Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The target groups are students, small farmers, faculty, state agencies, Extension agents or members who work directly with farmers and agricultural stakeholders to provide education and resources on best practices in farming and technology. Changes/Problems:We requested a third no-cost extension to accomplish all objectives and associated tasks due to the delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the delay in receiving survey responses. We do not anticipate any changes during this reporting period and expect to close the grant in May 2025 by completing all tasks. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The grant funding allowed students and the project staff to attend conferences and present the survey and preliminary web-interactive agricultural production app results. The grant also supported manyworkshops aimed at educating staff and interested stakeholders on the use of geospatial technology for small farm management and decision support. This reporting period saw continued efforts to spread the potential of drone technology to farmers, agriculture professionals, and those engaged in serving this population. Training has been provided in many different settings, including campus-based exercises and events across the state. This period included ten hands-on workshops completed by extension staff, external professionals, and some students to enhance their ability to adopt drone + mapping technology for creating digital twins of specific landscapes. Over 100 people were trained in collaboration with other program leads across KSU and the private industry. The grant organized a regional-level "Small Farms Conference Kentucky Style" on April 27-28, 2024, in Whitley County, Kentucky. Project director (Buddhi Gyawali), Co-PI Dr. Gary Stratton, Jeremy Sandifer, associated staff, small farm agents Cynthia Rice, Laura Rogers, William Rogers, Andy Ong, graduate students, and field research technicians participated in the event. They presented the project's accomplishments, including demonstrating the Drone data and other instruments. In 2024, the project aimed to robustly develop a web application for predicting sustainable crops based on farmers' land features such as temperature, humidity, slope, soil nutrients, and water level. This application aims to assist farmers in making informed decisions to optimize their crop yields and sustainability. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Faculty and graduate students presented the project outcomes and preliminary survey results at Southern Rural Sociological and 1890 ARD Biennial meetings. For outreach and education initiatives, online meetings are famous for formal presentations to present research content and informal technical discussions centered on technology, career pathways, and learning opportunities. We also continued to partner with KSU staff and other public-facing organizations, particularly those serving the hard-to-reach clientele in faraway regions of the state. Technical presentations andhands-on demonstrations have been held at popular locations such as Kentucky State University and Harold Benson Research and Demonstration Farm, as well as farawayrural locations like Pike, Bell, and Greenup Counties (see below citations). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next reporting period will primarily be used for additional presentations, publications, and workshop organization. We intend to organize one (final) regional Education and Extension workshop in Eastern Kentucky in April 2025. We also plan to present project results at the Southern Rural Sociology Association (SRSA) annual meeting in February 2025 and the KY Small Farms Conference in November 2024. As part of objectives three and four, we intend to establish a Cooperative Extension-based certification program to increase the number of early career professionals and small land operators who can utilize geospatial technology for agricultural operational decision-making. We will continue developing and enhancing the web application to predict the productivity of sustainable crops. This includes integrating additional features based on user feedback, improving the user interface, and expanding the database to cover more regions and crop types. We will publish two manuscripts that are being prepared in relevant agricultural and technology journals. We will continue to increase outreach efforts through social media, newsletters, and other communication channels to raise awareness of the project and its benefits.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The activities performed during the 2023-2024 reporting period, as in the previous 2022-2023 period, are associated primarily with Objectives one, three, and four. Please note that Objective Two was completed in the first year of the project. Regarding Objective 1, we completed analyzing the data and preparing two manuscripts. One manuscript was submitted to the Land Use Policy journal for publication. The second manuscript is under preparation. Two graduate students worked on preparing manuscripts and giving presentations at multiple conferences, including the 2024 Southern Rural Sociology Association (SRSA) conference in Atlanta in February 2024 and the Associate of Research Directors (ARD) Biennial Symposium in Nashville, TN in April 2024. The results of the surveys showed the farmers' technology adoption behaviors are influenced by different social, demographic, and economic factors. Our results of analyzing 98 respondents revealed that farmers who have been farming for more extended periods of time are significantly less likely to adopt precision agriculture. Furthermore, male farmers are significantly more likely to adopt precision agriculture. The results also show that the income of the farmers is positively related to the adoption of the technology, implying that the farmers with a high level of income are more likely to adopt precision agriculture. The survey results revealed that proper demonstration of new technology is necessary to encourage farmers to adopt it. Technical difficulties, high cost, lack of human resources to run technology, and lack of extensive services are major concerns associated with adopting technology in agriculture. Findings show the extreme importance of precision-based technology in crop and livestock production, respectively. These findings could help strengthen the extension activities related to precision-based technology adoption in farming communities, enhancing agricultural productivity. In addition, the findings also assist precision agriculture technology suppliers and service providers in designing such technology based on the feedback and needs that are feasible for the topographic, soil, and other farm characteristics. Objectives three and four related accomplishments: Previously reported activities under objective 3 included continued development of open-source applications that solve everyday problems identified from producer and stakeholder feedback, namely getting started with baseline data for quantifying conditions on-site. An already popular tool saving time incorporates user-provided location data to start the automatic download of lidar (light detection and ranging) datasets and the output of GIS products used for the characterization of farm attributes such as "elevation," "slope," "% points above 2ft", and "canopy height above ground." The code is available for sharing and immediate use in the R suite. It is very easy to use, and we are happy to demonstrate it to agencies and universities. We also plan to demonstrate it at the Kentucky Small Farms conference. The product has been used over 50 times to provide staff, owner, or other stakeholders with two (2) time-steps of lidar-derived products. Under Objective 4, educating small farmers on the use of technology for land management, this reporting period was utilized to organize several public-facing training workshops (itemized below) and have been very busy participating in many other events with demonstrations for small farmers and the professionals that serve small land managers, including at scientific conferences, extension program events, and other community gatherings (see below citations). To better inform learning materials and public presentations, several hands-on projects were developed and simplified to highlight the role of advanced technology in enhancing the efficiency of those crucial but repetitive tasks required to spot issues before they become problematic. For example, we have collaborated with staff and stakeholders in all program areas across the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension and research programs on drone demonstration, data collection, and mapping support for Franklin County, Olmstead Conservancy Institute for Iroquois Park in Louisville, KY, for Raven Run Nature Sanctuary in Fayette County; mapping support for private agroforestry development in Hart County, KY, and drone demonstration, data collection, and mapping support for proposed development site of a new compost facility in Woodford County, KY. Staff and other stakeholders learned about technology and applied methods to monitor a variety of landscapes. Each of these groups represents the interests of many small farmers and woodland managers who are interested in learning about autonomous machines, particularly drones.