Progress 09/01/14 to 06/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience is Alaskan farmers, ranchers, and pesticide applicators, both in the horticultural world and those involved in animal agriculture. Along with active farms that make a living selling horticultural or animal products, we are also targeting hobby enthusist and homesteaders, as we want to make them aware of parasite issues, that if left unchecked could spread to our major farms. Pest scouts concentrated their major time in the four major agricultural hubs of Alaska: Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Kenai Peninsula, and the Mat-Su Valley. For the animal aspect of our project, ranchers were taught how to survey their cattle, sheep, and goats for the presence of external parasites (lice and ticks) and how to properly assess and record body condition. Fresh fecal samples were collected to determine internal parasite loads. Fecal analysis was performed, with the ranchers receiving a report containing the diagnostic results and recommendations for proper deworming strategies and parasite prevention methods. For horticultural farms, scouts looked for the presence of pests on the various plants. Farmers were given information about how to search for pests (sweeping and sticky traps for insects) and what to do if they did find something. Changes/Problems:We met a lot of resistance from farmers/ranchers. They viewed the university as part of the government, and as such, did not want scouts visiting their farms. Many people were skeptical of our agenda. We made multiple attempts to inform them that we wanted to teach them about pests and become first responders. But even with repeated attempts, we were not able to reach the number of farms as we had initially hoped. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Biannual training sessions were provided for all scouts and scientists involved in the study. Biweekly meetings also occurred to keep all informed of the presence of any new pests or new information regarding pesticides. Hands-on seminars regarding safe handling of livestock was provided to all scouts. Scouts were allowed to attend conferences for continuing education. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our scouts worked diligently to disseminate information. They are tasked with communicating with the public with phone calls and emails, for immediate client questions and concerns. They actively interact with the public at various Garden Clubs, Farm Bureau meetings, annual Forage Producers meeting, and annual Alaska Sustainable Agriculture conference. Radio interviews with KSRM, television segments with KTVF, and multiple newspaper articles were produced. Horticultural and pesticide information was disseminated via the online courses. Information was also disseminated via blog, email, and hands-on training seminars for producers with livestock. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
For goal 1: The pest scouts received training to make them more efficient at scouting for pests and for them to feel more confident in their ability to identify pests and pest problems on farms. Their skillsets were expanded each year of the grant. They attended the Alaska Invasive Species conference and the Alaska Sustainable Agriculture conferences each year. Along with attending the meetings, some of our scouts presented training sessions. Specifically they provided opportunities for inspectors of weed-free forage and gravel certification. Other presentations were given at the annual Pesticide Applicators convention, annual Alaska Peony Producer's conference, and Western SARE conference. Fecal analysis of animals provided information regarding parasitism in Alaskan livestock. Up-to-date deworming information was provided to farmers so that appropriate drug usage and pasture management could be implemented. For goal 2: The online course was created for pesticide applicators. We worked with UAF E-Learning to establish the platform to post training videos, notes, and quizzes. For goal 3: Pest scouts worked to strengthen the network of first detectors (people who report locations of invasive species). Work has begun to catalogue invasive weeds and pests found on horticultural farms.
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Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience is farmers, ranchers, and pesticide applicators in AIaska. This first year of the project 17 ranchers and 56 farmers were visited, interviewed, and presented with information to help them find, indentify, and control pests. Changes/Problems:There has been some push back from some farmers not wanting scouts to visit their farms. We are seen as part of the government and suspected as having some agenda other than teaching about pests and being first responders. With our earlier successes and continued advertising at meetings, in the paper, and newsletters we are hoping to overcome this resistance. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have had two training sessions. The first was to instruct the scouts on the goals of the project and to go over all the potential pests that they might encounter. A protocol for the visits was developed and scouts practiced body scoring and testing for anemia on cattle. In the second training, an improved protocol was developed, more training on insect pests was provided and scouts practiced body scoring and testing for anemia on sheep. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Prelimiary results of the animal portion of the study were reported at the annual Alaska Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Anchorage in Feb. 2016. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?More farms and ranches will be visited in the summer of 2016, with a goal of an additional 200 farms and ranches. Completion of the first two on-line I{M training courses for pesticide applicators should be completed and approved for use by the Alaksa Department on Environmental Conservation.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
For accomplishment 1, our pest scouts have had two trainging sessions and have been actively visiting farms (56) and ranches (17) in Alaska. Fecal samples have been taken and analysed for internal parasites and our scouts are being contacted by farmers and ranchers with questions and information about pests. For accomplishment 2, work has started on creating two on-line IPM training courses for pesticide applicators. For accomplishment 3, all data sources have been identified. Work is not focused on finding a site to house all the information.
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Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Pest scouts have begun visiting farms and ranches in the Fairbanks area, Delta Junction, Kenai Peninsula, and the Mat-Su Valley. At the ranches, cattle have been checked for external parasites and been given body scores. Fresh fecal samples have been collected to determine internal parasite loads. Ranch information has been obtained and ranchers have been instructed on scouting techniques for pests on both animals and pastures. At the farms, farmers are being given information about how to search for pests (sweeping and sticky traps for insects) and what to do if they find something. Most visits have been to ranches, but it is expected that there will be more farm visits as the season progresses. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Pest scouts have had two days of training to bolster their knowledge from previous work as IPM technicians. We have developed a shared google drive and it is being regularly updated with information on pests that have been found and how to identify them (e.g. lygus bugs). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Newspaper articles have been published in several local papers about the project. The first was to encourage people to use our survey to report their most important pest. The second was to let growers know that we had started visiting farms and ranches. These articles have been adapted to go to the the AK Division of Agriculture Newsletter and to listserves of other agencies and groups. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We intend to increase the reach of the farm and ranch visits. In the coming winter we plan to begin work on combining data bases and develop our first on-line IPM training course.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The four scouts have begun visiting farms and ranches in their respective regions. Most operations visited to date are ranches or peony growers. Much effort is going into obtaining contact information for Alaska's farmers.
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