Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The final year of this grant, where we were on a no-cost extension, saw many of the programs and activitiescancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions in Washington State beginning in March, 2020. High School Outreach Target Audiences: The EnvironMentors Programat White Swan High School reached 3 American Indian and 1 Hispanic student as part of the 2019-2020 academic year. Camp S.E.E.D. Program at Heritage Universitywas cancelled in summer 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. Community Outreach Target Audiences: TheAdentro Programwas phased out in 2017-2018 as reported in Year 3. Community Meetings.These meetings were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. HU NEW-ACRE HSI Partner Meetingwas held at utilizing Zoom in Prosser Spring 2020. Dr. Naidu Rayapati from WSU-IAREC in Prosser led the discussions on future partnerships. Arbor Day at Yakima Area Arboretumin 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. Undergraduate Target Audiences: Summer Research Experience (SRE) for undergraduatesSeptember 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020: 2 students participated in the SREs - 1 Hispanic males (first generation), 1 Native American female. These students are majoring in the agriculturally-STEM related disciplines of: Environmental Science and Environmental Studies. Incoming Freshman FairandIncoming Transfer Student Fairat Heritage University during Spring, 2020 were cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. Faculty Development Target Audiences: SACNAS 2019 National Conferencein Honolulu, HI. 2 HU faculty attended, 4 HU-SRE undergraduate student attended and presented. ABRCMS 2019 National Conferencein Anaheim, CA. 1 Hispanic Computer Science student attended and presented. Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposiumwas cancelled in Spring 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. Changes/Problems:The 2019-2020 academic year experienced significant difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to restriction in Washington State beginning in March, 2020. The HU campus moved to predominantly distance learning and has remained so through the Fall of 2021. All group activities and travel were cancelled during this period. Many of the publications planned for this period have been paused while we adjust to this new way of educating. Much of our energy has been focused on pivoting to supporting students through this change, working to ensure we do not lose any of them due to the stresses and barriers COVID-19 has created. In addition, many our students and their families make up the 'essential workforce' that kept working throughout the pandemic. As we are in an agricultural region, our area was hit early and hard by COVID-19 infection rates. Per capita, we were at times the third highest rates of infections in the country during the first half of the pandemic. However, our students have proved resilient and we did use the last of the carry-over funds to do our best to support as many students as we could. That has been the theme of this entire grant, which now closes. We have helped many students complete their first research experiences, develop their love of science and move forward into graduate programs and careers. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Stephay RunningHawk Johnson was supported to lead the Heritage University Faculty Day training held virtually in August, 2020 as we prepared for the Fall 2020 semester. Dr. RunningHawk Johnson provided faculty with training on how to engage indigenous communities in research, including the IRB process, interacting with tribal governments, and developing respectful partnerships. Dr. Black was supported to attend the 2019 SACNAS conference and presented on this work and was able to learn from others. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Students and facultyhave presented at national conferences (SACNAS 2019) about their research. A student led publication summarizing the biochar research was planned for Spring, 2020, but has been delayed due to COVID-19. However, as we have adjusted to this new normal, we are continuing with the manuscript preparation and anticipate a publication in Spring 2021. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1) Improve education and interest in agriculture of local Yakima Valley middle and high school students: COVID-19 restrictions had a large impact on the final year of this grant, with many in-person events and activities cancelled or postponed. However, we were able to adapt a number of activities to distance education. Camp S.E.E.D. Program at Heritage Universitywas cancelled in Summer 2020 due to COVID related restrictions. Camp S.E.E.D. curriculum was developed and made into a manual by undergraduate student researcher. Manual now available for Camp S.E.E.D. and will continue to be used when the program continues in Summer 2021. 4 students (3 American Indian, 1 Hispanic) participated in the White Swan High School EnvironMentors program during 2019-2020 academic year. The White SwanEnvironMentors Community Event scheduled for March, 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. We expanded the EnvironMentors program in the 2019-2020 school year to the Yakama Nation Tribal School and adapted the program here to distance education utilizing Zoom from March through June, 2020. 4 American Indian students completed and presented their scientific research posters during a virtual community event. The National EnvironMentors Fair held in Washington, D.C.was cancelled in Summer 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Goal 2) Improve the capability of Heritage University to recruit, retain, support, and graduate underrepresented students who study fields related to agriculture A total of 2 students were either fully supported or partially supported to conduct their Summer Research Experiences during the 2019-2020 Year 5. We were able to continue the biochar research during the Summer of 2020 as the student could safely social distance outdoors while analyzing the apple orchard, Goal 3) To investigate the use of biochar as an agricultural soil amendment with the potential to improve water retention and decrease nutrient leaching. The community partnership with local growers in our area continues. We are planning to use the remaining biochar in a second apple orchard in 2021. In addition, we have been approached by the Yakama Nation who is also interested in utlizing some of the remaining biochar in several of their orchards. The publication summarizing the work by HU undergrads supported under this grant has been delayed until 2021 due to COVID-19. Goal 4) To develop a partnership between HSIs in South-Central Washington State, to strengthen their collective educational programs that serve relevant agricultural disciplines We have instituted monthly meetings between the state land grant institution WSU IAREC and two community colleges (Yakima Valley College and Columbia Basin College - both of which are HSIs). We plant to submit a joint grant in the 2021-2022 year. The partnerships developed during the tenure of this grant are stong and will carry on.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Figueroa, Jose Orduno, Paige Delp, Alexander Martinez, Xavier Martinez, and Jessica L. Black, 2019. Effects of Biochar on Apple Trees in Yakima County, South Central Washington State. SACNAS National Meeting, November 1, 2019, Honolulu, HI.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Martinez, Alexander, Alexis Oxley, Alexander Xavier and Jessica L. Black, 2019. Assessment of Biochar Amended Soil on Bell Pepper Growth and Production. SACNAS National Meeting, October 31, 2019, Honolulu, HI.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Martinez, Xavier, Alexis Oxley, Alexander Martinez and Jessica L. Black, 2019. Assessment of Biochar Amended Soil on Bell Pepper Growth and Production. SACNAS National Meeting, November 1, 2019, Honolulu, HI.
