ENHANCING THE CAPACITY OF VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY TO EXPAND URBAN AGRICULTURE EDUCATION THROUGH THE DISTANCE LEARNING APPROACH

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: OTHER GRANTS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1015324
• Grant No.: 2018-38821-27760
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $249,800.00
• Proposal No.: 2017-07565
• Project Start Date: Apr 1, 2018
• Project End Date: Mar 31, 2023
• Grant Year: 2018
• Program Code: [EWE]- Extension Project

Recipient Organization
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
P. O. Box 9081
PETERSBURG,VA 23806

Performing Department
Cooperative Extension

Non Technical Summary
In Virginia 17% of population has limited access to fresh food, compared to 7% nationwide. Areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food are referred to as food deserts. There is a need to mitigate food deserts by increasing food production. Unfortunately there are very few Extension personnel that are well equipped to assist Virginia residents in urban agriculture. The goal of this project is to build the capacity of Virginia State University to expand urban agriculture education through distance learning. The supportive objectives are to: (i) develop educational modules suitable for distance learning; (ii) enhance technology to support distance learning; and (iii) establish/maintain urban agriculture training sites across the state. The project activities will include hiring an educational support specialist and student who will assist in the various educational activities related to urban agriculture distance learning; acquiring technology to support efficient and effective program delivery; and enhancing delivery methodologies in support of distance learning. The expected long-term project outcomes are: increased urban food production, enhanced food security; reduced cost of food; improved health through access to fresh foods; and increased local incomes. The success of the project will be evaluated continuously using appropriate tools such as pre/post-tests, questionnaires, surveys, and follow up interviews. This project addresses three key NIFA priority areas, viz., Food security; Sustainable Agriculture; and Youth Development. It also addresses two NIFA disciplines, namely, Agriculture and Youth Development. Virginia State University is fully committed to expanding the proposed project beyond the period of USDA support.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

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
704	1499	3100	100%

Knowledge Area
704 - Nutrition and Hunger in the Population;

Subject Of Investigation
1499 - Vegetables, general/other;

Field Of Science
3100 - Management;

Keywords

distance learning

food desert

food security

urban agriculture

Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this project is to expand Urban Agriculture Education through Distance Learning Approach.The supportive objectives are:i) To increase educators' knowledge and hands-on skills in urban agriculture;ii) To acquire technology to support urban agriculture education through distance learning; andiii) To develop and maintain urban agriculture sites to support hands-on experiential learning.

Project Methods
The proposed project will build the capacity of Virginia State University's Cooperative Extension Service to expand the urban agriculture educational program by establishing distance education. This will enhance the institutional capacity to more effectively respond to the need for more educators being trained through a train-the-trainer program. There are three areas that are in need of capacity building to support the long distance education in urban agriculture: i) Hiring and recruiting of personnel who will assist in program development and implementation; ii) Acquiring technology to support efficient and effective program delivery; and iii) Enhancing delivery methodologies in support of distance education. A description of project implementation methods is outlined as follows:i) Hiring and recruiting of personnel who will assist in program implementation An educational assistant and student will be hired and trained and later assist the PI and CoPIs in coordinating the various educational activities related to urban agriculture distance learning. These will include: uploading the course materials on Canvas Learning Management System; constantly monitoring and updating the online course material; facilitating communication between instructors and students; assisting instructors in managing the interactive sessions; assist in evaluating the program and providing necessary feedback; and assisting in compiling the progress reports. By acquiring personnel and collaborating with other institutions, VSU will strengthen its capacity to offer quality and far reaching education programs in urban agriculture.ii) Acquiring technology to support efficient and effective program delivery To deliver effective educational programs in urban agriculture through the distance learning approach, the approach will include: i) procuring mobile devices (iPads, tablets) with hotspot capability; ii) subscribing to a hotspot connectivity plan to facilitate remote access of the course content; and iii) installing the Canvas Learning App (https://www.canvas.net/) on mobile devices. This technology acquisition will facilitate remote access of the course content offered through Canvas Learning.iii) Enhancing delivery methodologies in support of distance learning The activities for this capacity building process will include developing and maintaining the various hands-on training and demonstration sites at VSU's Randolph Farm and other locations within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Although the urban agriculture classes will be offered through the long distance module, project participants will complete hands-on training at the sites closest to their locality with the help of Extension Agents, Master Gardeners and other collaborators including those from nonprofit organizations. The project team will establish a working collaboration of partners, especially among the local extension agents, similar to the one established during the existing program. In addition, regular stakeholders meeting will be conducted during the project period, where participants will come together in a forum and discuss emerging urban agriculture issues.Project Evaluation To determine the impact of this project, an extensive project evaluation at each and every level and throughout the life of the project. The objective of the evaluation plan implementation will be to identify any weaknesses in the project plan in order to identify any revisions to be made to ensure the project is more efficient and effective. Hence, the specific objectives of the program implementation are to: i) establish a team and team leader in charge of the evaluation exercise; ii) establish a coordinated evaluation strategy; iii) adopt and utilize credible evaluation tools; iv) monitor the progress; and v) organize and maintain an active and timely feedback mechanism. During the training program, the assessment of the learning outcomes will be conducted using pre- and post-tests, homework assignments, and online quizzes for the course materials. Additionally, quantitative surveys instruments measuring variables such as attitudes, motivation, satisfaction, and performance will be designed, developed, and utilized by the PI and Co-PIs. The project team will make use of established web survey resources including the online survey software and platforms entitled "Qualtrics" (http://www.qualtrics.com/).Other qualitative and quantitative surveys will be delivered through multiple channels, including emails and follow up phone calls to the target audience. There will be self-evaluation including written review and reporting on milestones achieved, reporting on outreach contacts and presentations related to the project. Reviews of goals, expected outcomes, and attainment of objectives will be made during and after the project.Dissemination Part of the dissemination plan will include: enrolling participants (including future extension educators) in the urban agriculture distance learning course; preparing the course materials and uploading them on the Canvas Learning Management System for access by the enrolled participants; constantly monitoring and updating the online course material; and facilitating communication between instructors and student participants. Dissemination will also include multiple hands-on experiential leaning sessions conducted at the various urban agriculture demonstration sites across the state.

