Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Arkansas Forestry Commission is the foremost authority on forest management in the state of Arkansas. They participated in three workshops in Southwestern Arkansas where they displayed an exhibit and spoke to participants one-on-one, as well as, provided a presentation on timber management. The counties affected include Hempstead, Little River, Sevier, Nevada, Clark, Miller, Lafayette, Ouachita, Howard, Pulaski Counties, Arkansas and Bowie County, Texas. One hundred and sixteen (116) participants learned about programs and services available through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD). The project hosted a nature trail walk for ten (10) young scholars. The event was sponsored by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Silas H. Hunt Community Development Corporation and the Arkansas Forestry Commission as an alternative spring break. Twenty two (22) students and six (6) adults attended a nature walk activity with the project staff and the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Participants learned about tree management, wild herbs, value added products and tunnel houses. The project also held the 1890 Small Scale Producers meeting in New Boston, TX. The participants learned about the NRCS EQIP program and Conservation Plans, Wildlife Management, Beef Selection, Pasture Management, Pond Management, and Timber Management. The project conducted one field visit with Arkansas Forestry Commission. The landowner requested information to establish timber land. The landowner also spoke with NRCS agents about financial and technical assistance for implementing timber conservation practices. Eleven timber owners requested information about timber resources and Arkansas Forestry Commission contact information. PARTICIPANTS: Leslie J. Glover, Principle Investigator received no funds from this grant. Henry English Co-Investigator received no funds from this grant. Kandi Williams an Extension Associate worked approximately 560 hours and was compensated by the project. The partner organizations include: the Arkansas Forestry Commission the USDA agencies (Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Rural Development), Silas H. Hunt Community Development Corporation, and University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is Small Scale and Socially Disadvantaged farmers in eastern and southwestern Arkansas who have woodlands on their property. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Several timber owners requested information after a forest fire destroyed hundreds of acres in Sevier County. The Arkansas Forestry Commission "Fire Wise" program provided valuable information to these landowners. In addition to reaching adults, the RREA program reached out to youth who may one day own the forested area now owned by their parents. Ten (10) University of Arkansas Silas H. Hunt Scholars provided community service as their Alternative Spring Break. In addition, twenty two (22) students and six (6) adults went on a nature walk with the Arkansas Forestry Commission. The participants had an opportunity to learn about the forest as a natural resource rather than simply wooded land.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The RREA Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) was designed to provide forest stewardship education to Limited Resource Farmers (LRFs) in eastern and southwestern Arkansas. As a first step in accomplishing this goal, the Principal Investigator and the Co-Investigator Met with the Arkansas State Forester and his staff as well as the Resource Conservation District (RC&D) Coordinator of Southwestern Arkansas. The meeting was used to devise a strategy to increase participation of LRFs in AFC programs. The group decided to take a two pronged approach of having workshops and one-on-one conferences with farmers who had small woodlots on their land and used the services of UAPB Small Farm Extension Associates. The group devised a strategy to help the farmers meet the matching component of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through its' Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) as well as providing information to allow farmers to retire marginal land from row crops through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). UAPB partnered with Tennessee State University (TSU), the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development (RD), Silas H. Hunt Community Development Corporation (SHCDC), and University of Arkansas Community College at Hope (UACCH) during the 5 year period. A large quantity of forestry educational material was distributed, cost share programs were implemented and an outreach coordinator was hired by AFC. TSU used its mobile lab to teach participants how to obtain forestry information and to sharpen their basic computer skills. A forestry CD that contained information on forestry improvement practices, seedling cost, federal cost share programs and a list of private forestry consultants was provided. Tree management and services offered by AFC were discussed including the fact that AFC will develop a free forestry management plan for participants. Additional information was provided by the Farm Services Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD). Workshops were conducted in Central Arkansas, Eastern Arkansas and in Southwestern