Progress 06/01/07 to 05/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The information from this project was disseminated to vegetable crops growers in Mississippi and Louisiana by the group of multi-state collaborators. The information generated from this research was disseminated to growers in Mississippi at the Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association annual meetings and to growers attending USDA NRCS workshops. In addition, multi-year demonstration sites in both states were used to faciliate train-the-trainer and farmer training activities. Two undergraduate and 3 graduate students (2 LSU, 1 MSU) received training through the project. PARTICIPANTS: Carl Motsenbocker (PI), LSU AgCenter; Bill Evans, B. Cerven, Mississippi State University; Garish Panicker, Alcorn State University; and Rao Mentreddy, Alabama A and M University. Robert Miller, LSU Louisiana SARE PDP program. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for the organic vegetable and summer cover crops research is small to medium-scale mixed vegetable crop growers that sell primarily through direct marketing channels. The research, however, is also relevant to large-scale vegetable farms as well. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Late spring and summer cover crops can be beneficial in a fall-winter season sustainable vegetable crops management system. There were significant differences in the above ground biomass and weed management from various cover crops. Summer-planted Sesame and Sunn Hemp were selected for their performance and used in demonstration and research trials in Mississippi and Louisiana for the production of fall-planted vegetables. The results for fall-planted cabbage indicated that the type of summer cover crop impacted yield as well as organic fertilizer rate. Summer cover crops can benefit the production of vegetables later in a management system. The proper identification and selection of the summer cover crops and the timing of planting and harvest are critical to insure maximum benefit in the production of organically grown vegetables. Small to medium-scale vegetable growers that sell primarily through direct marketing channels are the target audience for the sustainable/organic vegetable and summer cover crops research. Sustainable and/or organic production research that supports small farm enterprises and enables these businesses to provide more on-farm income is essential.
Publications
- Evans, W., C. Motsenbocker, G. Panicker, R. Mentreddy, and V. Cerven. 2012. Summer cover crop screenings for fall vegetable production in the Gulf States. Presented to the Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. 2012. Annual Conf. Cincinnati, OH. Poster. Volunteered. Abstr. 238-5. http://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2012am/webprogram/Paper72140.html.
|
Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The information from this project was disseminated to vegetable crops growers in Mississippi and Louisiana by a group of multi-state collaborators. The results were used to continue sustainable agriculture research and trainings and reported to the scientific as well as the local agriculture communities. Results were published in two peer-reviewed articles. PARTICIPANTS: C.E. Motsenbocker, (PI), LSU AgCenter; Bill Evans, Truck Crops Research Station, Mississippi State University; Garish Panicker, Alcorn State University; and Rao Mentreddy, Alabama A & M University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small to medium-scale vegetable growers that sell primarily through direct marketing channels are the target audience for the sustainable/organic vegetable and summer cover crops research. Small family farms accounted for over 90% of all the farms in the U.S. and the number of small farms is increasing. Sustainable and/or organic production research that supports small farm enterprises and enables these businesses to provide more on-farm income is essential. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Late spring and summer cover crops can be beneficial in a fall-winter season sustainable vegetable crops management system. Research has shown that there are significant differences in the above-ground biomass and weed management from various cover crops. Summer-planted Sesame and Sunn Hemp were selected for their performance to be used in research trials in Mississippi and Louisiana for the production of fall-planted vegetables. The results for fall-planted cabbage indicated that the type of summer cover crop as well as organic fertilizer rate impacted cabbage yield. The results of this study indicate that summer cover crops can benefit the production of vegetables later in a management system. Proper identification and selection of the summer cover crops and the timing of planting and harvest are critical to insure maximum benefit in the production of organically grown vegetables.
Publications
- Motsenbocker,C.E, W.B. Evans, R. Williams, and A.M. Cordero. 2011. Using Summer Cover Crops for Fall Vegetable Production. HortScience 46(9):S25. (Supplement).
