Source: DEWEY UNIVERSITY submitted to
ENHANCING AN AGRIBUSINESS DEGREE PROGRAM IN GREENHOUSE AND CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AT DEWEY UNIVERSITY IN JUANA DIAZ PUERTO RICO.INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS, LIBRARY RESOURCES STUDENT RECRUITMENT,
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1026781
Grant No.
2021-70004-35097
Cumulative Award Amt.
$100,365.00
Proposal No.
2021-04335
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Aug 1, 2021
Project End Date
Jul 31, 2024
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[AA-Q]- Resident Instruction Grants for Insular Areas
Project Director
Rojas Hernandez, M.
Recipient Organization
DEWEY UNIVERSITY
427 BARBOSA AVE
SAN JUAN,PR 009231524
Performing Department
Juana Diaz
Non Technical Summary
Dewey University has been planning over the past years an Agribusiness Associates degree program that focuses on technology, best practices, and controlled environments. Currently there is a need for this type of short programs for students looking to join the workforce and be able to continue their education. The Associates degree program in Agribusiness will focus on best agricultural practices in controlled environments and economic development through career pathways in the FANR fields (Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources,)The development and growth of Puerto Rico's agricultural practices is a current and important event that has been emerging through the improvement of new agricultural business practices focused on technology and hybrid products in controlled environments. According to different research (F) studies the value of agriculture-related degrees cannot be underestimated when no other industry can provide enough food to the growing population. To be able to meet this demand, graduates in degree programs such as agriculture, horticulture, hydroponics, and animal sciences trained in best practices and sustainability are in high demand. According to the latest data from AgCareers.com, 81% of jobs in the agriculture industry will require education beyond high school and almost half will demand at least a bachelor's degree.The 2017 Census of Agriculture for Puerto Rico, noted that between 1998 and 2018 the number of farms declined by more than half (58.7), from 19,951 to 8,230while the average farm increased from 36.6%, From 43.4 cuerdas in 1998 to 59.3 cuerdas in 2018. (1 cuerda=0.971 acres). In Puerto Rico a farms is defined by any place which $500 or more agricultural products are sold.Greenhouse production in Puerto Rico has been volatile due to the planning and marketing of products, the incentives without an strategic production and marketing goal and lack of statistics from the Puerto Rico Departmento of Agricultural. For example, the 2017 census has regional data from a category under nursery and greenhouses Crops, Floriculture and Sod GrownUnder Hydroponics the number of farms have not increase substantial from 2012-2018 (213 to 219) and the crop value went from 10.4m to 8.7. However, in the lettuce it had an increase of 37 farms 117 and production increase from 3m from1.0 in 2012. Both pepper and tomato productions also had an increase 11 farms in 2012 to 38. (US Department of Agriculture 2017 Census) In the Ponce Region Southern Area of which includes the Santa Isabel Agricultural Valley that house one of the largest agricultural biotechnology enterprises which represent over 5,000 workers and contributes more than 125 million annually to the Island Economy. Puerto Rico Agricultural Biotechnology Industry Association (PRABIA)A research by Agro Raul Mari Fernandez study in food safety and the agricultural reserves in the island within the current constrains found that the Santa Isabel Valley produces 86% of all vegetable production in PR, second municipality with highest farm gross income product. Puerto Rico according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in order to achieve food safety (0.26 cuerda per habitant) Puerto Rico would need 1.1. million harvested cuerdas in agricultural production to achieve food safety. According to the 2017 census only 487,775 cuerdas are in agricultural production. (Noticel, Feb 14,2012)While a typical field operation requires yearly from 40 to 50 acres of land and 3 to 4 weekly crop protection applications for pest control, greenhouse cultivation only needs a fraction of the space of land and reduces pest control aspersions by 80 percent. At the same time, the automated irrigation system utilized by these greenhouses allows for a more efficient use of water by providing just the right amount needed, thus eliminating waste. In addition, the benefits of greenhouse technology results in For every kilogram grown conventionally, 8-10 kilograms are grown in a greenhouse.; Water use per kg grown is significantly reduced; There is no soil pollution; Water used at a greenhouse is disinfected and treated, in order to be reused at the crop and services; The potential yield of 1 greenhouse hectare is 700 percent greater compared to conventional farming.( https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/our-commitment/grow-on)
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
90360303020100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6030 - The farm as an enterprise;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
The Associates degree program in Agribusiness will focus on best agricultural practices in controlled environments and economic development through career pathways in the FANR fields (Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources,)Improvement of Greenhouse agriculture in controlled environments and the overall impact expected from the need state above is growth in the field of controlled environment, food safety,marketin and entrepreneurship of potential rural farmersDevelop professionals that will be effectively integrated in Puerto Rico's agricultural activities, which will allow for them to contribute in the reduction of the agri-food industry crisis; Integrate innovative and proactive professionals in the entrepreneurship and agriculturefield; Providethenecessaryknowledge,skillsandattitudesthatwillpromotethegraduatesto perform as successful professionals in the agri-businessfield; Develop the necessary competences for the graduates to create and design theirown agriculturebusiness; Deliver the essential information for the development of an effective and competitive agro-food products marketingplan; Createawarenessandengagementintheimportanceofaneffectivecommunicationprotocols, team work abilities and be able to apply critical thinking and analysis to solve problems as they arise.Dewey University Mission statement states that.. "higher education institution that creates and provides a learning environment suitable for intellectual and cultural development for our students bringing together technology, critical analysis, research, and communication skills". Model after John Dewey Educational principles experiential learning is ` a simple description of learning cycle - how experience is translated into concepts, which in turn are used guides in the choice of new experiences'.. Once made visible and critically transformed by refection, they can turn into means of enriching thought and action. Reijo Miettinen (2000) The concept of experiential