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:High School Outreach Target Audiences: The EnvironMentors Program at White Swan High School reached 4 American Indian and 1 Hispanic student as part of the 2018-2019 academic year. Camp S.E.E.D. Program at Heritage University continued with the two session configuration implemented in Year 3, with a total of 250 students served in the two sessions. School districts served include: Toppenish School District, Mount Adams School District, Sunnyside School District, Yakima School District, and Union Gap School District. Community Outreach Target Audiences: The Adentro Program was phased out in 2017-2018 as reported in Year 3. Community Meetings. We held our fourth meeting in 2019 with Agricultural partners to discuss biochar as a soil ammendment: 2 HU faculty, 4 HU students, 1 agricultural partner. HU NEW-ACRE HSI Partner Meeting was held at WSU-IAREC in Prosser, WA in Spring 2019. Dr. Naidu Rayapati from WSU-IAREC in Prosser led the discussions on future partnerships. Arbor Day at Yakima Area Arboretum in 2019 saw a booth by HU faculty (2) and students (10) reach 660 members of the public with an interactive booth on focusing on making topics in plant physiology accessible to all ages. Undergraduate Target Audiences: Summer Research Experience (SRE) for undergraduates September 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019: 4 students participated in the SREs - 3 Hispanic males (first generation), 1 White (Non-Hispanic) male (first generation), and 1 White (Non-Hispanic) female student. These students are majoring in the agriculturally-STEM related disciplines of: Environmental Science and Environmental Studies. Incoming Freshman Fair (65 students) and Incoming Transfer Student Fair (32 students) at Heritage University during Spring, 2019 where presentations made about agriculturally-related majors and career tracks. Faculty Development Target Audiences: AISES (American Indian in Science and Engineering Society) 2018 National Conference in Denver, CO. 2 HU faculty attended, 3 graduate student mentors and 1 HU-SRE undergraduate student attended and presented. Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium on April 2, 2019 in Toppenish, WA. Four HU SRE scholars (1 white female, 3 Hispanic male) students presented posters of their biochar research (A. Martinez, X. Martinez, P. Delp, J. Figueroa) at this conference. People of the Big River Field Class: 1 Native American Staff member at HU assisted in continued development of culturally responsive natural resource management curriculum with Heritage University faculty. Attended by 2 HU faculty/staff, 8 Yakama Nation/Colville, Spokane, Kalispell Tribal scientists, 12 HU students, 2 White Swan High School students, 3 Yakama Nation Tribal School students. Changes/Problems:We had sufficent funds at the conclusion of Year 4 to justify a no-cost extension to Year 5. This was approved in spring, 2019. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A series of indigenous experts in natural resources were brought to the HU campus to present to the faculty, including experts on Traditional Ecological Knowledge. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Three high school student presented their research posters at the EnvironMentors National Fair in Washington, D.C. in June, 2019. One University student (Z. Ketchen) presented research at AISES conference in Oklahoma in 2018. Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium on April 2, 2019 in Toppenish, WA. Four HU SRE scholars (1 white female, 3 Hispanic male) students presented posters of their biochar research (A. Martinez, X. Martinez, P. Delp, J. Figueroa) at this conference. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?All of the goals of the Project have already been achieved or even exceeded by Year 4. Year 4 focused on meetings with the regional HSI partners to plan for the next stage of this project. We were successful in being awarded an NSF HSI grant including the same partners as in this USDA HSI grant to continue and expand our work on helping to diversify the STEM and agricultural fields. We have entered into Year 5 in a no-cost extension. Specifically, during Year 5, we will: 1) Have more of our scholars be able to attend national conferences. All of the student participants attended local and regional research conferences to present their research, but not as many attended national conferences as we originally intended. The extension will allow us to support these students to present their USDA HSI grant supported research on a national scale (SACNAS 2019). 2) Continue to engage in undergraduate research. We have met our program objectives here, but with the addition of funds from the release of the external evaluation financial commitment this past Winter/Spring, we will continue to enhance these objectives. We will support additional undergraduate research projects and research mentors for these projects. These additional research stipends and the additional time through this extension will result in the first publishable research regarding biochar's use as a soil amendment in apple orchards in our region, and will be one of the few studies internationally on this topic. 3) Continue to engage in FANH outreach. We have met our program objectives here as well, but the additional funding from release of the external evaluation financial commitment will allow us to further enhance and develop these programs, integrating our undergraduate scholars with area youth. We will be able to engage with over 100 more youths through this no-cost extension. 4) Have our undergraduate students complete manuscripts to be submitted for publication in the 2019-2020 academic year, therefore achieving our program objectives. While several students have begun writing manuscripts to publish their research, they are not yet complete these manuscripts and we need the additional time to mentor them through submission. 5) Continued Professional Development for FANH faculty. The additional funds will also be used to attend professional development workshops in the 2019-2020 year to enhance teaching and engagement. The objective of professional development was met, but we feel this could be enhanced with the released funding.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1) Improve education and interest in agriculture of local Yakima Valley middle and high school students: Camp S.E.E.D. Program at Heritage University continued with the two session configuration implemented in Year 3, with a total of 250 students served in the two sessions. School districts served include: Toppenish School District, Mount Adams School District, Sunnyside School District, Yakima School District, and Union Gap School District. Camp S.E.E.D. curriculum was developed and made into a manual by undergraduate student researcher. Manual now available for Camp S.E.E.D. and continues to be updated each year. 5 students (4 American Indian, 1 Hispanic) participated in the White Swan High School EnvironMentors program during 2018-2019 academic year and presented their research posters in April, 2018 at the EnvironMentors Community Event. Three students then presented their research posters at the National EnvironMentors Fair in Washington, D.C. in June 2019 Goal 2) Improve the capability of Heritage University to recruit, retain, support, and graduate underrepresented students who study fields related to agriculture: A total of 6 students were either fully supported or partially supported to conduct their Summer Research Experiences during the 2018-2019 Year 4. 4 HU students were mentors for EnvironMentors in 2018-2019. The Graduate Student mentors were not scheduled in the projected final year, Year 4, of the grant. Goal 3) To investigate the use of biochar as an agricultural soil amendment with the potential to improve water retention and decrease nutrient leaching: This project was finalized in Year 4, with students analyzing their data from the previous years and presenting their results in local and national conferences. The objective to expand the on-farm trials in an apple orchard implemented in Year 3 in partnership with Cornerstone Ranches on an apple orchard continued, with the second year of data collected by undergraduate student researchers. 3 undergraduate student researchers completed projects related to biochar as a soil amendment in agriculture during Spring to Fall 2019. Partners from Colorado State University (formerly at USDA ARS facility in Kimberly, ID, WSU) and WSU Prosser continued to support our initiatives through conference call meetings and email exchanges to help Heritage University faculty further develop the field and lab protocols for the biochar research with fruit trees (apple). Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium on April 3, 2019 in Toppenish, WA. Four HU SRE scholars (1 white female, 2 Hispanic male - all first generation) students presented posters of their biochar research (J. Figueroa, A. Martinez, X. Martinez, P. Delp) at this conference. The Adentro Program was phased out in 2017-2018 as reported in Year 3. Goal 4) To develop a partnership between HSIs in South-Central Washington State, to strengthen their collective educational programs that serve relevant agricultural disciplines: A fourth meeting was held at WSU-IAREC in Prosser, WA between the faculty partners from Heritage University, Yakima Valley College and Washington State University- Prosser. One project meeting was held during Year 4. A second site visit to WSU- IAREC in Prosser occurred in Spring 2019. Meetings with USDA ARS Wapato, WA scientists, WSU Prosser faculty were held to discuss the partnering for the next stage of this project, with two grant proposals submitted in 2019.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Alexander Martinez, Xavier Martinez , Paige Delp, Jose Figueroa 2019. Assessment of Nitrate Retention in Biochar Amended Soils in a Wildfire Gala Apple Tree Orchard. Heritage Undergraduate Gathering of Scholars Symposium, Toppenish, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Jose Figueroa, 2019. Effects of Biochar on Apple Trees in the Yakima County,South Central Washington State. Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium, Toppenish, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Paige Delp, 2019. Biochar in Commercial Apple Orchards of the
Yakima Valley: 2018. Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium, Toppenish, WA.
