Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to
WATER QUALITY BENEFITS USING SOIL AS A FILTER, RECYCLABLE WATER CONTAINMENT AREAS, AGRICULTURAL AMENDMENTS, AND RESIDUALS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0218060
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
FLA-IMM-004901
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 1, 2009
Project End Date
Mar 30, 2014
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Hanlon, E.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee
Non Technical Summary
Water quality in Florida is problematic and is a result of human activities in the landscape. This deteriorating condition is well documented by universities and water management districts. With respect to non-point source pollution, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) jointly promote strategies statewide that minimize or reduce pollutants from agricultural operations. Also, DEP has been establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for water bodies that do not meet designated use water standards. The DACS/DEP partnership has resulted in implementation of best management practices (BMPs) within the agricultural community. This cooperation has also shown that cost-sharing of structural BMPs has been popular with more applicants than cost-sharing funds. While managerial BMPs contribute to the betterment of water quality and usually result in lower operating costs after implementation, structural BMPs give wider management of water and often result in more effective water quality improvement. Alternatives to nutrient and sediment removal should be explored more fully and implemented for both agricultural and urban land uses. The soil is a major sink for organic matter and nutrients. Current BMPs use the soil as filter strips with vegetation; terraces to reduce erosion and encourage water infiltration; and as containment for agricultural water impoundments. Temporary impoundments, such as the recyclable water containment area (RWCA) concept, can also be used as reaction vessels to control agricultural pollution safely and re-use the captured nutrients for subsequent agricultural production. First proposed during the removal of canker-infected citrus, the RWCA can be implemented during fallow periods to improve water quality and storage, and then returned to agricultural production within several years. This land use is also compatible for the EPA water quality credit trading program. The RWCA is also a primary alternative that has been described in the Southwest Florida Feasibility Study, a joint project by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District and cooperating state and federal agencies. Soil amendments, such as agricultural lime, have traditionally been used to increase soil pH by neutralizing excess acidity. However, the chemical extent of agricultural lime with regard to co-precipitation of nutrients, primarily phosphorus (P), can be used to advantage when coupled with agricultural impoundments and RWCAs. Composts containing biosolids, yard waste, or other common waste feedstock have also demonstrated retention of P and other nutrients. Since these amendments are produced in considerable quantities in Florida, their use in solving additional potential pollution problems is a societal benefit. Such use in RWCAs also returns both the captured nutrients as well as the organic matter to agricultural fields for use by subsequent crops.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1020110200010%
1020210200010%
1020330205010%
1110110200010%
1110210205010%
1330110200010%
1330110205010%
1330210200010%
1330210205010%
1330330205010%
Knowledge Area
133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation; 102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water;

Subject Of Investigation
0330 - Wetland and riparian systems; 0210 - Water resources; 0110 - Soil;

Field Of Science
2050 - Hydrology; 2000 - Chemistry;
Goals / Objectives
The objectives of this research and extension effort are: 1. To promote the use of soil as a filter with related best management practices to improve the efficiency of water quality improvements; 2. To implement and document the use of recyclable water containment areas as viable structures to improve water quality; 3. To define specific parameters wherein co-precipitation of phosphorus can be enhanced to lower exposure of this nutrient to adjacent water bodies using the concepts of objectives 1 and 2; and 4. To demonstrate that residuals can be recycled in environmental and agricultural lands to act as a sink for nutrients with resulting improvements in water quality.
Project Methods
Obj. 1. The use of soil as a filter has been tested in numerous ways; however, the incorporation of the recycling as described by Shukla and Jaber in their articles needs only measurement of water quality in the pump water reentering the impoundment along with appropriate measurements to allow the calculation of both concentration and load changes. While each impoundment will react differently to this filtering, dye markers can be used to indicate timing and quantity changes during recycling of the water. Results from these measurements would suggest the best place to put amendments/residuals described herein. Other modifications include clay or plastic lining of the inside berm walls to enhance water retention in the impoundment, and affect the soil filtering process. Lining design could enhance filtering and reactions within the berm, resulting in more cost-effective cleaning of by-products. Obj. 2: Since the RWCAs are actual crop production fields with an outer berm to retain water on the land, information obtained in Obj. 1 is directly applicable. Once the field has been returned to crop production, grid or spot sampling as determined by the field layout and disposition of the berm will document changes in soil parameters (e.g., soil pH, extractable P, etc.). These measurements coupled with subsequent crop production information would document the effects of water impoundment with amendments. Obj. 3: Co-precipitation chemistry of P with CaCO3 and the effect predicted for organic constituents and water clarity has only been completed in pure chemical systems. Larger batch and process flow studies are required to prove the concept. Water from the SFWMD Stormwater Treatment Areas could be the water source for these trials, as well exiting ditch water from agricultural impoundments in southwest Florida. The influence of competing ions (sulfate and fluoride) in these water sources can also be documented. From these findings, calculations of nucleation size and quantity will be forthcoming, allowing the appropriate lime materials to be available to treat the volume of water with attendant concentrations of nutrients and competing ions. Literature values using chemically pure laboratory systems will establish the upper limit for these reactions. As the concentration of P decreases, reaction efficiency will decrease. Mechanical mixing of the water and nucleation source is likely to improve efficiency of the reactions. Obj. 4: Addition of residuals contained within composts will be tested as a means for capturing nutrients and sediment. Procedures described above are also applicable to compost source testing. Due to high levels of organic matter in composts, it is unlikely that compost treatments will benefit by the inclusion of nucleation sources. Many functional groups in the organic matter have been shown to interact readily with the nucleation particles and negate or retard co-precipitation. An abundance of nucleation particles, introduced as a second treatment step, will further enhance P removal and improve water clarity, as described above.