learning and John Dewey's theory of reflective thought and action, International Journal of Lifelong Education, 19:1, 54-72,DOI: 10.1080/026013700293458 https://doi.org/10.1080/026013700293458One of Dewey long term institutional goals is linked to recovery and resilience of Puerto Rico by providing new programs that are consistent with the needs of Puerto Rico and a underserve population that for year have had inadequate educational opportunities. Amongst Dewey Goals and Institutional Objectives it states: "Develop structures that will guarantee the continuous diversification of the academic offer as a response to the needs and interest of the student community and the employment market" Dewey University Institutional Catalog 2020.Dewey University, in response to the re-construction of agricultural sector seeks to develop young entrepreneurs, small farmers and disadvantaged rural students to fulfill the jobs necessary to improve the agricultural sector.The agribusiness program would support this type of industry for young entrepreneurs by providing an agricultural knowledge based on practice and the best practices in Greenhouse technologies with marketin., The Program Objectives for the Agribusiness program strives on: Develop professionals that will be effectively integrated in Puerto Rico's agricultural activities, which will allow for them to contribute in the reduction of the agri-food industry crisis; Integrate innovative and proactive professionals in the entrepreneurship and agriculture field; Provide the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes that will promote the graduates to perform as successful professionals in the agri-business field; Develop the necessary competences for the graduates to create and design their own agriculture business; Deliver the essential information for the development of an effective and competitive agro-food products marketing plan; Create awareness and engagement in the importance of an effective communication protocols, team work abilities and be able to apply critical thinking and analysis to solve problems as they arise.
Project Methods
Educational Need Areas ENA 1) Curricula Design and library resources. As a recently implemented program December 2020, To provide a state-of-the-art library resource center both with on-line and reference books and journal in order to provide student with a center for agricultural research to be used as an outreach to the community and other farmers in the area. Bothe the PI and Librarian will revise and identity curriculum resources both hard copies and on-line. They will develop the agricultural research areas equipped with 5 lap tops, 5 Desktops and faculty user friendly video conferencing systemENA 2: Instructional Delivery Systems. To design and develop hybrid and on line course to address the Covid 19 protocols as well as promote alternative instructional methodologies. The identified platform to be used is CANVAS a robust, learning platform. We propose a comprehensive approach to course development, informed by research and carried out by a highly qualified Instructional Designer with the faculty). Faculty teaching hybrid courses will receive training on the use of online teaching tools and methodologies, LMS essentials, and using CANVAS to deliver online courses, to be provided by the Institutional Instructional Designer. DU-JD needs enhancement of the technology infrastructure and necessary bandwidth to support distance delivery of the proposed courses. The bandwidth is provide through USAC FCC Library program. The strategy of developing high-quality hybrid courses is aimed at providing our large population of working students increased flexibility to earn a associate degree, instructional methodologies with agricultural technology in our institution.Learning Management System including experiential learning to provide the competencies and leadership necessary for complex problems from greenhouse technologies and automation, pest control, conservation and sustainability,ENA 3: Student Recruitment, Retention and Educational equity. To provide educational access and equity to rural first generation college Puerto Rican students in food an agricultural sciences by establish a mentoring program and student scholarships to attend college.Mentoring/Advising Promotes Persistence. An overarching element of the proposed academic support system is a mentoring/advising program, a student-centered service incorporating strategies supported by evidence of effectiveness (see below). After careful consideration, a "faculty to student" mentoring model was selected as the most appropriate approach, given our small campus, intimate environment, and the fact that currently faculty informally serve in an advising capacity to students. An advantage/unique aspect of having faculty serve as mentors is the possibility of providing a combination of academic assistance, traditional academic advising, and personal/career counseling, as appropriate. Mentors will engage with students one-on-one and also reach out to students through social media, to provide intrusive support for persisting through the FANH education pipeline.. In implementing Mentoring services, we will infuse strategies demonstrating statistically-significant evidence of effectiveness in a study that meets WWC evidence standards.The overall structure for the Mentoring program will incorporate the following elements (1) meeting with students to set long-term goals and map college success plans for on-time degree completion; (2) maintaining contact with students through regular on-campus meetings, e-mail, texting, social media, and/or phone calls; (3) preparing students for more autonomy so they can successfully navigate college, including learning to seek support/guidance when needed; (4) alerting students of upcoming deadlines and opportunities, such as financial aid and enrollment deadlinesResearch carried out to examine the effects of a personalized student mentoring approach on college persistence and completion rates found a positive correlation between the mentoring services and postsecondary persistence. The study reporting these results was reviewed by the What Works Clearinghouse and meets the definition of "moderate evidence of effectiveness." Specifically, the study examined whether InsideTrack increased rates of staying in and graduating from college and found that students assigned to receive InsideTrack mentoring were significantly more likely than students in the comparison group to remain enrolled at their institutions (Bettinger and Baker, 2011).In addition, a summer bridge component will be develop tied to the local Puerto Rico School department agricultural vocational school, grades 11 and 12 thus developing career pathways in FANH fields. The Bridge program will be developed for 20 students in a two week session covering the careers in food and Agricultural Science , Greenhouse production and leadership skills.Dewey University Agribusiness program emerges from the importance of having food sustainability and industry growth for the agricultural sector. This proposal seeks to enhance and develop different partnerships with public and private entities to engage the community in the growth of agricultural services in controlled environments and entrepreneurship skills needed to manage agricultural industries.

