Progress 07/15/17 to 07/14/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Targeted outreach was made to potential students interested in studies in the Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences degree at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Special consideration was given to eligible students, including women and other minority students under represented in the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Related Sciences. We also aimed to present a new model for graduate student engagement at Hispanic Serving Institutions, to provide students opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research and engagement that will prepare them for careers in related fields. Changes/Problems:Clearly, the biggest challenge during the project period has been the disruptions associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic. These disruptions included difficulties in recruitment during a time when most of the country was on lock-down, and the region of the RGV was considered a COVID-19 hotbed. We also had considerable challenges that no one could ever foresee, including executing student-drivenresearch ranging from considerable delays with procurement of research consumables, trying to conduct activities in a socially-distanced setting, and issues aroudn mental and personal health of both student and faculty. At the most extreme, one of the NNF fellows lost a father to COVID during the course of their studies which needless to say impacted the progress and outlook of his graduate work. We consider this project to have been a success despite these challenges, having really launched the graduate program and firmly establishing the degree plan as one of the most inclusive and fastest growing graduate programs in the college. For example, the students associated with this program account for nearly 15% of the graduates of this program over the past several years, based on our informal calculations. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have provided specific training in research, to help students complete their studies and to developprofessional competencies for employement. Training was both general (lab and research safety, FERPA, etc) and specific (i.e. research instrumentation training, etc.). We also offered professional trainings such as in scientic communication and public engagement (through training with AAAS Center of Public Engagement in Science and Technology, offered in 2019), opportunities for employment as graduate reserach technicians with respective grant funded research efforts, project associates with the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement. Some students also had other employment while as graduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Students have ample opportunity to share their research at various venues, both in person (before the pandemic) and virtual (largely the case after 2022). Texas Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Conference, McAllen TX; December 2018 ( Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance Food Leadership Conference, McKinney TX; February 2019 Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Meeting, Corpus Cristi TX; February 2019 Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Annual Meeting; Weslaco, TX; February 2019( Soil Science Society of America; San Antonio TX; November 2019 Community Food Systems Conference; Savannah GA December 2019 National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Annual Meeting (McAllen, TX); January 2020 Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Annual Meeting; Weslaco, TX; February 2020 Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance Food Leadership Conference,(online) September 2020 Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Annual Meeting; (online); February 2021 Joint Annual Conferenc Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) (online) 2021 Soil Survey Land Resource Workshop (online), Feb 2021 Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Annual Meeting; Weslaco, TX; February 2022 Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Meeting, Mesquite TX; January 2022 Soil Survey Land Resource Workshop (online), Feb 2022 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We were able to successfully recruit 2 distinct cohorts of students as part of this program, which include 5 female and 3 male students, all of whom identify as underrepresented students in the food, agriculture, and natural resources related sciences. Of the 8 students, 7 were able to successfully complete their MS degrees. 100% of NNF fellows that have come through this program have successfully been employed or recruited into PhD programs. Such employment include as scientists in agriculture related industries, as consultant with agriculturerelated thinktanks, as farm to school coordinators or instructors at public schools, as PhD candidates. List of students, graduation date, gender, ethnicity and MS research topic. Gender Race Ethnicity Degree Graduation Date Masters Research Topic Current Employment F Non-Hispanic White AESS 2020 Drivers of civic agriculture Consultant, FSC F Hispanic Cuban AESS 2020 Aquaponics unknown F Non-Hispanic Middle Eastern AESS 2020 Predictors of heavy metals in farms Quality Engineer, Apeel Sciences M Hispanic Mexican AESS 2022 Restoration ecology in abandoned farms PhD Candidate , Rice University M Hispanic Mexican AESS 2023, expected Tarping approaches for weed management High School Teacher, Idea Public Schools F Non-Hispanic White AESS 2022 Cover crop impact on on-farm biodiversity Scientist, Organic Pesticide Company F Hispanic Mexican AESS 2022 Conservation Tillage impact on soil biology Farm to School Coordinator, IDEA public Schools M Hispanic Mexican AESS 2022 Biochar as soil amendment Entrepreneur