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Jacob Brown and Jeremy Sandifer (2023). Evaluation of Corn and Soybean Plot Characteristics using Drones, LiDAR, and Near-Infrared Imaging. Third Thursday Thing. Harold Benson Research and Demonstration Farm, Frankfort, KY. August 17, 2023
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Jeremy Sandifer (2023). Hands-On Introduction to Drone Technology. 4H Field Day. Edmonton Sports Complex. Smiths Grove, KY. June 12, 2023
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Shreesha Pandeya, Buddhi Gyawali, Suraj Upadhaya & Amrit Nepal (2024). Factors influencing adoption of precision agriculture among small farms in Kentucky. 43rd Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA). Atlanta, GA. February 4-5, 2024.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Dipesh Oli, Buddhi Gyawali (2024). Understanding Adoption Status and Future Prospects of Farming Technology in farms of Kentucky, USA. Small Farm Conference: Eastern Kentucky Style, Whitely County, KY, USA, April 26-27, 2024.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Dipesh Oli, Buddhi Gyawali (2024). Adoption Status and Prospects of Farming Technology in farms of Kentucky, USA. 55th Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) Annual Meeting Atlanta, Georgia, February 4-5, 2024.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Amrit Nepal, Buddhi Gyawali (2023). Development of Web Applications for Local Farm Product Marketing. Oral Presentation. Highland Height, KY, November 3-4, 2023
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Amrit Nepal, Buddhi Gyawali, Amul Dhungel (2024). Supporting Productivity, Diversification, and Sustainability of Small-scale Farms. ARD Biennial Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee, April 6-9, 2024
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Jeremy Sandifer (2023). Hands On with Drones and GeoSpatial Tech. STEM Open House. Harold Benson Research and Demonstration Farm, Frankfort, KY. July 29, 2023
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Shreesha Pandeya, Buddhi Gyawali, Suraj Upadhaya (2024). Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky: Implications for Policy and Practice. Land Use Policy (in review).
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Progress 06/01/22 to 05/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Activities have targeted interested learners of all ages, including early career and aspiring professionals wanting to integrate new technologies into a variety of operations centered on Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR). Many of the farmers reached tend to be part-time operators with other employment off the farm, many with dreams of expanding to full-time farming. We have targeted all agriculture and land management professionals with outreach to the use of technology for decision-making and monitoring of change over time, particularly drone and sensor technology. Changes/Problems:We requested a second no-cost extension to accomplish all objectives and associated tasks due to the delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the delay in receiving survey responses. We do not anticipate any changes during this reporting period and expect to close the grant in May 2024. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Project activities have yielded several workshops aimed at educating adjacent staff and interested stakeholders on the use of geospatial technology for small farm management and decision support. New Extension Agent Training (02/02/23) for ten staff communicates the services available to stakeholders and the minimum knowledge needed to describe the technology to the public. Other workshops were provided to 40 military veterans (03/09/23 and 04/10/23), eight staff in ANR (05/23), and 25 in Aquaculture (07/23) program areas. The grant also organized a regional-level "Small Farms Conference Kentucky Style" on April 21-22 at Whitley County, Kentucky. Project director (Buddhi Gyawali), Dr. Gary Stratton, and associated staff and small farm agents Cynthia Rice, Laura Rogers, William Rogers, Andy Ong, and Jeremy Sandifer participated.They presented the project's accomplishments, including a demonstration of the Drone data and other instruments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Online meetings continue to be popular for both formal presentations to present research content and for informal technical discussions centered on technology, career pathways, and learning opportunities. We also continue to partner with staff at KYSU and other public-facing organizations, particularly those serving the hard-to-reach clientele in faraway regions of the state. Technical presentations and hands-on demonstrations have been held at popular locations such as Kentucky State University, Harold Benson Research and Demonstration Farm, as well as far away rural locations like Pike, Bell, and Greenup Counties (see below citations). Public presentations include: Jeremy Sandifer (2022). Introduction to GeoSpatial Technology and Demonstrations. Franklin County Field Day. West Sixth Farms. Frankfort, KY, July 14, 2022 Jeremy Sandifer and William Rogers (2022). Applied Technology for Land Management, Hands-on with Drones. Third Thursday Thing. Harold Benson Research and Demonstration Farm. Frankfort, KY, July 21, 2022 Jeremy Sandifer (2022). Applied Technology for Land Management, Hands-on with Drones. Whitley County Field Day. Whitely County Fairgrounds. Williamsburg, KY, September 2, 2022 Jeremy Sandifer (2022). Applied Technology for Land Management and Demonstrations. Franklin County Farmers Market. Williamsburg, KY, September 17, 2022 Jeremy Sandifer and William Rogers (2022). Applied GeoSpatial Technology for Land Management. Women in Agriculture Conference. Owensboro Convention Center. Owensboro, KY, October 11, 2022 Jeremy Sandifer and William Rogers (2022). Introduction to Drone Technology and Demonstration. KSU Small Farmers Annual Conference. Harold Benson Research and Demonstration Farm. Frankfort, KY, Nov 18, 2022 Jeremy Sandifer and Jody Thompson (2023). Practical Drone Uses for Natural Resource Managers. Kentucky Forest Health Conference. Lexington KY, February 08, 2023 Jeremy Sandifer, W. Rogers and B.R. Gyawali. (2022) Increasing the Accessibility and Utilization of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Applied Geospatial Technology for Land Management at the Association of Extension Administrators (AEA) Conference in Orlando, Fl, August 1-3, 2022. Jeremy Sandifer, William Rogers, Jody Thompson, and B.R. Gyawali (2022). Forestry Management Zone Classification using Aerial LiDAR and Open Source. Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals (KAMP) Annual Conference, Lexington, KY, September 28-29 William Rogers and Jeremy Sandifer (2022) Drones for Research and Extension at Kentucky State University. Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals (KAMP) Annual Conference, Lexington, KY, September 28-29, 2022. Jeremy Sandifer, William Rogers, and Buddhi R. Gyawali (2022). Unmanned Aerial Lidar for Characterization of Eastern Kentucky Reclaimed Mine Lands Using Spatial Surfaces and Voxels. Proceedings of the 108th Kentucky Academy of Sciences (KAS). Morehead University. Morehead, KY. November 10-12. Cynthia Rice, Buddhi Gyawali, Marion Simon, Jerusha Lay. "Everyone Has a Story; Here is Soil's Story Through Story Maps", Kentucky State University. Frankfort, KY, Kentucky State University Farm Field Day, July 21, 2022. Cynthia Rice, Whitney Maynard, Buddhi Gyawali, Marion Simon, Shawn Lucas, Jerusha Lay. "Plowing and Planting: New Strategies for the New Norm: Outreach which meets the farmer where he is with what he wants!", KYSU's Small Limited Resource Minority Small Farmers Conference, Kentucky State University. Frankfort, November 16, 2022. (OP) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next reporting period will be primarily used for additional presentations, publications, and workshop organization. We intend to organize one regional Education and Extension workshop in Eastern Kentucky in April 2024. We also plan to present project results at the Southern Rural Sociology Association (SRSA) annual meeting in February 2024, the KY Small Farms Conference in November 2023, and the Association of Research Directors (ARD) Symposium in Nashville in April 2024. As a part of objectives three and four, we intend to establish a Cooperative Extension-based certification program aimed at increasing the number of early career professionals and small land operators with the capabilities to utilize geospatial technology for operational decision-making in agriculture. Early workshops for staff and stakeholders have taken place early in the year and resume September 1st, 2023, with the first full-length 65-hour cohort. Extension and research staff at KYSU receive lectures and hands-on training in utilizing the equipment and software applications needed for the planning, monitoring, and responsive maintenance of small farms and managed lands. Each of the demonstration projects serves as a living classroom component of workshops and provides built-in use cases for highlighting the utility of the technology for enhancing operations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
What was accomplished under these goals? The activities performed during the reporting period relate primarily to objectives one, three, and four. Objective two was completed in the first year of the project. Regarding Objective 1, we are working on analyzing the survey data for additional presentations and publications. Two graduate students have been working on analyzing data for presentations and publications. The PI (Dr. Gyawali) presented preliminary results in the 2023 Southern Rural Sociology Association (SRSA) Poster session in Oklahoma City in February 2023. Ms. Cynthia Rice and Dr. Gyawali also presented the survey and focus group discussion (Objective 2) results at the Kentucky Small Farms Conference in Frankfort, Kentucky, in November 2022. The results of the surveys showed the farmers' technology adoption behaviors are influenced by different social, demographic, and economic factors. Our results of analyzing 98 respondents revealed that farmers who have been farming for more extended periods of time are significantly less likely to adopt precision agriculture. Furthermore, male farmers are significantly more likely to adopt precision agriculture. The results also show that the income of the farmers is positively related to the adoption of the technology, implying that the farmers with a high level of income are more likely to adopt precision agriculture. The survey results revealed that proper demonstration of new technology is necessary to encourage farmers to adopt it. Technical difficulties, high cost, lack of human resources to run technology, and lack of extensive services are some of the major concerns associated with adopting technology in agriculture. Findings show the extreme importance of precision-based technology in crop and livestock production, respectively. These findings could be helpful in strengthening the extension activities related to precision-based technology adoption in farming communities, enhancing agricultural productivity. In addition, the findings also assist precision agriculture technology suppliers and service providers in designing such technology based on the feedback and needs feasible to the topographic, soil, and other farm characteristics. Objectives three and four related accomplishments: Previously reported activities under objective 3 included continued development of open-source applications that solve everyday problems identified from producer and stakeholder feedback, namely getting started with baseline data for quantifying conditions on-site. An already popular tool saving time incorporates user-provided location data to start the automatic download of lidar (light detection and ranging) datasets and the output of GIS products used for the characterization of farm attributes such as "elevation", "slope"," % points above 2ft", and "canopy height above ground". The code is available for sharing and immediate use in R suite. It is very easy to use, and we are happy to demonstrate it to agencies and universities. We also plan to demonstrate it at the Kentucky Small Farms conference. The product has been used over 50 times to provide staff, owner, or other stakeholders with two (2) time-steps of lidar-derived products. Under Objective 4, educating small farmers on the use of technology for land management, this reporting period was utilized to organize several public-facing training workshops (itemized below) and have been very busy participating in many other events with demonstrations for small farmers and the professionals that serve small land managers, including at scientific conferences, extension program events, and other community gatherings (see below citations). To better inform learning materials and public presentations, several hands-on projects were developed and simplified to highlight the role of advanced technology in enhancing the efficiency of those crucial but repetitive tasks required to spot issues before they become problematic. For example, we have collaborated with staff and stakeholders in all program areas across the ANR Extension and research programs, including: Drone demonstration, data collection, and mapping support for Franklin County Invasive Species Task Force at Cove Springs Park in Frankfort, KY. Drone demonstration, data collection, and mapping support for Olmstead Conservancy Institute for Iroquois Park in Louisville, KY. Drone demonstration, data collection, and mapping support for Raven Run Nature Sanctuary in Fayette County. Drone demonstration, data collection, and mapping support for private agroforestry development in Hart County, KY. Drone demonstration, data collection, and mapping support for Olmstead Conservancy Institute for a private farm in Henry County, KY. Drone demonstration, data collection, and mapping support for the proposed development site of a new compost facility in Woodford County, KY. Staff and other stakeholders learned about technology and applied methods in monitoring a variety of landscapes. Each of these groups represents the interests of many small farmers and small woodland managers who are interested in learning autonomous machines, particularly drones.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Cynthia Rice, Dr. Buddhi Gyawali. (2023). Environmental concerns are not at cross purposes to farm justice/food security. Proceedings of the National Conference on Next Generation Sustainable Technologies for Small Scale Producers (September 2022)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Gyawali B. Paudel K. R. Jeans, Banerjee S. Adoption of computer-based technology in Agriculture: Opportunities and Barriers. Technology and Society Vol 12 (February 2023, 102202) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102202
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Jeremy Sandifer, William Rogers and Buddhi R. Gyawali (2022). Unmanned Aerial Lidar for Characterization of Eastern Kentucky Reclaimed Mine Lands Using Spatial Surfaces and Voxels. Proceedings of the 108th Kentucky Academy of Sciences (KAS). Morehead University. Morehead, KY. November 10-12.2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