|
Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:High School Outreach Target Audiences: The EnvironMentors Program at White Swan High School reached 3 American Indian and 3 Hispanic student as part of the 2017-2018 academic year. HU Biochar Research Outreach - The NorthWest School High School students (65 students) from Seattle, WA came over to help prepare new biochar field trial plots in partnership with Cornerstone Ranches on newly planted Gala Apple tree orchard with HU SRE undergraduates in Spring 2018. Many of these urban students had never been on a farm before. Camp S.E.E.D. Program at Heritage University reconfigured the program and ran two session (instead of three as in the year prior) with predominantly Hispanic Middle School students from migrant worker family backgrounds (45 students each session). The two sessions were expanded to a total of 265 students served in the two sessions, more than doubling the middle school students reached in Summer 2017. School districts served include: Toppenish School District, Mount Adams School District, Sunnyside School District, Yakima School District, and Union Gap School District. Community Outreach Target Audiences: The Adentro Program was phased out this past year as the number of community members reached was not considered sufficient to continue the program. Instead, the HU ENACTUS program reconfigured the curriculum developed with the support of HU NEW-ACRE partnered with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide to offer Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, known as VITA, and provide service to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and non-English speaking taxpayers who cannot afford professional tax services. By organizing one of three FREE VITA service sites in Yakima County, HU provided the only site with eight bilingual IRS- certified volunteer counselors. Over the course of eight days, 394 tax returns with an average refund of $2,134.46 per household were transmitted. This resulted in a total of over $840,980.00 going directly back into the pockets of these underprivileged populations, many of whom indicated they are currently employed or are hoping to start businesses in the agricultural sector. Community Meetings built held our third meeting in 2018 with Agricultural partners to discuss biochar as a soil ammendment: 4 HU faculty, 3 HU students, 5 agricultural partners including 1 local farmers during Spring 2018. HU NEW-ACRE HSI Partner Meeting was held at HU in Spring 2018. Dr. Rodney Cooper from USDA Temperature Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research ARS facility in Wapato, WA joined discussions on biochar undergraduate research projects. Arbor Day at Yakima Area Arboretum saw a booth by HU faculty (2) and students (10) reach 550 members of the public with an interactive booth on focusing on making topics in plant physiology accessible to all ages. Undergraduate Target Audiences: Summer Research Experience (SRE) for undergraduates September 1, 2017 through August 31, 2018: 8 students participated in the SREs - 2 Hispanic males (first generation), 1 American Indian male (first generation), 1 White (Non-Hispanic) male (first generation), and 1 White (Non-Hispanic) female (first generation) student. These students are majoring in the agriculturally-STEM related disciplines of: Environmental Science and Environmental Studies. Incoming Freshman Fair (50 students) and Incoming Transfer Student Fair (44 students) at Heritage University during Spring, 2018 where presentations made about agriculturally-related majors and career tracks. Climate Leadership Summit by Our Climate: ENSC 102 Environmental Science II and Environmental Science and Studies majors and HU NEW-ACRE participants traveled to Seattle, WA for Climate change summit (35 undergraduate student participants, 2 HU faculty, 1 graduate mentor) February 10, 2018. Each participant received a Climate Leadership Certification by Our Climate. Faculty Development Target Audiences: AISES (American Indian in Science and Engineering Society) 2017 National Conference in Denver, CO. 2 HU faculty attended, 3 graduate student mentors and 1 HU-SRE undergraduate student attended and presented. Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium on April 3, 2018 in Toppenish, WA. Four HU SRE scholars (1 white female, 2 Hispanic male, 1 Hispanic female - all first generation) students presented posters of their biochar research (A. Martinez, X. Martinez, A. Oxley, S. Mena) at this conference. People of the Big River Field Class: 1 Hispanic Faculty member now at HU assisted in continued development of culturally responsive natural resource management curriculum with Heritage University faculty. Attended by 2 HU faculty, 8 Yakama Nation/Colville, Spokane, Kalispell Tribal scientists, 8 HU students, 6 White Swan High School students and 1 invited presenter (American Indian) from the Yakama Nation on intersection of tradition and ecology in natural resource management (presenter a past graduate and participant of HU NEW-ACRE program). Changes/Problems:The undergraduate research projects have changed format, and now extend throughout the year. This was found to be a more effective approach for both the mentors and the students. Students have reported that they feel more confident in their ability to analyze their data as they have more time to explore their research topics. The funding for these students has been extended throughout the academic year. We are working more closely with WSU Prosser now instead of WSU Tri-Cities as they have had several changes in leadership that have affected the program. We feel this is a positive change. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Biochar expert (Dr. Jim Ippolito, Colorado State University) participated through a conference call meeting with Heritage Faculty and participating community members and industry partners in further developing the protocols for the biochar field experiments on apple orchards (expanding from corn and bell peppers of previous years) during the Spring 2017 field season on the Heritage University Research Farm and Cornerstone Ranches orchard. Professional development for 2 faculty at AISES conference at Denver, CO in October, 2017. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Three high school student presented their research posters at the EnvironMentors National Fair in Washington, D.C. in June, 2017. One University student (M. Buck) presented research at AISES conference in Denver, CO, 2017. Four HU SRE scholars (1 white female, 2 Hispanic male, 1 Hispanic female - all first generation) students presented posters of their biochar research (A. Martinez, X. Martinez, A. Oxley, S. Mena) at the Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium on April 3, 2018 in Toppenish, WA. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The timeline for the HU-NEW-ACRE project was moved forward during Year 1 and then continued from that point and expanded in year 2. Year 3 continued with the goals and focus on community partnership development and strengthening ties with regional HSI partners. Year 4 will focus on disseminating of results by research scholars (publications in particular) and meetings with the regional HSI partners to plan for the next stage of this project. Many of the goals have already been achieved or even exceeded. Goal 1 - K-12 Outreach and Community Education/Training • The Camp S.E.E.D curriculum will be further revised and implemented again in Summer 2018. • 7-10 high school students will be recruited to participate in the 2018-2019 EnvironMentors program at White Swan High School. Goal 2 - Recruitment and Retention • At least one visit to USDA ARS facility for undergraduate scholars part of project • Continuation of graduate student mentors from Washington State University for undergraduate student scholars in agriculturally related disciplines. • We believe we have sufficient funding for two additional students to participate in Summer Research Experiences for undergraduates conducting agriculturally related research (most related to biochar). We have been able to leverage additional funds from community partners. • 4 HU undergraduate students will serves as mentors for EnvironMentors high school students during 2018-2019 year. • At least one USDA/USFS career training session per semester of 2018-2019 for undergraduate students hoping to apply for internships or jobs (for example - USDA Pathways program). • All undergraduate student scholars from 2018 will present research at a conference during 2018-2019. Goal 3 - Biochar • Expansion of biochar project with community partner in hops and apple orchards. • At least one publication submitted for review from biochar research on Heritage University Research Farm • Continued development of partnerships with local agricultural producers. Goal 4 - HSI Partners • HSI partnerships will continue to develop with the goal of submitting a joint grant to continue the work started with the HU NEW-ACRE program into the next phase.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
