Progress 01/03/23 to 01/02/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of this project is undergraduate students from the University of Massachusetts and from Community Colleges. This project seeks to provide training on applied agricultural research and Extension to 45 students over a 5-year period (2022-2026). The need to increase the workforce in applied research and agricultural Extension has been voiced by agencies and stakeholders, as job opportunities for food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and environmental science graduates in STEM areas are expected to grow. During the next years, college graduates will find broad employment opportunities if they have expertise in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, or the environment. Undergraduate students at land-grant institutions across the country are often unaware of the depth and breadth of Extension services and careers. This underscores some disconnect between academic courses and real-world applications. In 2023, nine undergraduate students (six from UMass, one from Holyoke Community College, and two from Greenfield Community College) participated in the REEU internship program. For Moshe Skoglund, Izze Stevenson, and their seven fellow interns (2023), a summer in the REEU program exposes them to any and all aspects related to vital Extension work. The REEU internship is designed to encourage them to pursue this work as a career, helping to build a more sustainable farming community and ensuring future generations can put food on their tables. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Through the implementation of training modules, students were exposed to leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills in research and Extension. Each intern presented their findings at the REEU symposium, held in August, 2023. The professional development workshops and lectures that were offered to the REEU students focused on strengthening industrial and academic ties to develop the regional and national workforce. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Student presentationsat the 2023 Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association summer meeting held at Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow, MA (7.12.23). Audience: 105 people. The UMass community became aware of the REEU internship program:https://www.umass.edu/gateway/umass-stories/shaping-future-farming. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?A final survey assessing the 2023 REEU experience was implemented among student interns. Their feedback will be used to improve our 2024 REEU internship program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The REEU project has three key objectives: to provide research training to undergraduate students via hands-on applied research and technology-based experiences, to engage interns in extension activities that emphasize extension's important role in local food systems and provide unique training experiences and professional development, and to increase awareness of agricultural research education and extension employment opportunities. The summer internship program supported by NIFA has provided direct mentoring of undergraduates by faculty members, Extension professionals, and advanced graduate students. The undergraduate-led projects reflect the mission and portfolio of the UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture, which includes both research and Extension. In addition to project-related duties, students participated in professional development activities and presented their work at a poster session at the end of the summer. Throughout the internship, students evaluated cropping systems, analyzed soil health, monitored pests and diseases, managed automated weather stations, and much more. Interns designed their own Extension or research project and delivered oral presentations. They also participated in an agri-journalism module, allowing them to develop vital communication skills--especially regarding the translation of scientific content for public consumption. The program opens students up to new opportunities in agriculture by creating a well-rounded network and providing diverse hands-on research and Extension experience. In 2023, the REEU internship program provided training to nine undergraduate students. All students reported a moderate to significant increase in knowledge about Extension and Research as a direct result of their 2023 REEU Experience. Overall, students report a 37% increase in Scientific Competence across various criteria as a result of their REEU 20223 experience. "The extension system provides a backbone for what the relationship between farmer and researcher should theoretically be," says Moshe Skoglund, a student pursuing an associates degree in the sustainable food and farming two-year program. NEWS PIECE:https://www.umass.edu/gateway/umass-stories/shaping-future-farming
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Francke, M., Rull-Garza, M., Garofalo, E., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Can Watersprout Pruning Reduce Pear Psylla Abundance? Fruit Notes 88(3): 5-9.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Swinson, M., Mian, S., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Multi-cultivar Grafted Apple Trees. IPM Fact Sheet Series, University of Massachusetts Extension, Fact Sheet # IPM- .
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Swinson, M., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Entomology for Kids! IPM Fact Sheet Series, University of Massachusetts Extension, Fact Sheet # IPM- .
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Swinson, M., Alisauskas , C., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Biodiversity: A Brief Overview & Practical Application. IPM Fact Sheet Series, University of Massachusetts Extension, Fact Sheet # IPM- .
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Swinson, M., Paulson, E., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. What is Permaculture? IPM Fact Sheet Series, University of Massachusetts Extension, Fact Sheet # IPM- .
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Swinson, M., Petersen, C., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Kaolin Clay. IPM Fact Sheet Series, University of Massachusetts Extension, Fact Sheet # IPM- .
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Swinson, M., Skoglund, M., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Mass Trapping Japanese Beetles with a Dual Lure Sock Trap. IPM Fact Sheet Series, University of Massachusetts Extension, Fact Sheet # IPM- .
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Swinson, M., Clark, I., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): The Giving Tree. IPM Fact Sheet Series, University of Massachusetts Extension, Fact Sheet # IPM- .
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Rossman, B., Bley, M., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Developing and Implementing Engaging Educational Experiences at Cobble Hill Farm Education & Rescue Center. University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Alisauskas, C., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Biodiversity Boost: Unleashing Ecosystem Services for a Thriving Planet. University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Clark, I., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Re-Establishment of Native Fruit Species in New England in Support of Climate Smart Agriculture: Assessing the Consumer Education Barriers for Market Entry. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU). University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Pattavina, M., B., Rull-Garza, M., Bley, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Surveying Farmers Perspectives on Integrated Pest Management strategies in Massachusetts. University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Skoglund, M., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Japanese Beetle Mass Trapping in Massachusetts Grapes and Blueberries. University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Mian, S., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Determining the Feeding Preferences of Rosy Apple Aphids for Six Apple Cultivars. University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Moriarty, K., Swinson, M., Rull-Garza, M., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Renewing Sustainable Practices at Holyoke Community College: Drafting a Preliminary Layout for a Self-Sufficient Permaculture Garden. University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Petersen, C., Rull-Garza, M., Clements, J., Greene, D., Garofalo, E., Glaze-Corcoran, S., and Pi�ero, J.C. 2023. Effects of Kaolin Clay as Groundcover on Nutrient Composition in Apple Trees. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU). University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Research report, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduate students (REEU).
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