Source: UNIV OF MARYLAND submitted to NRP
COLLABORATION AND SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0207470
Grant No.
2006-38640-17147
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2006-04469
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 15, 2006
Project End Date
Jul 14, 2011
Grant Year
2006
Program Code
[MA.1]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MARYLAND
(N/A)
COLLEGE PARK,MD 20742
Performing Department
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Non Technical Summary
Agriculture faces issues of profitability, environmental stewardship adn impacts on rural communities. This project will help coordinate the four regional research and education efforts and help communicate the results to a broader audience.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
9017110310033%
9027110310033%
9037110303034%
Goals / Objectives
Sustainable agriculture programs in the U.S. have continued to expand and diversify. Federal funded programs in sustainable agriculture research, education and extension are coordinated through the Office of Sustainable Agriculture Programs at USDA-CSREES. This office works with university-based staff at a number of U.S. institutions to develop, implement, and carry out programs. It is the intent of the proposed effort to provide support for national programs in sustainable agriculture, through coordinating and communicating functions
Project Methods
Coordination and communication are seen as a need for support of national sustainable agriculture programs. These positions and sets of responsibilities are expected to be complementary to regional staffing and programs carried out under the auspices of national sustainable agriculture programs. The two responsibility areas could be met through five full-time positions, an Associate Director, Communications Specialist, Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) Coordinator, a Research Associate and a Program Specialist

Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Program Analysis: Project database development is on-going, information about each funded project is being entered. This will allow the program to examine and evaluate the portfolio of projects to determine future funding decisions and to work at integrating project results into professional development programs. The electronic reporting system for SARE funded project reports has been enhanced to make information in the reports more accessible. Program Communications: Several publications were developed and distributed based on a survey of information needs; the bulletin titled Diversifying Cropping Systems and the book, Building Soils for Better Crops were reprinted due to demand. A new book, Youth Renewing the Countryside was printed. Program Outreach: Strategies were initiated with the goal that farmers and ranchers would become more familiar with and adapt sustainable production and marketing techniques in the operations. Several promotional efforts through mailings and conferences targeted extension and farm audiences with information about SARE products. PARTICIPANTS: Kim Kroll, work with regional offices to facilitate program, participate in regional and national meetings, assist in planning and development activities, communicate sustainable agriculture information to diverse audiences, develop reports and material on sustainable agriculture, compile information on projects and results of projects funded by USDA on sustainable agriculture. Andy Clark, management of SAN projects including print publications, CD-ROM production and web site access, communicate sustainable agriculture information to diverse audiences, develop outreach strategies for SARE material Dena Liebman, work with regional communications specialists to develop communications strategy, facilitate development of publication materials, edit and review publications, respond to information requests on grants and programs, provide information on program activities to media contacts. Diana Friedman, evaluate SARE project reports and translate research results into extension and farmer ready products, work with other USDA agencies to determine process for utilizing SARE research results, identify projects that can be promoted to SAN publications Amanda Rodrigues, coordinate communication activities, analyzes SARE database to categorize information to help develop topical publications, assist in preparing program information bulletins, promotional fliers and reports. TARGET AUDIENCES: Farmers, agriculture educators, researchers, NGOs, with print and web based material and online course instruction. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The database of projects will allow the decision makers to evaluate program gaps and determine future funding directions. Research scientists and educators will be able to examine past and current projects and develop proposals to expand the knowledge base of sustainable agriculture and provide better information to farmers and extension. The publications will provide farmers and agriculture educators with additional resources on sustainable agriculture practices.

Publications

  • Diversifying Cropping Systems 2004 http://www.sare.org/publications/diversify/index.htm
  • Youth Renewing the Countryside 2009 http://www.sare.org/publications/youth/Youth%20Book.pdf
  • Building Soils for Better Crops, 3rd Edition 2009 http://www.sare.org/publications/bsbc/bsbc.pdf