To date, the project has trained its third cohort of American Indian, Hispanic and First Generation undergraduate scholars in agricultural research aimed at addressing community needs. Each of these students chose to research a topic that would benefit their community, such as the utilization of biochar as a soil amendment in water-stressed agricultural regions, and they will each formally present their research findings at a conference in the coming year. Year 3 of the HU NEW-ACRE project continued on with the progress made in Years 1 and 2. Goal 1) Improve education and interest in agriculture of local Yakima Valley middle and high school students Enroll 65 at-risk middle school students from largely Hispanic migrant worker families in the area around Heritage University in Camp S.E.E.D. (Social, Economic, & Environmental Development) for 2 summers, to help these students become more invested in their education, to help them upgrade their math skills, to insure that they develop the financial skills others in their families may not possess, and to reverse the steed decline of student interest in STEM that occurs during the middle school years. Camp S.E.E.D. Program at Heritage University reconfigured the program and ran two session (instead of three as in the year prior). The two sessions were expanded to a total of 265 students served in the two sessions, more than doubling the middle school students reached in Summer 2017. School districts served include: Toppenish School District, Mount Adams School District, Sunnyside School District, Yakima School District, and Union Gap School District. Support an undergraduate student to work on strengthening the Camp S.E.E.D. science curriculum in partnership with the regional USDA agencies to provide a more culturally responsive method of introducing students to promising agricultural careers Camp S.E.E.D. curriculum was developed and made into a manual by undergraduate student researcher. Manual now available for Camp S.E.E.D. and continues to be updated each year. Engage 15 students from White Swan High School in the EnvironMentors (EM) program, which provides hands-on research experience and support by a mentor. This program envisions young adult leaders from all cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds as active steward of their communities and their environments. The HU NEW-ACRE project will strengthen the current EM program, introducing the element of intergenerational mentoring by matching each high school participant with an undergraduate student mentor. 6 students (3 American Indian, 3 Hispanic) participated in the White Swan High School EnvironMentors program during 2017-2018 academic year and presented their research posters in April, 2018 at the EnvironMentors Community Event. Three students then presented their research posters at the National EnvironMentors Fair in Washington, D.C. in June 2018. Goal 2) Improve the capability of Heritage University to recruit, retain, support, and graduate underrepresented students who study fields related to agriculture Undergraduate students will participate in summer research, using an NSF-REU model, where students work closely with a faculty member on research in their discipline. The research conducted through this project will be on examining the effects of biochar application on agricultural soil, and the crops grown in that soil. A total of 6 students were either fully supported or partially supported to conduct their Summer Research Experiences during the 2017-2018 Year 3. Undergraduate students will serve as mentors for HS student involved in the EnvironMentors program. Being seen by a younger student as an expert and a source of advice for issues related to education and beyond helps the older student see her or himself as someone knowledgeable and respected. Creating this sense of accomplishment and self-worth helps keeps students engaged in their education and persisting to graduation. 5 HU students were mentors for EnvironMentors in 2017-2018. Undergraduates will be mentored by graduate students from WSU's Department of Horticulture. The students will interact at least once each month through phone calls or SKYPE. This interaction will helps the undergraduates get a better sense of what graduate school entails, and give them someone to talk to when they face challenges in their studies or their lives Two graduate students (from Washington State University) interacted throughout the year with 6 undergraduate students researchers and met biannually with the students. Goal 3) To investigate the use of biochar as an agricultural soil amendment with the potential to improve water retention and decrease nutrient leaching, Continue the research into biochar effects as a soil amendment in corn crops at the Heritage University Teaching and Research Farm 5 undergraduate student researchers completed projects related to biochar as a soil amendment in agriculture during Fall 2017 to Summer 2018. The focus shifted to bell peppers. Partners from Colorado State University (formerly at USDA ARS facility in Kimberly, ID, WSU) and WSU Prosser all came together for a third year (conference call meeting) to help Heritage University faculty further develop the field and lab protocols for the biochar research during a Research Planning Meeting in Spring 2018. Expand the biochar research to on-farm trial in the surrounding area on crops including hops, apples, and grapes This objective was implemented in Year 3 in partnership with Cornerstone Ranches on an apple orchard. Year 1 and 2 were planning years for this objective. Share the results of the research both through publication, but also through the HSI Regional Partnership and through interaction with local agricultural producers Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium on April 3, 2018 in Toppenish, WA. Four HU SRE scholars (1 white female, 2 Hispanic male, 1 Hispanic female - all first generation) students presented posters of their biochar research (A. Martinez, X. Martinez, A. Oxley, S. Mena) at this conference. The Adentro Program was phased out this past year as the number of community members reached was not considered sufficient to continue the program. Instead, the HU ENACTUS program reconfigured the curriculum developed with the support of HU NEW-ACRE partnered with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide to offer Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, known as VITA, and provide service to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and non-English speaking taxpayers who cannot afford professional tax services. Over the course of eight days, 394 tax returns with an average refund of $2,134.46 per household were transmitted. This resulted in a total of over $840,980.00 going directly back into the pockets of these underprivileged populations, many of whom indicated they are currently employed or are hoping to start businesses in the agricultural sector. Goal 4) To develop a partnership between HSIs in South-Central Washington State, to strengthen their collective educational programs that serve relevant agricultural disciplines 1. Partners will meet twice each year to discuss effective practice in recruiting, retaining, supporting, and graduating Hispanic students A third meeting was held at Heritage University between the faculty partners from Heritage University, Yakima Valley College and Washington State University- Prosser. One project meeting was held during Year 3. Project leaders will visit each participating institution at least once to become familiar with their strengths and resources A second site visit to Heritage University occurred in Spring 2018. Partners will collectively seek further funding to advance the goal of enhancing education for underrepresented students Meetings with USDA ARS Wapato, WA scientists, WSU Prosser faculty were held to discuss the partnering for the next stage of this project, to be pursued in 2019.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Micheal Buck, Ralph Lampman, Jessica Black, Alexander Alexiades (2017). Identifying Yakama Nation NWOK (Native Ways of Knowing) through Acknowledgements of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Pacific Lamprey Harvest Methods. American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). Denver, CO.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Alexander Martinez, 2018. The Impact of Biochar on plant height. Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium, Toppenish, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Xavier Martinez 2018. Assessment of biochar amended soil on bell pepper growth and production. Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium, Toppenish, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Alexis Oxley, 2018. Impact of Biochar on Bell Pepper Diameter.Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium, Toppenish, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Sandra Mena, 2018. Does the Addition of Biochar as a Soil Amendment Increase Soil Water Retention? Heritage University Gathering of Scholars Symposium, Toppenish, WA.