Progress 04/01/09 to 03/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences for this research/extension program included: USAID members, working in Haiti (2009 through 2011), faculty and staff members at the University of Haiti and University of Florida totaling 7 faculty members, 19 staff members, and 3 graduate students (US). The information generated from this part of the project provided a large database for soil test-based and fertilizer recommendations. Soil sampling crews and their supervisors (Haiti) were trained to sample soils and recorded meta-data for use in the database. 150 technicians were involved in this training and subsequent sampling activity. The USDOE grant addressed agricultural clients that included growers, fertilizer dealers and salespersons, NGO groups (6), county extension faculty members, commercial biofuel industry representatives and technical support professionals, and local business representatives. The Community Involvement Committee involved 84 representatives from these categories for the annual meetings of that committee. Community involvement also included numerous presentations to southwest Florida organizations such as the Rotary Clubs. An additional 200 community representatives received information related to soil, water, and land use issues, including the economic aspect, associated with biofuels from these presentations. Promoting soil-as-a-filter for water quality and quantity, based upon research described in the annual reports and related literature has gotten this concept into several documents as a part of the cooperative Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP). The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) after testing with the World Wildlife Fund, growers, and researchers such as Dr. S. Shukla, SWFREC, UF-IFAS, has started a program involving water storage or phosphorus load reduction on a contract basis. Thus, interested growers can set aside land and bid these services (storage or load reduction) to the SFWMD. At this point, these lands used in this program are not returned to active farming, so the nutrients are largely stored in the soil and existing plants and allowed to accumulate, much like the Stormwater Treatment Areas and Water Conservation Area in southeastern Florida. Many NGOs are also endorsing or including this process as a part of their environmental components, as well as county agencies. Thus, these target audiences have been served by the efforts in this program. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The topics discussed based upon the objectives and audiences have already been reported through September, 2012. During the 6 months till the retirement of the project leader, the Biofuels Community Involvement Committee, the Delphi Study groups (each thirty to forty members, one each for the high school and Edison State College curriculum sections) met, and two In-Service Training (IST) events contained but were not focused specifically on content pertaining to the project objectives. A total of 20 county extension faculty members and three state specialists participated in these events. Graduate students (four, two each Ph.D. and M.S.), as well as the two post-docs, participated in all but the Delphi training and meetings. Both post-docs have since been hired upon the termination of the DOE Biofuels grant and this CRIS project: one to a consulting firm while teaching at the graduate level in Maryland; and the other to a faculty position in Scotland. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? As can be seen from statements in this final report and the earlier annual updates, research findings have or are appearing as refereed journal articles; presentations and posters at professional meetings made by faculty members, graduate students, and two graduate students at another Florida university; and presentations by county extension faculty members to clients. Extension components included IST training for county and state extension faculty members, the Biofuels Community Involvement Committee, and Cooperative Extension Service documents through the University of Florida EDIS system. In addition to several videos, the curriculum developed for high school included training of 8 high school teachers during summer break and subsequently observations of these teachers while teaching the biofuels curriculum at both the middle school and high school levels in three counties of southwest Florida. More than 400 students were involved. In a survey after the teaching phase, the trained teachers indicated that they would use the supplies and training for subsequent classes in the years to come. After posters were presented at professional meetings, the posters were displayed in the main lobby and auditorium at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, FL, and on the Center's Biofuels web site in PDF format. A recent tally of readers for the EDIS document dealing with the RWCA concept has had 2,855 readers since the beginning of this CRIS project (2009). A follow-up, informal survey with the Biofuels Community Involvement Committee indicated that they were still actively using and seeking additional venues to promote good farming and best management practices. All reported that the visioning done during the second meeting was helpful to understand the importance of agriculture to Hendry County, Florida. Most were skeptical of biofuels suitability for southwest Florida based upon the energy and economic findings of the grant. However, the value of agriculture and the fact that commercial agriculture is compatible with human uses of the land was confirmed by member responses. Lastly, the information regarding businesses was given to the Southwest Regional Planning Council, the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners, and the Hendry County Better Business Bureau, as well as several social organizations (e.g., Rotary Clubs) via presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objectives 1 and 2. The research and extension efforts regarding soil-as-a-filter have been successful and has led directly or as a contributing factor to actions by all the target audiences that include implementation of water storage programs for compensation on low lying lands, inclusion of the principles of the recyclable water containment areas (RWCAs) in the Comprehensive Everglades Recovery Program (CERP), language in several county documents that sponsor RWCAs, and the adoption of or tentatively accepting the concept of the RWCA concept by NGOs, such as the Southwest Florida Watershed Council (advocate) or the Conservancy of Southwest Florida (supportive only). Additional efforts were made within the stormwater drainage system in Lee County, which produced a video that is currently in production. Use of concepts developed for the RWCA in concert with work published on phosphorus co-precipitation (Objective 3) was described, but not implemented, before the close of this project and this project leader's retirement. Lastly, a study of water quality and quantity data collected by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) through water control structures into the Everglades Nation Park (ENP) was published in 2010 and 2011 showing that the waters entering the ENP from the north through the Stormwater Treatment Areas and Water Conservation Area were accumulating phosphorus and within a few years would exceed the limit of 10 parts per billion. Other findings noted the implementation of best management practices by growers to the north in this chronological analysis of the data. However, the accumulation of nutrients without removal means that these filtering structures will have to be reworked in the near future. It is for this reason that the RWCA concept includes land that is actively farmed, building in water to the crop rotation. Current programs implemented by SFWMD for growers willing to store water undervalue the agricultural ecosystem services. Recycling of nutrients, especially phosphorus, via crop production is important for sustainability of all soil-as-a-filter projects. Objective 3. While the chemistry of this objective was documented in a small grant from the SFWMD, the implementation on known pathways was not funded by grant proposals. Subsequently, these findings were used to develop mechanisms for co-precipitation for stormwater ponds and the concept was the subject of numerous presentations to county agency professionals and NGOs in southwest Florida. The use of calcium carbonate (fine particles) for this precipitation is much less effective than alum (hydrated aluminum sulfate). Calcium carbonate/phosphate co-precipitation does offer the benefit of not being toxic to terrestrial plants and, once spent, the combined calcium carbonate and phosphate can be land applied for soil pH adjustment. Land spreading also takes advantage of the reversibility of the co-precipitation with subsequent release of the phosphate for plant uptake. One large vegetable grower considered using the carbonate process, but working with the SFWMD, the grower elected to use alum to meet his water quality requirements for discharge into the stormwater system. Recent work defining the likely drainage issues with the many stormwater collection ponds, usually referred to as lakes in real estate documents, indicate that the use of limestone within structures/trenches on the perimeter of these ponds could benefit water quality, and recycle the phosphorus in a useful format for urban lawns and gardens. Objective 4. This project leader started working on filtration using soil as the media in 2004, but only started exploring residuals as a sink for nutrients during this CRIS project in 2011. A literature review (unpublished, but shared with many interested clients), numerous invited presentations, and site visits were the main result of this effort. Grant proposals for implementation of this approach were unsuccessful. Interest was high with county agencies exploring means to reduce nutrient loads to water bodies in their care and possibly allow a more economical approach to meeting Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs). Thus, use of wood chips for nitrogen reduction in anaerobic environment has been disseminated to all interested parties; the most recent being the city of Sanibel via a short presentation and potential site visits (2014 as a professor emeritus). The bioreactor concept was also promoted at the edge of stormwater collection ponds and is also being considered by Lee County and the Calusa Nature Center.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2013 Citation: Burleson, S.E., & Thoron, A.C. (In review). Knowledge, skills, and competencies needed by students with training in agricultural and environmental practices as perceived by local leaders: A Delphi study. Manuscript submitted for publication in the Journal of Agricultural Education.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rubenstein, E.D., & Thoron, A.C. (In review). The Creation of a Biofuels and Sustainable Agriculture Post-Secondary Curriculum: A True-Delphi Study. Manuscript submitted for publication in the Journal of Career and Technical Education.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2013 Citation: Izursa, J., E.A. Hanlon, N.Y. Amponsah, and J.C. Capece. (In review). Carbon Footprint of Biofuel Sugarcane Produced in Mineral and Organic Soils in Florida - Manuscript submitted for publication. 1-18.


Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Biofuels Center has completed its second year addressing selected aspects of the biofuels issue. A poster reporting a general overview of the Florida and Brazil sugarcane production systems using EMERGY processes and indices showed that the Brazilian production system is somewhat more efficient than the current Floridian system, but that the Florida system on mineral soil could be improved by alternative farming systems. While production on organic soils in Florida could also improve sustainability, soil subsidence and release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere remains a limitation. Staff has been added to include another energy process model involving Life Cycle Analysis in 2012. Work with four energy crops (UF Everglades Research and Education Center), including sugarcane in a greenhouse, explored the effects of alternative water management involving intermittent flooding. Plant and first ratoon production indicate that some crops are better adapted to higher water tables than the selected cultivar of sugar cane. Work with sweet sorghum at UF Southwest Florida Research and Education Center explored water and nutrient rates for biofuels production. Initial findings indicate that sweet sorghum can be grown for biofuels with some limitations, since adequate adaption of a cultivar for southern Florida is still an issue. To understand the economic component of a potential biofuels industry in south Florida, researchers are comparing costs of production, economic consequences of decisions related to biofuels (e.g., conversion from sugar production to energy generation by ethanol or thermophilic means), and selection of alternative crops to sugar cane. Since the sugarcane industry is mature, preliminary findings indicate considerable costs will be involved for conversion to energy production, including construction of ethanol plants or plants to convert the heat energy to electricity. Problems of scale for supplying feed stock to these facilities are also likely. An educational approach to provide agricultural and environmental technical support for south Florida is underway involving 6th grade through high school, as is curriculum development for additional training with Edison State College. A workshop exploring the needs for grades 6-12 and College educational components led to the creation of two proposed courses for Edison State College and science teacher training in both middle and high schools in Hendry and Glades counties including laboratories for students. An extensive study of a Biofuels Center and building design was completed and is in the review process. A number of professional and outreach presentations and posters were given during 2012. The second planned meeting of the Community Involvement Committee involved a cross-section of participants from southwest Florida. The workshop produced visioning scenarios setting future goals for Hendry County with respect to agriculture, environment, and humans in the landscape. Project Modifications: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PARTICIPANTS: E. Hanlon, PI, Biofuels grant A. Hodges, coPI A. Thoron, coPI R. Gilbert, coPI A. Wright, coPI S. Shukla, coPI M. Ozorez-Hampton, coPI Jose-Luis Izursa, Post-doc N. Amponsah, Post-doc J. Capece, Intelligentsia International, Contractor R. Jones, Contractor for Edison State College K. Winans, PhD student (graduated, 2012) S. Jennewein, MS student E. Rubenstein, MS student S. Buleson, MS student Post-docs received professional training in GaBi software for Life Cycle Assessment and Emergy uses Several interns were sponsored through Intelligentsia International, and represented European and Asian universities. TARGET AUDIENCES: The biofuels grant targeted and selected members of the Community Involvement Committee (CIC). The 35 members represented a cross-section of Hendry County, FL, society from business, agriculture, school system (teachers from 6th grade through college). The CIC met twice in 2012 and went on 1 tour sponsored by a representative from the biofuels industry. Both meeting lasted a full work day. The second meeting included a visioning task (5 hours) to produce a neutral, and positive, and a negative vision of Hendry County's future with and without agriculture and specifically biofuels. J.Hazell, Lee County Extension, was the facilitator for this function. Students from 6th through 12th grade (105 students) received training and a hand-on laboratory dealing with selected aspects of biofuels during the fall semester. Seven teachers received specialized training during the summer of 2012 dealing with lesson planning, implementation, and instrumentation for the laboratory exercises dealing with biofuels. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The following presentations were given as invited talks during 2012 by co-PIs of the Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center. Information was presented to the selected audiences concerning various aspects of biofuels and its potential effect on Southwest Florida: Ag Expo, Belle Glade, Feb12; ACES, Jul12, AWRA 12-15Nov12, Jacksonville, FL; SWSD Research Forum, Sep12, Gainesville, FL; ACES and Ecosystem Markets, (3 posters) Dec12, Florida Gulf Coast Univ. Colloquium, (2 semesters), Bus Tour, SW FL, Hendry Glades Youth Leadership Group, LaBelle, FL; Big O Birding Festival, Hendry/Palm Beach, FL; Feedstock/Ethanol "Learning Session" at the February 2012 South FL Ag Expo (6 bus tours including 300 participants); Hendry County Farm City Tour, LaBelle, FL; Leadership Glades; Environment & Water Management meeting, 3/21/2012; FFVA Spring Regulatory Tour, 3/21/2012. More than 15 field days at research and education centers included on-going research findings for growers and other interested parties. Finalized economics of biofuels aspects in southern Florida and water storage, as well as EMERGY and Life Cycle Analysis components, were reported to Dept. of Energy in quarterly reports. Impacts were measured for the two Community Involvement Committee meetings and showed that within the confines of the current DOE grant, the topics, reported and planned information, as well as the relevancy to Hendry County and southwest Florida in general is perceived as appropriate. Two commercial companies involved in selected aspects of biofuels, as well as agriculture at a more general level, came forward with offers of tours. The visioning exercise was well liked, and participants have used these outcomes when discussing biofuels with government leaders. Work with EMERGY and Life Cycle Assessment has produced information regarding sugarcane and its production as a feedstock on both organic and mineral soils. The results are being prepared for publication and used for incorporation into a decision tool set for government leaders.

