Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this research is agricultural industry representatives, agricultural educators and professionals, Cooperative Extension agents, small producers such as nursery and woodland owners, scientists; students at graduate and undergraduate levels in ag and food systems, such as horticulture, environmental studies, sustainable land management, agricultural education and economics; K-12 students, summer high school student interns, early college and STEM college students, policy makers, and the general public interested in agriculture. Science-based knowledge and protocol development information were delivered to students at various levels and the general public through university open houses, workshops, field days, FFA events, and/or personal visits and communications. Research findings have been shared with scientists in the science community and farmers at regional and national and international conferences, such as USDA National Small Farms Conference, and were also disseminated directly to the public through Extension publications and presentations at field days and/or other outreach activities. Graduate and undergraduate students gained direct knowledge and experience through classroom teaching and field trips and demonstrations. This project also provided experiential learning opportunities directly to eight USDA Multicultural Scholars Program scholars who were actively engaged in the project at different stages. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Over the project period, we provided training opportunities directly to 21 students and one research technician, actively involving them in the project at different stages: implementing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and working with collaborative partners. The student research pool includes eight USDA MSP undergraduate student scholars, five undergraduate student workers, four graduate students and four summer Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) students from high schools. We also used this project as a training platform and/or opportunity for University Farm staff, and as a field trip and experiential learning opportunity for related classes to help students making connections between theoretical and real society applications. Therefore, this project also serves as an education tool, and an outdoor classroom. Through active involvement, these personnel learned and enhanced their understanding of principles and practices in scientific methods (design experiments, data collection and analysis, plant monitoring and visual observation), presentation, and engagement with the stakeholders. The efficacy of their involvement was demonstrated by greater knowledge and work efficiency. In addition, students involved in the project served as mentors to their peers to help them expand their knowledge and experience in the medicinal plants, forest farming, season extension, and applied plant biotechnology for greater efficiency in production and profit margin. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the research project have been disseminated by: Hosting and/or visiting with farmers (or through other communication means) on how they apply techniques and protocols produced by the project. Communicating and sharing research findings with peer scientists through scientific presentations at regional, national and international conferences; with county Extension agents, and farmers through telephone, on-site visits, field days and other events. Presenting related information and knowledge through FFA events. One-on-one and /or group presentations and sharing with stakeholders and interested public through the annual Small Farms Field Day and Fall Field Day. Hosting high school agricultural educators and/or students. Hosting students from early colleges and/or STEM colleges. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Over the project life, significant results include: Established plant populations in a marginal woodland and in a high tunnel under different shade conditions. Closely monitored and maintained the needed plant populations. Exercised extraordinary effortsto overcome losses due to animal damage, severe climate conditions. Hosted several field days along with Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T to directly disseminate our research findings to our stakeholders. Developed an efficient micropropagation protocol. Produced several intellectual properties (invention disclosure, provisional and utility patent applications). The production protocol developed from this project had the potential to increase the production by at least 15 times. Provided training to graduate and undergraduate students through experiential learning opportunities by actively engaging students in the project. This project was initiated to help small-scale farmers find alternate ways to increase their productivity and profitability by developing an efficient propagation protocol for medicinal plants and using forest farming on marginal woodland and high tunnels. Our results indicated that our protocol generated from this project potentially could increase production and therefore the profit margin by at least 15 times(1,500%) for small-scale farms. In addition, our protocol could potentially be used for other cash crops for which conventional methods fail to work. Also, our pending patent(s) resulting from this project could enable the growth of new jobs and businesses, thus having significant economic impact.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Robinson R*, G Yang, S Gu, Z Lu, J Kimes, and B Holmes. Nutrient Uptake and Growth Analysis of Actaea racemosa (L.) Grown under Shade in a Greenhouse. Accepted for competition and publication at Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Sciences (SR-ASHS) Annual Conference, Jacksonville FL, February 2-4, 2018.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is the general public--especially small scale farmers including nursery and woodland owners, educators and scientists, agricultural professionals and cooperative extension agents, students at graduate and undergraduate levels in ag and food systems, such as horticulture, environmental studies, ag education and economics, and K-12 students, and policymakers. Science-based knowledge and protocol development information were delivered to students at various levels and general public through open houses, workshops, field days, and/or personal visits and communications. Research findings are being shared with scientists at regional and national conferences, and were disseminated to the general public through extension publications and presentations at field days and/or other outreach activities. Graduate and undergraduate students gained direct knowledge and experience through classroom teaching, field trips and demonstrations. Experiential learning opportunities were provided to USDA Multicultural Scholars Program scholars. Changes/Problems:The PI spent a significant amount of efforts to deal with the loss of plant population due to animal damage, severe climate conditions, and most importantly vandalism. