Train the Trainers: Reducing impacts from harmful algal blooms in livestock water sources in South Carolina

View the project report

Commodities

• Animals: bovine

Practices

• Animal Production: animal protection and health, preventive practices, watering systems
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, participatory research
• Natural Resources/Environment: water quality

Agribusiness is the #1 industry in South Carolina (SC), generating approximately $45B annually. Livestock production is one of the top agricultural commodities in SC, and adequate clean water is essential for success. Livestock typically drink from ponds, which can be unreliable during droughts or when impaired by aquatic weeds, especially harmful algal blooms (HABs). Many small livestock operations have only one water source. Risks to livestock health are magnified by climate change, decreasing summer rainfall, and increasing nighttime temperature in SC, which collectively increase the growth of HABs capable of producing off-putting tastes or toxins lethal to livestock, pets, and humans.

Reports of HABs typically started in August; more recently, SC producers began experiencing HABs  in June, increasing the duration of livestock exposure to toxins. Producers rely on Agents for advice on many issues. Currently, no clear guidance is available to educate Agents on how to best assist producers in preventing, preparing for, or managing HABs. Alternate water supplies are typically available but may require advanced planning, infrastructure development, or a combination thereof. Improving the information available to prevent and manage HABs would enhance the social, environmental, and economic sustainability of water supplies for livestock production. This multi-institution (including 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions) and multi-discipline project will develop essential materials iteratively incorporating survey results, and host effective participatory training events in collaboration with farmers to enable  agents, NGOs and other agricultural professionals to work proactively with producers to implement  cost-effective HAB prevention, management, and response options.  

Livestock ponds with HABs are of concern for the health of the livestock, as livestock drinking from HAB impacted ponds may lead to poor animal health or death. Various factors such as farm management, water source, rainfall-runoff management processes, and livestock operation type could influence the prevalence and severity of HABs in the ponds. Training and education resources to assist Trainers (Cooperative Extension Agents, NRCS staff, agricultural advisors, and relevant nonprofit advisors) expand knowledge and skills will help better educate farmers, enabling informed decisions related to management of sensitive natural resources, improved livestock health, and increased sustainability of operations and profits. Ultimately, changes in practice by livestock and agricultural producers could minimize the threat of HABs and improve sustainability of livestock operations.

The project goal is to collaborate with farming partners and professionals to develop materials and conduct practical participatory training detailing cost-effective HAB prevention and management options to encourage minimization of risk and to enable fast, effective response for livestock producers dealing with HABs. The training program will lead to increased adoption of farming practices that minimize risks to livestock from HABs, and increase profitability, Extension Agents, NRCS staff, agricultural advisors, and nonprofit advisors are the target audience (“Trainers”). Curriculum and training will build upon and be integrated with the SC SARE program.

We will accomplish the goal by completing six objectives.

1. Conducting a facilitated focus group discussion with livestock professionals and mentor farmers to determine barriers to change in practice that limit grower adoption of practices that enhance livestock health while mitigating potential for HABs and to understand the potential areas that the agents are not familiar with on HABs.
2. Developing and publishing (digital and print) comprehensive reference materials for Trainers about avoiding/managing HABs in livestock ponds. Materials will include information, pictures, actionable recommendations, and other resources. Developed materials will be available to other trainers throughout the Southeast and US, potentially expanding the outcomes and benefits of this project far beyond SC.
3. Providing effective in-person and web-based training (pandemic and non-pandemic situations) about avoiding, managing, and mitigating HABs.
4. Establishing a team of expert Trainers ready to educate and assist farmers in implementing practices to prepare for, prevent, or respond to HABs.
5. Demonstrating implementation of efficient, cost-effective HAB avoidance and/or management strategies on-farm at mentor livestock producer sites to encourage the adoption of sustainable water management practices throughout SC and the Southeast, and to obtain on-farm experiential learning.
6. Evaluating the impact of the trainings and field demonstrations on agents’ knowledge.

The training components, both in-person and web-based, will be developed and administered by an interdisciplinary team with expertise in water quality, HABs, livestock operations, rainfall-runoff processes, weather patterns, nutrient and sediment management, vegetation management, and performance analysis. Various objectives will be accomplished in different phases during the training (see project timeline). Throughout the project, outputs, outcomes, and participant gains in knowledge will be quantified using pre-and post-training surveys. Training effectiveness and constructive means of enhancing training to promote better acceptance/ transfer of knowledge will be evaluated after each training (classroom or field-based training) and subsequent trainings modified to improve delivery of materials.

Behavioral changes pertinent to knowledge, educational skills, and attitude among the Trainers after training programs are expected. By providing Trainers with science-based information about the complexity of causation and management of HABs in the ponds, the Trainers will gain knowledge and confidence about HAB prevention/mitigation methods, and can better assist livestock farmers to successfully exclude/manage HABs in livestock ponds. The designed reference and training materials will aid the Trainers and provide the intellectual assets to help farmers combat HABs. It is anticipated that the Trainers will apply the information, knowledge, and experience gained when farmers request assistance to diminish the frequency/severity of HAB issues locally and state-wide.

The proposed project will directly benefit the Trainers. The Trainers will mark a change in their educational behavior towards the farmers. They will be the intellectual capital for the farmers to avoid and mitigate HABs in the livestock ponds and increase sustainability of farming. The participating Trainers will be a part of the network with HAB expertise able to assist farmers with various water management challenges. The training will foster collaboration among the Trainers and the mentor farmers which will continue beyond this proposed program. When completed, the training materials developed will be published so that they can serve as extension resources for other state Extension agents and specialists to broaden application of program training materials to the southeastern region (and potentially beyond).