Progress 04/15/24 to 03/07/25
Outputs
Target Audience:This project proposed to address the growing concerns and issues surrounding menstruation, including the potential health risks posed to users of synthetic feminine hygiene products (FHP), advancing research in the development of FHP that use natural materials, as well as providing menstrual hygiene management (MHM) education for young women and girls. In addition, funding of this project would provide for the establishment of a fiber processing lab that will provide opportunities for students as well as community stakeholders Changes/Problems:Major Changes/Problems in Approach and Reasons for Those Changes A major and unanticipated change to the project occurred due to the abrupt cancellation of the award by the funding agency, which significantly altered the project's scope and implementation timeline. The project was terminated as part of a broader administrative review and cancellation of multiple USDA/NIFA-funded grants that were determined by the current administration to no longer align with revised agency priorities. As a result of this action, the project was discontinued before several planned activities could be fully implemented, including fiber-to-fabric processing, prototype development, extension programming, and establishment of a community fiber processing facility. The cancellation was not due to performance, compliance, or misuse of funds, but rather to a determination made during administrative review. The project narrative included terminology related to gender identity in the context of inclusive health education, which was taken out of context during the review process and contributed to the decision to terminate the award. Due to the timing and nature of the cancellation, no alternative approach or corrective action could be implemented to continue the project as originally proposed. Remaining activities were limited to allowable instructional components already underway at the time of termination. No special or additional reporting requirements beyond standard close-out documentation were specified in the award Terms and Conditions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Student Training and Skill Development: Students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences, Animal Science, and related programs received applied training through newly implemented in-class laboratory activities, including fiber absorbency testing, material performance evaluation, and wool scouring and cleaning techniques. These activities strengthened students' technical understanding of fiber properties, preparation, and end-use applications relevant to textile and product development. Students also participated in hands-on wool shearing activities, providing direct exposure to animal fiber harvesting and primary processing methods. These experiences enhanced students' practical skills, safety awareness, and appreciation of animal fiber production systems. Experiential Learning and Industry Exposure: Through study tours and site visits sponsored by the project's community partner, Acadiana Brown Cotton Fibershed, students and faculty gained exposure to regional fiber producers, regenerative agriculture practices, and local fiber supply chains. These activities functioned as informal professional development by connecting participants with practitioners and stakeholders engaged in sustainable fiber systems. Faculty Development and Curriculum Enhancement: Faculty benefited from professional development through collaboration with community partners and the incorporation of new instructional strategies related to fiber science, sustainability, and experiential learning. These activities supported curriculum innovation and strengthened interdisciplinary teaching across Family and Consumer Sciences and Animal Science disciplines. Although broader professional development activities such as extension workshops and fiber processing training were not fully implemented due to project cancellation, the training opportunities delivered through classroom instruction, field experiences, and partner engagement contributed to workforce-relevant skill development and instructional capacity building. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination of Results to Communities of Interest Although the project did not progress to the later stages of product prototyping and extension programming prior to cancellation, key outcomes related to instructional strategies and project goals were disseminated to relevant academic, professional, and community audiences. Co-Director Dr. Jodi Mortin and Project Director Dr. Samii L. Kennedy-Benson presented classroom teaching strategies developed through this project during Southern University's ITLE (Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence). This presentation engaged faculty across disciplines in discussions of innovative instructional approaches, hands-on laboratory activities, and experiential learning models related to alternative natural fibers and sustainable textile systems. In addition, the project team will present these instructional outcomes at the 2026 Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, to be held March 28-31, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. The ARD Symposium is a national forum that brings together researchers, educators, extension professionals, and students from the 1890 land-grant universities to share research findings, educational innovations, and best practices related to agriculture, food systems, family and community development, and sustainability. This venue will allow dissemination of project insights to a broad audience of peer institutions and stakeholders within the 1890 system. Beyond academic dissemination, the Project Director, Dr. Kennedy-Benson, also appeared on local news segments, where she discussed the goals, relevance, and community impact of the Farm to Feminine Hygiene project. These media engagements helped raise public awareness about sustainable feminine hygiene products, alternative natural fibers, and the intersection of agriculture, textiles, and women's health, extending the project's reach to the broader community. Through faculty development forums, national conference presentations, and local media outreach, the project's educational outcomes and goals were shared with multiple communities of interest, supporting broader dialogue around sustainable fiber education and interdisciplinary teaching approaches. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Although the project was discontinued prior to full implementation, meaningful progress was achieved toward Goal 3: Enhancing classroom instruction for students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences, Animal Science, and Plant and Soil Science programs through experiential learning opportunities related to alternative natural fibers and textile production processes. This goal was successfully met through the integration of new instructional strategies and hands-on learning activities incorporated into existing coursework. Faculty implemented in-class laboratory activities focused on fiber science concepts relevant to feminine hygiene product development, including absorbency testing of natural fibers and wool scouring and cleaning demonstrations. These activities provided students with applied understanding of fiber performance, preparation, and end-use considerations. In addition, students participated in experiential study tours sponsored by the project's community partner, Acadiana Brown Cotton Fibershed, which exposed them to regional fiber production systems, regenerative agricultural practices, and local supply chains. These tours strengthened students' understanding of fiber-to-product pathways and reinforced the connection between agriculture, textiles, and sustainability. Hands-on engagement was further enhanced through student participation in wool shearing activities, offering direct exposure to animal fiber harvesting and primary processing. These experiences supported interdisciplinary learning across Family and Consumer Sciences and Animal Science programs, while reinforcing workforce-relevant skills related to fiber production and material handling. Collectively, these instructional enhancements improved student engagement, expanded applied learning opportunities, and strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration aligned with the project's educational objectives. While the remaining project goals--fiber-to-fabric production, prototype development, extension programming, and establishment of a community fiber processing facility--could not be completed due to project cancellation and related constraints, the instructional outcomes achieved represent a meaningful contribution to student learning and curriculum enrichment.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2026
Citation:
Kennedy-Benson, S. L., & Morton, J. (2026). Teaching Through Research: Expanding Experiential Learning Across Agricultural and Human Sciences. Poster presentation accepted for the Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, New Orleans, LA
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