William Rogers and Jeremy Sandifer (2022) Drones for Research and Extension at Kentucky State University. Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals (KAMP) Annual Conference, Lexington, KY, September 28-29, 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Andy Ong, Jeremy Sandifer, William Rogers. (2022) Utilizing LiDAR and sUAS in Facilities Maintenance for Cooperative Extension & Land Grant Operations. Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals (KAMP) Annual Conference, Lexington, KY, September 28-29
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Jeremy Sandifer, W. Rogers and B.R. Gyawali. (2022) Increasing the Accessibility and Utilization of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Applied Geospatial Technology for Land Management at the Association of Extension Administrators (AEA) Conference in Orlando, Fl, August 1-3, 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Jeremy Sandifer and William Rogers (2022). Introduction to Drone Technology and Demonstration. KSU Small Farmers Annual Conference. Harold Benson Research and Demonstration Farm. Frankfort, KY, Nov 18, 2022
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Progress 06/01/21 to 05/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Women, veterans, minority, youth Officiasl, educators, rural community, urban community, agricultural producers, extension staff, support industries such as geospatial, data resourcing, climate change mitigation and adoption individuals as a resource to help farmers, related disciplines and fields (resources to farmers such as vendors, wholesalers and retailers, agricultural consumers - stakeholders or those with a vested interest in agriculture SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) - October 13-14, 2021 Corbin Arena 500 Arena Drive Corbin, KY 40701 2022 SRSA (Southern Rural Sociological Association) Conference Legislative Fish Fry Posters EPA Regional Director Visit Poster Display OAK (Organic Association of Kentucky) Conference Virtual OAK (Organic Association of Kentucky) Conference Hopkinsville (booth - outreach) Eastern Kentucky Farmer's Conference (booth - outreach) KYSU Agriculture Technology Work Group mtgs Farmland Trust - Women in Ag Mtg Appalachian focus group grant cbg - technology aspect 4H meeting presentation Is it soil or is it dirt? - youth ag involvement Changes/Problems:A variety of issues occurred during the previous reporting year some expected and some unexpected impacting the development of some tasks and slowing the progression of others AFRI understaffed due to various staffing issues such as different members left/not replaced, issues with travel and administrative (not land grant but on University side (staff changes/procedure changes) Documentation on procedures and pathways was not cross-trained/documented so staff leaving caused delays in replacement staff being able to support administration, financial and expertise/specialist experiences contributed to delays and timing of tasks timing coordination for web development/resource outreach still in a state of delay staffing resource (student workers HR setup delayed) delayed Survey assistance including sending out, online tweaking and participant mailing list and lack of positive response to mailings and issues with survey software Climate Smart Agriculture grant development to support agricultural technology outreach delayed/hampered due to Kentucky State University staffing/support personal limiting effectiveness of outreach in rural Kentucky COVID greatly impacted efficiency and effectiveness Management/upper tier of Kentucky State University officials and issues affected many sections and personnel hampering/preventing efficiency and effectiveness Property Valuation Administrators in all 120 counties face a lack of funds to adequately record/register data from historical tax records with attribute data relevant to agricultural production. Kentucky statutory regulations state that agricultural land is 10 or more acres, horticultural land is 5 acres or more and farmland has no definition. This law in many counties allows identification of land 10 acres and over but neglects the small farmer of less than 10 acres. The agricultural census and actually identified small farmers in Kentucky are not correlated producing inaccurate view of actual agricultural producers. This in turn makes it difficult to identify and provide resources, technical support and training to KY farmers. Previous discussion indicate around 80%, or more in general, of agricultural producers do NOT take advantage of the services under Research and Extension at the 1862 and 1890 universities within the state. Coupled with insufficient funds to clean up the data from year to year (Kentucky having many underfunded counties for adequate county official representatives), the Kentucky state government GIS data division works with counties to produce GIS data as best they can with their limited resources at county and state levels. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?"Climate Change: The Myth and the Reality, What is the Truth We Perceive in Our Future", Cynthia Rice was submitted for Outstanding Professional Paper (reviewed, not selected as winner)(research on this allowed accumulation of information on climate change in preparing to support the citizens of Kentucky - professional development) "Climate Change, Agricultural Food Systems, Rural Livelihoods, and Resilience", President of SRSA 2021-2022 Buddhi R. Gyawali's address, Kentucky State University (research on this allowed accumulation of information on climate change in preparing to support the citizens of Kentucky - professional development) For decades, the rural South has suffered from the negative effects of an aging farmer population, declining communities, retreating industries, a degraded environment, a crumbling infrastructure, and the lack of vital health and educational technology, including broadband. The COVID-19 pandemic is still part of our lives, with no firm end in sight, and recovery from the detrimental impacts is slow. Climate change-prompted droughts, wildfires, freezes, and floods (as well as accompanying food insecurities) are continuously affecting agricultural food systems and supply chains, disproportionately influencing the underserved and limited-resource farmers in the South. These shocks will continue to stress and challenge rural and urban populations, policymakers, academics, research, and Extension professionals in the South, as well as nationwide. It is imperative to study the scale, magnitude, and spatial extent of impacts of such shocks in the livelihoods of local communities with different demographic and geographic variations. Various forms of community resilience and innovative, collaborative initiatives for knowledge coproduction for better decision-making to mitigate such situations are emerging. It is worth sharing the many success stories of university-farmer collaboration to identify social, emotional, physical and economic needs, effective use of social media, and virtual technologies for developing sustainable agricultural practices. The Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) 2022 Annual Meeting is a forum to share scholarly work that studies the impacts of such shocks on the agricultural food system and supply chain, rural vulnerabilities, and alternative mitigation and adaptation strategies at the different footprints of rurality. We also anticipate papers and panels that discuss the importance of social and place-based theories in studying poverty, human-environment relationships and decision-making, climate injustice, and in studying inequitable access and opportunities to resources and federal agricultural and community development programs. "Why is a Drone a Good Farm Management Tool?",William Rogers, Kentucky State University; Presentation(research on this allowed interaction with local farmers to get a perspective from their viewpoint in preparing to support the citizens of Kentucky - professional development) "Input From the