- Motsenbocker,C.E., W.B. Evans, R. Williams, and A.M. Cordero. 2011. Summer Cover Crops for Fall Cabbage Production in Louisiana, 2011, HortScience 46(9):S257. (Supplement).
|
Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A major activity of the summer cover crops research project was to assess the current sustainable practices of vegetable crops growers in Mississippi and Louisiana by the group of multi-state collaborators. The results were used in developing protocols for sustainable agriculture research and trainings and reported to the scientific as well as the local agriculture communities. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Bill Evans, Truck Crops Research Station, Crystal Springs, Mississippi State University; Dr. Chinthakuntla R. Reddy, Alcorn State University; and Dr. Rao Mentreddy, Alabama A and M University were the primary organic and cover crops research trial collaborators. One undergraduate and 2 graduate students received training through the project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small to medium-scale vegetable growers that sell primarily through direct marketing channels are the target audiences for the organic vegetable and summer cover crops research. Although the research is also relevant to large-scale vegetable farms as well. Small family farms accounted for over 90 % of all the farms in the U.S. and the number of small farms is increasing. Sustainable and/or organic production research that supports small farm enterprises and enables these businesses to provide more on-farm income is essential. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Summer cover crops can play a role in fall-winter season sustainable vegetable crops production. Our understanding of summer cover crops selection and benefits is currently limited and there is very little data available on the potential for summer cover crops in a vegetable crops production system in the Gulf South. Experimental data has shown that there are significant differences in the above ground biomass and weed management from various cover crops. Sesame and Sunn Hemp were the 2 covers that demonstrated the best potential in previous research studies and research trials were initiated in Mississippi and Louisiana. The impact of summer cover crops on soil microbiological indices, carbon and nitrogen budgets, and fall vegetable crop production and plant nutrition remain to be examined. Small to medium-scale vegetable growers that sell primarily through direct marketing channels are the target audience for the sustainable/organic vegetable and summer cover crops research. Small family farms accounted for over 90% of all the farms in the U.S. and the number of small farms is increasing. Sustainable and/or organic production research that supports small farm enterprises and enables these businesses to provide more on-farm income is essential.
Publications
- Motsenbocker, C.E. and W.B. Evans. 2010. Summer cover crops performance in the Gulf States. HortScience 45(8): 90. (Supplement): S139
|
Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A major activity of the summer cover crops research was to analyze the data of the 2 year study and pool the data over both locations (Mississippi State, LSU AgCenter). The significance of the results will be used in sustainable agriculture trainings as well as reported to the scientific as well as the local agriculture communities. The "Summer Experience", an 8-week summer agriculture program was evaluated and the data analyzed for the impact of participation on the fruit and vegetable attitudes and preferences on inner-city youth. The study has been presented to horticultural therapy practitioners as well as scientists. These data will be used in preparation for publications. PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Bill Evans, Assistant Professor, Truck Crops Research Station, Crystal Springs, Mississippi State University, organic and cover crops research trial collaborator. Mr. Fahmee Sabree, Summer Experience training director. Ms. Emily Neustrom, Summer Experience program director and graduate student in the LSU School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences. Ms. Judy Myhand, Instructor LSU School of Human Ecology, Summer Experience cultural food, recipe and food development. Dr. Carol O'Neil, Professor LSU School of Human Ecology, Summer Experience community nutrition and food security, diet and health. Mr. Brandon Smith, Executive Director LSU Community University Partnership. Dr. Paul Wilson, Professor, postharvest processing, Department of Food Science. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small to medium-scale vegetable growers that sell primarily through direct marketing channels are the target audience for the organic vegetable and summer cover crops research. Small family farms accounted for over 90 % of all the farms in the U.S. and the number of small farms is increasing. Sustainable and/or organic production research that supports small farm enterprises and enables these businesses to provide more on-farm income is essential. The summer youth urban agriculture program participants were African-American youth (23) in the Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR) neighborhood. The City of Baton Rouge Office of Economic Development Consolidated Plan identified OSBR as "a severely distressed neighborhood" based on a number of factors including the number of persons living in poverty and on public assistance, the number of adult males not employed, the number of single women with children, and the number of high school dropouts. Most of the youth in OSBR do not have summer employment or productive pursuits during the summer months as opportunities for summer jobs are limited in the community. Many youth in the area are considered "at risk" for dropping out of school and do not have the job skills or training for particular employment opportunities. The summer program directly targets youth in this neighborhood. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Summer cover crops can play a role in fall season sustainable vegetable crops production. Our understanding of summer cover crops selection and benefits is currently limited and there is very little data available on the potential for summer cover crops in a vegetable crops production system in the Gulf South. Experimental data has shown that there are significant differences in the above ground biomass and weed management from various cover crops. Sesame and Sunn Hemp were the 2 covers that demonstrated the best potential. The impact of summer cover crops on soil microbiological indices, carbon and nitrogen budgets, and fall vegetable crop production and plant nutrition remain to be examined. The results of the Summer Experience program indicates that the program participants, inner city youth, increased their choice of healthy snacks as a result of participating in the gardening and nutrition education program. The results suggest that skill building in gardening and cooking may positively impact factors related to fruit and vegetable intake of inner city high school youth.