Publications

  • Winans, K.S., E.A. Hanlon, M.L. Silveira, P.A. Singh, S.P. Wani. 2013. Soil organic carbon in size-fractions in cereal / leguminous cropping systems in a semiarid tropical Vertisols. (In preparation).
  • Winans, K.S., E.A. Hanlon, J.W. Jones, S.P. Wani, and K.R. Reddy. 2013. Uncertainty in Conceptual Soil Organic Carbon Pools in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) Model. (In preparation).
  • Winans, K.S., E.A. Hanlon, R.S. Mylavarapu, K.L. Sahrawat, S.P. Wani, and K.R. Reddy. 2013. Diversification of Cropping Systems to Enhance Resilience for Sustainable Agroecosystems: Effects of 25-years of farmers practice. (In preparation).
  • Silveira, Maria, Ed Hanlon, Mariana Azenha, and Hiran M. da Silva. 2012. Carbon Sequestration in Grazing Land Ecosystems. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SS574. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss574.
  • Wilson, M. and E.A. Hanlon. 2012. Florida Reclaimed Phosphate Mine Soils: Characteristics, Potential Uses, and Management Considerations. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SS571. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss571.
  • Wilson, M. and E.A. Hanlon. 2012. Multiple-Use Landscapes: Reclaimed Phosphate Mined Lands1 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss575.
  • Wilson, M. and E.A. Hanlon. 2012. Landscape Diversity: Florida Phosphate Mine Pit Lakes. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SS565. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS565.
  • Amponsah, N.Y., J.L. Izursa, E.A. Hanlon, J.C. Capece. 2012. Sugarcane Biomass Production in South Florida: A comparative emergy assessment of organic soil and mineral soil farming systems. (In preparation).
  • Amponsah, N.Y., Hanlon, E.A., Izursa, J-L., Capece, J.C. 2012. Accounting For Ecosystem Services Using Emergy Analysis: Florida Energy Crops (Sugarcane), ACES and Ecosystem Markets 2012, Fort Lauderdale, FL., Dec. 12 2012 (Oral).
  • Amponsah, N.Y., Hanlon, E.A., Izursa, J-L., Capece, J.C. 2012. An Emergy Approach to Evaluate Impacts of Soil Subsidence on Biofuels Production Sustainability in South Florida, 13th Annual Soil and Water Science Research Forum, IFAS-UF, Gainesville, FL, Sept 7 2012 (Poster).
  • Amponsah, N.Y., 2012. Materials and energy flows for emergy and LCA case studies, Community Involvement Committee (CIC) meeting, Labelle, FL., March 5 2012 (Oral).
  • Amponsah, N.Y., 2012. Use of Emergy Analysis to evaluate Biofuel crop production sustainability: A case study of Florida and Brazil sugarcane, 2nd Annual South Florida Ag Expo 2012, Clewiston, FL., Feb. 17 2012 (Oral).
  • Amponsah, N.Y., Capece, J.C., Hanlon, E.A., 2012. Comparative Analysis of sugarcane ethanol in Florida and Brazil, 7th Biennial Emergy Conference, Center for Environmental Policy (CEP), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL., Jan 13 2012 (Poster).
  • Hanlon, E.A. 2012. Naturally occurring radionuclides in agricultural products Fla. Coop. Extn. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, FL. Production Guide SS-MLR-5. 6 p.
  • Hanlon, E. A. 2012. Soil pH and electrical conductivity: a county extension soil laboratory manual. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document CIR1081. University of Florida, UF/IFAS EDIS. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss118.
  • Hanlon, E. A. Naturally Occurring Radionuclides in Agricultural Products. 2012. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SS441. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss441. Hanlon, E.A., and G.J. Hochmuth Vegetable Fertilization: 2012. A Look Back So We Can See Ahead. Citrus and Vegetable Magazine, SWFREC Update, February, 2012.
  • Hanlon, E.A., R. Mylavarapu, and I.V. Ezenwa. 2012. Development of Bahiagrass Fertilization Recommendations: 1990-2005. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL237/SS456. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS456.
  • Hochmuth, G., D. Maynard, C. Vavrina, E. Hanlon, and E. Simonne. 2012. Plant Tissue Analysis and Interpretation for Vegetable Crops in Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document ep081. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep081.
  • Hochmuth, G.J., E.A. Hanlon, R. Nagata, G. Snyder, and T. Schueneman. 2012. Fertilization Recommendations for Crisphead Lettuce Grown on Organic Soils in Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SP153/WQ114 University of Florida, UF/IFAS EDIS. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WQ114.
  • Hochmuth, G.J., E. A. Hanlon, G. Snyder, R. Nagata, and T. Schueneman. 2012. Fertilization of sweet corn, celery, romaine, escarole, endive, and radish on organic soils in Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document BUL313. University of Florida, UF/IFAS EDIS. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv008.
  • Hodges, A, and M. Rahmani. 2012. Cost of Production of Camelina Oil in North Florida. University of Florida/IFAS, White paper.
  • Izursa, Jose-Luis. 2013. Life Cycle Assessment of Sugarcane Ethanol Produced in Mineral Soils in Florida, Technical Report (in review).
  • Izursa, Jose-Luis, E.A. Hanlon, N.Y. Amponsah, J.C. Capece. 2012. Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from biofuel Sugarcane Production in Florida: A Case Study, ACES and Ecosystem Markets Annual Conference, Fort Lauderdale FL, December 10-14, 2012.
  • Capece, J.C., Izursa, Jose-Luis. 2013. Life Cycle Assessment of Sugarcane Ethanol Produced in Mineral Soils in Florida, Fourth annual Sustainability Conference and Educational Exhibition, Expanding Sustainability, Fort Myers, FL, 2012. Out-Reach Documents (Extension)
  • Muchovej, R.M., E.A. Hanlon, T. Obreza, M. Ozores-Hampton, F.M. Roka, S. Shukla, H. Yamataki, and K. Morgan. 2012. Citrus Production on the Sandy Soils of Southwest Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SS453. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS453.
  • Kidder, G. and E. A. Hanlon, Jr. 2012. Neutralizing Excess Bicarbonates from Irrigation Water. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SS165. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss165.
  • Li, Y., E.A. Hanlon, W. Klassen, Q. Wang, T. Olczyk, and I.V. Ezenwa. 2012. Cover Crop Benefits and Selection for Commercial Vegetable Producers. UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database: University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. 12 pp. EDIS Fact sheet SL-242. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS461 .
  • Li, Y., Q. Wang, W. Klassen, E.A. Hanlon, Jr. 2012. Sunn Hemp - A Cover Crop in Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document TR003. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/tr003.
  • Liu, G., and E.A. Hanlon. 2012. Soil pH Range for Optimum Commercial Vegetable Production. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1207
  • Izursa, Jose-Luis, E.A. Hanlon, N.Y. Amponsah, J.C. Capece, Carbon. 2013. Footprint of Biofuel Sugarcane Produced in Florida, (in preparation)
  • Hanlon, E.A., K.T. Morgan, T.A. Obreza, and R. Mylavarapu. 2012. Leaf analysis in Citrus: Developments in Analytical Techniques. In Advanced in Citrus Nutrition. (ed.) A.K. Srivastava. Springer, NY. Pg. 59-80.
  • Winans, K.S., E.A. Hanlon, R.S. Mylavarapu, K.L. Sahrawat, S.P. Wani, and K.R. Reddy. 2013. Effect of Management Practices on Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation and Vertical Distribution in Uncultivated and Cultivated Vertisols. Plant and Soil.(In review).


Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: USDA-NIFA/US-AID/UF-IFAS/Haiti: As a part of the WINNER project, 1,147 soil samples from major Haitian agricultural areas were analyzed for organic matter, pH, electrical conductivity, and Mehlich-3 (M3) extractable nutrients (UF Tropical Research and Education Center). An ACCESS relational data base was designed to report individual grower results and using fertilizer recommendations for the 24 most common crops produced in Haiti. Interpretations and recommendations were based on UF, Oklahoma State University, and consultant rates (R. Yudin, consultant). The product and instructional documents were supplied through the WINNER project. This effort produced one MS Thesis (A. Hylkema, UF) and one extension document. USDOE Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center has focused on several aspects of the biofuels issue. A poster reporting a general overview of the Florida and Brazil sugarcane production systems using EMERGY processes and indices showed that the Brazilian production system is somewhat more efficient than the current Floridian system, but that the Florida system on mineral soil could be improved by alternative farming systems. While production on organic soils in Florida could also improve sustainability, soil subsidence and release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere remains a limitation. Staff has been added to include another energy process model involving Life Cycle Analysis in 2012. Work with four energy crops (UF Everglades Research and Education Center), including sugar cane in a greenhouse explored the effects of alternative water management involving intermittent flooding. Plant and first ratoon production indicate that some crops are better adapted to higher water tables than the selected cultivar of sugar cane. Work with sweet sorghum at UF Southwest Florida Research and Education Center explored water and nutrient rates for biofuels production. Initial findings indicate that sweet sorghum can be grown for biofuels with some limitations. To understand the economic component of a potential biofuels industry in south Florida, researchers are comparing costs of production, economic consequences of decisions related to biofuels (e.g., conversion from sugar production to energy generation by ethanol or thermophilic means), and selection of alternative crops to sugar cane. Since the sugar cane industry is mature, preliminary findings indicate considerable costs will be involved for conversion to energy production, including construction of ethanol plants or plants to convert the heat energy to electricity. Problems of scale for supplying feed stock to these facilities are also likely. An educational approach to provide agricultural and environmental technical support for south Florida is underway involving 6th grade through high school and curriculum development for additional training with Edison State College. A 2-plus-2 educational agreement between Edison and UF is in place. E. A. Hanlon served on an Everglades Coalition panel to discuss the cost of ecosystem services, 09-Jan-11, 70 participants. Agriculturally-based ecosystem services were compared to natural systems for similar water quantity and quality benefits. PARTICIPANTS: Haiti Grant: Sergile, F., PD Li, Y. C., PI Hanlon, E. A., MS student Hylkema, A., Shukla, S. S. S., Technical Support Engineer. Biofuels Grant: Hanlon, E. A., PI, Capece, J., Consulting engineer, McAvoy, E., Baucum, L., Jennewein, S., MS student, Gilbert, R., Wright, A., Shukla, S., Ozores-Hampton, M., Knowles, J., Hendricks, G., Hodges, A., Thoron, A., Cooper, S., Amponsah, N., Post-doc engineer, Van Treese, J., PhD student, Burleson, S., MS student, Rubenstein, E., MS, Student TARGET AUDIENCES: Haiti Grant: Haitian extension workers and 1100 participating growers. The relational database, instructional documentation, and report writer with fertilizer recommendations were used to educate both the extension workers and the 1100 participating growers. Biofuels Grant: approximately 800 growers, environmentalists, and agency personnel received information concerning Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center in Southwest Florida, agriculturally-based ecosystem services, alternative farming practices, energy components associated with biofuels production and economic components related to potential development of a large biofuels segment within southern Florida agriculture. University of Florida extension documents were updated to include more than 60 years of research in 14 selected vegetable commodities to address fertilizer and water management issues. These 14 web-based documents were accessed more than 15,000 in 2010 through 2011. The South Florida Water Management District has implemented contracts with growers to use soil as of filter as described in documents listed above dealing with Recyclable Water Containment Areas. More than 150 contracts have been let to growers to process water using on farm wetlands. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The following presentations were given as invited presentations during 2011 by co-PIs of the Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center. Information was presented to the selected audiences concerning various aspects of biofuels and its potential effect on Southwest Florida: Florida Energy Summit, 10/26-28/2011, 500 participants; UF Graduate Student Tour, 10/25/2011, 6 participants; North Florida Sugarcane Field Day, 11/7/2011, 79 participants; Onion Growers Tour, 12/1/2011, 82 participants; Hendry County Farm City Tour, 12/3/2011, 100 participants; Palm Beach County Science Fair, 12/7/2011, 400 participants; LaBelle Rotary, 27 participants; Hendry Co Administrator Dept. Directors Meeting, 18 participants; Lehigh Leadership Group, 9 participants; Labelle Business Networking Breakfast, 15 participants; Florida Gulf Coast University Interdisciplinary Studies Class, 21 participants; Hendry Glades Leadership Course, 16Nov11, 25 participants. Preliminary economics of biofuels aspects in southern Florida, as well as EMERGY and Life Cycle Analysis components, were reported to Dept. of Energy in quarterly reports. These presentations generated interest since the county economic condition has been hard-hit in the current recession. The impact has been recorded in news articles and public actions at meetings.