Trenches: Farmer Feedback On Technology Adaption",Cynthia Rice, Kentucky State University; Dr. Buddhi Gyawali, Kentucky State University; Presentation(research on this allowed accumulation of information on technology, farmer perspective and needs, and climate change in preparing to support the citizens of Kentucky - professional development) "Agricultural Food Systems: In a State of Flux as the Supply Chain Resets";Cynthia Rice, Kentucky State University, Dr. Buddhi Gyawali, Kentucky State University, Dr. Marion Simon, Kentucky State University; Poster (research on this allowed accumulation of information on economic factors farmers in Kentucky are facing especially in the face of impending climate change in preparing to support the citizens of Kentucky - professional development) "Climate Change: Possible Future Scenarios for the Agricultural Community";Cynthia Rice, Kentucky State University, Dr. Buddhi Gyawali; Kentucky State University, Dr. Marion Simon, Kentucky State University; Poster (research on this allowed accumulation of information on climate change in preparing to support the citizens of Kentucky - professional development) "Impacts of Drought on Corn and Soybean Production in the Southeastern United States";Kabita Paudel, Jeremy Sandifer, Buddhi Gyawali; College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences, Kentucky State University; Poster(research on this allowed professional development for students and staff to contemplate pending drought scenarios and workaround in the face of possible drought from climate change) "Assessing the impacts of changing climatic conditions in agricultural economy in the Southeastern USA"; Suraj K C, Kabita Paudel, Jeremy Sandifer, Dr. Buddhi Gyawali; Kentucky State University; Poster(research on this allowed accumulation of information on climate change in regard to commodity crops and possible change in their production due to climate change - professional development) "Community focus group discussions lead to understanding of local experience, perception, and opinions regarding surface mining, reclamation practices, and the utilization of reclaimed surface mine lands in the eastern region of Kentucky";Whitney Tara Maynard, Kentucky State University; Dr. Buddhi Gyawali, Kentucky State University; Cynthia Rice, Kentucky State University; Poster(research on this allowed accumulation of information on needs of local communities to recover various land covers to increase food security and agricultural production on barren or unproductive potential farmland in preparing to support the citizens of Kentucky - professional development) Research and workshop attendance listed below aided in knowledge base accumulation in support of Kentucky citizens, including new, small scale, limited resource, minority farmers) SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) - October 13-14, 2021 Corbin Arena 500 Arena Drive Corbin, KY 40701 2021 REGENERATE Conference: Weaving Water, Land, and People Oct 25-29, 2021& Nov 3-4, 2021 2021 ASAN (Alabama Sustainable Agricultural Network) Food & Farm Forum Dec 2-12, 2021 79TH PROFESSIONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS CONFERENCE December 5- 7, 2021 KY Fruit & Vegetable Conference National No-Till Conference KY Commodity Conference 2022 Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Conference 2022 SRSA (Southern Rural Sociological Association) Conference Legislative Fish Fry Posters EPA Regional Director Visit Poster Display OAK (Organic Association of Kentucky) Conference Virtual OAK (Organic Association of Kentucky) Conference Hopkinsville (booth - outreach) Eastern Kentucky Farmer's Conference (booth - outreach) multiple zoom attendances for self-education on climate, agriculture, technology, sustainability, food sovereignty, etc. Using Story Map to produce modules (outreach for endusers and extension) on topics for AFRI grants Alltech Conference Teacher Tech Summit (Professional Development) Kentucky State University Drone training How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Conferences, workshops, webinars/webinar response opportunities The annual Small, Limited Resource, Minority Farmer's Conference Presentation; Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY, November 17-18, 2021 was supported by the AFRI grant with a panel including "Technology for the Farmer: Software, Equipment, Practices and More", Cynthia Rice and Dr. Buddhi Gyawali, "Third Thursday Thing Applied GeoSpatial Technology", Jeremy Sandifer and William Rogers, and "Surface Mining and Reclaimed Mine Lands in Eastern Kentucky", Whitney Tara Maynard, all from KSU. Also, a session on "Climate Change: Impacts, Responses, Adaptation and Mitigation - An Overview"; Cynthia Rice, was presented. This annual event allows socially disadvantaged minority farmers to come together to discuss issues and receive training on relevant issues. The AFRI grant supported this event financially. A multi-session workshop occurred May 20-21, 2022 in Somerset, KY, covering a variety of topics (30 sessions). Creating Your Winning Business Plan Dr. Gary R. Stratton, Kentucky State University; How Technology is Changing Farming Jeremy Sandifer and William Rogers, Kentucky State University; Study of Reclaimed Surface Mine Lands Whitney Tara Maynard, Kentucky State University; Web and Mobile Applications for Farm Products Sujeet Acharya, Amrit Nepal, Buddhi Gyawali, Kentucky State University; David Neville plus 3 prepared presentations ("USDA and YOU", "Understand FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act)", "Based on Farmers' Comments, Areas of Concern in Technology") from Cynthia Rice and 4 presentations from other KSU research and extension staff and 2 demonstrations from KSU staff. This 2-day event was supported through the AFRI grant to provide outreach and training to southern KY reaching farmers where they are and allowing networking between farmers and KSU individuals outside of the scheduled workshops. The AFRI grant supported this event financially. SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) - October 13-14, 2021 Corbin Arena 500 Arena Drive Corbin, KY 40701 2022 SRSA (Southern Rural Sociological Association) Conference Legislative Fish Fry Posters EPA Regional Director Visit Poster Display OAK (Organic Association of Kentucky) Conference Virtual OAK (Organic Association of Kentucky) Conference Hopkinsville (booth - outreach) Eastern Kentucky Farmer's Conference (booth - outreach) multiple zoom attendances for self-education on climate, agriculture, technology, sustainability, food sovereignty, etc. Using Story Map to produce modules (outreach for endusers and extension) on topics for AFRI grants What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data analysis of survey information, articles written and published, training sessions, further meeting of goals and objectives which have been delayed to various reasons (see below) A variety of issues occurred during the previous reporting year some expected and some unexpected impacting the development of some tasks and slowing the progression of others AFRI understaffed due to various staffing issues such as different members left/not replaced, issues with travel and administrative (not land grant but on University side (staff changes/procedure changes) Documentation on procedures and pathways was not cross-trained/documented so staff leaving caused delays in replacement staff being able to support administration, financial and expertise/specialist experiences contributed to delays and timing of tasks timing coordination for web development/resource outreach still in a state of delay staffing resource (student workers HR setup delayed) delayed Survey assistance including sending out, online tweaking and participant mailing list and lack of positive response to mailings and issues with survey software Climate Smart Agriculture grant development to support agricultural technology outreach delayed/hampered due to Kentucky State University staffing/support personal limiting effectiveness of outreach in rural Kentucky COVID greatly impacted efficiency and effectiveness Management/upper tier of Kentucky State University officials and issues affected many sections and personnel hampering/preventing efficiency and effectiveness Hands on training will be offered in 2023.