2021 Tennessee Model State Program

Project Overview

STN21-001
Project Type: PDP State Program
Funds awarded in 2021: $22,222.00
Projected End Date: 06/30/2022
Grant Recipient: University of Tennessee
Region: Southern
State: Tennessee
State Coordinators:
Rob Holland
UT Extension
Co-Coordinators:
Dr. Jason deKoff
Tennessee State University

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Animal Production: meat processing
  • Education and Training: display, extension, networking, technical assistance, workshop
  • Farm Business Management: business planning, farmers' markets/farm stands
  • Soil Management: soil analysis, soil quality/health

    Proposal abstract:

    The University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University look to continue the sustainable agriculture training the SARE program offers to Extension agents, specialists and other agriculture professionals.  In meeting training needs we will look to gather input from regional agriculture program leaders, Extension agents, program partners, producers and continued input from the state SARE Advisory Committee.  The program assistant will continue to  promote awareness of the SARE program, along with a secondary focus on the SARE grant programs, encouraging and promoting this program.  The state co-coordinators working with the program assistant will seek to provide opportunities for more in-depth training related to sustainable agriculture.  This will help to develop training with a more direct program focus.  All training opportunities provided will be in-line with the mission of SARE:

    Profitability for the farm

    Care of the water/land resources 

    Improving the quality of life

    Focus on production

    We will also work with agriculture professionals that find other training opportunities to participate in as long as these trainings relate to the mission of the SARE program.  These will be treated on a case-by-case basis and the determination of these trainings in meeting the mission of SARE will be determined by the state co-coordinators and the program assistant.  All trainees will be required to report on their training opportunities so program impact can be determined and reported.  Impacts will be provided in the annual SARE report and the proper Extension reporting areas.  Department information sheets will be developed on major program impacts/research.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Project Objectives will focus on teaching/instruction to Extension Agents, Subject Matter Specialists and other Agriculture Professionals to increase knowledge in sustainable agriculture and the role it plays in the industry by during 2021 - 2022:

    • Conducting In-service training sessions
    • Promoting participation in meetings and conferences
    • Promoting awareness of the SARE program with an exhibit at meetings, tradeshows and agents/specialists’ meetings
    • Promoting the SARE program through the New Farmer Academies conducted in Tennessee – three of these are held annually in the state
    • Providing educational materials on sustainable agriculture to Extension Agents
    • Evaluating programs to show knowledge level change in agents, specialists and other agriculture professionals
    • Trainers reporting practice changes noted/reported by producers
    • These evaluations/practice changes will be shown in SARE annual reports and departmental information sheets developed
    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.