Progress 04/01/18 to 03/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience(s) include: i) Virginia Coop. Extension Agents; ii) Program Assistants at Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP); iii) Master Gardener volunteers; iv) VSU students; v) Urban dwelling communities; vi) Non-government and community-based organizations; vii) Middle to high school teachers; and viii) Other relevant stakeholders.. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?18 hands-on training exercises were conducted at the various demo sites. 250 participants learned various gardening techniques at the urban agriculture demonstration sites. Conducted Urban Gardening in-service training on October 25-26, 2022. A total of 37 participants attended, including Ag, Extension Agents and Master Gardeners. Ten (10) topics were covered intensively, including: Soil Health and Fertility Management; Insect Pest Management; Management of Mites in Garden Plants; Beneficial Insects Around the Garden; Management of Plant Diseases; How to Create and Maintain a Productive Raised-bed Garden; Small Fruit Production; Weed Management; Vegetable Production Techniques; Produce Marketing. Conducted In-service Training on Soil Management during the VCE Winter Conference, on February 1, 2022. A total of 65 Extension Agents received the Training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Extension Publications (curriculums, factsheets, briefs, handouts, news releases & articles, etc.) were disseminated: Githinji, L. 2022. Composting Bulletin. Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. Githinji, L. 2022. Companion Planting in Gardening. Githinji, L. 2022. Cold Weather Produce is Ripe for Holiday Meals. Agriculture, News, Gardening. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project increase knowledge and hands-on skills in urban agriculture for 200 individuals. Analysis of data collected using Qualtric survey indicated that the target audience's knowledge increased by 80%. To acquire technology to support urban agriculture education through distance learning. Distance learning was achived by conducting classes on Zoom. Hence, participants were able to attend the classroom instructionsremotely and this included 10 out-of-state participants. Hands-on experiential kits were purchased and shipped to distance-learning participants. 12 Urban agriculture training and demonstration sites weredeveloped and maintained to support hands-on experiential learning. At least 150 projectparticipants benefited from intensive training at the demo sites.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program Curriculum.