Progress 08/01/21 to 07/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target populstiao for Dewey University Agribusiness project were all the students enrolled in the duration of the projectfor the four years including the extension which amounted to 15 students per year for a total 60 Changes/Problems:First was the 2017 Hurrican irma and Maria were the island still recovering has onlly used less than 10% of the 80 b from FEMA, Housing and Disater Recoveery, this was followedby the eathquake of 2020, 1/3 of the campus had to be closed, the Pandemia 2020, Hurricane Fiona 2022 and migration due to these disasters. The other factor was the change of project director in year 2 due to professional opportunities and the difficulty in recruimnt of qualified professor to meet the standars fo our accreditating agency What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training and professional develoment was mostly in LMS model utilizing CANVAS a professional development for theacher using the platform and best practices to implent technogy in their classroom, we also promoted the particpation in agricultural fairs and other collaborations wiht uour partners i.e Agroinova and another with SEGAR which included Dewey in the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Devlepment Program with additional funding to supppoer the ENA In addition we established a Production Coordinator for a graduatesudent which was effective in the communiccation with the students and managing our indoor controlled greenjhuse laboratory (laboratory facilities were paid by institutional funds and donations) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dewey Universith Juana Daiahas made excellent strives in the community we hav advisory board for all programs, the agribusiness was succefull in bring farmers and agribusiness paatners to the University. The Project Director canvas over 30 agribusinees companies throughout the south and northeast includin the Assocition of Agronomis and Agriculture and the CTE Vocation Agribusiness shcoll for the Puerto Rico Department of Education. In addtion with the partnerhips we develop over 20 agribusiness short courses that were utilized for student experinetial learning and for recruitment strategis thorugh a partnershiip with Grant funds, Agroiinvoa (succesful non for profit in enhancing agricutrual development and workshops for Beginningfarmers, Anacuguita (Greenhouse company) and SEGAR (BFRDP). In addito our graduate studnet Production Coordinator worke with local shcolls and the community to promote the program Recruitment: Achievement Reached: Establishment of responsive communication channels with schools, organizations, and institutions involved in agriculture. As part of this effort, various participants were selected, including: COSSAO Puerto Rico Farmers Association Puerto Rico Farmers Cooperative Hacienda Anacagüita Finca Pitahaya Finca Tres Once Centro Agrícola Agrozone Eastern Soil and Water Conservation District AgroInnova in Caguas Agromercado del Corazón in Hatillo Corp. Las Finqueras Hacienda Cassandra These collaborations aimed to promote the development of recruitment events. In addition, more than 50 students were reached through participation in the Senior Fair held at the San Juan Convention Center on October 3 and 4, 2023. Furthermore, the value proposition of the Agribusiness program was presented at the FFA convention in May 2023 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Dorado, Puerto Rico. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Improvement of Greenhouse agriculture in controlled environments and the overall impact expected from the need state above is growth in the field of controlled environment, food safety,marketin and entrepreneurship of potential rural farmers. The curriculum and revisions using grant funds addressed the improvement of Greenhouse agriculture, all topics were covered during the associates degree and 90% of students continued in the agribusiness field in puerto Rico Providethenecessaryknowledge,skillsandattitudesthatwillpromotethe graduatesto perform as successful professionals in the agri-businessfield; Develop the necessary competences for the graduates to create and design theirown agriculturebusiness; Deliver the essential information for the development of