Development of a Forage Establishment and Management Curriculum for Extension Agents and Mentor Farmers

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Animal Production: feed/forage, genetics, grazing management
• Crop Production: nutrient management
• Education and Training: decision support system, demonstration, mentoring, curriculum development
• Farm Business Management: marketing management
• Soil Management: soil quality/health

The development of this project focused on enhancing productivity, environmental quality, and profitability in agricultural production systems in Alabama and the Southeast through the development and delivery of educational resources. This initiative was a collaboration among the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES),  Clemson University, the University of Georgia, the University of Florida, and North Carolina State University. The goals of this project were: 1) provide in-classroom training and hands-on demonstrations to educators for tools and related concepts to increase productivity, sustainability, and profitability of forage-based livestock production systems, and 2) develop decision tools (forage quick reference guide, webinars). These tools addressed forage, soil, economic, and livestock market considerations in the region. The curriculum also included topics on the sustainability and resilience of forage-based systems considering climatic and economic issues (e.g., prolonged droughts and COVID-19 pandemic) in the region, which have increased the need to improve management strategies and incorporate new technologies. Short-term knowledge gained was accessed through pre- and post-knowledge surveys applied during training to attendees (NRCS and land-grant Extension agents, specialists, and students). Potential barriers were noted and have been used to structure future curriculum development and training. One of the major barriers is funding to be able to deliver regional training events like this in-person event carried out in Alabama. The group will continue to seek out resources to try to achieve continuity of training in a wide range of topics for Extension agents, agricultural professionals, and farmers. For the in-person training, we prioritized providing scholarships to the extension agents from different states that wanted to attend the event; therefore, we were limited in our ability to select just a handful of producers to attend the in-person event. On the other hand, we opened the online webinars to a diverse range of agricultural personnel, including students, farmers, etc, to achieve allow them to hear about the topics being delivered. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online educational activities have expanded, and this source of information delivery allows us to potentialize the reach and engagement with educational content through a larger population beyond state and country borders.

      The objectives were to develop an updated forage establishment and management curriculum for a reference guide and educational material and training for Extension agents from the Southeast region, NRCS agents, and mentor farmers aiming to increase productivity, resilience, and feasibility of forage-based systems. The specific objectives are:

1) Educational Training and Network: develop educational resources on forage, beef, soil, economics, nutrient management, animal genetics, and marketing strategies for forage-based livestock operations. The target tool for the development of this project is to provide in-classroom training and hands-on demonstrations for Extension agents and mentor farmers on tools and concepts related to increasing productivity, sustainability, and profitability of forage-based livestock production systems. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, any in-person program delivery will be subjected to current guidelines at the time and will follow physical distancing and face-covering regulations. If needed, training will be held online, and hands-on demonstrations will be held live through media resources using internet connection through portable routers (Hot Spots). PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and other materials will be compiled and given to each attendee for further use, including local Extension activities and programs.

Outcome: Increase educational resources available to improve forage and beef production, environmental sustainability, soil quality, and profitability in livestock production operations. Knowledge gained in sustainable production practices and application of concepts following training events.

Evaluation plan: Pre- and post-knowledge surveys will be given to all attendees. After completion, a follow-up survey will be sent to mentor farmers to assess the rate of implemented practices and concepts. Similarly, a follow-up will be conducted with agents to assess the transfer of knowledge to clientele and the main barriers they are facing. The information gathered will serve to improve training quality and serve as the basis for improving the quality of following programs.

2) Reference Guide Development: Create content and distribute reference guides to clientele. This guide will address forage identification, establishment and management, soil fertility and improved management practices, agricultural economics concepts, marketing, and beef-related considerations.

Outcome: Provide an easy-to-access guide that will serve as a toolbox for decision-making agricultural operations. Provide improved agronomic, environmental, economic, and sustainable knowledge of forage-based systems.

Evaluation plan: As the distribution of resources occurs, we will monitor web metrics to determine access to related content and reference guide distribution numbers. Thus, attendance and access to content pieces, Extension publications, and training (in-person and web-based) related to topics from the guide will be monitored.