Progress 07/01/11 to 06/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) web visitors – an online educational network enabling Extension educators from across the US to use and share resources to reduce the impact of disasters. Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) annual conference delegates (80+ attendees) in October 23-26, 2012 in Tunica, MS. Presentation to attendees at the 2013 Center for Natural Resources and Economic Policy (CNREP) conference in New Orleans, LA. Changes/Problems: Objective 1.4 Agricultural producers and residents will have access to disaster recovery services. While services were available, this project did not have to cover costs for water and soil testing for flooded areas as was intended when the project was conceived. As a result the project resources were directed to increased assessment of crop damage due to flooding. Objective 2.4 Extension agents did not participate in research-based training on use of non-destructive moisture readers to use in home visits with residents in flood impacted areas. This training intended forlocal Extension CountyAgentswas not necessary due to limited damage to structures due to floodingas a result of excellent decisions regarding floodplain management.Therefore project resources were directed to increased assessment of crop damage. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The results of this effort have been disseminated to communities of interest including: State Extension professionals (MS, AR, TN, MO) involved in the 2102 Spring Mississippi Flood event University and Extension professionals at disaster conferences, University, Extension and Financial professionals at financial conference, University and Extension professionals at farming conferences, Farmers, Extension administrators. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Major activities completed include: A) Production of disaster-related preparedness and recovery publications, B) Disaster-related website enhancement and development, C) Disaster-related information campaign, D) Workshops and training for Extension professionals and partnering agency in stress management (Navigating a Changing Workplace), human and community disaster preparedness and recovery (Triumph Over Tragedy and Managing in Tough Times), E) Estimates of economic damage lossesfor agricultural crops. Specific objectives met: 1.1 Partner state Extension Servicesshared existing disaster recovery and other Extension publicationsrelevant tofloods. 1.2 Residents were introduced toissues (family, economic and structure recovery) related to flood disaster effects through informational, science-based publications. 1.3 Residents were made aware of issues related to flood effects through news media (print media, radio and TV), the Internet (state Extension Websites, EDEN, eXtension) and social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). 1.5 Agricultural producersaccessedagricultural damage assessments in flood-impacted areas. 2.1 Extension agents in impacted areasparticipated inresearch-based training on anger - stress management and family resiliency. 2.2 Extension agentsparticipated inresearch-based training on model disaster recovery outreach program - Triumph over Tragedy. 2.3 Extension agentsparticipated inresearch-based training on Managing In Tough Times programming. Objectives not met and explanation: 1.4 Agricultural producers and residents did not have access to disaster recovery services. NOTE: While services were available, water and soil testing for flood affected areas was not significant due to limited damageand successful floodplain management. Project resources were directed to increased assessment of crop damage. 2.4 Extension agents did not participate in research-based training on use of non-destructive moisture readersin home visits with residents in flood impacted areas was not met. NOTE: This training was not necessary due to limited damage to structures as a result of floodplain management in the 2011 Spring Mississippi Flood threat. Project resources were directed to increased assessment of crop damage. Significant results achieved (in knowledge, action, or condition) LA publications raised awareness of the basics of preparing to evacuate your home, flood insurance coverage, and how to work effectively with a contractor in the event repairs are needed. Additionally, recipients’ awareness of strategies on how to keep families strong regarding their home finances, relationships and personal healthwere noted. LA’s requests for recovery information publications continue to come from partners and distributed tofamilies. More than 22,000 visits were recorded to LSU AgCenter 2012 Spring flood site during the period February – April, 2012. This represents a 56% increase in new visits. Are You Ready? billboards were developed and displayed