an effective and competitive agro-food products marketingplan; Createawarenessandengagementintheimportanceofaneffectivecommunicationprotocols, team work abilities and be able to apply critical thinking and analysis to solve problems as they arise.The curriuclum and revisions addresed these topics during the implementation, most graduated developed their own agribusiness marketing plans and subsequeintly opene or continue their own agriculture practices. Activities for experinetial learning included trips to existing frms and crops so the students could explore the variety of crop production in Puerto Rico. In addition the students and the Project Director developed an Agribuiness Student Asociation for their support and annual AGro Expo was developed in the campus to invite local agribuiness companies fro the South sector of the Island which has the largest concentration of the Agricultural output in Island. Professor actively encouraged group work and effective comunications skills as para to the educational experience Educational Need Areas ENA 1) Curricula Design and library resourcesTo provide a state-of-the-art library resource center both with on-line and reference books and journal in order to provide student with a center for agricultural research to be used as an outreach to the community and other farmers in the area.This objective was covered during the first year and implement with new computers and agribusiness library collection. ENA 2To design and develop hybrid and online course to address the Covid 19 protocols as well as promote alternative instructional methodologies. The identified platform to be used is CANVAS a robust, learning platform. The rroogram due to COVID had to be implemented on line these was done succesfully and retion rates stayed at close to 85% Form a curriculum review committee consisting of professors and experts in the areas of agriculture and agribusiness. The committee was formed by Professors María Rojas, Michael García, Dr. Javier E. Pérez Lafont, and Dr. William Ubiñas. Professors María Rojas, Michael García, and Dr. Javier E. Pérez Lafont have been responsible for updating the content. The review conducted has focused on aligning the associate degree program in agribusiness with the standards and requirements of the island's current economic reality and those specified by the accrediting agency ABHES. The recommendations submitted by the agribusiness team enhance the quality of education offered, ensuring the rigor and effectiveness of the agribusiness academic program. The review has integrated the inclusion of agricultural technology by incorporating innovative teaching methods. Eight (8) syllabi were reviewed, including: AGRE 101 Types of Soil;AGRE 102 Greenhouse Typology;AGRE 104 Introduction to Controlled Environment Agriculture AGRE 105 Greenhouse Planting and Cultivation;AGRE 106 Agricultural Pesticides;AGRE 200 Plant Nutrition and Fertilizers AGRE 201 Integrated Pest Management;AGRE 204 Post-Harvest Management. ENA 3: To provide educational access and equity to rural first-generation college Puerto Rican students in food an agricultural sciences by establish a mentoring program and student scholarships to attend college.Student Recrutiment Retention and Eductional Equity. The scholarship program was implente the las year and educational equity was demonstrated through 100% minority students and 30% women, mentoritn was erformed by the faculty and coordinated with the Project Director Retintion and Graudation were boht at 85% Agricultural Academic Offerings of the Continuing Education Agribusiness Program Achievement Reached: Create and expand the academic offerings. Nine (9) new continuing education courses were developed. The DU Vice Presidency approved all 9 workshops offered during the September to December 2023 term. Participation was as follows: Principles of Soil Conservation: 14 participants Organic Matter: 5 participants Production and Cultivation in Pots: 18 participants Production and Cultivation of Culantro: 17 participants Production and Cultivation in Hydroponic Systems: 20 participants Marketing Plan: 17 participants Entrepreneurship Perspectives: 14 participants Production Cost Analysis: 13 participants Commercial Rabbit Production: 13 participants All workshops were conducted in a virtual format.