Publications
- Neustrom, E .K. and C.E.Motsenbocker. 2009. Urban Youth: Effects of a Summer Agriculture, Cooking and Nutrition Program. HortScience 44(4):1047 (Abstr).
- Motsenbocker, C.E. 2009. Urban Agriculture: the Role of Horticulture in the City. HortScience 44(4): 995 (Workshop Abstr).
- Neustrom, E.K. 2009. A Garden-Based Nutrition Education Program Positively Impacts the Fruit and Vegetable Attitudes and Preferences of Inner-City High School Students. MS Thesis, Louisiana State University.
|
Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: From the summer cover crops research, conducted over two years in collaboration with a colleague at Mississippi State, one abstract was submitted to the regional horticulture meeting in 2008. The significance of the results was shared with the horticulture scientific community. Survey instruments (student interviews, journal entries, and quantitative standard pre- and post-tests) were used to study the impact of an 8-week summer agriculture program (Summer Experience) on urban youth over 2 summers. The data collected was used for project analyses to determine changes in student behavior and attitudes in relation to leadership skills, snack preference choices and nutrition knowledge before and after participation in the program. The results from this project are part of a MS graduate student thesis project. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Bill Evans, Assistant Professor, Truck Crops Research Station, Crystal Springs, Mississippi State University, organic and cover crops research trial collaborator. Mr. Fahmee Sabree, Summer Experience training director. Ms. Emily Neustrom, Summer Experience program director and graduate student in the LSU School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences. Ms. Judy Myhand, Instructor LSU School of Human Ecology, Summer Experience cultural food, recipe and food development. Dr. Carol O'Neil, Professor LSU School of Human Ecology, Summer Experience community nutrition and food security, diet and health. Mr. Brandon Smith, Executive Director LSU Community University Partnership. Dr. Paul Wilson, Professor, postharvest processing, LSU School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small to medium-scale vegetable growers that sell primarily through direct marketing channels are the target audience for the sustainable vegetable crops and summer cover crops research. Small family farms accounted for over 90 % of all the farms in the U.S. and the number of small farms is increasing. Sustainable and/or organic production research that supports small farm enterprises and enables these businesses to provide more on-farm income is essential. Research in the use of summer cover crops is important as this relates directly to soil biological health and is a sustainable practice for conventional or organic growers. The summer youth urban agriculture program participants were African-American youth in the Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR) neighborhood. The City of Baton Rouge Office of Economic Development Consolidated Plan identified OSBR as "a severely distressed neighborhood" based on a number of factors including the number of persons living in poverty and on public assistance, the number of adult males not employed, the number of single women with children, and the number of high school dropouts. Most of the youth in OSBR do not have summer employment or productive pursuits during the summer months as opportunities for summer jobs are limited in the community. Many youth in the area are considered "at risk" for dropping out of school and do not have the job skills or training for particular employment opportunities. The summer program directly targets youth in this neighborhood. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
It was found that there are significant differences in summer cover crops biomass and weed suppression. All of the cover crops were acceptable for use during the summer season with the sesame and sunn hemp having the highest biomass and least weed pressure. There were differences between the 2 sites in terms of cover crops and weed biomass with less weed suppression in Mississippi. The results indicate that adequate stand establishment is important for cover crop biomass and weed suppression The summer urban youth program results indicate that the participants had a greater appreciation for healthy food choices. The participants also expressed a greater interest and knowledge of local food and agriculture and appreciation for cooking and food preparation. Project resources were used to conduct these analyses and to prepare project outputs.