Arkansas. PARTICIPANTS: Leslie J. Glover, Principle Investigator received no funds from this grant. Henry English Co-Investigator received no funds from this grant. During the 5 year period, 4 Extension Associates (Kandi Williams - approximately 1360 hours; Janet Breckenridge - approximately 800 hours; Carolyn Prowell - approximately 800 hours and Stephan Walker - 200 hours) worked on and was compensated by this project. The partner organizations include: the Arkansas Forestry Commission the USDA agencies (Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Rural Development), Silas H. Hunt Community Development Corporation, and University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is Limited Resource Farmers (LRFs) in eastern and southwestern Arkansas who have woodlands on their property. -More than 850 contacts have been made through the project with LRFs about improving their woodlots during the last 5 years. - Adoption of forest management techniques by LRFs will take time. Efforts are being made to reach the mature timber owners and young people who may become timber owners. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
-A strategy was devised to help LRFs meet the matching component of EQIP. -AFC hired an outreach coordinator. -Timber owners in Eastern and Southwestern Arkansas have been provided "Firewise" education. Several LRFs requested information after a forest fire destroyed hundreds of acres in Sevier County. -A farmer who has 200 acres of timberland was provided resources from AFC and NRCS to improve his timber operation in 2009 and recommendations were made to a grower about contacting several contractors to obtain bids before cutting timber. -In 2009, three (3) LRFs who have 55 acres of woodlands and a church that owns 2 acres of forest were able to increase their income by selling timber after being made aware of the value of the timber by AFC. However, another LRF sold 40 acres of timber without an appraisal and lost money. -One producer sought legal services after the breach of an agreement. -One producer decided to clear cut his trees and transition to organic vegetables. -Ten University of Arkansas Silas H. Hunt Scholars provided community service as their Alternative Spring Break. -Twenty two students and six adults participated in a nature walk.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: John Shannon, State Forester - Arkansas Forestry Commission, spoke to approximately 20 participants about Arkansas Forestry Commission Programs (AFC) available to landowners in southwestern Arkansas (SWA). He also spoke with young adults about careers with the AFC, the importance of forestry, and his experiences while working with the Forest Service. The AFC also provided activity books and forestry information for youth. The program aide in SWA attended a "Community Forum on Expanding the US Biofuels Market". The forum was coordinated by USDA to discuss the use of woody residues as feedstock in biofuel production. There is considerable interest in this as a potential revenue stream. Three landowners were provided information on forest management, six landowners were provided information on the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, Silvopasture, Tips to Consider When Selling Your Timber, and Sustainable Forestry. No forestry plans were developed. During a "Resource and Job Fair" in Dermott, Arkansas on 02/25/2010 at the Phoenix Community Center 60 participants to came by the Small Farms Booth all of the participants received information on the AFC programs. About 120 pamphlets were given out. The pamphlets included Outdoor Fire Safety, Arkansas FIREWISE, Healthy Forests for Future Generations, Law Enforcement, Tree Seedlings, and Forest Management Guide for Arkansas's Forest Landowners. Sixty (60) pamphlets were distributed on 05/15/2010 at a Dermott Revitalization Group meeting. There were about 35 participants at the meeting. The Mayor of Dermott was in attendance and he expressed an interested in what the Arkansas Forestry Commission could do for the city of Dermott. Twenty-six (26) farmers were informed of the services provided by the AFC in northwestern Arkansas. Ninety-eight percent of cropland farmed by Small and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers is rented, therefore, the operators are unable to make decisions on forestry issues. PARTICIPANTS: Leslie J. Glover, Principal Investigator received no funds from this grant. Henry English, Co-Investigator received no funds from this grant. Janet Breckenridge worked approximately 200 hours on this project. Carolyn Prowell worked approximately 200 hours on this project. Kandi Williams worked approximately 200 hours on this project. Partner organizations included the Arkansas Forestry Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is Small Scale and Socially Disadvantaged farmers in eastern and southwestern Arkansas who have woodlands on their property. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