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. To explore driving forces and intensity of adoption/non-adoption of technology. Though various interaction with officials, farmers, peers and experts in the field as well as exploring from the internet what is currently available for small scale farmers to implement within their operations, technology feasibility for the small scale farms and capability of the local farm operations along with limited resources make many of the bright shiny tech toys unrealistic. Farmers are more accepting if the cost is lowered so kits which are cheaper and can be built by the farmer are financially more attractive to small scale farmers especially if they need multiple pieces of equipment such as data gathering and reporting devices, innovation at the farm through adaptation of current equipment, and simpler devices and software which does the needed job without extra features and is easier to useappear to be more attractive. Simple to use, efficient to use, low training timeline, durability and cost effective for function, data collection and analysis capability and easy access are all things farmers are looking at when it comes to technology. Current market has a lot of overkill in the products offered to farmers and this turns them off. 2. To conduct focus groups and related Extension activities. Interaction with farmers and peers has generated feedback on technology and its acceptance. Cost is a major issue, ease of use is another major issue and third is ease of use or simple operation. 3. To compile/develop GIS-, GPS-, and drone-based educational and outreach materials to use in outreach and Extension efforts to support productivity, diversification, and sustainability of small farms. Presentations, educational material (including storymaps and handouts),training and farmer technical support (availability for technical support to farmers) are a way of passing information to farmers. Farmers are mostly unaware of the various free data on their land and surrounding resources. Work continues on web assessible developed material to educate the farmer and help them understand their land and plan according to what is required for their farm operations. 4. To educate small farmers on adoption of computer-based technology compiled/developed in Objective 3.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
" Input From the Trenches: Farmer Feedback On Technology Adaption , Cynthia Rice, Kentucky State University; Dr. Buddhi Gyawali, Kentucky State University, PAP
" Agricultural Food Systems: In a State of Flux as the Supply Chain Resets , Cynthia Rice, Kentucky State University; Dr. Buddhi Gyawali, Kentucky State University; Dr. Marion Simon, PAP
" Climate Change: Possible Future Scenarios for the Agricultural Community , Cynthia Rice, Kentucky State University; Dr. Buddhi Gyawali, Kentucky State University; Dr. Marion Simon, PAP
* Published Abstracts & Proceedings (PAP)
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Progress 06/01/20 to 05/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Small and middle size farmers in Kentucky.. Farming and agricultural community - COVID-19 and social distancing impacted the workshops and seminars while online outreach was in a development stage. Associations and reoccurring events: Bluegrass Cattleman's Meetings on Wednesday, attended by approximately 15-20 people; February Third Thursday Thing audience; Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) presentations and story map session attendees (SRSA 3 presentations and 1 poster/story map) Students: Story Map presentations (30 minutes) for Summer Apprenticeship Program 2020; GIS Day 2020 for high school students; KAS presentations Changes/Problems:Major changes/problems include: Policy implementations concerning branding at Kentucky State University, national and state restrictions due to COVID-19, manpower restrictions due to staff reassignment and duty allocations, social distancing issues with collaboration and some Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension restructuring. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A Ph.D. student in agricultural economics at LSU was partially funded through this grant. The student graduated with a doctoral degree in December 2020.Dependra Bhatta. Sustainable Management of Groundwater in Louisiana. Ph.D., Louisiana State University. December 2020. Opportunities Outreach activity (urban/suburban garden info/demo), SAP participation, focus group analysis and data condensation, virtual field days (6 videos), research/webinar, MOOCs (massive open online courses) Women and the Land: Collaboration on ways to work with female farmers and explore options to assist them and develop programs and sessions to share knowledge and information. Some webinar/seminar/workshop and conferences attended (grouped by categories) Videos on Alltech partner and impacts for farmers (educational/informative) / Alltech conference all week (training/education on agricultural issues such as production, sustainability, economics, technology, COVID-19 impacts and future planning) / Alltech sessions throughout the year Pandemic & Sanitizing Zoom training for Produce Growers, Dr. Lai Seminar-- COVID-19: Epidemiology, Evolution, and Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives 2021 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference, Science Communication, Education and Advocacy Symposium, Professional Development webinar, 4H Civic Engagement, Stakeholder Listening Session on Rural Energy Pilot Program, USDA FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE (FAS) (1 hour), Virtual educational workshop/Earth Day celebration (4 days, approximately 2 hours each) Woodlands land owner course, 3 forestry seminar meetings and review, Ohio Valley woodland workshop Defend the Flock Biosecurity webinar, Small Farm Poultry Production, CCE Flock Talks-- Brooding and Rearing Basics: Raising Chickens for Meat Beef Short course Tuskeegee, Building a Year Round Grazing System Wed, Spring Pond Management Series-- Pond Construction & Restoration partial concurrent, Lean Farm webinar Urban Food Systems Symposium (4 Wednesdays), Intro to Veggie Production Short Course, Gaining Ground Webinar: Value Added Products, Biological Control of Whiteflies in Squash Improving pH and Organic Matter webinar, Soils-- Recapturing Carbon with Agriculture, An Introduction to Building Soil Health: A Farmers Perspective KY Fruit and Vegetable Conference, February Third Thursday Thing, Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) conference, Organic Agriculture webinar, Kentucky State University Women in Agriculture KAS Dismantling Racism in Science, Envisioning a Just City: Climate and Racial Justice in Urban Planning, Climate Displacement part 2 and 3, National Adaptation Forum-- Heat Stress Series, Nature-Based Adaptation Solutions (Climate Change) Farmer Market Preparedness-- Part III Topic: Food Safety, Farmer Market Preparedness-- Part IV "How to Tell Your Story, Kentucky Agriculture Direct Marketing Mini-Summit Night 2 & 3, From Farmer to Agricultural Entrepreneur--Part I Review of Tax & other Government Benefits for Small/Mid-Sized farms Community-based Solutions to Heat in Urban Settings-- National Adaptation Forum-- Heat Stress Series, Climate Displacement & Anti-Displacement Strategies, Climate Change in Extension: ELEVATING AND AMPLIFYING ACTION (3 days, approximately 1.5 hours each) QuickBooks® Online Training, Remote Pilot in Extension (4 sessions), Projects (STEM) and Survey 1 2 3 even during COVID, Introduction to Python in Geospatial Technology including the use of Notebooks, Teacher Tech Summit! (4.5 hours), Innovation Skill-Building Experience (Q2, Session 2) Produce Safety Training Train the trainer, Food Chain Training Train the trainer. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?All outreach has occurred online because of social distancing. Engagement with farmers and special interest groups were limited due to social distancing and COVID-19. Presentations and workshop sessions/webinars have occurred through a variety of venues online. We have presented meeting papers at national conference and submitted manuscripts to journals. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?As social distancing restriction ease then workshop and training outreach will be further developed and field days will be utilized to interact with the community. More on-line outreach will also continue to occur. Complete survey and analyze datawithlaunch of survey developed from the focus groups after July 1, 2021 Articles to present from work at home - dissemination thru appropriate channels 1)Things to think upon - Learning from our forefathers 2)Extension can help with that 3)Vertical, Horizontal and Diverse Gardening Upcoming articles being developed in progress - complete for dissemination 4)Containers and Recycling 5)Problems in starting a garden in a backyard lot 6)Warming the Soil and Early Planting 7)Bat Guano, Kelp and Fish Emulsion 2 page paper for outreach to farmer present for 4H summer presentation Soil, Potting Mix and Other Medium WORK IN PROGRESS - continue to complete these items data assessment 4%, progress toward data dictionary 9 %, SAP collaboration on outreach (STEM/STEAM initatives for different school participants/dual credit) 27%, focus group analysis and data condensation with narrative 8%, SAP high school outreach database (development of high school resource [over 300 high schools contact info]) 63%, resource library (collecting resources [ebooks, tutorials,webinar info] to perform in virtual training/education development) 18% Developing work working with farmer David Neville on outreach to ag teachers, research on possible virtual field days in 2021 and topics to present, working with other staff on technical training possibilities
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objectives and Methods Objective 1:To explore driving forces and intensity of adoption/non-adoption of technology Technology adoption from the focus groups indicated several factors, including price, scalability, user friendliness, adaptation to farming enterprises and standards, among other issues. The exploration of geospatial and microclimate factors information is being gathered and developed in ArcGIS for data analysis and farmer education for interpolation at the local farm level. Existing online systems such as SSURGO are being looked at for exposure to local farmers to help them understand their farms and make plans according to the uniqueness of their individual farm. A survey questionnaire has been drafted and it has been focus-group tested. Unfortunately, we were unable to mail survey questions to farmers because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Data from the focus groupswere broken down into 15 sub-categoriesfor grouping purposes in relation to the content of the focus groups.Technology is divided into 2 classifications, Technology 1 and Technology 2. 15 sub-categories Infrastructure,Geographic,Governmental sites,Academic/Extension,Hardware,Automaticsystems, Education,Socialmedia/YouTube/internet,Electronic business related,Mechanical vs new tech,New ag practices,Agriculture,Issues,Limitations, How time is spent ?Objective 2. Conduct focus groups and related Extension activities. Collection ofgeospatial datafor Kentucky from existing and legacy data sets and resource development for use in farm management and soil and plant health monitoring has and is occurring for support functions of applications being developed. Collection of agricultural information from USDA for application development is ongoing, as resource identification and standards for data and update cycles (yearly prices, crop yield changes, and other variable factors) are taken into account for application development. These results are being used in developing Extension educational programs and curriculums for training in geospatial technology. The previous focus groups highlighted desired technology and training/education issues along with adaptability of technology to individual farming operations and agricultural focused software (including templates for COTS - commercial off the shelf - software) that is scalable and user friendly. Papers and presentations are in the process of being developed for Kentucky State Extension Council, Kentucky Extension Agricultural Economics, Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit, and Extension Agent training meetings for planning activities for the future. These papers and presentations are based on the initialresults of the focus groups.The survey development, which is derived from these focus groups feedback and extension staff and farmer input, is delayed due to the impact of social distancing, travel concerns, loss of income for individuals due to lost economic opportunities, restricting farmers from social networking in person due to impacts of COVID-19 on the general population and specifically the farming community. The final results of the research derived from the focus groups is being evaluated, and resources are gathered and developed into educational aids and curriculum. Activities being coordinated include developing and implementing GPS/GIS and drone-guided farm management information. For outreach efforts, curricula specially targeting minority, small-scale, limited-resource, socially disadvantaged, beginning, young, and women farmers is being identified and developed to become a part of future Extension agent training. Objective 3.Compile/develop GIS/GPS and drone-based educational and outreach materials to use in outreach and Extension efforts to support productivity, diversification, and sustainability of small-scale farms. Objective 3: Method 1. A major goal is to develop geospatial-based (including GIS, GPS, remote sensing, and drones) database of small- and medium-sized farms in eastern and central Kentucky and examine their attributes and production potential. Some work is occurring, but restrictions on travel and social distancing has impacted and delayed some of these activities. Acquisition of parcel data and geocoding is in process, but local county property valuation administrator offices have been impacted by closed offices, working remotely and social distancing due to COVID-19. Parcel-based GIS data is slowly being developed and data relationships explored for usage. 5 counties have completed the process of releasing for purchase/use of their GIS county data. After completion of required forms and addition 8 or 9 counties may release data for purchase. One of the objectives is to compile and develop GIS/GPS and drone-based educational and outreach materials to use in outreach and Extension efforts to support productivity, diversification, and sustainability of small-scale farms. Other objectives include studying the farm productivity in small- and medium-sized farms in eastern and central Kentucky, looking at the changes in farm productivity in relation to multiple attributes such as parcel size, land use type, soil type etc. and identification and usage of various freely accessible remote sensing imageries such as Landsat, Sentinel and Modis. Exploration of high-resolution imageries, such as LiDAR, NAIP, and UAVs, and assessing aboveground forest biomass in the Appalachian Mountain region of Kentucky are two of the focuses of GIS in this project. Preliminary data analysis with available data is also in progress. Developing process for extracting useful and relevant information from the technology. Prerecorded lectures offered as part Earth Week celebrations. Simulation modelsfurther integration ofadditional datasets andfeatures Objective 3: Method 2. Developing Simulation Models Some work has been and is in the process of being developed using R language for some models and possible Access databases (small and possibly better able to be used at the individual farm level) as well as platform independent (tablet, PC or phone) application development. Application of SWAT in assessing the effect of land-use land-cover changes on discharge and sediment yield in a rural watershed in Kentucky, USA with refining research methods and data analysis, including running SWAT model to calibrate and validate the initial model. Activities include assessment of Land Use and Climate Variability Impact on Hydrological Regimes