Progress 04/01/22 to 03/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience(s) include: i) Virginia Coop. Extension Agents; ii) Program Assistants at Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP); iii) Master Gardener volunteers; iv) VSU students; v) Urban dwelling communities; vi) Non-government and community-based organizations; vii) Middle to high school teachers; and viii) Other relevant stakeholders. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?18 hands-on training exercises were conducted at the various demo sites. 250 participants learned various gardening techniques at the urban agriculture demonstration sites. Conducted Urban Gardening in-service training on October 25-26, 2022. A total of 37 participants attended, including Ag, Extension Agents and Master Gardeners. Ten (10) topics were covered intensively, including: Soil Health and Fertility Management; Insect Pest Management; Management of Mites in Garden Plants; Beneficial Insects Around the Garden; Management of Plant Diseases; How to Create and Maintain a Productive Raised-bed Garden; Small Fruit Production; Weed Management; Vegetable Production Techniques; Produce Marketing. Conducted In-service Training on Soil Management during the VCE Winter Conference, on February 1, 2022. A total of 65 Extension Agents received the Training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Extension Publications (curriculums, factsheets, briefs, handouts, news releases & articles, etc.) were disseminated: Githinji, L. 2022. Composting Bulletin. Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. Githinji, L. 2022. Companion Planting in Gardening. Githinji, L. 2022. Cold Weather Produce is Ripe for Holiday Meals. Agriculture, News, Gardening. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Recruit and train new cohort of participants; develop and disseminate Extension resources suitabel for Distance Learning Module. Conduct Project Evaluarion and Reporting.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project increases knowledge and hands-on skills in urban agriculture for 200 individuals. Analysis of data collected using Qualtrics survey indicated that the target audience's knowledge increased by 80%. To acquire technology to support urban agriculture education through distance learning. Distance learning was achived by conducting classes on Zoom. Hence, participants were able to attend the classroom instructions remotely and this included 10 out-of-state participants. Hands-on experiential kits were purchased and shipped to distance-learning participants. 12 Urban agriculture training and demonstration sites were developed and maintained to support hands-on experiential learning. At least 150 project participants benefited from intensive training at the demo sites.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Githinji, L. et al. 2022. Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program Curriculum.

Progress 04/01/21 to 03/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period we reached out tothe following target audiences: i) Agricultural Extension Agents; ii) Master Gardeners; iii) Virginia State University students; iv) Urban dwelling communities; v) Community-based organizations; Changes/Problems: Replace the Education Support Specialist who left to complete the implement instructional design. Purchasesupplies to support distance education. Complete the content for asynchronous instruction Teach participants through classroom and Zoom instruction. Evaluate the program performance for project outcomes including change in attitude and behavior towards sustainable urban agriculture practices; and decisions to start or expand urban farming or gardening. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1.Vegetable Crop Production for Urban Agriculture. In-service training. March 2-3, 2021. 2. Training at the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program. March-May, 2021.Container and Raised-bed Gardening. 3. Master Gardener training atChesterfield Cooperative Extension. May 4, 2021 4.Enhancing Local Food Production through Urban Agriculture Extension Program. ASHS Presentation. August 5-9, 2021. 5. Agriculture in the Urban Landscape: Rooted in Sustainablility and Resiliency.The Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation presentation. September 29, 2021. 6. Mid-Atlantic Urban Agriculture Summit. Creating Healthy Communities Through Urban Agriculture. October 12-14, 2021. 7. Master Gardener Training. Northern Chesterfield. September 22, 2021. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The program disseminated the results to the target audiences in various formats including: In-class and Zoom classes during the urban agriculture distance learning course; Preparing the urban agriculture course materials and distributing the content as electronic resources; and Creating and disseminating educational videos. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?• Recruitthe various target audiences for the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program for the distance education • Upgrading the curriciculum for the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program. • Presenting the results at the American Socierty for Horticultural Science (ASHS) virtual program in 2022.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. The project team updated the distance education module in urban agriculture to include the current topics. 2. The education content was formatted for administering through the Learning Management Systems (LMS). 3. During the reporting period, the program recruited 35 participants who receivededucation through the distance learningmodein spring 2021.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: 'No social justice without food justice': VSU's urban ag program whets appetite for farming. A certificate in Sustainable Urban Agriculture is part of the VSU curriculum. https://www.progress-index.com/story/news/education/2021/06/30/education-and-experience-comes-before-certificate-farm/7818606002/

Progress 04/01/20 to 03/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period, the following were the target audiences: i) Cooperative Extension Agents ii) Master Gardener volunteers; iii) Virginia State University students; iv) Urban dwelling communities; v) Community-based organizations; and vi) School teachers. Changes/Problems: Hire an Education Support Specialist to implement instructional design. Purchase equipment to support distance education. Create content for asynchronous instruction on urban agriculture. Teach participants through asynchronous instruction on urban agriculture. Evaluate the program performance for project outcomes including change in attitude and behavior towards sustainable urban agriculture practices; and decisions to start or expand urban farming or gardening. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Gardening for Life workshop on March 3, 2020 in Richmond, VA. Workshop forVeterans on Urban Farms for VSU Small Farm Program, on March, 18, 2020. Soilsampling demonstration at Petersburg Public School on March 20, 2020. VESA presentation on May 20, 2020. https://www.vesava.org/ Extension Master Gardener Program webinar on August 15, 2020. VSU-SFOP Veteran Farmer's Conference on Urban Farming on November 12, 2020. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The program disseminated the results to the target audiences in various formats including: Zoom classes during the urban agriculture distance learning course; Preparing the urban agriculture course materials and distributing the content as electronic resources; Creating and disseminating educational videos. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue recruiting the various target audiences for the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program for the distance education Upgrading thecurriciculum for the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program. Presenting the results at the American Socierty for Horticultural Science (ASHS) virtual program in 2021.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Products: A distance education module in urban agriculture was upgraded and implemented with classroom instructions delivered via Zoom During the reporting period, the program recruited 33participants to the distance education module in spring 2020. Zoom technology was acquired to support the distance learning program.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Sustainable Urban Agriculture Distance Learning Curriculum
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Githinji, L. (2020). Urban Agriculture Education to Mitigate Food Deserts. In HORTSCIENCE Vol. 55 (pp. S355-S356). AMER SOC HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