A considerable amount of information was presented to Small and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers (S&SDF) in eastern and southwestern Arkansas concerning programs offered by the Arkansas Forestry Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. However, few S&SDF's take advantage of the opportunities offered. For example, one landowner sold forty (40) acres of land that had timber on it; however, he did not have the timber appraised. This caused the landowner to loose money on the sale. Some landowners are skeptical about using available services whether they are free or not. Most cropland operated by S&SDF in northeastern Arkansas is rented; therefore, the operators are unable to make decisions on forestry issues because the land owners are located all over the United States and are not availed to the services offered.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: On September 30, 2009 a Forestry meeting held in Eudora, Arkansas - Chicot County with 16 Small Scale and Socially Disadvantaged Producers (SS & SDP's) in attendance. Eudora is a small town in southeastern Arkansas that is surrounded by row crop (soybean, cotton, and corn) operations; however, some SS and SDF's have woodlands on their property. These individuals were invited to the meeting and were given information by representatives from the Arkansas Forestry Commission on Forest Cost Shares Programs, Forestry Laws, Developing a Forest Management Plan, the Rural Fire Protection Program, the Urban Forestry Program, how communities may obtain a $1000 grant to purchase Fire Fighting Equipment and how to become a member of Tree City USA. Participants were also told how to make their home or buildings "Fire-Wise" and 96 pamphlets were given out at the meeting. In southwestern Arkansas, fifty-six (56) landowners were informed about cost share provisions under EQIP for forest improvement. The forest management components of EQIP were approximately $1.3M or 10% of the overall EQIP budget in Arkansas during 2009. A farmer who has 200 acres of timberland was provided resources from the Arkansas Forestry Commission and Natural Resources and Conservation Service to improve his timber operation. Also, a staff member and a producer attended a Forestry Management Workshop. Recommendations were made to a grower about contacting several contractors to obtain bids before cutting timber and twelve growers were provided material on timberland management. PARTICIPANTS: Leslie J. Glover, Principal Investigator received no funds from this grant. Henry English, Co-Investigator received no funds from this grant. Janet Breckenridge worked approximately 200 hours on this project. Carolyn Prowell worked approximately 200 hours on this project. Kandi Williams worked approximately 200 hours on this project. Partner organizations included the Arkansas Forestry Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is Small Scale and Socially Disadvantaged Producers in eastern and southwestern Arkansas who have woodlands on their property. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Ninety six (96) pamphlets were given out at September 30, 2009 meeting in Eudora Arkansas; this improved the knowledge of the participants who had little if any knowledge of what the Arkansas Forestry Commission had to offer. A farmer in southwestern Arkansas who has 200 acres of timberland was provided resources from the Arkansas Forestry Commission and Natural Resources and Conservation Service to improve his timber operation, however, the farmer has not implemented any management practices as of this date. One farmer purchased 10 acres of land, selectively harvested it and made a profit.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Small Farm Unit used the limited funds form the RREA program to augment activities of the "2501 Small Farm Program "at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). The unit worked in cooperation with the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) to provide forestry education to small and Socially Disadvantaged Producers (SDPs) in Arkansas. The targeted areas included Eastern and Southwestern Arkansas. In Eastern Arkansas or the Delta, forestry is not considered to play a major role in the economic condition of producers because this is a row crop (rice, soybean, cotton etc.) area. However, after attending forestry meetings sponsored by UAPB and AFC, three (3) SDPs who own 55 acres of woodlands and a church that owns 2 acres of forest were able to increase their income by selling timber after being made aware of the value of the timber by AFC. Also, the extension associate in Eastern Arkansas arranged for the AFC to examine the 57 acres of forest for the (3) SDPs and the church. The AFC will develop a plan which will let the producers know what can be done with their woodland. Afterwards, management decisions will be made by the landowners. In Southwestern Arkansas, more individuals are employed by the forest industry than any other industry. One of the largest paper mills in the nations is located in Southwestern Arkansas and many SDPs in Southwest Arkansas have woodland on their ranches. In Southwest Arkansas the UAPB Program Aide provided forestry information to approximately twenty one (21) landowners and managers. The program aide coordinated two educational workshops: 1) Bradley Elementary School (24 - 4th graders) participated in forestry management activities, 2) the 2nd Annual Southwest Arkansas Small Farms Conference - 28 participants. The program aide also provided one-on-one assistance to 18 producers who needed forest management resources and directed 3 producers to the AFC for additional assistance. The program aid recommended 1 producer to legal services after the infringement of an agreement and provided information to 1 producer who decided to clear cut his trees while transitioning to organic production of vegetables. Also, 1 producer requested information about replanting trees after harvesting his timber. PARTICIPANTS: Leslie J. Glover is the PI and does not receive any salary from this project. Henry English is Co PI and does not receive any salary from this project. Janet Breckenridge is an Extension Associate and worked 161 hours on this project. Kandi Williams is a program aid and work 161 hours on this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Socially Disadvantaged Producers (SDPs) in Arkansas PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
