VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY RREA PROGRAM

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: TERMINATED
• Funding Source: RREA
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1012821
• Project No.: VANX-RREA
• Project Start Date: Aug 22, 2017
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2021

Project Director
Crutchfield, WI, A..

Recipient Organization
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
PETERSBURG,VA 23803

Performing Department
Cooperative Extension

Non Technical Summary
Components 1. Marketing and Alternative forest production systems: A significant economic and environmental resource is standing in small areas on the properties of private landholders in Virginia (Rose 2009). Also, 58% of limited-resource farmers own woodlots, with an average size of 55 acres (USDA 2007). If these forestlands cannot provide economic benefits, landowners will be economically disadvantaged, and society as a whole may lose an important renewable resource if forests are converted to other land uses. Production and sale of timber is an economic benefit for landowners; however, small and limited-resource landowners are at a disadvantage: (1) timber does not help small and limited-resource landowners meet yearly cash needs; (2) there is a large information gap between most landowners and forest industry workers; and (3) economies of scale can make logging for some timber products on small tracts uneconomical. Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension programs through VSU have traditionally focused on limited-resource landowners. The VSU RREA 2012-16 program will build on this approach by continuing support for programs, workshops, and demonstrations about production of non-timber forest products, as in the past, and also including dissemination of information about management for timber on small woodlots and about agroforestry and non-timber systems. Small woodlot management and marketing programs will largely focus on forestry basics, including planning, selling timber, and basic silviculture. With regards to alternative forest production systems, emphasis will be placed on getting landowners the most relevant information, and encouraging them to innovate and explore. The RREA-supported program will also build on interest in longleaf and shortleaf pine by helping landowners explore the possibility of good timber quality and NTFPs.In addition, there will be collaboration with other areas of extension, such as helping landowners develop marketing plans, financial literacy training for forest landowners, and estate planning. These areas impact the economic sustainability of forestlands.Component 3. Urban forestry: A major new emphasis in VSU's RREA program will be urban forestry. Urban forest management can help meet urgent needs in the US, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. For instance, well-selected and well-placed trees and other perennial vegetation can: reduce energy consumption and costs from heating and cooling buildings, thereby promoting energy independence and a reduced carbon footprint; encourage healthy outdoor living habits; improve stormwater management thereby reducing costs of stormwater engineering and potentially improving water quality in the impaired Chesapeake Bay; provide bioremediation of contaminated soils/groundwater in urban brownfield sites; and capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (Bolund and Hunhammar 1999). The VSU RREA program will complement the development of research and teaching programs in urban forestry at VSU. The purpose of the extension component will be to provide support to communities to maximize the benefits of trees.

Animal Health Component

0%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
602	0699	3020	10%
604	0699	3020	20%
125	0699	3020	20%
123	0699	3020	20%
122	0699	3020	10%
605	0699	3020	20%

Knowledge Area
602 - Business Management, Finance, and Taxation; 605 - Natural Resource and Environmental Economics; 125 - Agroforestry; 122 - Management and Control of Forest and Range Fires; 604 - Marketing and Distribution Practices; 123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0699 - Trees, forests, and forest products, general;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

economic opportunities

ecosystem services,

forest stewardship

agroforestry

non-timber forest products

urban forestry

small woodlots

Goals / Objectives
Cross-cutting issues: Ecosystem Services; Forest Food Safety and Security; Urbanization. Goals: Enhancing Economic Benefits; Enhancing Resource Management.VSU Outcomes:Component 1. Alternative forest production systems:Demonstrate the potential for economic returns from non-traditional forest-based systems, such as agroforestry systems (including silvopasture and forest farming of non-timber forest products). Support NIPF landowners to innovate non-traditional forest-based systems.Outcome Target 2.1: Demonstration products at research station and private landholdings are shown to be financially viable, through measurement of real-world costs and revenues.Outcome Target 2.2: At least 100 landowners in Virginia establish at least one new alternative forest production enterprise.Outcome Target 2.3: At least 20 landowners experiment with innovative practices as a result of concepts learned and contacts made.Component 2. Urban forest management:Increase public awareness of environmental services provided by trees. Aid communities in development of urban/community forest management plans.Outcome Target 3.1: Participants in RREA-supported events increase awareness of environmental services relative to their baseline knowledge.Outcome Target 3.2: At least two communities adopt or improve urban/community forest management plans.