Progress 04/01/19 to 03/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The following were the target audiences during the reporting period: i) Master Gardener volunteers; ii) Virginia State University students; iii) Urban dwelling communities; iv) Non-government and community-based organizations; and v) School teachers. Changes/Problems:Hiring an Education Assistant/ Instructional Designer to assit with development of the online instructional website. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?-Seminar at the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC). Title: Advances in Urban Agriculture. Washington DC. August 28, 2019. -Classroom instruction during the distance learning module of the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The program disseminated the results to the target audiences in various formats including: -Zoom classes during the urban agriculture distance learning course; -Preparing the urban agriculture course materials and distributing the content as electronic resources; -Creating and disseminating educational videos. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?-Continue recruiting the various target audiences for the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program (distance education) -Edit the curriciculum for the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program -Present the results at the American Socierty for Horticultural Science (ASHS) virtual program in August 2020.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Products: Instructions: -A distance education module in urban agriculture was implemented and classroom instructions delivered via Zoom teleconferencing. -The program recruited 15 participants to the distance education module in spring 2019. -Zoom technology was acquired to support the distance learning program. Publications: Githinji, L. (2019). Outcomes and Impacts of the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Program at Virginia State University. Poster presentation at the Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit, April 23-25, 2019. Virginia Beach, VA. Githinji, L., Chohan, S., Connatser, L., Nartea, T., Rutto, L., Mersha, Z., O'Brien, D, Ndegwa, E., Porter, T., Rafie, R., Mullins, C., Nerrie, B., Pfeiffer, D., Johnson, P., Dommert, G. (2019). Evaluation of the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program at Virginia State University. Poster presentation at the Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit, April 23-25, 2019. Virginia Beach, VA. -Githinji, L. 2019. Sustainable urban agriculture curriculum for distance learning.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sustainable Urban Agriculture Curriculum

Progress 04/01/18 to 03/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The following were the target audiences during the reporting period: i) Master Gardener volunteers; ii) Virginia State University students; iii) Urban dwelling communities; iv) Non-government and community-based organizations; and v) School teachers.. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?-Food desert presentation at the Sustainability Panel in April 2018 -Soil management workshop in April 2018 -Demonstration on raised bed installation in May 2018 -Agriculture Field Day (Urban Ag. Demo site) in June 2018 -Garden Warrior Program (Hand-on gardening demo) in June 2018 -Soil management class in Hopewell, VA in June 2018 -Container gardeningn Hopewell, VA in June 2018 -Fall Gardening Workshopin October 2018 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The program disseminated the results to the target audiences in various formats including: -Enrolling participants in the urban agriculture distance learning course; -Preparing the course materials and distrubuting them as printed resources; -Hands-on experiential leaning sessions conducted at the various urban agriculture demonstration sites across the state. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?-Continue recruiting the various target audiences for the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program (distance education) -Edit the curriciculum for theSustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Products -A distance education module in urban agriculture was developed and class instructions delivered via Zoom teleconferencing. -The program recruited 15 participants to the distance education module. The target audience included Master Gardeners, school teachers, and urban community members; among other audiences. - Two personnel were recruited to assist the program implement the distance education module. -Technology was aquired to support the distance learning program. This included Zoom and Webex. -20 urban agriculture hands-on training sites were established where each trainee spent at least 80 hours on various hands-on experiential learning activities. -15 working collaboration were established among Virginia State University, Virginia Tech University, Master Gardeners, and other volunteers from various community-based organizations. This collaboration will continue to thrive during the life of the project, providing an environment to deliver more urban agriculture education in the commonwealth of Virginia and beyond the state line.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sustainable Urban Agriculture Curriculum
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Evaluation of the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program at Virginia State University
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: https://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2018/urban-agriculture-2018