Southern University Model State Program

Commodities

Practices

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC) in collaboration with the Louisiana State University AgCenter (LSUAC) will implement programs that enhance the capabilities of Louisiana’s agricultural professionals in the area of sustainable agriculture. Themes for 2024 - 2025 include: Urban Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture, Everything Small Engines, and Sustainable Small Livestock Production. The target audience for trainings will be extension professionals, non-profit representatives, and mentor farmers who will share information and skills gained with local audiences. LSUAC and SUAREC extension personnel will be strongly encouraged to attend the training sessions. Information delivery systems to be utilized include trainings, workshops, conferences, networking sessions, farm tours, field days, hands-on demonstrations, handouts, resource manuals, SARE publications and informational bulletins.

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC), in collaboration with the Louisiana State University AgCenter (LSUAC), will implement programs that enhance the capabilities of Louisiana’s agricultural professionals in sustainable agriculture.  

Themes for 2024 - 2025 include: 

Spring Garden Workshop
TOPICS: Urban Agriculture, Urban Policy, Landownership, Community Garden Tour.
Handouts will be provided for the workshops. We expect to invite Southern University and LSU specialists to discuss each topic. A lecture on Urban Policy will be conducted by experts from NRCS. Urban agriculture has become a desired topic among youth and inspiring farmers. Handouts will provide supplemental materials (i.e. websites, recommended reading materials, etc.) Southern University will provide transportation for the tour. Because the training will include a tour, refreshments must be provided at each site.

Fall Gardening Workshop-
TOPICS: Sustainable Agriculture, Market Gardens, Cooperative functions, ZeroWaste Business models.
A Fall gardening workshop will be conducted to train farmers, extension agents, teachers, and community garden leaders to address issues and increase knowledge in sustainable agriculture, market gardening, cooperative functions, and zero-waste business models. We expect cooperation from Research and Extension personnel from both the SU and LSU Ag Center and the SU Law School. This will be a full-day training seminar. Lectures will be in the morning, working lunch and hand-on-demonstration in the afternoon. Experts on NRCS grants will be invited as guest speakers for this workshop. A working lunch will be provided to sample local and seasonal foods.

Everything Small Engines Workshop-
TOPICS: Small engine repair, maintenance, principles of safety
“Everything Small Engines” workshop will be conducted to train farmers, extension agents, teachers, landscapers, homeowners, and community garden leaders to address issues and increase knowledge in such areas as on-site mechanics, principles of safety, basic machine functions, and equipment upkeep. We expect cooperation from Research and Extension personnel from both the SU and LSU Ag Center and the SU Farm Manager. This will be a full-day training seminar. Lectures will be in the morning, working lunch and hand-on-demonstration in the afternoon. Experts on Small Engine Mechanics will be invited as guest speakers for this workshop. A working lunch will be provided to sample local and seasonal foods.

Sustainable small livestock production workshop
Handouts will be provided for the small ruminants, pigs, poultry, and meat rabbits, including information on husbandry, nutrition, and reducing heat stress as part of this training. Additional on–farm training will include: hoof care, brooder pen setup, feed storage & feed supplementation. We will provide supplemental materials (i.e., websites, videos, reading materials).  Materials for the demonstrations, such as feed storage, value-added products, clippers, gloves, and other supplies for the demonstration of small livestock production, will be needed. A value-added animal product tasting demonstration will be included.