Extension Today

Did you know that 60% of the human body is made up of water and that we can only live three to five days without the intake of fluids? Water helps to regulate body temperature, transport nutrients and aid digestive systems. However, while 71% of the Earth's surface is covered with water, only 3% is freshwater, which helps to sustain plant, animal and human life. It's no wonder that Cooperative Extension water conservation efforts are becoming increasingly important in protecting one of our most valuable natural resources.

About Water Wheels

The Water Wheels Outdoor Conservation Lab is a 36-foot mobile vehicle operated by Alabama Extension at Alabama A&M. With 15 gaming computers and a built-in catchment system, Water Wheels is one of the most popular outdoor mobile labs in Alabama. On any given day, it winds its way up and down rural and city roads, educating young and old alike about water conservation practices they can use at home.

By engaging with Water Wheels, participants learn at least four ways to conserve water, including how to use rainwater collection and drip irrigation systems. These practical methods can be implemented at home to create a more sustainable and water-efficient lifestyle. Visit the Water Wheels webpage to learn more.

Plant diseases significantly threaten vegetable production for limited-resource farmers throughout Mississippi. Accurate and rapid identification of pathogens is crucial to controlling plant diseases and ensuring quality vegetable production.

Without immediate diagnosis and treatment, pathogens can spread swiftly, potentially decimating an entire garden within 24 hours. Misdiagnosis based on physical observations can lead to unnecessary chemical applications, causing further damage. Alcorn Extension Programming addresses this challenge by empowering farmers with ImmunoStrip assays (IA) for rapid plant disease detection.

These kits, similar to rapid COVID-19 antigen tests, allow farmers to diagnose plant diseases quickly and accurately by adding diseased plant tissue to a buffer and then a test strip, yielding results within minutes. The portability and simplicity of ImmunoStrip kits enable local communities to manage plant health independently, fostering self-reliance.

Alcorn Extension offers comprehensive training programs for growers, Extension educators, non-governmental organizations and independent crop consultants on using these kits for field disease identification. By leveraging this innovative technology, Alcorn Extension Programming helps farmers improve crop yields, economic stability and food security, fostering sustainable agricultural practices that benefit local and global food systems.

Central State University (CSU) Extension is dedicated to impacting communities with its innovative Health Education Mobile Unit (HEMU). This initiative brings essential health education directly to communities, embodying CSU Extension's commitment to community engagement and transformation.

Renita Porter, program leader for CSU Extension’s Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program, highlights the profound impact of HEMU. "Our mobile unit bridges gaps in health education, empowering communities to thrive," she says.

At the heart of CSU Extension's efforts lies the HEMU, which serves as a community-based outreach program focusing on health education. FCS educators and program coordinators use the HEMU to deliver vital education on nutrition, family dynamics and financial literacy. Through workshops and demonstrations, educators equip families with practical skills for daily life, promoting healthier living and stronger community ties.

CSU Extension’s HEMU actively engages with local communities, schools and organizations to address health-related challenges head-on. By emphasizing preventive health measures and promoting healthy eating habits, HEMU strives to enhance overall well-being and empower families through increased health literacy and access to valuable resources.

The HEMU supports FCS programming that exemplifies a proactive approach to community health and empowerment. By bringing education directly to those it serves, HEMU not only educates but also inspires healthier lifestyles and fosters resilience within communities.

Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension partners with local churches, schools, nonprofits and other organizations interested in the program's outreach services to enrich lives.

Through a new Mobile Health Unit, Extension aims to continue promoting wellness and drive positive change. This rolling facility provides resources on healthy living practices such as nutrition, preparing meals and health screenings in underserved communities. Extension has featured the unit at various events this year, including the 2024 Association County Commissioners of Georgia Conference in Savannah, Georgia, to connect with government officials for potential partnerships in their counties.

In addition to the new health unit, Extension has a Mobile Information Technology Center. This high-tech computer classroom housed in a 72-foot semi-trailer has 20 individual training stations and an onboard 35kw generator. It is designed to provide a comfortable environment where users can gain hands-on access to computer hardware and software systems, which may be relevant to their individual or group needs. Typical users have included school vocational departments, community self-help organizations, small business operators and public service agency personnel.

The mobile unit annually visits more than 400 middle and high school students across the state and makes stops at various libraries and job fairs. During site visits, instructors teach clients about everything from internet safety to resume writing.

As a result of this rolling resource, in the past, more than 278 individuals completed Extra Help and Low Income Subsidy (LIS) applications. They submitted them to the Social Security Administration for a potential savings of $1,640,725.19.

Both units can be set up in a variety of field locations. For more information, contact Terrence Wolfork, assistant administrator of communications, conferencing and technology, at (478) 825-6053 or wolforkt@fvsu.edu.

Spring to summer is the primary season for cultivating warm-loving vegetables such as tomatoes in Oklahoma. However, early spring planting is often hampered by cold and frost, while high summer temperatures limit the favorable growing period. In recent years, unpredictable weather patterns have further challenged open-field cultivation, resulting in low productivity and higher cultivation costs.

Dr. Devi Kandel, an assistant professor of horticulture at Langston University Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture & Applied Sciences, and his team are exploring alternative specialty crop production systems to address these environmental issues. In the 2023 season, they utilized a high tunnel to evaluate the production of beefsteak and cherry tomatoes. Unlike the typical late April to May open-field planting time, the high tunnel enabled planting seven weeks earlier, in mid-March, without additional heating and using a 47% shade cloth on the roof of the high tunnel-maintained temperatures within the desirable range for tomato crops during the summer, allowing continued production until September.

