Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:In this reporting period, we engaged eight students as summer interns working on Extension and research projects in cropping systems innovation, climate smart agriculture, and science communication. Each internship combined applied research components with county extension programming. The interns completd 10-weeks, 400 hours, and they wereco-mentored by county extension directors and research faculty mentors. Of the eight interns,six (80%) were from NC State, the host institution, and two(25%) were from a non-host institution, University of Mount Olive. Changes/Problems:From approximately late March to June, 2025, this grant was removed from the federal payment system. Therefore, we could not move forward with three plan of work items. First, we were unable to provide online professional development modules for the interns. Second, we were unable to plan and conduct our annual professional learning tour. The intended location was N. C. A&T State University where interns would see cropping systems research. This will be conducted in a future year during the grant cycle. Third, we were not able to plan our annual advisory group meeting for 2025 during the Extension Internship Showcase in Raleigh.As the grant was restored on or about June 16, 2025, we are now making plans for all of these learning opportunities in 2026. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Each of the interns participated in robust training and professionald evelopment opportunities. All of the interns participated in an extensive orientation session that discussed Extension program development including needs assessment and reporting. They received instruction from both the program coordinator and the local County Extension Directors on internship goals, objectives, first impressions and professionalism, information technology, and time mangement. The interns in Western North Carolina received instruction in soil sampling techniques,data collection, and record-keeping. Interns toured the N. C. Plant Sciences Buidling to gain a first-hand view of ongoing plant science ersearch and interact with PSI researchers and graduate students. Each intern received information about graduate programs supporting a research and Extension career at NC State University. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated to communities of interst in a number of ways. Our Summer Internship Showcase provided interns the opportunity to interact with researchers and Extension professionals from across the state. Interns presneted posters to other interns, Extension professionals, PSI researchers, and University adnministrators. This was an important opportunity to learn about professional job openings as well as opportunities for graduate school in the food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences. A statewide news release was used in 35 counties to promote the work of Extension interns A new LinkedIn page, NC State Extension Summer Internship Program Alumni and Supporters page was launched to share the ongoing activities and results of the porgram. In the first six months, LinkedIn users made 9,620 post views to learn about the work being done. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, Dr. Joseph Donaldson, PI and Project Director, will colloborate woith County Extension Directors near Appalachian Sate University, Fayetteville State University, Elizabeth City State University, and N. C. A&T State University to recruit intern applicants. Our overall goal is to have a minimum of 50% of interns from outside the host institution (NC State University).

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? For each of the eight integrated research and Extension internships, interns were mentored by local Extension professionals and research faculty who are part of theNC Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI). In Cherokee, Haywood, and Henderson Counties, three interns worked with theScience andTechnology for Phosphorus Sustainability Center (STEPS). The interns were an instrumental part of the research and Extension team who took soil samples with a manual auger from 67 sites in Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke,Caldwell, Cherokee, Haywood, Henderson, Graham, Transylvania, and Yancey counties in Western North Carolina, all counties recovering from the Hurricane Helene devastation. The interns tooktwo samples for each site-one topsoil sample (0-15 cm) and one subsoil sample (15-30 cm)-and then processedand mailed samples to the University of Florida to analyze phosphorus levels. The interns created a maphighlighting each sample site, including coordinates, site histories and conditions, and soil type (perUS Soil Survey).The data obtained from these soil samples will work as a foundational baseline for the STEPSplan toreduce mined phosphorus use by 25% in the next 25 years. The interns learned about the need for more sustainablephosphorus extraction and use practices, utilizing some of the reservoirs that the interns have helped identify for further research. In Columbus County, the intern worked with four commercial blueberry farms in neighboring Bladen and Pender counties. The interns assessed plants for growth and hardiness, conducted hand harvests, and conducted yield montioring. The Extension professionals and intern taught the growers how the yield monitoring could help with number and poundage estimates, labor cost determinations, thus, maximizing efficiency. The intern used artificial intelligence to solve in-field problems for the growers. The intern beta-tested a tool developed by NC State PSI researchers that uses image detection to analyze images of blueberry plants to assess ripeness yield. In Union and Washington Counties, interns engaged in beta-testing technologies (under developed by the N.C. PSI and other researchers) on local farms. The intern used a multispectral scanner, which detects viruses before symptoms appear in plants by observing wavelengths in plant tissue. Subsequently, the intern provided feedback on the scanner and its usability in the field. The interns assisted local extension professionals in conducting nematode-resistant soybean variety trials on nematode-free land, corn hybrid variety trials, and peanut variety trials. In a Washington County local test plot, the intern and Extension professionals spread crab shells at different rates, using different application methods on soybeans that were planted on land with high levels of root-knotnematodes.The results were shared with local farmers as part of ongoing Extension education efforts.

Publications