Publications

  • Fan, X., B. Gu, E.A. Hanlon, Y.C. Li, K. Migliaccio, and T.W. Dreschel. 2011. Investigation of long-term trends in selected physical and chemical parameters of inflows to Everglades National Park,1977 2005. Environ Monit Assess 178:525-536.
  • Hanlon, E.A. 2011 (Revised). Using Recyclable Water Containment Areas (RWCAs) to Treat Agricultural Stormwater Runoff For Watersheds: A Concept Paper. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL227/SS447. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS447.
  • Hanlon, E.A., J.A. Stricker, and J. Carson. 2011 (Revised). Phosphatic Clay for Agricultural Uses: Bibliography. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL224/ SS444 University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS444.
  • Hanlon, E.A., G.J. Hochmuth, L. Shaw, and C. Riddle. 2011 (Revised). Vegetable Seed Bed Preparation on Phosphatic Clays . University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL223/SS443 University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS443.
  • Hanlon, E.A., M. Wilson, C. Bevers, and J. Cates. 2011 (Revised). Landscape Diversity: Multiple-Use Landscapes for Reclaimed Phosphatic Clay Areas. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL229/SS449. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS449.
  • Hanlon, E. A., R. M. Muchovej, M. Ozores-Hampton, S. Shukla, F. M. Roka, H. Yamataki, and I. Ezenwa. 2011 (Revised). Sugarcane production in southwest Florida: mineral soils and amendments. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL230. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc073.
  • Hanlon, E.A., R.M., Muchovej, E.J. McAvoy, M. Ozores-Hampton, F.M. Roka, S. Shukla, S., Yamataki, H. & Cushman, K. E. 2011 (Revised). Management of soil and water for vegetable production in southwest Florida. UF/IFAS extension digital information source (EDIS) database: University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, UF, IFAS. 5 pp. Fact Sheet SL 233. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss452.
  • Hochmuth, G. J., E. A. Hanlon. 2011 (Revised). A Summary of N, P, and K Research with Tomato in Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL355/CV236. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv236.
  • Hochmuth, G. J., E. A. Hanlon. 2011 (Revised). A Summary of N, P, and K Research with Potato in Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL346/CV233. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv233.
  • Hochmuth, G., and E. Hanlon. 2011. A Summary of N,P, and K Research with Squash in Florida. UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv227 12 pgs.
  • Hochmuth, G., and E. Hanlon. 2011. A Summary of N and K Research with Strawberry in Florida. UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv229 25 pgs.
  • Hochmuth, G. J., E. A. Hanlon, and A. Overman. 2011. Fertilizer experimentation, data analyses, and interpretation for developing fertilization recommendations- examples with vegetable crop research. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL345. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss548.
  • Morgan, K. T., and E. A. Hanlon. 2011 (Revised). Improving Citrus Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency: Linking Citrus Irrigation Management to Citrus Fertilizer Practices. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SS466. University of Florida, UF/IFAS EDIS. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS466.
  • Shober, A.L., L.R. Ellis, E.A. Hanlon, and a.C. Wiese. 2011. Engaging Youth in the Environment through the Florida Land Judging Program.3.
  • Shober, A.L., L.R. Ellis, C. Wiese, E.A. Hanlon, R.B. Brown, and J. J.H. Herbert. 2011. Rules and Scorecard Grading Policies for the Annual Florida 4-H/FFA Land Judging Contest.11 pgs.
  • Obreza, T.A., E.A. Hanlon, and M. Zekri. 2011 (Revised). Dealing with iron and other micro-irrigation plugging problems. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Document SL265. University of Florida. EDIS http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss487.
  • Obreza, T., M. Clark, B. Boman, T. Borisova, M. Cohen, M. Dukes, T. Frazer, E. Hanlon, K. Havens, C. Martinez, K. Migliaccio, S. Shukla, and A. Wright. 2011. A Guide to EPA's Proposed Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria for Florida.10 pgs.
  • Obreza, T.A., R. Rouse, and E.A. Hanlon. 2011. Advancements with Controlled-Release Fertilizers for Florida Citrus Production: 1996 -2006.11 pgs.


Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: USDA-NIFA/US-AID/UF-IFAS/Haiti As a part of the WINNER project, 1,500 soil samples from major agricultural areas in Haiti were collected. A training program (Hanlon, E.A., and Shannon, D. 2010. Soil Sample Training. MSPowerPoint: 16 slides) for soil sampling crews was developed in Florida and sent to Haiti for sampling crew training. A meta-data worksheet was used for recording grower information and geographical location. Soils were analyzed for pH, EC, selected nitrogen forms, and macro- and micro-nutrients at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center laboratory, Homestead, FL. Both grower meta-data and soil-test results were merged at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, FL. After verification of all data, 1,147 results were reported using a combination of MSExcel and MSAccess. Unmatched sample information was discarded. Fertilizer interpretations were based on literature findings for 25 crops specified by Haitian growers. Initial reports for a primary crop were created. An instruction sheet was developed to allow in-country extension workers to use the large data base for subsequent or additional crop recommendations. This set of information and files is serving as the final document for one Masters of Science candidate and will be available in 2011. USDOE grant: Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center Funds for this 2009 DOE grant have yet to be released due to contractual issues among DOE, Hendry County, Florida, and UF/IFAS. This condition is expected to be resolved in early 2011. In 2010, efforts included the development of a curriculum coordinator position description for Edison State College, selection of a Ph.D. candidate for research located in the Everglades Agricultural Area and housed at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center, Belle Glade, FL.; and 9 invited presentations to growers and environmental groups. Two posters were volunteered to large conferences held in Florida. An Extension grower meeting dealing with the economics of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus credit trading and water storage payment potential was organized in 2010. More than 107 growers participated in the 7-speaker agenda. Interest in agriculturally-based ecosystem services and alternative farming system practices was high, both topics are a part of the Biofuels Center efforts. A break-out session at the 2010 Everglades Coalition meeting featured six presentations addressing agriculturally-based ecosystem services as related to alternative farming systems practices focused on the Everglades Agricultural Area. I was asked to serve on a panel discussion at the January 2011 Everglades Coalition, scheduled for Weston, FL, to further explore the related economics of agriculture that includes ecosystem services. PARTICIPANTS: Haiti Grant: Sergil, F. Haiti PD Li, Y.C., PI Hanlon, E.A., CoPI Shannon, D., Cooperator, Auburn Univ. Hylkema, A., M.S. student Shukla, S.S.S., Technical Support Engineer Biofuels Grant: Hanlon, E.A., PI Capece, J., consulting engineer Gomes, E. Intern Shukla, S.S.S., Technical Support Engineer Everglades Research: Li, Y.C., PI Fan, X., CoPI/Post Doc. Migliaccio, K.D., CoPI Gu, B., CoPI/SFWMD Dreschel, T., CoPI/SFWMD TARGET AUDIENCES: Haiti Grant: Sample crew leaders and members: 150 Training MSPowerPoint and meta-data form Haitian growers: 1,147 This project produced soil test results and reports for the primary crop for each grower; developed a means to apply soil-test interpretations for a total of 25 crops that were identified by Haitian growers and for which literature results were found; and developed an instruction guide for in-country extension workers to use this large data base effectively. Biofuels Grant: More than 700 growers, environmentalists, and state and federal agency professionals participated in events or viewed posters created as a function of this grant. Everglades Grant: In addition to publishing 2 articles in the J. Environ. Qual., the lead articles was also disseminated in the Science Digest, making a much larger group of readers aware of the findings of this research. Additional audiences: Two articles in Hort Tech. provided a summary of research in Florida regarding water management and waste products. The original presentations were given to an audience of 100 agency professionals, research scientists, and interested parties. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The following presentations were given as invited presentations during 2010 in preparation for funding of the Biofuels Center: Hanlon, E.A., and J. Capece. 2010. Overview of Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center: ARRA, 6Jan10, 30 participants Hanlon, E.A., and J. Capece. 2010. Innovative Water Management and Valuation of Eco-services. Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center. Cooperative Conservation Blueprint, Pilot Project Advisory Group, Okeechobee, 15Nov10. 12 participants, Polycom with DACS/DEP/FFWC. Hanlon, E.A. 2009. Farming in the Future - Reaping Ecosystem Services. SWFREC. Co-organizer with Dr. F. Roka. Six other speakers. 107 participants. Hanlon, E.A. 2010. Transforming Agricultural Water Management in Support of Ecosystem Restoration. American Water Resources Association. Ft. Myers, FL. 20Nov09. 97 participants. Hanlon, E.A., and J. Capece. 2010. Future Farms & Fuel/Hendry County Sustainable Bio-Fuels Center. Collier County Rotary Club. Naples, FL. 10Feb10. 23 participants. Invited by County Commissioner Coletta. Hanlon, E.A., and J. Capece. 2010. Transforming Agricultural Systems on Public Lands within the EAA to Support Everglades Restoration. Everglades Coalition, West Palm Beach, FL. Jan10. Poster. ~300 participants. Hanlon, E. A., J. Capece, A. Hodges, L. Racevskis, T. Borisova, and J. Owens. 2010. Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center. Everglades Coalition, West Palm Beach, FL. Jan10. Poster. ~300 participants (see poster above). Hanlon, E.A., and J. Capece. 2010. A New Farming Systems Development Initiative. Everglades Coalition, West Palm Beach, FL. Jan10. Presentation. Co-organizer of Break-out Session with 4 other speakers. 43 participants. Hanlon, E.A., and J. Capece. 2010. New Farming Systems Initiative: Humans and the Environment. Presentation to Environmental undergraduate course, FGCU. Instructor: Dr. M.K. Cassani. 19 students. Hanlon, E.A., and J. Capece. 2010. Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center New Farming Systems Initiative: Humans and the Environment. Lee County Extension Faculty, Ft. Myers, FL. 6 participants. Gomes, E., J. Capece, and E.A. Hanlon. 2010. New Sugarcane Farming Systems to Protect Florida Estuaries. Poster. Intern from Brazil. 20 participants at seminar. These presentations reached a considerable number (as indicated on each citation) of clients receiving information concerning selected aspects of biofuels, agriculturally-based ecosystem services, and alternative farming practices, including developing markets for these services. The publication (listed below by Hanlon et al.) was also reported in Science Digest as a significant work of interest.