Publications


    Progress 08/01/22 to 07/31/23

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Our target audiencefor this report year was 30 students for the agribusiness program,thiese students are from disadvantage sectors and based on census date most are on the poverty line or slightly above themedian income of Puerto Rico.($19,775) our recruitmenteffortsthrough our Production Asistant (student) was effective in helping the project Dirctor coordinate the program and for faculty support for mentoring and retention. In additon our targer audience included small farmers and ranchers, colaborations with other agricultural entities and vocational agricultural schools Changes/Problems:Change of Project Directors and the recuperation form all the natural disasters in the island hurricanes Irma and Maria 2017, earthquakes2020, Covid 19 2020and Huriicane Fiona 2022 What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?These were mostly fo address the Covid epidemic and on line trainingfor professors and workshops in the use of technology including retention strategies. In adtion profesors benefitted form the instituion profesional develop offerings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dismentation was mostlythrough our Production Assitant, visits to the Vocational Agricultural schools and visits to agribusiness companies in the areas (20), development of workshop supported by our partner SEGAR (BFRDP) and Agroiinova which enhanced our diseminationand students experientiallearninng opportunites What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This would bethe final report of the grant from 2021-2024 which includes the extension

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Develop professionals that will be effectively integrated in Puerto Rico's agricultural activities, which will allow for them to contribute in the reduction of the agri-food industry crisis; Integrate innovative and proactive professionals in the entrepreneurship and agriculturefield; Providethenecessaryknowledge,skillsandattitudesthatwillpromotethegraduatesto perform as successful professionals in the agri-businessfield; Develop the necessary competences for the graduates to create and design theirown agriculturebusiness; Deliver the essential information for the development of an effective and competitive agro-food products marketingplan; Createawarenessandengagementintheimportanceofaneffectivecommunicationprotocols, team work abilities and be able to apply critical thinking and analysis to solve problems as they arise. For this progress report we addresed most of these goarls through our curriculum revision, faculty and experiential learning through workshops with our partners Agroiinova, and SEGAR Beginning Farmers andRancher Program in order to leverage curriculum activites. The students engaged in the marketingand agriubsinees project business plans particulary the second year students, our experience faculty engaged with the student to promote best practicesand implement the competencies for student for succes FANH pipeline The Agricultural Resource Library centerwas completed with additional 10 desktop computers and curriuculumrevion was finishedto enhance and update the curriculumwith experiental learnng outcomes.

    Publications


      Progress 08/01/21 to 07/31/22

      Outputs
      Target Audience:The impacted audience has been Students of the Academic Associate Degree in Agribusiness. This population is made up mostly of young people over 20 years of age residing in the southern area of Puerto Rico. Changes/Problems:Due to supply chain issues, higher shipping cost, and inflation, the cost of the computers and video conferencing equipment exceeds the amount requested. We have had to make adjustments in the budget to be able to carry out the activities without affecting the final outcomes. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?By the next progress report we will be finishing the Agriculture Library Research Center. That it will have the necessary equipment and technology so that students can carry out research and theoretical courses can also be offered virtually. The academic curriculum will be reviewed and updated. It will also be prepared to offer agribusiness courses virtually. A summer bridge component will be developed tied to the local Puerto Rico School department agricultural vocational school, grades 11 and 12 thus developing career pathways in FANH fields. The Bridge program will be developed for 20 students in a two week session covering the careers in food and Agricultural Science, Greenhouse production and leadership skills.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? So far wehave made the design and selection of the equipment items necessary to support development the Agricultural Library Research Center. This facility willprovide modern videoconferencing instructional tools for educating and training in the Agribusiness curriculum and other related FANH fields. In addition, this Library Research Center will have reference books that have already been purchases and 10 desktops computers that will be available to sutdents, faculty and community. Work has already begun for For ENA 2 instructional Delivery Systems 12 Agribusiness courses, to be converted into hybrid courses with the Instructional Designer. Instructional Designer and facultywho have been identified and has already begun on revising the curriculum and 4 syllabus are being reviewed by faculty.

      Publications