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Building Organic Agriculture Extension Training Capacity in the Southeast

Building Organic Agriculture Extension Training Capacity in the Southeast

Summary/Abstract

Organic trainings were offered to agriculture professionals in Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina in 2008. State trainings were held independently, tailored to the needs of ag professionals in individual states. Various delivery methods were used to present information critical to successful organic operations including presentations, hands-on activities, case studies, and farm tours. In 2009, selected participants from each state will come together for an advanced organic training in Chapel Hill, NC. As a result of the trainings, participants will have the skills necessary to conduct their own organic presentations, workshops, demonstrations, research or other type of project.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The behavior based objectives of this multi-state training project are listed below.
1. Increase knowledge and awareness, and improve attitudes of project participants towards organic agriculture through the development of organic agriculture curricula to be used as in-depth modules during training sessions and for future use by agriculture educators throughout the SSARE region.
2. Increase confidence level and technical skills of participants, for organic related questions, by developing a website for this specific project with organic educational resources, training tools, presentations, videos and case studies which can be used as a model for future trainings as resource for addressing common organic agriculture issues
3. To enable a select group of participants with skills and additional knowledge and expertise to become trainers and be recognized as experts in organic agriculture in their states.




Project Content Page

2007 Proposal

Project Number: ES07-088
Type: Professional Development Program
Region: South
SARE Grant: $195,000

Coordinator:
Heather Friedrich
University of Arkansas
316 PTSC
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 479-575-2798
E-mail: heatherf@uark.edu

M. Elena Garcia
Extension Specialist - Horticulture
University of Arkansas
316 PTSC
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 479-575-2790
E-mail: megarcia@uark.edu

Participants:
Jeanine Davis
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
North Carolina State University
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension , 455 Research Drive
Fletcher , NC 28732
Phone: 828.684.3562
E-mail: jeanine_davis@ncsu.edu

Charles Mitchell
Extension Specialist and Professor, Soils
Auburn University
259 Funchess Hall
Auburn , AL 36849
Phone: 205-844-5489
E-mail: mitchc1@auburn.edu

Obadiah Njue
Extension Specialist - Horticulture
University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff
Mail Slot 4966 1200 N. University Dr.
Pine Bluff , AR 
Phone: 870-575-8152
E-mail: njue_o@uapb.edu

Kenneth Ward
Associate Professor, Entomology
Alabama A&M
142 Agricultural Research Center , P. O. Box 1927
Normal , AL 35762
Phone: 256-372-4249
E-mail:  kenneth.ward@email.aamu.edu

Rufina  Ward
Assistant Professor, Entomology
Alabama A&M
216E Carver Complex Bonner Wing , P. O. Box 1208
Normal , AL 35762
Phone: 256-372-4244
E-mail: rward@aamu.edu

Geoff  Zehnder
Professor, Entomology
Clemson University
114 Long Hall
Clemson , SC 29634
Phone: (864)656-3111
E-mail: zehnder@clemson.edu
This project and all associated reports and support materials were supported by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed within do not necessarily reflect the view of the SARE program or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.