Progress 07/15/08 to 07/14/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Program Analysis: Project database development is on-going, information about each funded project is being entered. This will allow the program to examine and evaluate the portfolio of projects to determine future funding decisions and to work at integrating project results into professional development programs. The electronic reporting system for SARE funded project reports has been enhanced to make information in the reports more accessible. Program Communications: Several publications are in the development stage. Program Outreach: Strategies were initiated with the goal that farmers and ranchers would become more familiar with and adapt sustainable production and marketing techniques in their operations. Several promotional efforts through mailings and conferences targeted to farmer and extension audiences with information about SARE products. PARTICIPANTS: Kim Kroll, work with regional offices to facilitate program, participate in regional and national meetings, assist in planning and development activities, communicate sustainable agriculture information to diverse audiences, develop reports and material on sustainable agriculture, compile information on projects and results of projects funded by USDA on sustainable agriculture. Andy Clark, management of SAN projects including print publications, CD-ROM production and web site access, communicate sustainable agriculture information to diverse audiences, develop outreach strategies for SARE material Dena Liebman, work with regional communications specialists to develop communications strategy, facilitate development of publication materials, edit and review publications, respond to information requests on grants and programs, provide information on program activities to media contacts. Diana Friedman, evaluate SARE project reports and translate research results into extension and farmer ready products, work with other USDA agencies to determine process for utilizing SARE research results, identify projects that can be promoted to SAN publications Amanda Rodrigues, coordinate communication activities, analyzes SARE database to categorize information to help develop topical publications, assist in preparing program information bulletins, promotional fliers and reports. Andy Zieminski, produce books and bulletins written for Extension educators, farmers and other agricultural audiences, assist with media/stakeholder outreach projects and manage photo database, email and mailing lists. TARGET AUDIENCES: Farmers, agriculture educators, researchers, NGOs, with print and web based material and online course instruction. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The database of projects will allow the decision makers to evaluate program gaps and determine future funding directions. Research scientists and educators will be able to examine past and current projects and develop proposals to expand the knowledge base of sustainable agriculture and provide better information to farmers and extension. The publications will provide farmers and agriculture educators with additional resources on sustainable agriculture practices.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 07/15/07 to 07/14/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Program Analysis: Project database development is on-going, information about each funded project is being entered. This will allow the program to examine and evaluate the portfolio of projects to determine future funding decisions and to work at integrating project results into professional development programs. The electronic reporting system for SARE funded project reports has been enhanced to make information in the reports more accessible. Program Communications: Several publications were developed and distributed based on a survey of information needs; a bulletin titled Clean Energy Farming and fact sheets for extension and producers called Ag Innovations. PARTICIPANTS: Kim Kroll, work with regional offices to facilitate program, participate in regional and national meetings, assist in planning and development activities, communicate sustainable agriculture information to diverse audiences, develop reports and material on sustainable agriculture, compile information on projects and results of projects funded by USDA on sustainable agriculture. Andy Clark, management of SAN projects including print publications, CD-ROM production and web site access, communicate sustainable agriculture information to diverse audiences, develop outreach strategies for SARE material Dean Liebman, work with regional communications specialists to develop communications strategy, facilitate development of publication materials, edit and review publications, respond to information requests on grants and programs, provide information on program activities to media contacts. Diana Friedman, evaluate SARE project reports and translate research results into extension and farmer ready products, work with other USDA agencies to determine process for utilizing SARE research results, identify projects that can be promoted to SAN publications Amanda Rodrigues, coordinate communication activities, analyzes SARE database to categorize information to help develop topical publications, assist in preparing program information bulletins, promotional fliers and reports. TARGET AUDIENCES: Farmers, agriculture educators, researchers, NGOs, with print and web based material and online course instruction. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The database of projects will allow the decision makers to evaluate program gaps and determine future funding directions. Research scientists and educators will be able to examine past and current projects and develop proposals to expand the knowledge base of sustainable agriculture and provide better information to farmers and extension. The publications will provide farmers and agriculture educators with additional resources on sustainable agriculture practices.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Program Analysis: Project database development is on-going, information about each funded project is being entered. This will allow the program to examine and evaluate the portfolio of projects to determine future funding decisions and to work at integrating project results into professional development programs. The electronic reporting system for SARE funded project reports has been enhanced to make information in the reports more accessible. Program Communications: One publication was recently completed, Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd Edition. Several new publications are in the development stage. Program Outreach: Strategies were initiated with the goal that farmers and ranchers would become more familiar with and adapt sustainable production and marketing techniques in the operations. Several promotional efforts through mailings and conferences targeted extension and farm audiences with information about SARE products. The program is in the planning stages for a national conference in the spring of 2008. PARTICIPANTS: Kim Kroll, work with regional offices to facilitate programs,participate in regional and national meetings, assist in planning and development activities, communicate sustainable agriculture information to diverse audiences, develop reports and materials on sustainable agriculture, compile information on projects and results of projects funded by USDA on sustainable agriculture Andy Clark, management of SAN projects including print publications, CD-ROM production and website access, communicate sustainable agriculture information to diverse audiences, develop outreach strategies for SARE material Dena Liebman, work with regional communications specialists to develop communications strategy, facilitate development of publication materials Edit and review publications, respond to information requests on grants and programs, provide information on program activities to media contacts Diana Friedman, evaluate SARE project reports and translate research results into extension and farmer ready products, work with other USDA agencies to determine process for utilizing SARE research results, identify projects that can be promoted in SAN publications Amanda Rodrigues, coordinates communication activities, analyzes SARE database to categorize information to help develop topical publications, assists in preparing program information bulletins, promotional fliers and reports TARGET AUDIENCES: Farmers, agriculture educators, researchers, NGOs, with print and web based material and an online course.

Impacts
The database of projects will allow the decision makers to evaluate program gaps and determine future funding directions. Research scientists and educators will be able to examine past and current projects and develop proposals to expand the knowledge base of sustainable agriculture and provide better information to farmers and extension. The publications will provide farmers and agriculture educators with additional resources on sustainable agriculture practices. Working with the regional SARE offices several evaluation efforts are in progress to determine impacts of the various programs.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period