in Bell Watershed using SWAT Model by building initial SWAT model and related analysis. Project outline development estimating aboveground forest biomass dynamics using LiDAR and Landsat data in Kentucky's Appalachian Mountain region has occurred. Objective 4.Educate small farmers on adoption of computer-based technology compiled/developed in Objective 3. Objective 4: Method 1. Organize series of workshops and small farmer training. Workshops, sessions, presentations and online meetings/conferences are being discussed as social distancing restraints are being lifted, but online or distance training will still be part of future outreach efforts.As Extension staff, specialists and agents return to the field, many training opportunities will open up as sessions are developed for various conferences, meetings and field days. Several major components were unaccomplished due to COVID-19. There were issues with social distancing, remote contact restrictions due to under-developed infrastructure (Appalachian area specifically), and lack of physical interaction to identify new farmer participants (no physical interaction included cancelation of in-person opportunities such as field days, workshops, training sessions and conferences resulting in limited/no networking among the farmers). ?Workshopfirst engaging and informing extension staff on the safe and legal use of unmanned aerial systems (drones) in farm and managed land settings.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Rice, Cynthia; Gyawali, Buddhi and Sandifer, Jeremy. Will an emerging monsoonal weather pattern affect agricultural practices in Kentucky? Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS). November 7, 2020 Oral Presentation.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Rice, Cynthia; Gyawali, Buddhi; Simon, Marion and Sandifer, Jeremy. How Farming Helps to Alleviate Poverty Issues. Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) February 9, 2021 Oral Presentation.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Rice, Cynthia; Gyawali, Buddhi; Simon, Marion and Sandifer, Jeremy. Farming: A Holistic Approach to Economic Prosperity. Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) February 9, 2021 Oral Presentation.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Rice, Cynthia; Gyawali, Buddhi; Simon, Marion and Sandifer, Jeremy. USDA, KDA, Non-profit and Extension: A Farmers Opportunity for Economic Improvement. Sociological Association (SRSA) February 9, 2021 Storymap.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Rice, Cynthia; and Gyawali, Buddhi. USDA, KDA, Non-profit and Extension: A Farmers Opportunity for Economic Improvement. Third Thursday Thing. February 18, 2021 Oral Presentation.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Simon, Marion and Rice, Cynthia. A Way to Address Stress on Small Farms. Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) February 9, 2021 Oral Presentation.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Shrestha, S., Gyawali, B. (2020). Assessment of Land Use and Climate Variability Impact on Hydrological Regimes in Bell Watershed using SWAT Model. Kentucky Academy Sciences 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting Program November 6-7, 2020.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Bhatta, D. and K. Paudel. Impacts of conservation policy and water saving technology in irrigation energy cost in the Mississippi River Alluvial Aquifer (MRAA). Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, Kansas City, Missouri. July 26-28, 2020.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Bhatta, D. and K. Paudel. Impacts of volumetric control and well depth restriction in groundwater management. Southern Economic Association, New Orleans, Louisiana. Nov. 21-23.
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Progress 06/01/19 to 05/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Small-scale, limited-resource, and minority farmers in Kentucky. This includes former coal miners, Appalachian farmers, African American farmers, farmers in the StrikeForce and Promise Zones, women, beginning, and veteran farmers. Changes/Problems:We could not accomplish all objectives as stated in in the grant proposal during the project period due to a number of reasons beyond the control of the project team. A major issue was related to Extension duty reassignments due to staff vacancies. The COVID-19 pandemic also caused us to reschedule a number of activities. Some issues with social media and data management development also occurred. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Research online. Conferences and workshops for education. Classes/tutorials/webinars for staff for individual development to interact with farmers. Farmers and staff have been trained to use Zoom, Facebook, and social media to access University information. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Limited information about the focus groups has been disseminated through word-of-mouth to a few individuals. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Staff have been hired and work reassigned to accomplish goals. Data management of geographic attributes, environmental information, market/production data. Data analysis. Additional research for technological apps, business software and production practices. Additional farmer interactions.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. Initial steps toward survey questions from developing focus groups. An initial assessment of the first three focus groups highlighted 1) technology is perceived to be computers and computer programs and some apps which can be reached on a tablet or smart phone; 2) software in business operations is not seen as technology; 3) social media (youtube, instagram, pintrest, etc. are used by farmers, with them wanting more or wanting assistance in using social media;4) not enough knowledgeable people on technology available (sellers may not be "tech savy" to answer questions or explain technology being sold (seller of GIS apps or solutions may not be able to explain/demonstrate usage or benefit adequately; 5) ease or benefit not apparent to farmers versus difficulty in usage (I can do paper and pencil easier, no time to input it, too time consuming to use, not portable, too complicated); 6) lack of trust in information /financial payments over theinternet; 7) cost and8) actual demonstrated need instead of a want or a nice gadget. This information is part of determining what information needs to be aincluded in the technology survey. COVID-19 has hampered the in-person focus groups, but workarounds, such as using Zoom to host virtual meetings, are being developed for information gathering. Staff vacancies and reassignment of staff duties also hampered some activities. Objective 2. Three focus group discussions have been held and the feedback received are being included in a comprehensive survey. The survey will be sent to IRB for approval in June and will be circulated to small-scale farmers in Kentucky in July. The focus group information is also being included to develop training and outreach strategies and trainings for small farmers. .
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Tej K. Gautam, Sarah Kogoya, and Krishna P Paudel. Estimating Willingness to Pay for Climate Smart Agriculture Technology Adoption in Eastern Uganda: Evidence from Household Survey Data. Presented at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association Meeting, February 1-4, 2020, Louisville, Kentucky.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Krishna P Paudel, Rajan Parajuli, Doleswar Bhandari, Chandra Theegala, and Huizhen Niu. Economic Implications of Combining Poultry Litter with Wood Chips for Bio-based Energy Production in the United States. Presented at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association Meeting, February 1-4, 2020, Louisville, Kentucky.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Bijay Pokhrel and Krishna P. Paudel. 2019. Assessing the Efficiency of Alternative Best Management Practices to Reduce Nonpoint Source Pollution in the Saline Bayou Watershed, Louisiana, USA. Water, 11(8), 1714.
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