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kaika, A.*, & Racelis, A. (2021). Civic agriculture in review: Then, now, and future directions. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 10(2), 551572.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Albrecht, Clifton & Contreras, Zarek & Wahl?Villareal, Kimberly & Sternberg, Mitch & Christoffersen, Bradley. (2021). Winners and losers in dryland reforestation: Species survival, growth, and recruitment along a 33?year planting chronosequence. Restoration Ecology. 30. 10.1111/rec.13559.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Zarek Contreras, Lance Santos, Samantha Martin, Bradley Christoffersen. 2022. Can moisture content accurately predict interspecific differences
in seedling drought tolerance? Implications for enhancing drought-resilience in restoration. Subtropical Agriculture and Environment Society Annual Meeting. Weslaco, TX
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Allison Kaika (2020). The Relationship between Civic Agriculture and Civic Engagement in the Rio Grande Valley. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences; MS Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences;
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Allison Kaika. (2021) Building Food Democracy: Civic Agriculture and Civic Engagement in the Rio Grande Valley. 2021 Joint Annual Conference
Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS). (online)
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Richards, L. (2022). Incorporating native plants in insectary strips to promote insect diversity and below-ground microbes in south Texas. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences; MS Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Joy Youwakim, Exploring Social and Environmental Predictors of Heavy Metal Contamination in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences; MS Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences;
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Navarro, Michael (2022) Grapefruit Peel Biochar Applications for Immobilizing Copper and Lead in Soil. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences; MS Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences;
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Rocio Hernandez (2022). An assessment of physical and microbial dynamic properties sensitive to tillage practices in Hidalgo sandy clay loam soils. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences; MS Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences
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Progress 07/15/20 to 07/14/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Targeted outreach was made to potential students interested in studies in the Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences degree at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Special consideration was given to eligible students, including women and other minority students under represented in the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Related Sciences. Changes/Problems:Clearly, the pandemic has impacted the program, in both our recruiting of students, how we have been able to interact with them (largely remotely following the guidelines mandated by the university and state). Unfortunately, many of the shared interactions that come with a cohort-based recruitment were restricted to remote or socially-distanced (zoom) interactions. We also dealt with challenges to student mental health as several of our students suffered personally from the pandemic, with one of them losing their father to COVID-19 complications. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students were required to participate in required training for their respective lab/field research, following the guidelines of Environmental Health and Safety and other required trainings by the University. Unfortunately, many of the activities associated with student development were restricted to remote interactions, following federal, state, and university guidelines of conduct during the pandemic. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Website was continuously updated (see other products) to include progress of our project. Some updates were also included by the periodic report of UTRGV Center for Sustainble Agriculture and Rural Advancement available online (www.utrgv.edu/sara). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We aim to successfully graduate these students in the next project period, and successfully position them to gainful employment or PhD programs.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We were able to successfull recruit 5 students to UTRGV's graduate program in Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustaianbility Sciences (AESS MS), despite the challenges of recruitment during the pandemic. All 5 students were highly qualified, and were local area students.Students include 3 male and 2 female students, four of which identify as Hispanic. All students are considered underrepresented in the Food Agricultural, and Natural Resources related sciences. Students entered UTRGV in Fall of 2020 and successfully enrolled in relevant coursework. Students were under the direct supervision of faculty at UTRGV engaged in agricultural related research, and were provided training and relevant guidance by each faculty member (who were included as key personnel of this grant).
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kaika, A.*, & Racelis, A. (2021). Civic agriculture in review: Then, now, and future directions. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 10(2), 551572.