Publications
- Arancibia, R.A., and C.E. Motsenbocker. 2008. Differential watermelon fruit size distribution in response to plastic mulch and spunbonded polyester rowcover, accepted to HortTechnology 1: 45-52.
- Motsenbocker, C.E. 2008. Short- and long-term assignments in organic and sustainable horticulture. HortScience 43(4): 1074 (Abstr).
- W.B. Evans and C. Motsenbocker. 2008. Summer cover crops performance in the Gulf States. HortScience 43(3):617 (Abstr).
|
Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two presentations at professional conferences were made during this reporting period. These presentations are being prepared for publication in refereed journals and one of the presentations was by a graduate student who is expected to receive her MS degree in early 2008. Survey instruments (student interviews, journal entries, and quantitative standard pre- and post-tests) were used to study the impact of an 8-week summer agriculture program (Summer Experience) on urban youth. The data to be collected will be used for project analyses to determine changes in student behavior and attitudes in relation to leadership skills, snack preference choices and nutrition knowledge, environmental attitudes, and science achievement before and after participation in the program as well as part of a MS thesis project. From the summer cover crops preliminary research, conducted in collaboration with a colleague at Mississippi State, one abstract was submitted to the regional horticulture
meeting and another for the national horticulture meetings in summer 2008. The significance of the results will be shared with the scientific community.
PARTICIPANTS: Ms. Lacey Dupre, graduate student in the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences. Dr. Bill Evans, Assistant Professor, Truck Crops Research Station, Crystal Springs, Mississippi State University, organic and cover crops research trial collaborator. Mr. Fahmee Sabree, Summer Experience training director. Ms. Emily Neustrom, Summer Experience program director, graduate student in the LSU School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences. Ms. Judy Myhand, Instructor LSU School of Human Ecology, Summer Experience cultural food, recipe and food development. Dr. Carol O'Neil, Professor LSU School of Human Ecology, Summer Experience community nutrition and food security, diet and health. Ms. Patricia Smith, Summer Experience youth summer program coordinator, Executive Director LSU Community University Partnership. Dr. Paul Wilson, Professor, postharvest processing, LSU School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Small to medium-scale vegetable growers that sell primarily through direct marketing channels are the target audience for the organic vegetable and summer cover crops research. Small family farms accounted for over 90 % of all the farms in the U.S. and the number of small farms is increasing. Sustainable and/or organic production research that supports small farm enterprises and enables these businesses to provide more on-farm income is essential. The summer youth urban agriculture program participants were African-American youth (23) in the Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR) neighborhood. The City of Baton Rouge Office of Economic Development Consolidated Plan identified OSBR as "a severely distressed neighborhood" based on a number of factors including the number of persons living in poverty and on public assistance, the number of adult males not employed , the number of single women with children, and the number of high school dropouts. Most of the youth in OSBR do not
have summer employment or productive pursuits during the summer months as opportunities for summer jobs are limited in the community. Many youth in the area are considered "at risk" for dropping out of school and do not have the job skills or training for particular employment opportunities. The summer program directly targets youth in this neighborhood.
Impacts
It was found that there were differences in Irish potato yield for the spring growing season due to organic fertilizer treatment. The treatment using fish emulsion as the sole source of fertilizer had the highest yield and was similar to the rate equivalent to the recommended commercial fertilizer rate. The results suggest that organic Irish potato production in Louisiana is profitable and sustainable especially for fresh markets. It was found that there are significant differences in summer cover crops biomass and weed suppression. All of the cover crops were acceptable for use during the summer season with the sesame and sunn hemp having the highest biomass and least weed pressure. The results of the preliminary cover crops study will be expanded for the next summer. The summer urban youth program results indicate that the participants had a greater appreciation for healthy food choices.
Publications
- Hinson, R.A., C.E. Motsenbocker, and J.V. Westra. 2007. Management challenges in a maturing industry: a teaching case study of melon farming in Latin America. HortTechnology 2:262-268.
- Motsenbocker, C.E. and L. Smith. 2007. Service-learning university students benefit from teaching a garden-based science curriculum. HortScience 42(4): 945.
- Bacque, L.D. and C.E. Motsenbocker. 2007. Transitioning to organic: fertility management in Irish potato production. HortScience 42(4): 952.
|
|