on 13 electronic billboards in 4 south Louisiana markets (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houma and Lake Charles) leading viewers to our web disaster resources (includes floods, hurricanes, etc.). A 22% increase of page views was noted within the disaster preparedness channel during the time the billboards were displayed compared to 90 days prior. A partnership between the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (LAVOAD) resulted in a train-the-trainerworkshop of 22 individuals representing 18 state and nonprofit agencies in the Triumph Over Tragedy (TOT) curriculum. Each participant received TOT workbook curriculum DVD. A survey showed that after the training 90% of participants felt prepared to address post-disaster stress reactions in their community.Further, 90% of participants felt they possessed skills for engaging in supportive communications with people who have experienced a disaster, an increase of 10% prior to training. Extension agents have confidence and resources necessary to implement Extension Managing in Tough Times programs in their communities affected by flooding. GIS technology increased the accuracy of identified affected areas in the 2012 Spring Flood, in conjunction with increasing accuracy of economic damages associated with the flooded agricultural fields. Through multi-state conference calls Extension professionals involved in disaster outreach in five states increased awareness of successful disaster preparedness, response and recovery outreach strategies. Key outcomes realized (in knowledge, action, or condition) Extension outreach efforts must compete with the global information explosion and must find ways to make more people aware of our credible, science-based, disaster information. Emphasis must be placed on increasing our marketing of our disaster information Extension information publications and science-based web resources must be transitioned to be more technology-oriented and mobile-friendly. The way individuals are accessing information today is changing rapidly, moving toward personal mobile devices for immediate, just-in-time access to information. Extension must expand its information delivery options to provide information in technological formats. Additionally, Extension needs to successfully compete with the information explosion and must find ways to make people aware of our credible, science-based disaster information. Extension professionals and LA VOAD members are not expert in the social and emotional aspects of recovery from disasters. Train-the-Trainer workshops like Triumph Over Tragedy, Managing in Tough Times and Navigating a Changing Workplace helps build the confidence and skills of participating professionals where they can provide local human and community recovery programs. Assessment or estimates of economic damages for crops and livestock are critically important for agricultural producers seeking financial and technical assistance for losses sustained from natural disasters like floods from public and private sources. This project developed improved methods for estimating and assessing such damages. IncludingGeographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing to identify and quantify impacted areas, in conjunction with economic damages associated with the agricultural fields flooded, will help other scientists to better and more accurately estimate the total level of economic damages sustained by natural disasters like the Mississippi River Flood.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Tough Times: A multi-faceted approach to addressing disasters and other challenges. Presentation at Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Annual Conference on October 25, 2012 in Tunica, Mississippi by Jeanette Tucker, Bobby Fletcher, Diane Sasser, Rebecca White & Debbie Hurlbert (Louisiana State University Agricultural Center).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Estimated Economic Loss to Producers of Row Crops in Louisiana Resulting from the 2011 Mississippi River Flood. Poster presentation at 2013 Center for Natural Resources and Economic Policy (CNREP) conference on March 25-26, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana by Luke Boutwell, John Westra (CNREP, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center) and Maurice Wolcott (Louisiana State University Agricultural Center).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