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Progress 07/15/19 to 07/14/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Targeted outreach was made to potential students interested in studies in the Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences degree at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Special consideration was given to eligible students, including women and other minority students under represented in the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Related Sciences. Changes/Problems:The largest challenge moving forward to our program and other related academic activities are disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has considerably restricted us this year, and we anticipate even more restrictions this upcoming year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two students had professional employment by the Center for Sustainble Agriculture and Rural Advancement, under the supervision of coPI Bennack. Students worked directly with clients, providing key engagement and developing professional competencies for consulting and planning. Students were also provided the opportunity to engaged with community and other stakeholdersvarious venues, including at: Texas Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Conference, McAllen TX; December 2018 Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance Food Leadership Conference, McKinney TX; February 2019( Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Meeting, Corpus Cristi TX; February 2019 Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Annual Meeting; Weslaco, TX; February 2019 Soil Science Society of America; San Antonio TX; November 2019 Community Food Systems Conference; Savannah GA December 2019 National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Annual Meeting (McAllen, TX); January 2020 Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Annual Meeting; Weslaco, TX; February 2020 At several of these venues, the student disseminated their research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Students were able to present their work in various scientific and public venues as listed above. In addition, we also update their progres on the webpage www.utrgv.edu/agroecology and a new webpage www.rgvagroecology.com. Other updates regarding the progress of the NNF program and the students themselves were highlighted in the newsletter released by the Center for Sustainble Agriculture and Rural Advancement and published on their website www.utrgv.edu/SARA What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will regroup to recruit a new cohort of students. Recruitment and outreach materials are already circulating in a number of different venues, icnluding with professional societies and across the university. HOwever, we anticipate serious challenges with recruitment due to the challenges of COVID-19, which hamper direct engagement with communities and students themselves.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The three students recruited in this program successfully completed their degrees. This included completed allrequired courses and restricted electives, including several new courses created since the inception of this program . The students are among the first 15 students to graduate from this new program, and completed the program even with considerable disruptions due to the pandemic. All students also successfully completed the research required for a graduate thesis or report, which is required in partial fulfilliment of their degree plan. As far as we know, each of the students had a agriculture related position already lined up post-graduation, including with a food-processing facility, a food policy think tank, and with private enterprise.
Publications
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Progress 07/15/18 to 07/14/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Targeted outreach was made to potential students interested in studies in the Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences degree at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Special consideration was given to eligible students, including women and other minority students under-represented in the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Related Sciences. Changes/Problems:Two of our Co-PIs left their current positions to other positions (both internal and external to UTRGV). Since PI's were uncompensated, they agreed to help continue their involvement and mentorship of students in this program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?NNF students participated in research as part of a MS thesis in partial fulfillment for their degree. Training included required qualifications, including Environmental Health and Safety, Laboratory Safety, Insitutional Review Board, FERPA, and other trainings on behalf of the university. Each student also recieved specific training on how to use/operate laboratory equipment, field research, as well as close mentorship for professional development for each student, who completed an individual development plan geared for specific career aspirations. Students were also invited to participate in graduate student training offered by UTRGV's Center for Teaching Excellence. This included workshops on applying for NSF GSRP, and resume building, and interviewing skills. Two NNF fellows also worked closely with the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement on various community engaged projects. This included assisting with annual reports, and helping with the Small Business Advisory Center for Value Added Projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to promote the National Needs fellows Program at UTRGV, at various venues to expand our recruitment footprint. Students will also receive close mentorship to help them finish their degree plans and research.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
After an extensive recruitment campaign, we successfully recruited three (3) students into the the UTRGV's graduate program in Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustaianbility Sciences (AESS MS). We had anticipated having a cohort of 4 students, but one student ultimately declined our offer to join our graduateprogram having deferred to the graduate program in Entomology at the University ofKentucky.Students successfully recruited included 3 female students, of which two were minority underrepresented ethnicities. The students sucessfully completed their first year of studies under the mentorship of the PDs of the project. Studies included research relevant to food and agriculture, including topics of civic agriculture, aquaponics, and soil quality.
Publications
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Progress 07/15/17 to 07/14/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Targeted outreach was made to potential students interested in studies in the Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences degree at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Special consideration was given to eligible students, including women and other minority students under represented in the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Related Sciences. Changes/Problems:A delayed start date (to July 2017) hampered our recruitment of students into UTRGV Graduate programs. Typically, students are recruited early-mid spring, for a fall enrollment. We pushed back recruiting until spring 2018, for an anticipated start date for IAGREE fellows in Fall 2018. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Plans for recruitment are underway, with a cohort of fourstudents currently recruited for enrollment into the AESS MS degree at UTRGV and scheduled to start their studies in Fall of 2018.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We had a later start than anticipated, which delayed recruitment for the AY2017-18. However, we did use this project year to conduct several recruitment events, including at the Texas Farmers and Growers Association meeting (Mesquite TX), the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Conference (Weslaco, TX), and the Texas Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Meetings (McAllen TX) where we had a presence or the PD gave a presentation to highlight these opportunities.
Publications
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