview

SGA21-001
Project Type: PDP State Program
Funds awarded in 2021: $6,666.00
Projected End Date: 06/30/2022
Grant Recipient: The University of Georgia
Region: Southern
State: Georgia
State Coordinators:
Dr. Timothy Coolong
University of Georgia
Co-Coordinators:
Dr. Mark Latimore
Fort Valley State University

Commodities

  • Agronomic: annual ryegrass, buckwheat, clovers, hemp, oats, peas (field, cowpeas), wheat
  • Fruits: berries (blueberries), berries (brambles), melons, peaches
  • Nuts: pecans
  • Vegetables: cucurbits, greens (leafy), greens (lettuces), tomatoes
  • Additional Plants: ginger, native plants
  • Animals: bovine, goats, poultry
  • Animal Products: eggs
  • Miscellaneous: medicinal herbs

Practices

  • Animal Production: free-range, grazing management, rangeland/pasture management
  • Crop Production: conservation tillage, crop improvement and selection, cropping systems, crop rotation, food product quality/safety, high tunnels or hoop houses, season extension, varieties and cultivars, water management
  • Education and Training: demonstration, display, extension, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research, technical assistance, workshop
  • Farm Business Management: business planning, farm-to-institution, farm-to-restaurant, farmers' markets/farm stands, financial management, new enterprise development
  • Natural Resources/Environment: soil stabilization
  • Pest Management: cultivation, genetic resistance, integrated pest management, mulches - general
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture, organic certification, transitioning to organic
  • Soil Management: nutrient mineralization, organic matter, soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems

    Proposal abstract:

    The SARE Advisory Committee had a conference call on February 5, 2021 to discuss committee memberships, review activities for the year, and discuss 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 what trainings and conferences to promote 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 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.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    The long-term goal of the Georgia Model State Program is “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 plan to accomplish this by hosting workshops and educational opportunities, and offering scholarships to Extension agents and specialists, agricultural professionals, NRCS personnel, agricultural and environmental researchers, and community leaders.  The SARE Advisory Committee has used the Georgia Model State Program Logic Model to identify the following six areas of focus for training workshops and scholarships: conservation tillage systems, organic production, grazing based animal production systems, composting, direct marketing, and local food systems.

    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.