After attending forestry meetings sponsored by UAPB and AFC, three (3) SDPs in Eastern Arkansas who own 55 acres of woodlands and a church that owns 2 acres of forest were able to increase their income by selling timber after being made aware of the value of the timber by AFC. In Southwestern Arkansas 3 producers were directed to the AFC for additional assistance; 1 producer sought legal services after the infringement of an agreement; and 1 producer decided to clear cut his trees in order to transition to organic vegetable production.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The RREA Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is conducted through workshops and one-on-one meetings. The program is designed to help Limited Resource Farmers (LRF) learn about the resources that are available to help them to improve their woodlands. Most LRF in the state concentrate on cropland and the income from their crops; very little thought is given to woodland. This is primarily due to the fact that they do not know the value of woodlands and the fact that woodlands are long term investments rather than returning income annually. UAPB set out to rectify this situation by providing a series of workshops to bring LRF to the table with agencies that can help them improve their woodland and increase timber production to the point that it can be profitable. Most of the participants were not aware that the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) would develop a management plan for their woodlands free of charge. They did not know that cost share funds were
available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service to implement the plan and they did not know the potential profitability of woodlands. Workshops were held in three areas: In central Arkansas 25 participants were presented information by UAPB, AFC, NRCS, Farm Services Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD). Also in central Arkansas another 10 individuals contacted the local office for information on forestry. In most cases the individuals was refereed to their local AFC representative and advise to request that a forestry management plan be developed for their operation. However, a few individuals requested information on conservation programs, therefore information on the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was provided to them. In Eastern Arkansas 75 individuals participated. This area is not known for woodlands, although there are woodlands on almost every farm. Most operators in this area
concentrate on cropland and the income from their crops; very little thought is given to woodland. The main concerns of these producers were: how much money would they receive for the sale of their timber, how do they contact the AFC, and is there a fee for AFC services? The representative from AFC informed the producers that their services were free, and that a forestry management plan could be developed that would inform them on how to manage their woodland for high timber production. The representative form NRCS reviewed the Environmental Quality Incentive Programs (EQIP) that were available to provide cost share assistance in improving the woodland. In Southwest Arkansas forestry educational presentations and information was presented at two workshops sponsored by the extension associate. Ms. Betty Watkins, AFC urban representative, spoke about tree management and programs available through the AFC and Paul Watkins, AFC Outreach liaison, spoke on forestry management plans
and services at the second meeting. Approximately 47 landowners were provided information on tree management, harvesting, community forestry and federal programs.
PARTICIPANTS: UAPB employees working on the project include: Leslie J. Glover (PI), Henry English (Co-PI), Janet Breckenridge (Extension Associate), Kandi Williams (Extension Associate). and Arlanda Jacobs (Extension Associate). Collaborators include: Arkansas Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Services Agency, Rural Development and Tennessee State University
TARGET AUDIENCES: Limited Resource Farmers who have woodlands.
Impacts
The RREA project allowed UAPB to supplement work that is being done on the 2501 project that the university has. Additional workshops were held that brought 150 limited resource farmers together with personnel from the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as a means of improving their woodlands. Management plans were done on approximately 15 farms. We anticipate that these farmers will apply for assistance from NRCS to implement the plans. No data is available since this is the first year of the program.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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