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Five undergraduate student scholars, two student workers, two graduate students, and one research technician were involved in the project at different stages implementing experiments, collecting data and analyzing data, and working with collaborative partners. The project was also used as a training opportunity for other farm personnel, and as a field trip opportunity for related classes helping students making connection between theory and real society applications. Therefore, this project also serves as an education tool. Through the active involvement, these personnel learned and enhanced their understanding of principles and practices in scientific methods (design experiments, data collection and analysis, plant monitoring and visual observation), presentation, and engagement with the stakeholders as demonstrated by greater knowledge and work efficiency. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The following dissemination activities occurred during the reporting period: Visits with farmers or through other communication means on applications of technology developed from the project. Sharing project findings with science community through scientific presentations at regional and national conferences, with county extension agents, and farmers through telephone, on-site visits, field days and other events. Knowledge sharing through FFA events. Engagement with stakeholders and interested general public through the annual small farm field day and fall field day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the final stages of this project researchers will continue the activities planned in the proposal to meet the research goal and objective targets. Specifically, we plan to do the following: Maintain the forest farming field to retain the plant population, and replant as needed to overcome the natural loss due to animal damage and severe climate conditions. Study light conditions and plant growth regulators and their concentrations and combinations to improve efficiency of shoot proliferation. Investigate acclimatization requirements of in vitro and ex vitro plantlets. Plant growth and development under different shade conditions in high tunnel.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This project is to help small-scale farms to find alternate ways to increase their productivity and profitability by developing an efficient propagation protocol for medicinal plants and using forest farming on marginal woodland. Our results indicated that the protocol generated from this this project potentially could increase production and therefore the profit margin by 10-15 times (1,000-1,500%) for small-scale farms. In addition, our protocol can also be used for other cash crops that conventional methods fail to work. Also, the patent awarded and filed from this project will potentially enable creating new jobs and businesses. Significant results achieved: Plant populations in the field and high tunnel under different shade conditions were closely monitored and maintained. Significant efforts were exercised to overcome losses due to animal damage, severe climate conditions. A patentable micropropagation protocol was developed. The production protocol developed from this project had the potential to increase the production by 10-15 times. Students were actively involved and being trained in the project.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Yang G*, L Jackai, and J Idassai. Experiential learning experience of MSP scholars. NACTA 2016, June 21-25, 2016, Honolulu HI, abstract # 2016-0129, NACTA Journal Vol. 60: 102.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Yang G*, S Gu, J Beck, and C Lu. Production of black cohosh and goldenseal in a high tunnel setting. NCAT 2016 Small Farm Field Day, June 30, 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Yang G*, C Lu, and Sanjun Gu. Micropropagation of Black Cohosh. Annual Conference, American Society for Horticultural Sciences, August 7-12, 2016, Atlanta GA, abstract #230.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Yang G*, S Gu, C Lu, and J Beck. Forest farming wit medicinal plants in a marginal woodland. The 7th National Small Farm Conference, September 20-22, 2016, Virginia Beach, VA, p55.
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, nursery and woodland owners, teachers and educators, scientists, extension agents, graduate and undergraduate students in various disciplines, such as horticulture, environmental studies, soil science, agricultural education, agricultural economics, K-12 students, and general public, and public officials constitute the target audience for this research. Science-based knowledge were delivered to college and high school and middle school students, teachers and general public through workshops, FFA events, field days, personal visits, and university open houses. Research findings are being shared with scientists at regional and national conferences, and were disseminated to the general public through field days and other outreach activities, and are being incorporated into classroom teaching of related courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. Experiential learning opportunities were provided to USDA Multicultural Scholars Program scholars. Changes/Problems:Animal damage, severe climate conditions, and vandalism contributed delays, therefore work will be done to reestablish plant populations. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Five undergraduate student scholars, two student workers, one graduate student, and one research technician were involved in the project at different stages implementing experiments, collecting data and analyzing data, and working with collaborative partners. The project was also used as a training opportunity for other farm personnel, and as a field trip opportunity for related classes helping students making connection between theory and real society applications. Therefore, this project also serves as an education tool. Through the active involvement, these personnel learned and enhanced their understanding of principles and practices in scientific methods and presentation, and engagement with the stakeholders as demonstrated by greater knowledge and work efficiency. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated via: Face to face meeting with farmers or through telephone conversations regarding potential applications of technology developed from the project. Research findings shared with peer scientists through scientific presentations at regional and national conferences, with county extension agents, and farmers through telephone, on-site visits, field days and other events. Knowledge sharing through FFA events. Outreach to stakeholders and interested general public through the annual small farm field day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Researchers will continue the activities planned in the proposal to meet the research goal and objective targets. Specifically, researchers plan to do the following: Maintain the forest farming field. Retain the plant population, and replant as needed to overcome the natural loss due to animal damage and severe climate conditions. Test more suitable plant materials for efficient shoot initiation and proliferation. Study plant growth regulators and their concentrations and combinations to improve efficiency of shoot proliferation. Investigate acclimatization requirements of in vitro and ex vitro plantlets. High tunnel planting testing.