ASU Southern Model State Program – Program Assistant 2024-25

Commodities

Practices

The Mississippi Sustainable Agriculture Model Plan of Work represents the collaborative efforts of the State Sustainable Agriculture Committee, comprised of representatives from both 1862 and 1890 Extension Organizations, Federal and State Government Agencies, NGOs, and farmers. Alcorn State University aims to sustain and enhance these cooperative initiatives for promoting sustainable agriculture through education and outreach programs targeting Extension agents, NRCS field staff, agriculture professionals, farmers, and landowners. These comprehensive training programs focus on pertinent subjects such as soil health management, integrated pest management, home/community gardening, and fostering community farm-to-table connections within the food system, particularly for underserved communities across Mississippi. The training objectives will be achieved through various methods, including in-service education, conferences, workshops, demonstrations, field days, field trips, and publications. Utilizing diverse media sources, the plan aims to engage different focus groups identified in the program. To enhance the effectiveness of extension staff training, materials developed by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program will be integrated. Encouragement for attendance at National/Regional Conferences will be provided to foster further professional development in sustainable agriculture. Some training sessions may be conducted jointly between the state's two land grant universities. The evaluation team will employ a logic model to assess the outcomes of these training activities. The anticipated result is an increased knowledge and confidence among participating agriculture professionals, ultimately leading to enhanced capabilities in assisting resource-limited and small farmers in underserved communities across Mississippi.

In 2024-25, ASU MSP project objectives will focus on training extension agents, agriculture professionals, and farmers to increase knowledge in sustainable agriculture for all farmers throughout Mississippi. To accomplish our mission the specific objectives will be:

1. Expand sustainable agriculture train-the-trainer programs in the state
2. Implement new extension training and programs on new and emerging solutions to address sustainability in small farm production.
3. Improve awareness and understanding of SARE and sustainable agriculture in the state
4. Evaluate and report program activities and accomplishments

Sustainable agriculture is often linked with environmental and organic practices, as well as limited resource farming. However, it goes beyond these aspects and includes economically viable practices, enhances quality of life, and benefits the community. Despite the benefits, some farmers face challenges due to a lack of accessible information on sustainable practices and insufficient support from local agricultural agents. To address this, one training objective is to educate 20-30 Extension educators on sustainable agricultural production practices, aligning with the mission of the S-SARE program.

Demonstrating economically viable and environmentally sound practices is crucial for adoption by farmers. Target audiences for this training include educators, researchers, commodity organizations, agri-business leaders, community leaders, and the general public. The State Sustainable Agriculture Committee, recognizing the critical needs of the state, has identified specific training topics. Collaboration among universities, conservation services, agricultural agencies, and various organizations in Mississippi ensures a comprehensive approach.

The program aims to reach Extension agents, mentor farmers, Extension specialists, and NRCS field staff through five hands-on training workshops. Participants will gain knowledge in both economic and ecological aspects, empowering them to make informed decisions. Educational resources developed by professionals will be utilized during workshops. The overarching goal is to disseminate research-based information on sustainable production strategies, enhancing the ability of small-to-mid-size farms to compete and thrive in 2024-25. The ASU MSP project focuses on training key stakeholders to increase knowledge in sustainable agriculture for small farm production practices.