Performing Department
Entomology
Non Technical Summary
Developing sustainable agricultural food systems which meet the food, fiber, and fuel needs of our society while maintaining healthy economies, enviroments, and communities will require land-grant university extension personnel who are trained to provide technical expertise in the areas of sustainable agriculture to farmers, businesses, and communities. Funding from theNational Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program will be used to support unique training opportunities and enhance traditional tours and workshops with a focus on sustainable agriculture at the 2013 National Association of County Agricultural Agents meeting in Pittsburgh, PA.Five day-long professional tours for Extension educators will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 accomodating up to324 attendees. Tours will feature locally grown foods, organic waste management, water quality initiatives and horticultural production. These tours will also highlight the urban sustainable agriculture outreach that is available in Pittsburgh. Finally, extension educators will increase their awareness of professional opportunities in sustainable agriculture throughpresentations ofSARE-funded research projects and recognition of the SARE Fellows Program and the Sustainable Agriculture Search for Excellence Award. Educators will increase their knowledge about Sustainable Agriculture practices by visiting sustainable farms and businesses. In addition, educators will become aware of sustainable agriculture resources and develop contacts/networks to help them develop educational programs in their local communities.
Animal Health Component
25%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
This project will train over 300 land-grant university extension personnel in the principles of sustainable agriculture, includingopportunities and challenges,through farm tours, research presentations byfarmers and extension agents involved in the SARE program, and through recognition of Search for Excellence Sustainable Agricultureaward winners andthe SARE Fellows Program.
Project Methods
The 2013 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference, scheduled for September 15-20 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, will provide extension professionals from throughout the nation an opportunity for professional improvement in sustainable agriculture. For 2013, NACAA will be joining together with the NAE4-HA (4-H Agents), ANREP (Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals), ESP (Epsilon Sigma Phi), NACDEP (National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals), NAEFCS (National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science). This meeting coordinated by JCEP (Joint Council of Extension Professionals) is entitled Galaxy IV. The total attendance of Galaxy IV should exceed 2,500 attendees...of which NACAA should have approximately 500-700 Ag Agents in attendance Funding provided via the National Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program will be used to support unique training opportunities and enhance traditional tours and workshops with a focus on sustainable agriculture. 5 Day-long professional tours for Extension educators will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013. Six tours are currently planned that will highlight Sustainable Agriculture. These tours would accommodate up to 324 attendees. Tours will feature locally grown foods, organic waste management, water quality initiatives and horticultural production. These tours will also highlight the urban sustainable agriculture outreach that is available in Pittsburgh.