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The project goal is to help small scale farms to find alternate ways to increase their productivity and profitability by developing an efficient propagation protocol for medicinal plants and using forest farming on marginal woodland with three specific objectives: (1) to establish an efficient micropropagation and production protocol; (2) acclimatize and boost growth of micro-propagated plantlets in high tunnels; and (3) investigate and develop forest farming guidelines for growing medicinal plants at the wooded areas on the university farm. Significant results achieved: Maintained the established forest farming field for proper growing conditions of medicinal plants. Plant population was consistently maintained to overcome losses due to animal damage, severe climate conditions. Micropropagation was successfully established. Shoot initiation and proliferation were achieved. Increased multiplication of plantlets were produced. As many as 15 plantlets were produced from one original plant material. Acclimatization shading requirements were established in the greenhouse and/or high tunnels. And plantlets from micropropagation are being acclimatized that would be ready for planting under high tunnel and field conditions. Impact: According to data and observation at this point, techniques developed from this project can be used for other cash crops where conventional methods have fail to work.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Yang G*, S Gu, ZC Lu, and J Beck 2015 Black Cohosh and Goldenseal Field Establishment in a Marginal Woodland. HortScience 50(9): S263. 2015 ASHS Annual Conference, August 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Yang G*, LE Jackai, and J Idassi 2015 Enhancing Undergraduate Training of Underrepresented Ethnic Populations in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. #40, USDA Multicultural Scholars Program and NNF Project Directors Meeting, August 26-27, 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Martin J* and G Yang 2015 My Experience as an USDA/NIFA Multicultural Scholar. #7, USDA Multicultural Scholars Program and NNF Project Directors Meeting, August 26-27, 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
McGee T* and G Yang 2015 Experience with USDA/NIFA Multicultural Scholars Program. #8, USDA Multicultural Scholars Program and NNF Project Directors Meeting, August 26-27, 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Talton H* and G Yang 2015 My Journey as a Multicultural Scholar. #13, USDA Multicultural Scholars Program and NNF Project Directors Meeting, August 26-27, 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Yang G*, S Gu, J Idassi, ZC Lu, and J Beck 2015 Field Establishment for Forest Farming with Black Cohosh and Goldenseal. HortScience 50(9): S46. 2015 Southern Region ASHS Annual Meeting, 30 January - 1 February 2015.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this project is small scale farmers, educators, scientists, extension agents, graduate and undergraduate students in horticulture, environmental studies, soil science, agricultural education, agricultural economics, animal sciences, and K-12 students. Science-based knowledge was delivered to college, high school, middle school students, teachers and the general public through workshops, FFA events, and university open houses. Research findings are being shared with scientists at regional conferences, and were disseminated to the general public through field days and other outreach activities. Experiential learning opportunities were provided to Multicultural Scholars Program scholars. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Four different undergraduate student scholars, two different student workers and one research technician were involved in the project implementing experiments, collecting data and analyzing data, and working with collaborative partners. The project was also used as training opportunity for other farm personnel. Through this active involvement, these personnel learned and enhanced their understanding of principles and practices in scientific methods and presentation, and engagement with the stakeholders as demonstrated by greater knowledge and work efficiency. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results for this reporting period have been communited in the following ways: Meeting or through telephone conversations with farmers to discuss potential applications/commercialization of technology developed. Communicated with scientists, county extension agents, and farmers through telephone, e-mail, and on-site visits. Knowledge sharing through FFA events. Outreach to stakeholders and interested general public through the annual small farm field day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Researchers plan to do the following: Maintain the forest farming field. Retain the plant population. Replant as needed to overcome the natural loss due to animal damage and severe climate conditions. Test more suitable plant materials for efficient shoot initiation and proliferation. Study plant growth regulators and their concentrations and combinations to improve efficiency of shoot proliferation. Investigate acclimatization requirements of in vitro and ex vitro plantlets.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This is the first year of the project with a goal to help small-scale farms to find alternate ways to increase their productivity and profitability by developing an efficient propagation protocol for medicinal plants and using forest farming on marginal woodland, and has met the objectives as planned. These objectives are (1) establish an efficient micropropagation and production protocol; (2) acclimatize and boost growth of micropropagated plantlets in high tunnels; and (3) investigate and develop forest farming guidelines for growing medicinal plants at the wooded areas on the University Farm. Significant results achieved: Forest farming field was established with the needed plant population. Plant population was constantly and consistently maintained to overcome natural losses due to animal damage and severe climate conditions. Micropropagation was successfully established. Shoot initiation and proliferation were achieved. Multiple shoots were produced. Acclimatization shading requirements were established in the greenhouse and/or high tunnels. Impact: Our preliminary results indicated that protocols developed from this project have potential to significantly (10 times or more) increase production and the profit margin for our stakeholders, and can be applied to other highly demanded cash crops.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Yang G*, S Gu, J Idassi, ZC Lu, and J Beck. 2014. Field Establishment for Forest Farming with Black Cohosh and Goldenseal. Accepted by Southern Region (SR) American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS) annual conference, Atlanta GA, January 30, 2015, and being printed/published in the HortScience, a journal of ASHS.
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