|
Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:High School Outreach Target Audiences: The EnvironMentors Program at White Swan High School reached 5 American Indian and 2 Hispanic student as part of the 2016-2017 academic year. HU Biochar Research Outreach - The NorthWest School High School students (75 students) from Seattle, WA came over to help prepare the HU Research Farm biochar field trial plots with HU SRE undergraduates in Spring 2017. Many of these urban students had never been on a farm before. Camp S.E.E.D. Program at Heritage University saw expansion from two session with predominantly Hispanic Middle School students from migrant worker family backgrounds (45 students each session) to an additional third session with 20 high school students from the Yakama Nation Tribal School. Total students served during Camp S.E.E.D summer 2017 was 110. Community Outreach Target Audiences: The Adentro Program curriculum was redone by American Indian Business Administration student working with HU Faculty and piloted new curriculum during Summer 2016 and implemented during Fall 2016 and into Spring 2017with 24 American Indian and Hispanic community members total hoping to start their own agriculturally-related businesses. Community Meetings built on year one meeting with a second meeting in 2017 with Agricultural partners to discuss biochar as a soil ammendment: 4 HU faculty, 3 HU students, 5 agricultural partners including 1 local farmers during Spring 2017. HU NEW-ACRE HSI Partner Meeting was held at WSU Tri-Cities in Spring 2017. Arbor Day at Yakima Area Arboretum saw a booth by HU faculty (4) and students (10) reach 400 members of the public with an interactive booth on stomata from leaves from trees (overall forestry theme). Undergraduate Target Audiences: Summer Research Experience (SRE) for undergraduates during Fall 2016 through end of Summer 2017: 8 students participated in the SREs - 3 Hispanic females (all first generation), 2 American Indian males (all first generation), 2 Hispanic males (all first generation), 1 White (Non-Hispanic) male (first generation), and 1 White (Non-Hispanic) female (first generation) student. These students are majoring in the agriculturally-STEM related disciplines of: Business Administration, Environmental Science, Biology, Computer Science, and Chemistry. Incoming Freshman Fair (45 students) and Incoming Transfer Student Fair (35 students) at Heritage University during Spring, 2017 where presentations made about agriculturally-related majors and career tracks. Nature Conservancy Field Trip was a joint trip between HSI partner YVC and HU to bring students to Nature Conservancy land during winter while snow shoeing, meeting with personnel from the Nature Conservancy, and learning about potential career paths in this region. 6 HU students (5 AI/AN, 1 Hispanic) 6 YVC students (6 Hispanic), 1 HU professor, 1 YVC professor. Faculty Development Target Audiences: USDA NIFA HSI PI Meeting Conference Presentation, Albuquerque, NM: 1 Faculty member (J. Black) presented about USDA HSI programs as part of HU NEW-ACRE grant at the USDA NIFA HSI Annual Meeting in New Mexico. AISES (American Indian in Science and Engineering Society) 2016 National Conference in Minneapolis, MN. 2 HU faculty attended, 3 graduate student mentors attended and presented. People of the Big River Field Class: 1 Hispanic Faculty member from Northern New Mexico College came of field class to present expertise and assist in development of culturally responsive natural resource management curriculum with Heritage University faculty. Attended by 2 HU faculty, 8 Yakama Nation/Coeur d'Alene, Spokane, Umatilla Tribal scientists, 12 HU students, 6 White Swan High School students and 1 invited presenter (American Indian) from the Washington State University (forest ecology expert). Changes/Problems:Changes: Two of the original PIs on this project changed jobs and are no longer part of Heritage University. An additional faculty member (Civil Engineer/Environmental Science) and the Director for the Enactus program (Business Adminstration), who both began their positions in 2016-2017, have stepped in to fulfill the role these original PIs had in the project. There are three graduate student mentors that are part of this project, but they are largely paid through an NSF grant to Alexiades. These students have developed strong relationships with each of the student researchers and have biannual visits with the students. The graduate students also come for work on the NSF grant which include some overlapping students (projects separate- no overlap). We have partnered to be more efficient in use of our funds. It may appear that we are not meeting the graduate student mentor goal when reviewing the budget report, but in fact we are right on target and with considerable success in terms of relationship development with the undergraduate students. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two experts on biochar (Dr. Jim Ippolito, USDA ARS Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Laboratory in Kimberly, ID and Dr. Joan Davenport, Washington State University - Prosser) participated through a conference call meeting with Heritage Faculty and participating community members and industry partners in further developing the protocols for the biochar field experiments on bell peppers during the Summer 2017 field season on the Heritage University Research Farm. Professional development and training for Project Director Jessica Black at the USDA NIFA HSI PI meeting in Albuquerque, NM Spring 2017. Professional development for 2 faculty at AISES conference at Minneapolis, MN in November, 2016. Professional development for post-baccalaureate student at EnvironMentors National Conference, June, 2017, Washington, D.C. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?One undergraduate American Indian student (female) researcher presented her project in an oral session at the Intertribal Agriculture Council Conference 30th Annual Membership Meeting in Las Vegas, NV. Student awarded Producer of the Year by Intertribal Agriculture Council. Four high school student presented their research posters at the EnvironMentors National Fair in Washington, D.C. in June,2017. Heritage University faculty participant presented at the USDA NIFA HSI PI Meeting in Albuquerque, NM in Spring 2017 on HU NEW-ACRE Project. Two University students presented research at AISES conference in Minneapolis, MN, 2016. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The timeline for the HU-NEW-ACRE project was moved forward during Year 1 and then continued from that point and expanded in year 2. Year 3 will continue with the goals and focus on community partnership development and strengthening ties with regional HSI partners. Goal 1 - K-12 Outreach and Community Education/Training • The Camp S.E.E.D curriculum will be further revised and implemented again in Summer 2018. • 7-10 high school students will be recruited to participate in the EnvironMentors program at White Swan High School. • Beaver indigenous long term ecological research project with Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources and Yakama Nation Tribal School will continue from Year 1- anticipate at least 3 field trips with high school students and university students related to beaver project. Goal 2 - Recruitment and Retention • At least one visit to USDA ARS facility for undergraduate scholars part of project • Continuation of graduate student mentors from Washington State University for undergraduate student scholars in agriculturally related disciplines. • 5 additional students will participate in Summer Research Experiences for undergraduates conducting agriculturally related research (most related to biochar). • 5 HU undergraduate students will serves a mentors for EnvironMentors high school students during 2017-2018 year. • At least one USDA/USFS career training session per semester of 2017-2018 for undergraduate students hoping to apply for internships or jobs (for example - USDA Pathways program). • All undergraduate student scholars from 2016 and 2017 will present research at a conference during 2017-2018. • Additional Field trip to Washington State University, the land grant institution of Washington State. Goal 3 - Biochar • Year 3 of the biochar field trials will be conducted on Heritage University Research Farm • Expansion of biochar project with community partner in hops and apple orchards. • At least one publication submitted for review from biochar research on Heritage University Research Farm • Continued development of partnerships with local agricultural producers and establishment of community demonstration plots. Unable to do this in Year 2 - will become focus of Year 3. Goal 4 - HSI Partners • HSI partnerships will continue to develop and have expanded to include Northern New Mexico College and New Mexico State University. • PD will travel to USDA NIFA HSI Project Directors Meeting in 2018 with undergraduate scholars to present research projects.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