2011 Mississippi River Flood Estimated Economic Losses to Producers of Row Crops. Presentation at Delta States Farm Management (SERA 35) 2013 Annual Meeting held May 2013 in Vicksburg MS by John Westra (Louisiana State University Agricultural Center).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Bankston, D., Skinner, P., Reichel, C. (2012). Preventing back-flow. Publication No. 2770. Retrieved July 22, 2013, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publications+Catalog/Disaster+Information/Preventing+Backflow.htm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Reichel, C., Skinner, P., Bankston, D, (2012) Wet floodproofing: reducing damage from floods. Publication No. 2771. Retrieved July 22, 2013, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/family_home/hazards_and_threats/publications/wet+floodproofing.htm
- Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Tucker, J. (2012). Preparing your evacuation grab and go box. Publication No. 2949-I-SPAN Spanish Translation. Retrieved July 22, 2013, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publications+Catalog/ Disaster+Information/Disaster+Information+Resources+Series/Disaster+Information+Resources+Series_seriespage-2.htm
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Progress 07/01/11 to 06/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: LA Disaster Information (online and print) was enhanced by revising two publications and adding one new publication. Publications within the series were translated to Spanish, and 500 copies were printed for distribution. Six flood mitigation publications were updated and posted online. All publications were shared with EDEN and eXtension networks. The 2012 Spring Flood page www.lsuagcenter.com/floods was advertised via local media driving clientele to information on preparing and recovering from floods. The disaster preparedness web channel, Are You Ready (http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/family_home/hazards_and_threats/are_yo u_ready/) was developed featuring 8 flood preparedness pages. Information was also posted to LSU AgCenter organizational and project staff Facebook and Twitter sites. A stress management/family resiliency workshop (Navigating a Changing Workplace) was offered to LSU AgCenter employees and made available via distance education to help faculty and staff understand various ways individuals manage change and stress. Triumph Over Tragedy (TOT) Trained faculty offered a train-the-trainer workshop to Extension faculty and other interested agencies focused on response to emotional impact/stress after a disaster. Training was conducted on 5/16/12 at a Red Cross facility with 22 LA Extension Service and LA Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster members. Training resources were provided to 20 agencies involved in disaster recovery. Sixty two agents were trained and provided resources in (Managing in Tough Times). Cooperative Extension Service(CES) faculty from the states of AK, LA, MS, MO, and TN held monthly conference calls to share ideas, resources, successes, as well as working together to develop strategies related to how the CES can/should respond to flood related disasters. Data detailing extent of crop-specific damages incurred by the 2011 Mississippi River flood were acquired using GIS. Analysis of published budgets for damaged (corn, cotton, soybeans, sorghum, rice, crawfish, pasture-land and sugarcane) produced estimates for unrecoverable costs. The incurred expenses were multiplied by crop acreage estimates from GIS analysis and summarized for preliminary crop-specific and total economic damage estimates. PARTICIPANTS: Bobby Fletcher (CO-PI), Becky White (CO-PI), Jeanette Tucker, John Westra, Luke Boutwell, Deborah Hurlbert, Maurice Wolcott, Pat Skinner, Claudette Reichel, Diane Sasser, Charles Hebert, Gloria Nye, Deborah Cross-Young, Ginger Boutwell, Monica Olinde, Greg Lutz, parish agents in 22 affected parishes, LSU AgCenter; Collaborators and Contacts: Twanda Lewis, LAVOAD; Brenda Wiems, University of Florida; Paula Threadgill, Al Miles, Mississippi Extension Service; Deborah Tootle, Arkansas Extension Service; Mary Leuci, Frank Widman, Missouri Extension Service; R. W. Burden, Tim Prather, Tennessee Extension Service; and Rachel Welborn, Southern Rural Development Center. TARGET AUDIENCES: Individuals, families, agricultural producers and counties impacted by the 2011 Spring Floods and Carencro Flood April 2012. Cooperative Extension professionals. Triumph Over Tragedy Participants Representing: Team Rubicon, LIDRIN, LA Interchurch Conference, United Way of Acadia, Save the Children, Volunteer Health Corps/Capital Area Medical Reserve Corp, LAVOAD, Baton Rouge Area Foundation, LA Department of Health and Hospital/OPH, Tulane DRLA, INCA Relief USA, United Way of Iberia/Office of Emergency Preparedness, Florida Parish VOAD, Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center/211, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Catholic Charities PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Water and soil testing efforts were not necessary due to limited damage as a result of floodplain management. Resources were directed to increased assessment of crop damage.