Publications

  • Hanlon, E.A., Fan, X.H., Gu, G., Migliaccio, K.W., Li, Y.C., and Dreschel, T.W. 2010. Water Quality Trends at Inflows to Everglades National Park, 1977-2005. J. Environ. Qual. 39:1724-1733.
  • Fan, X.H., Gu, B., Hanlon, E.A., Li, Y.C., Migliaccio, K.W., Dreshcel, T.W. 2010. Investigation of long-term trends in selected physical and chemical parameters of inflows to Everglades National Park, 1977-2005. J. Environ. Qual. (Accepted).
  • Li, Y., Hanlon, E.A., OConnor, G.A., Chen, J., and Silveira, M. 2010. Land Application of Compost and Other Wastes (By-Products) in Florida. Hort. Tech. 20:41-51.
  • Shukla, S., Boman, B.J., Ebel, R.C., Roberts, P.D., and Hanlon, E.A. 2010. Reducing Impacts of Unavoidable Nutrient Losses from Horticultural Crops in Florida Hort. Tech 20:52-56.


Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the 2008/2009 reporting period, a grant proposal embodying the objectives of this CRIS project was submitted through Hendry County, Florida to the Department of Energy. This grant, entitled Hendry County Sustainable Biofuels Center, includes an innovative economic and energy evaluation for all suitable crops grown in southern Florida conditions. The intent for this part of the grant is to ensure that a systems approach is used to determine the actual efficiency of a selected biofuel crop. A second component of this grant involves the establishment of a training curriculum, which begins with the formation of an Academy for high school students interested in environmental and agricultural endeavors surrounding, but not specifically focused on, the biofuels industry. At the college level, the Edison State College will develop both a technical (Associate of Science) and a baccalaureate program compatible with the high school Academy efforts and dealing with agroecosystems. Probably most importantly, this biofuels grant addresses a systems approach to agriculture, which has historically been concentrated on providing a commodity. Within this alternative approach, both the commodity and ecosystem services shall be considered. These ecosystem services can be accomplished on agricultural lands to provide carbon sequestration, nitrogen and phosphorus reduction with resulting water quality improvement, and the potential for distributed water storage on a rotational basis on agricultural lands throughout the watershed. These ecosystem services change the traditional model of a single commodity focus for agriculture with the potential of adding additional income streams. By doing so, costs for TMDL/BMAP to urban communities can be reduced by performing these services on agricultural land while reducing utility plant size for additional water treatment improvement. In 2009, grant approval has been obtained; however, funds are expected in 2010. In anticipation of this grant funding, a number of presentations have been made throughout the South Florida region dealing with marketing of ecosystem services, environmental impacts of the dispersed water storage system, systems engineering approaches to University of Florida departments, and to several selected NGOs (total of seven presentations [approximately 200 participants] and two posters). Interest in these grant components has been positive, often with follow-up information being exchanged. For this wide acceptance, the grant proposal has a strong economics component addressing markets for these ecosystem services and related policy issues. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. J. Capece, CEO, Intelligentsia International, Inc., served as coPI on the grant proposal described above. He also presented information concerning the goals of this CRIS project and the grant proposal to clientele. He also had four interns from European countries do their training on short projects related to the grant proposal. Dr. W. Roshon, Dean of Technical Training, Edison State College, worked on the grant proposal and participated in presentations associated with the proposal to higher education staff members and committees. Drs. Borisova, Racevskis, and Hodges, Food and Resource Economics Dept., UF, worked on the proposal and gave several presentations regarding the marketing and economics aspects to clientele. For example, 92 growers participated in a market training conference in southern Florida. TARGET AUDIENCES: During the 2008/2009 reporting period, vegetable, sugar cane, and citrus growers (total: 92) received information on the RWCA concept (see Pub. Section) and ecosystem services on agricultural land uses. Additional information regarding carbon markets and water storage/quality potential revenue streams were presented in a half-day training. Researchers, state agency, and environmental organizations (total: 117) participated in the annual Southwest Florida Water Resources Conference, Ft. Myers. The PI presented a 30-minute overview of the benefits of agricultural ecosystem services. The discussion panel members at the end of conference each offered comments regarding the favorability of this method of providing services to meet both agricultural and environmental goals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Previously published research information (not a part of this CRIS project) has been consolidated and extension documents have been created addressing the four objectives of this CRIS project. Publications and the number of times these publications were accessed during the calendar year are also provided in the following section.

Publications

  • Hanlon, E.A. 2009. Using Recyclable Water Containment Areas (RWCAs) to Treat Agricultural Stormwater Runoff for Watersheds: A Concept Paper University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. SL227. 4 pp. ONLINE: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss447 . 2009 accesses: 1117. Hochmuth, G.J., E.A. Hanlon, G. Snyder, R. Nagata, and T. Schueneman. 2009. Fertilization of Sweet Corn, Celery, Romaine, Escarole, Endive, and Radish on Organic Soils in Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. BUL313. 15 pp. ONLINE: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv008. 2009 accesses: 4105.
  • Li, Y., Q. Wang, W. Klassen, E.A. Hanlon, Jr. 2009. Sunn Hemp - A Cover Crop in Florida. SL306. 4 pp. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. ONLINE: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/tr003. 2009 accesses: 826. Wright, A.L., and E.A. Hanlon. 2009. Measuring Organic Matter in Everglades Wetlands and the Everglades Agricultural Area. SL285. 5 pp. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. ONLINE: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss498. 2009 accesses: 1090.
  • Wright, A.L., E.A. Hanlon, D. Sui, and R. Rice. 2009. Soil pH Effects on Nutrient Availability in the Everglades Agricultural Area. SL287. 5 pp. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. ONLINE: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss500. 2009 accesses: 1818. Wright, A.L., E.A. Hanlon, J.M. McCray, and D. Sui . 2009. Persistence of Plant-Available Phosphorus in Muck Soils after Fertilizer Application. SL290. 5 pp. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. ONLINE: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss503. 2009 accesses: 931. Wright, A.L., and E.A. Hanlon. 2009. Soil Structure in Everglades Agricultural Area Histosols: Effects on Carbon Sequestration and Subsidence. SL301. 6 pp. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. ONLINE: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss514. 2009 accesses: 665.