Project Methods
Delivery methods: Virginia State University is actively building and strengthening its program for forestry extension. This program builds on traditional (e.g., non-timber forest products; serving small and limited-resource landowners) and emerging (e.g., urban horticulture and agriculture) areas of focus for VSU. VSU's RREA-supported programs will primarily be marketed to underserved populations - small and limited-resource landowners, as well as minority and economically disadvantaged communities. VSU traditionally has had the largest impact by directly targeting those communities. VSU forestry extension will work in coordination with the VSU Small Farm Outreach Program to reach out to these stakeholders. Furthermore, an ongoing survey funded by McIntire-Stennis funds will help identify stakeholders who have never had contact with VCE in the past. While VSU can help the existing forestry extension programs to reach new audiences, it is not the intent of VCE/VSU to exclude other interested stakeholders. Virginia Cooperative Extension is a single institution, and VSU and Virginia Tech will continue to work together to identify ways to complement efforts to create synergies. Furthermore, VSU will work with other organizations to identify common focus areas and needs in Virginia. Areas that are currently receiving attention from numerous Virginia organizations include restoration of shortleaf and longleaf pine, and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Emerging themes of interest in Virginia include bioenergy and markets for environmental services. It will be important for VSU to stay abreast of these themes and integrate them into the three components described above because they can help VSU cooperate with other institutions, and capture greater public interest.Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring and evaluation are crucial elements to be able to adapt and improve programs and to ensure long-term success. We intend to measure and monitor the output and outcome targets described above. Outputs are most easily measured: they can be quantified in terms of number of workshop participants, number of publications, etc. Outcomes, however, imply a change in behavior by the audience, and can be somewhat more difficult to measure. Each delivery method necessitates different outcome monitoring and evaluation tools, some of which require specific funding.(a) Demonstration sites will have logbooks for visitor information and suggestions (counts of visitors measure output).(b) Costs and revenues of demonstration sites will be logged to estimate financial returns.(c) In-event questionnaires and occasional post-event surveys.(d) Review of continuance of practices after support is ended through formal or informal surveys.Nontechnical Summary

Progress 08/22/17 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Limited-resourced, socially disadvantaged, and urban landowners. Changes/Problems:The CoVID19 pandemic cause some University closure and State programs closure which caused cancellations of some planned training workshops and demonstrations. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Small Farm Agents working directly with forest landowners and have participated in several professional development trainings in Urban Forestry, Forrest Resource Economics and Management. They have also collaborated with the local Virginia Department of Forestry program to provide training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through outreach meetings, one-on-one consultations by VSU-Small Farm Outreach Agents, Virginia Cooperative Extension website, VSU online Small Farmer Resource Center, and Quarterly Newsletter. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the course of this project, VSU conducted 63educational workshops, tours and demonstrations to educate landowners about alternative forest-based systems and urban forest management such as management for timber on small woodlots, silvo-pasture, cover crop, pollinator habitat, pond and water quality management, forest-farming of non-timber products, reforestation, and alternative aftercare management. 97% of participants who attended training workshops indicated an increased awareness of environmental services. 98% indicated that they gained knowledge that will help them to make an informed decision. The Forestry toursconductedprovided demonstration opportunity for forest landowners to see alternative ways of use of forestland. The forest resource management workshops were conducted to educate forestland owners on how to find and select a professional consulting forester to provide them with a wide array of services. The GAP training workshops to inform landowners of good agricultural practices (GAP). The forest product marketing workshops educated farm landowners about resources available to them and about the economic resources in the forestlands. 83 participants indicated interest in generating incomes in non-timber forest products,51established alternative forest production enterprises and 22 adopted or improved urban/community forest management plans. The overall project was successful in educating limited-resourced, socially disadvantaged, forest landowners to become aware of the alternative usage of their farmland and resources available to them. As this project comes to a close, VSU plans to continue providing outreach, training and technicalsupport to the targeted audience, to aid them in achievingsuccess outcomes.