Impacts
Louisiana publications raised awareness on the basics of preparing to evacuate your home, flood insurance coverage, and how to work effectively with a contractor. Additionally, recipients' awareness of strategies on how to keep families strong regarding home finances, relationships and personal health were noted. Louisiana requests for recovery information publications continue to come from partners for distribution to affected families. More than 22,000 visits were recorded to the LSU AgCenter 2012 Spring flood site during the February - April, 2012 period (56% increase in new visits). Are You Ready billboards were developed and displayed on 13 electronic billboards in 4 south Louisiana markets (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houma and Lake Charles) leading viewers to our web disaster resources (includes floods, hurricanes, etc.). A 22% increase of page views was noted within the disaster preparedness channel during the time the billboards were displayed compared to 90 days prior. A partnership between the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (LAVOAD) resulted in a train-the-trainer workshop of 22 individuals representing 18 state and nonprofit agencies in the Triumph Over Tragedy (TOT) curriculum. After the training, 90% of participants felt prepared to address post-disaster stress reactions in their community. This was an increase of 20% participants compared to that prior to the training. Further, 90% of participants felt they possessed skills for engaging in supportive communications with people who have experienced a disaster, an increase of 10% prior to training. Extension agents have confidence and resources necessary to implement Extension Managing in Tough Times programs in their communities affected by flooding. Preliminary economic damage estimates to agriculture in the 2011 flooded area were $7.5 million. Soybeans were the most damaged crop - ($5 million), followed by sorghum ($1 million), corn $0.9 million, cotton ($0.6 million), rice ($0.1 million) and crawfish ($0.1 million). Due to complexity of management, assessment remains to be completed for sugarcane.
Publications
- Reichel, C., Skinner, P., Bankston, D, (2012) Wet floodproofing: reducing damage from floods. Pub No. 2771. Retrieved 08/15/2012, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publication s+Catalog/Disaster+Information/Preventing+Backflow.htm
- Tucker, J. (2012). Avoiding home repair ripoffs. In D. Hurlbert, D. Cross, S. Fair, C. Richard, C. Stephens. Publication No. 2949Z. Retrieved 08/09/2012 , from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publication s+Catalog/Disaster+Information/Disaster+Information+Resources+Series/ Disaster+Information+Resources+Series_seriespage-7.htm
- Tucker, J. (2012). Flood insurance. Publication No. 2949AA. Retrieved 08/09/2012, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/publication s+catalog/disaster+information/disaster+information+resources+series/ flood-insurance.htm
- Tucker, J. (2012), Flood insurance. Publication No. 2949AA SPAN Spanish translation. Retrieved 08/09/2012, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/publication s+catalog/disaster+information/disaster+information+resources+series/ flood-insurance.htm
- Tucker, J. (2012). Avoiding home repair ripoffs. In D. Hurlbert, D. Cross, S. Fair, C. Richard, C. Stephens. Publication No. 2949Z SPAN Spanish translation. Retrieved 08/09/2012, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publication s+Catalog/Disaster+Information/Disaster+Information+Resources+Series/ Disaster+Information+Resources+Series_seriespage-7.htm
- Tucker, J. (2012). Preparing your evacuation grab and go box. Publication No. 2949I SPAN Spanish Translation. Retrieved 08/09/2012, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publication s+Catalog/Disaster+Information/Disaster+Information+Resources+Series/ Disaster+Information+Resources+Series_seriespage-2.htm
- Skinner,P.,Bankston, D.,Reichel,C.,Baker, Gene (2012).Using sandbags for flood protection. Pub No. 2742. Retrieved 08/15/2012, from Louisiana State University, LSU AgCenter Web site:http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/ communications/publications/Publications+Catalog/Disaster+Information /Using+Sandbags+for+Flood+Protection.htm
- Skinner, P., Bankston, D., Reichel, C. (2012) Using panels as closures in flood protection. Pub No. 2743.Retrieved 08/15/2012,from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/ publications/Publications+Catalog/Disaster+Information/Using+Panels+a s+Closures+in+Flood+Protection.htm
- Skinner, P., Bankston, D., Reichel, C., Baker, Gene (2012). Using pumps in flood protection. Publication No.2767. Retrieved 08/15/2012 , from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publication s+Catalog/Disaster+Information/Using+Pumps+in+Flood+Protection.htm
- Skinner, P., Bankston, D., Reichel, C., Baker, Gene (2012). Flood wraps and temporary shields. Pub No. 2769. Retrieved 08/15/2012, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publication s+Catalog/Disaster+Information/Using+Pumps+in+Flood+Protection.htm
- Bankston, D., Skinner, P., Reichel, C. (2012). Preventing back-flow. Publication No. 2770. Retrieved 08/15/2012, from Louisiana State University, LSU Agricultural Center Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publication s+Catalog/Disaster+Information/Preventing+Backflow.htm
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