Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
Proposal abstract:
The OkSARE PDP continues to provide support and guidance on behalf of Langston and Oklahoma State University to enhance the sustainability of Oklahoma agriculture by promoting the adoption of sound economic management, responsible environmental and resource utilization and the recognition of socially responsible behaviors in Oklahoma agriculture. The 2023 Plan of Work builds upon and extends prior programming efforts wherever possible. The goal of the program is to integrate and increase sustainable agricultural practices in historically mainstream agricultural endeavors as well as the emerging significant urban/suburban interface of our state while enhancing the quality of our natural resources and the rural way of life. Objectives remain to train agricultural professionals (Land Grant, federal/state agencies, and NGOs) and mentor farmers in the latest concepts and best management practices as well as disseminating information regarding sustainable agriculture through various outlets. We recognize that the fundamentals of our focus do not greatly change over time. They include Crop Production, Small Acreage Programming, Vegetable Production, Local Food Systems, Livestock Production, Farm and Ranch Management, Drought, Weather, and Water Issues. These issues will be addressed through local, area, regional and national workshops, trainings, demonstrations, tours, research presentations, online and small group in-service trainings. Evaluation will be conducted on an on-going basis and feedback on the effectiveness of these various trainings and programs will be tracked and reported.
Project objectives from proposal:
These Outreach/Training objective topics have been identified through input from our Extension Teams which advise and assist OkSARE in developing strategies to encourage integrating regenerative and sustainable practices into Oklahoma agricultural operations. Please note: The general topics do not vary greatly from year to year, instead the greatest changes are seen in the specific programs used to pursue these topics.
1.) Concepts such as cover cropping, no-till/minimum tillage, crop rotations and rotational grazing will be included in
trainings offered to one hundred agricultural educators. a) The trainees should then be able to encourage
their local audiences in promoting biodiversity. Cover crops, crop rotation and decreased tillage are basic principles
of sustainable agriculture that lead to greater biodiversity.
2.) Information and education on certified organic as well as conventional fruit and vegetable production and the
marketing of agricultural products will be provided. a.) Professionals should be able to demonstrate the
principles of organic and conventional production of fruits, vegetables and small grains, the safe handling and
development of agricultural products and the marketing of said products to increase the economic viability of the
producer.
3.) Professionals will be able to provide the latest information with respect to the environmentally sound
management of natural resources - especially water, soil and air. a) Trainees will be trained to deliver the
latest in best management practices in soil regeneration, water conservation and protecting air quality.
4.) Be better prepared to assist and provide technical direction for producer driven research and on-farm
demonstration activities through producer program granting opportunities such as the USDA and SARE. a)
Educators and mentor farmers will be able to demonstrate the ability to participate in variety trials, replicated
research and grantsmanship.
5.) Professionals will be trained in sustainable and regenerative livestock practices to include beef, poultry and goat
production for both large and small scale producers. a) Participants will be able to use regenerative grazing
management for livestock while integrating them into their cropping system
It is of import to note that many of our outreach efforts will offer the attendees the option of attending in-person or participating online. This enables many of these programs to reach wider audiences and therefore have larger footprints in terms of demographics.