To date, the project has trained its second cohort of American Indian, Hispanic and First Generation undergraduate scholars in agricultural research aimed at addressing community needs. Each of these students chose to research a topic that would benefit their community, such as the utilization of biochar as a soil amendment in water-stressed agricultural regions, and they will each formally present their research findings at a conference in the coming year. In addition, agricultural and natural resource outreach programs have been implemented at area high schools with high Hispanic and American Indian students, with four of these students travelling to present their research project in Washington, DC for the EnvironMentors National Fair. Year 2 of the HU NEW-ACRE project continued on with the progress made in Year 1, with an expansion of all initiatives. Goal 1) Improve education and interest in agriculture of local Yakima Valley middle and high school students Enroll 65 at-risk middle school students from largely Hispanic migrant worker families in the area around Heritage University in Camp S.E.E.D. (Social, Economic, & Environmental Development) for 2 summers, to help these students become more invested in their education, to help them upgrade their math skills, to insure that they develop the financial skills others in their families may not possess, and to reverse the steed decline of student interest in STEM that occurs during the middle school years. Camp S.E.E.D was expanded to a third session for high school students from the Yakama Nation Tribal School and a total of 110 students were reached. Support an undergraduate student to work on strengthening the Camp S.E.E.D. science curriculum in partnership with the regional USDA agencies to provide a more culturally responsive method of introducing students to promising agricultural careers Camp S.E.E.D. curriculum was developed and made into a manual by undergraduate student researcher. Manual now available for Camp S.E.E.D. in future, to be continually developed and updated. Engage 15 students from White Swan High School in the EnvironMentors (EM) program, which provides hands-on research experience and support by a mentor. This program envisions young adult leaders from all cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds as active steward of their communities and their environments. The HU NEW-ACRE project will strengthen the current EM program, introducing the element of intergenerational mentoring by matching each high school participant with an undergraduate student mentor. 7 students (2 Hispanic, 5 American Indian) participated in the White Swan High School EnvironMentors (EM) program during 2016-2017. 4 students (2 Hispanic, 2 American Indian) presented their research posters at the National EnvironMentors Fair in Washington, D.C. in June 2017. Goal 2) Improve the capability of Heritage University to recruit, retain, support, and graduate underrepresented students who study fields related to agriculture Undergraduate students will participate in summer research, using an NSF-REU model, where students work closely with a faculty member on research in their discipline. The research conducted through this project will be on examining the effects of biochar application on agricultural soil, and the crops grown in that soil. A total of 8 students were either fully supported or partially supported to conduct their Summer Research Experiences during the 2016-2017 Year 2. Undergraduate students will serve as mentors for HS student involved in the EnvironMentors program. Being seen by a younger student as an expert and a source of advice for issues related to education and beyond helps the older student see her or himself as someone knowledgeable and respected. Creating this sense of accomplishment and self-worth helps keeps students engaged in their education and persisting to graduation 5 HU students were mentors for the high school EnvironMentors Program. Undergraduates will be mentored by graduate students from WSU's Department of Horticulture. The students will interact at least once each month through phone calls or SKYPE. This interaction will helps the undergraduates get a better sense of what graduate school entails, and give them someone to talk to when they face challenges in their studies or their lives Three graduate students (from Washington State University) interacted once a month with 6 undergraduate students researchers and met biannually with the students. Goal 3) To investigate the use of biochar as an agricultural soil amendment with the potential to improve water retention and decrease nutrient leaching, Continue the research into biochar effects as a soil amendment in corn crops at the Heritage University Teaching and Research Farm 5 undergraduate student researchers completed projects related to biochar as a soil amendment in agriculture during Summer 2017. Partners from the USDA ARS facility in Kimberly, ID, WSU and WSU Prosser all came together for a second year (conference call meeting) to help Heritage University faculty further develop the field and lab protocols for the biochar research during a Research Planning Meeting in Spring 2017. Expand the biochar research to on-farm trial in the surrounding area on crops including hops, apples, and grapes This objective will begin being implement in Year 3. Year 1 and 2 were planning years for this objective. 2 meetings with community partners did occur to discuss which crop and which partners will be willing to be a part of this effort. Share the results of the research both through publication, but also through the HSI Regional Partnership and through interaction with local agricultural producers Heritage University faculty participant presented at the USDA NIFA HSI PI Meeting in Albuquerque, NM in Spring 2017 on HU NEW-ACRE Project. One undergraduate student research (American Indian female) presented her project in an oral session at the Intertribal Agriculture Council Conference 30th Annual Membership Meeting in Las Vegas, NV. Student awarded Producer of the Year by Intertribal Agriculture Council. Two local agricultural producers assisted with preparation of agricultural field trials through advising and support with heavy farm equipment and operators. Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing (ORFH) ADENTRO program at Heritage University's curriculum was revised by student researcher and piloted during Summer 2016. Main implementation of the revised ADENTRO program occurred in Year 2 Fall 2016-Srping 2017. Program successfully graduated 24 American Indian and Hispanic community members interested in beginning their own agriculturally-related businesses. Goal 4) To develop a partnership between HSIs in South-Central Washington State, to strengthen their collective educational programs that serve relevant agricultural disciplines Partners will meet twice each year to discuss effective practice in recruiting, retaining, supporting, and graduating Hispanic students A second meeting was held at Washington State University Tric-Cities between the faculty partners from Heritage University, Yakima Valley College and Washington State University- Tri-Cities. Only one project meeting was held during Year 2. Project leaders will visit each participating institution at least once to become familiar with their strengths and resources Site visits to partner institutions started in Year 2. WSU Tri-Cities was visited by the other partner institutions in Spring, 2017. Partners will collectively seek further funding to advance the goal of enhancing education for underrepresented students Year 3 will begin the application for additional funding as a collective group. Year 2 was focused on continuing partnership development.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Black, Jessica L., Human Resources for a New Agriculture: Educating a More Diverse, Capable,and Resilient Workforce for the Era of Climate Change, 2016. In Professional Poster Session, USDA NIFA HSI PI Meeting, Albuquerque, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Kalama, Shawna K., 2016. Working Group 3: Sustainable Development of Trust Restricted Land. Intertribal Agriculture Council Conference 30th Annual Membership Meeting Las Vegas, NV.
