2024 SARA Southern Model State Program

Commodities

Practices

Texas’ Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Committee meets annually to oversee the state program for training agricultural professionals in concepts of sustainable agriculture. The program involves a multifaceted effort that provides training opportunities for County Extension Agents, FSA personnel, NRCS personnel, producers, and other agricultural professionals and also incorporates concepts of sustainable agriculture in existing, state-wide training efforts. These training opportunities include conferences, field meetings, and workshops held at various locations in Texas.

Another approach of the Texas Prarie View A&M University Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Committee is to support the travel of selected professionals to regional and national conferences on sustainable agriculture, with the intent of participants gaining knowledge and skills that they will share with other agricultural professionals in Texas.

Program evaluation will be accomplished with pre- and post-tests designed to measure knowledge gained by participating in educational programs. A subset of attendees will be mailed an additional survey instrument four to eight months after the training to determine if participants have adopted any of the sustainable concepts presented. The evaluation aims to assess the knowledge gained and to determine whether new knowledge will be applied in future programs for their clientele.

SARE Training and Events

In the event of continuing COVID-19 restrictions, outreach will be converted to virtual delivery whenever necessary and possible.
1. Reduction of farm inputs
2. Production and utilization of compost and other related products
3. Soil quality, including soil nutrient balancing
4. Direct marketing of livestock products
5. Sustainable grazing systems
6. Value-added products: marketing, packaging, processing
7. Economic analysis and record keeping
8. Integrated pest management and biological pest management
9. Production system diversification
10. Production and marketing of specialty crops and livestock products
11. Techniques in on-farm research
12. Writing grant proposals for funding by SARE
13. Production of certified organic crops and livestock products
14. Organic certification in compliance with the National Organic Program of USDA

Training Objectives

a) At least fifteen Agriculture Extension Agents and five NRCS Field Technicians will become knowledgeable about sustainable grazing systems.
b) At least fifteen Agriculture Extension Agents and five NRCS Field Technicians will become knowledgeable about direct on-farm marketing of livestock and poultry.
c) At least ten Extension Agents and five NRCS Field Technicians will become knowledgeable about the organic production of field crops and inform producers of such information related to organic crop production systems.
July- Texas County Agricultural Agents Association Meeting, 
Daniel Nelson and Clarence Bunchn will deliver SARE educational programming and will develop, establish, and staff a booth highlighting SARE educational materials and approaches.
Daniel Nelson will serve on the organizing committee and will deliver sustainable agriculture educational programming based on AC recommendations for Extension agents and mentor farmer education on irrigation water quality and quantity. John also will deliver programming highlighting sustainable methods and SARE educational approaches.
Aug.- Sheep and Goat Expo, S
Aug.- Sustainable Gardening, Edinburg
Daniel Nelson and John Smith will deliver irrigation water quality and private water well management, rainwater harvesting and SARE educational programming to attending Extension, NRCS, and Texas Dept. of Agriculture personnel and mentor farmers whose leadership is key to increased adoption of science-based management practices in sustainable and organic operations.
Aug-. Texas Beef Cattle Short Course. A booth will be used to accommodate a display highlighting SARE educational materials and approaches.
Annual Agriculture Day at Prairie View A&M educational booth space. A booth will be used to accommodate a display highlighting SARE educational materials and approaches.
Dec-. SFI outreach training, Prairie View
Clarence Bunch will provide SARE educational training to 10 Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension Program agents who will travel to Hempstead from across the state
February 2024 & Feb. 2025 Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference, Nelson Daniels, and John Smith will deliver irrigation water quality and private water well management, rainwater harvesting, and SARE educational programming to attending Extension, NRCS, and Texas Dept. of Agriculture personnel and mentor farmers whose leadership is key to increased adoption of science-based management practices in sustainable and organic operations. .
Feb.- Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (TOFGA) Conference, Georgetown Clarence Bunch or rep and John Smith will deliver irrigation water quality and private water well management, rainwater harvesting, and SARE educational programming to attending Extension, NRCS and Texas Dept. of Agriculture personnel and mentor farmers whose leadership is key to increased adoption of science-based management practices in sustainable and organic operations.
April- Organic Production Seminar and Tour Registration Fees. Tour registration fees will be provided to support training for 40 County Extension Agents.
April- College of Agriculture and Human Sciences at Prairie View A&M University Ag Field Day
May- Grass-fed Beef Training. A booth will be used to accommodate a display highlighting SARE educational materials and approaches.
June- Production, Marketing, and Sales of Local Foods Training – Training will focus on food safety for cottage foods, farmer’s markets, on-site animal processing, and Whole Foods purchasing of locally grown produce.