STN18-001

Project Overview

STN18-001
Project Type: PDP State Program
Funds awarded in 2018: $55,555.00
Projected End Date: 06/30/2021
Grant Recipient: University of Tennessee
Region: Southern
State: Tennessee
State Coordinator:
Rob Holland
Email
UT Extension

Commodities

  • Animals: goats, sheep
  • Animal Products: meat

Practices

  • Animal Production: animal protection and health, feed/forage, feed management, genetics, grazing management, watering systems
  • Education and Training: extension, workshop
  • Farm Business Management: agricultural finance, financial management, labor/employment, marketing management, new enterprise development, risk management, value added
  • Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems
  • Soil Management: organic matter, soil analysis, soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

    Abstract:

    Beginning with the 2018-2019 program year, the Tennessee Model State Program will be revised under the direction of the co-coordinators (Rob Holland and Roy Bullock) and a new advisory committee. Program plans will continue to be developed through great input from County Extension Agriculture Agents, regional program leaders, collaborating agencies and other stakeholders. The Model State Program will be developed to include all facets and programs of USDA SARE. As the Tennessee Model State Program is developed in 2018 and beyond, emphasis will be placed assessment of needs, identification of focus areas, program planning, program evaluation, program reporting, outreach and communications. The University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University have made a strong commitment of resources to train agricultural professionals in the concepts of sustainable agriculture. The Program Assistant and SARE State Co-Coordinators will enhance our efforts related to training, outreach and promotion/publicity – we expect the program in Tennessee to contribute to the overall mission of Southern SARE and meet the needs of Tennesseans.

    Project objectives:

    Specific program objectives will be developed for the 2018-2019 program year by the state co-coordinators, program assistant, advisory committee and others with interest in a successful state program. Areas targeted for enhancement include:
    1. Seamless outreach, promotion and publicity of all parts of the SARE program (PDP, On-Farm Research, Sustainable Community, Producer and Graduate Student Grants)
    2. Greater inclusion of County Extension Agriculture Agents in training program planning, educational programs and outreach to farmers and participation in training programs/opportunities.
    3. Greater inclusion of other agricultural leaders in sustainable agriculture training and educational programs (Extension area specialists, NGO personnel, state and local government employees, industry leaders and leaders from collaborating agencies)
    4. Enhanced promotion, publicity, outreach and awareness of and for SARE, sustainable agriculture and training/educational programs. This will involve a greater outreach, a stronger presence as well as greater emphasis on publications produced in-house.
    5. Greater coordination and communication of and among those involved in sustainable agriculture programs, initiatives and projects (grant-funded and otherwise). This will allow for tremendous growth in the expansion of knowledge and adoption of sustainable agriculture practices that are economically viable, environmentally sound and good for all members of the community.
    6. Expand the development, testing, demonstration, teaching and evaluation of technology and systems that will create and maintain sustainable (efficient, competitive, profitable, environmentally and socially acceptable) farming operations into the future. Programs will also focus on the quality of life in both the overall rural areas engaged in agriculture and at the farm-level where production occurs.
    7. Overall, our outreach efforts will be aimed at improving overall communications, reaching new audiences, enhancing efforts with traditional audiences and providing a consistent message about sustainable agriculture.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.