|
Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience: High School Outreach Target Audiences: The EnvironMentors Program at White Swan High School reached 6 American Indian and 1 Hispanic student as part of the 2015-2016 academic year. Natural Resources class at the Yakama Nation Tribal School co-taught by Project Direct J. Black reached 10 American Indian students as part of the 2015-2016 academic year. Community Outreach Target Audiences: The Adentro Program curriculum was redone by American Indian Business Administration student working with HU Faculty and piloted new curriculum during Summer 2016 with 8 community members hoping to start their own agriculturally-related businesses. Community Meetings (3) with Agricultural partners to discuss biochar as a soil ammendment: 4 HU faculty, 6 HU students, 5 agricultural partners including 2 local farmers during Spring 2016. Undergraduate Target Audiences: Summer Research Experience (SRE) for undergraduates during Summer 2016:9 students participated in the SREs - 3 Hispanic females (all first generation), 3 American Indian males (2/3 first generation), 2 American Indian females (all first generation), and 1 White (Non-Hispanic) male (first generation). These students are majoring in the agriculturally-STEM related disciplines of: Business Administration, Environmental Science, Mathematics, and Chemistry. Incoming Freshman Fair (40 students) and Incoming Transfer Student Fair (30 students) at Heritage Univeristy during Spring 2016 where presentations made about agriculturally-related majors and career tracks. Faculty Development Target Audiences: AESS Conference Presentation: 3 Faculty members presented about their USDA programs in their instututions at the AESS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. (2 Faculty members from Heritage University and 1 Faculty member from Northern New Mexico College). Beaver Symposium with Yakama Nation Tribal School and Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources Wildlife to develop indigenous long-term monitoring project with community and high school students.Attended by 6 HU faculty, 4 Yakama Nation scientists, 6 HU students, and 1 invited presenter from the University of Idaho (indigenous beaver expert). Biochar Research Planning and Project Development Meeting at Heritage University, bringing in experts from WSU Prosser and USDA ARS Facility in Kimberly, ID to help plan and develop Summer 2016 biochar field research trials. Attended by 4 HU faculty, 6 HU students, and 2 community members. USDA New Project Director's Meeting, Washington, D.C., December 2015. Professional development and training for Project Director Jessica Black. Changes/Problems:While we originally designated Year 1 of this project to be the planning year, we were ready sooner than anticipated to launch the major initiatives. Therefore we requested and received permission to move up the timetable to begin Year 2 activities in Spring 2016 and to begin to spend the budget of Year 2 as a result. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training and Professional Development Three participating faculty members, two from Heritage University (Dr. Jessica Black and Dr. Kazuhiro Sonoda) and one from Northern New Mexico College (Dr. Pedro Chavarria) were sponsored by the HU-NEW-ACRE project to attend the Association for Environmental Science & Studies National Conference in Washington, D.C. Two experts on biochar (Dr. Jim Ippolito, USDA ARS Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Laboratory in Kimberly, ID and Dr. Joan Davenport, Washington State University - Prosser) were sponsored to travel to Heritage University to provide their expertise to Heritage Faculty and participating community members and industry partners in developing the protocols for the biochar field experiments on bell peppers during the Summer 2016 field season on the Heritage University Research Farm during the Biochar Planning and Project Development Meeting during Spring, 2016. An expert on beaver ecology and American Indian K-12 education (Dr. Ed Galindo, University of Idaho) was sponsored by this project to come to Heritage University to run a Beaver Symposium aimed at partnership development with the Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources, Heritage Faculty, and the Yakama Nation Tribal School in order to initiate an indigenous long-term ecological research project. Dr. Galindo worked with all attendees on developing the steps necessary to implement a successful beaver relocation and ecological monitoring project with high school students. Professional development and training for Project Director Jessica Black at the USDA New Project Director's Meeting, Washington, D.C., December 2015. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? One undergraduate student researcher presented her findings at the Indian Land Council Working Group Conference in Oneida, WI during August, 2016. Three high school student presented their research posters at the EnvironMentors National Fair in Washington, D.C. in June, 2016. Three participating faculty members, two from Heritage University and one from Northern New Mexico College (HSI) presented at the Association for Environmental Science & Studies National Conference, Washington, D.C.on how the USDA-NIFA-HSI grant program is being utilized to engaging underrepresented students into agriculturally related fields in June, 2016. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The timeline for the HU-NEW-ACRE project was moved forward during Year 1. We initiated many of the activites and project components during Year 1 that we originally planned to occur during Year 2. Therefore, the plan for Year 2 has also been changed. Adjusted Plans for Year 2 Goal 1 - K-12 Outreach and Community Education/Training The Camp S.E.E.D curriculum will be revised by a student in Spring 2017 Revised Camp S.E.E.D curriculum will be piloted during Summer 2017 Revised ADENTRO curriculum will be fully implemented during 2016-2017 community sessions. EnvironMentors Program will be expanded to Yakama Nation Tribal School for 2016-2016 and will be incorporated into Natural Resource class co-developed with PD Jessica L. Black 10 high school students will be recruited to participate in the EnvironMentors program at White Swan High School and Yakama Nation Tribal School. Development of new beaver indigenous long term ecological research project with Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources and Yakama Nation Tribal School - anticipate at least 3 field trips with high school students and university students related to beaver project. This is a new expansion of experiential learning goals. Goal 2 - Recruitment and Retention At least one visit to USDA ARS facility for undergraduate scholars part of project Initiation of graduate student mentors from Washington State University for undergraduate student scholars in agriculturally related disciplines. 6 additional students will participate in Summer Research Experiences for undergraduates conducting agriculturally-related research (most related to biochar). 5 HU undergraduate students will serves a mentors for EnvironMentors high school students during 2016-2017 year. At least one USDA/USFS career training session per semester of 2016-2017 for undergraduate students hoping to apply for internships or jobs (for example - USDA Pathways program). All undergraduate student scholars of 2016 will present research at a conference during 2016-2017. Field trip to Washington State University, the land grant institution of Washington State. Goal 3 - Biochar Year 2 of the biochar field trials will be conducted on Heritage Univeristy Research Farm Expansion of biochar project through developing partnership with Washington State University - investigation of genomics in greenhouse studies At least one publication submitted for review from biochar research on Heritage University Research Farm Continued development of partnerships with local agricultural producers and establishment of community demonstration plots. Goal 4 - HSI Partners HSI partnerships will continue to develop and have expanded to include Northern New Mexico College. This will include two meetings during the 2016-2017 academic year. PD will travel to USDA NIFA HSI Project Directors Meeting in February, 2017.