Publications

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Limited-resource, socially disadvantaged, and urban landowners. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Small Farm Agents working directly with forest landowners and have participated in several professional development trainings in Urban Forestry, Forrest Resource Economics and Management. They have also collaborated with the local Virginia Department of Forestry program to provide training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through outreach meetings, one-on-one consultations by VSU-Small Farm Outreach Agents, Virginia Cooperative Extension website, VSU online Small Farmer Resource Center, and Quarterly Newsletter. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?• Conduct negotiation skills workshops • Conduct forest after harvesting product workshops • Conduct forestry resources and management plans workshops/trainings • Conduct alternative enterprise workshops and demonstration project

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? VSU conducted 25 educational workshops to educate and demonstrate the potential for economic returns from non-traditional forest systems. 811 participants gained knowledge about forestry resources and management plans, alternative enterprises, demonstration, and that will help them to make an informed decision. 98% of the participants increased awareness of alternative use of forestland and woodlots, and alternative aftercare management. About $370,000 was the economic gain. 23 forest, range, fish, and wildlife income-generating businesses were created or expanded.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Gained Knowledge and Resources, Alternative woodland enterprises, and income generator.

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Limited-resource, socially disadvantaged, and urban landowners Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Small Farm Agents working directly with forest landowners and have participated in several professional development trainings in Urban Forestry, Forrest Resource Economics and Management. They have also collaborated with the local Virginia Department of Forestry program to provide training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through outreach meetings, one-on-one consultations by VSU-Small Farm Outreach Agents, Virginia Cooperative Extension website and our online Small Farmer Resource Center. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Conduct negotiation skills workshops Conduct forest after harvesting product workshops Conduct forestry resources and management plans workshops/trainings Conduct ongoing alternative enterprise workshops and demonstration project

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Conducted 18 forestry workshops/trainings that enlightened landowners about management plans, how to sell your timber, after harvesting products, reseeding, resource management and land transition. 96% of participants agreed and strongly agreed that they gained knowledge that will help them make informed decisions about alternative forest management systems. 236 farmers and forest landowners in our database have indicated an increased awareness of the economic resources in forestlands. 45 participants have expressed an adaptation to alternative enterprises such as pollinator habitats, using forestland for a hunting reserve, raising root type crops, using forestland for recreational purposes, small woodlots, silvo-pasture, mushroom production, cover crop, and pond management. 3 have started a silvo-pasturial system as a benefit for raising livestock. 2 landowner have harvested timber and was advised to reseed next year with our assistance.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Gained Knowledge and Resources, Alternative woodland enterprises, and income generator.

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Limited-resource, socially disadvantaged, and urban land owners Youth Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Small Farm Agents working directly with these forest landowners have participated in several professional development trainings in Urban Forestry, Forrest resource economics and management. They have also participated in professional development trainings conducted by Virginia Tech to strengthen our extension program delivery efforts. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through outreach meetings, one-on -one consultations by VSU-Small Farm Outreach Agents, and Virginia Cooperative Extension website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Conduct forest resource management workshops Conduct forest after harvesting product workshops Conduct forestry management plans workshops/trainings Conduct alternative enterprise workshops and demonstration project

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 13 outreach activities were conducted to further enlighten forest landowners on economic opportunities and alternativeuse of theirforest land. 2 Forest Tour was conducted to provide demonstration opportunity for forest landowners to see alternative ways of use of forest land. Conducted 5 forest resource management workshops to educate forest land owners on how to find and select a professional consulting forester to provide them with a wide array of services. Conducted 9 GAP training workshops to inform landowners of good agricultural practices Conducted 7 forest product marketing workshops to educate farm landowners about resources available to them 232 forest landowners and potential forest landowners in the target region have indicated an increased awareness of the economic resources inthe forestlands 4 have indicated interest in generating incomes in non-timber forest products 9 considered silvopasture as potential alternative for additional incomes from their forestlands. 4 have actually started a silvopasturial system 2 landowners in rural areas have reseeded their forestlands

Publications

Progress 08/22/17 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience: Limited resource landowners Youth Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Trail opening May 18, 2017 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Workshops and field days. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In order to provide educational outreach to small woodlot owners an educational nature trail was established to showcase small woodlot management practices, alternative forest production systems, and urban forest management practices. Component 1. Small woodlot management and marketing. Component 2. Alternative forest production systems. Output: Signage describing the practices along with species of trees. Component 3: Urban forest management. Output: Signage describing the practice.

Publications