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The HU-NEW-ACRE project is working to train a more diverse next generation of farmers, agricultural managers, scientists, and policy makers, who can respond with resilience to projected changes in climate and increased pressures on water resources. Heritage University is uniquely located on an Indian reservation while surrounded by a large Hispanic population in a highly productive agricultural region of South-Central Washington State. Through the fostering of partnerships with community stakeholders and the development of innovative, culturally responsive experiential outreach programs with students from middle school to college, an open spirit of collaboration has developed in our community with the common goal of thriving in response to projected changes to our environment. To date, the project has trained its first cohort of American Indian, Hispanic and First Generation undergraduate scholars in agricultural research aimed at addressing community needs. Each of these students chose to research a topic that would benefit their community, such as the utilization of biochar as a soil amendment in water-stressed agricultural regions, and they will each formally present their research findings at a conference in the coming year. In addition, agricultural and natural resource outreach programs have been implemented at area high schools with high Hispanic and American Indian students, with three of these students travelling to present their research project in Washington, DC for the EnvironMentors National Fair. The success of these experiential learning models in recruiting and retaining interest in agriculturally-related disciplines for both high school and undergraduate students has led to the revision of course curriculums for science classes in both the high schools and at Heritage University. Accomplishments Under Project Goals: Goal 1) Improve education and interest in agriculture of local Yakima Valley middle and high school students Objective 1. Enroll 65 at-risk middle school students from largely Hispanic migrant worker families in the area around Heritage University in Camp S.E.E.D. (Social, Economic, & Environmental Development) for 2 summers. Camp S.E.E.D. work will be started in Year 2. Year 1 was a planning year for this objective. Objective 2.Support an undergraduate student to work on strengthening the Camp S.E.E.D. science curriculum in partnership with the regional USDA agencies to provide a more culturally responsive method. Undergraduate student will work on Camp S.E.E.D curriculum during 2016-2017 period of Year 2. Year 1 was a planning year for Camp S.E.E.D. Objective 3. Engage 15 students from White Swan High School in the EnvironMentors (EM) program, which provides hands-on research experience and support by a mentor. 7 students (1 Hispanic, 6 American Indian) participated in the White Swan High School EnvironMentors (EM) program during 2015-2016. 3 students (1 Hispanic, 2 American Indian) presented their research posters at the National EnvironMentors Fair in Washington, D.C. in June 2016. One student (American Indian) received the Forestry Award for his project. The Heritage University EM Chapter received the Chapter of the Year Award. Goal 2) Improve the capability of Heritage University to recruit, retain, support, and graduate underrepresented students who study fields related to agriculture Objective 1. Undergraduate students will participate in summer research, using an NSF-REU model, where students work closely with a faculty member on research in their discipline (biochar a focus). A total of 9 students were either fully supported or partially supported to conduct their Summer Research Experiences. Objective 2. Undergraduate students will serve as mentors for HS student involved in the EnvironMentors program. This objective will begin being implemented in Year 2. Year 1 was a planning year for this objective. Objective 3. Undergraduates will be mentored by graduate students from WSU's Department of Horticulture. This objective will begin being implemented in Year 2. Year 1 was a planning year for this objective. Goal 3) To investigate the use of biochar as an agricultural soil amendment with the potential to improve water retention and decrease nutrient leaching, Objective 1. Continue the research into biochar effects as a soil amendment in corn crops at the Heritage University Research Farm 5 undergraduate student researchers completed projects related to biochar as a soil amendment in agriculture during Summer 2016. Partners from the USDA ARS facility in Kimberly, ID, WSU and WSU Prosser all came together to help Heritage University faculty develop the field and lab protocols for the biochar research during a Research Planning Meeting in Spring 2016. Objective 2. Expand the biochar research to on-farm trial in the surrounding area on crops including hops, apples, and grapes This objective will begin being implement in Year 2. Year 1 was a planning year for this objective. 2 meetings with community partners did occur to discuss which crop and which partners will be willing to be a part of this effort. Objective 3. Share the results of the research both through publication, but also through the HSI Regional Partnership and through interaction with local agricultural producers Heritage University faculty participants sponsored a session at the 2016 Association for Environmental Science & Studies (AESS) National Conference, Washington, D.C. and presented on the impact of the USDA NIFA HSI grants on recruitment and retention in our institutions and projected impacts. One undergraduate student research (American Indian female) presented her project in an oral session at the Indian Land Council Working Group Conference, Onieda, WI in August, 2016. A new partnership was developed with HSI Northern New Mexico College and Environmental Science faculty member P. Chavarria presented together with Heritage University Faculty at AESS conference. Two local agricultural producers assisted with preparation of agricultural field trials through advising and support with heavy farm equipment and operators. Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing (ORFH) ADENTRO program at Heritage University's curriculum was revised by student researcher and piloted during Summer 2016. Main implementation of the revised ADENTRO program will occur in Year 2. Goal 4) To develop a partnership between HSIs in South-Central Washington State, to strengthen their collective educational programs that serve relevant agricultural disciplines Objective 1. Partners will meet twice each year to discuss effective practice in recruiting, retaining, supporting, and graduating Hispanic students The initial project meeting was held at Heritage University in spring 2016 between the community partners and faculty partners at Yakima Valley College and Washington State University- Tri-Cities. Only one project meeting was held during Year 1 planning year. Objective 2. Project leaders will visit each participating institution at least once to become familiar with their strengths and resources Site visits to partner institutions will start in Year 2. Only Heritage University was visited by all in Year 1. Objective 3. Partners will collectively seek further funding to advance the goal of enhancing education for underrepresented students Year 1 was a planning year. Year 2 will begin the application for additional funding as a collective group.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Black, Jessica L., Community-based undergraduate research as a
mechanism for facilitating collaboration in response to
a changing climate, 2016. In Session G-13 Role of Minority-Serving Institutions in engaging and empowering communities in sustainable water resource stewardship, 2016 Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) Annual Conference, Washington, DC.
|
|