The evaluation of four beefsteak cultivars resulted in marketable tomato yields ranging from 64.4 tons per hectare to 77.1 tons per hectare. In comparison, two cherry tomato cultivars produced yields between 44.3 tons per hectare and 53.3 tons per hectare.

Kandel stated, “This study demonstrates that using high tunnels can lead to early growth, extended growing seasons, and higher production and productivity of tomatoes. Small to medium-sized farmers with limited resources could significantly benefit from this approach.”

The recent Sustainable Production of Specialty Crops Field Day held at the Horticulture Education Research Center(HERC) offered local growers high tunnel technology training.

An educational project led by Nadia Navarrete-Tindall, Ph.D., at Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE) Specialty Crops Program (SCP) aims to transform food sustainability practices in Missouri. Funded by a specialty crops grant from the Missouri Department of Agriculture, this initiative collaborates with Assistant Professor Qingbo (Roger) Yang, Ph.D., of LU Cooperative Research (LUCR). The Native Edibles as Specialty Crops project encourages the sustainable cultivation and use of native edibles, focusing on the species golden glow or “sochan” (Rudbeckia laciniata). The project also analyzes its nutritional value using advanced sensing technology.

Navarrete-Tindall and her team conduct workshops statewide, educating farmers and gardeners on planting, harvesting and the benefits of native edibles, particularly golden glow. At a recent workshop in St. Louis, participants sampled appetizers made with golden glow by Chef Robert Rusan and received plants to grow in their gardens. The project highlights the adaptability of native edibles to various conditions, making them ideal for urban farming and promoting a sustainable, cost-effective food supply.

The initiative also involves analyzing the nutritional benefits of golden glow. Qingbo’s team collects samples to study nutrient retention and absorption, using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to assess nutrient levels and contaminant residues. Findings will be released in August with an article following in September.

Collaborations with farmers and organizations like the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture aim to build a network of informed growers and consumers. Navarrete-Tindall envisions a future where nutritious, locally grown food is widely available, enhancing sustainability and health in Missouri communities.

Innovation Station, the mobile makerspace of Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T, brings technological resources and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to schools and community-based organizations. Through making, tinkering and engineering, youths learn 21st-century skills and the value of “design thinking."

Innovation Station is a 41-foot long, 8.5-foot wide, 12.5-foot high mobile STEM lab and makerspace. Inside are 15 workstations, including one wheelchair-accessible desk. The exterior of the vehicle is equipped with a 20-foot awning, an interactive monitor and a public address system for outdoor programming.

In the STEM lab, participants can gain skills in the engineering design process, robotics, video game design, computer programming and hardware engineering. The makerspace is a collaborative workspace where participants can bring ideas to life through the use of both low- and high-tech equipment. Here, participants gain skills in electronics, 3D modeling and printing, innovative problem solving and critical thinking.

Innovation Station is equipped with laptops, iPads, 3D printers, a laser cutter and more. Watch the YouTube video.

Alfredo Alberto, Prairie View A&M University Wellness in Houston Program coordinator II for the College of Business, has a longstanding partnership with Carl Wunsche Senior High School in Spring ISD (Harris County).

Beginning in 2017, Alberto has established a partnership with the teachers, students and school community for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), college and career readiness programming.

We had an opportunity to partner with Cristal Johnson Brown, Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher, and students from Wunsche, who showcased the STEM to Your Future mobile learning center with students from Roberson Middle School. While at Roberson, 8th- and 7th-grade students were able to learn and engage with seniors and juniors about career paths in cybersecurity, oil and gas, architecture, engineering, education, on-land and deep-sea drone navigation, and ecological preservation.

Throughout the school year, both schools benefited from our collaborative efforts by learning and applying programmatic tools to survive and thrive as students and future entrepreneurs, as well as become asset leaders in the workforce and the marketplace.

Please click the link to hear from students about how they benefited from the STEM to Your Future Day.

We would like to recognize Bobby Bruce and TeKedra Pierre, director of the Information and Impact Center at Prairie View A&M University, College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, for facilitating the PVAMU logo to be displayed on the STEM trailer as a collaborating business partner. Other collaborators include Cristal Johnson, Stephanie Galloway, Spring ISD, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, Technology Tower - CTE Engineering and Ketera White (academy coordinator).

At the forefront of agricultural advancement and innovation lies the South Carolina State University Public Service & Agriculture’s Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Agriculture (CAAI4SA).

CAAI4SA is a pioneering hub that harnesses the power of data science and artificial intelligence to help solve complex challenges faced by farmers with limited resources. The center focuses on various AI research areas, including AI, big data, technology, automation, remote sensing and open data research to equip farmers with the necessary tools to advance growth, innovation and productivity while solving intricate agricultural challenges.

“By integrating advanced AI technologies, CAAI4SA is dedicated to reaching and uplifting communities and harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to transform agriculture into a more efficient, sustainable and equitable sector. We aim to equip communities, especially those underserved, with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly complex agricultural landscape,” said Dr. Joe Maja, senior researcher and director for CAAI4SA.

CAAI4SA fosters inclusivity by making AI-driven solutions accessible and affordable. For those who lack digital literacy, CAAI4SA provides comprehensive training and capacity-building programs tailored to community needs and capabilities. Recognizing the importance of building trust and fostering cultural acceptance among the farming community, CAAI4SA aims to empower communities with the tools and knowledge needed to utilize AI in agriculture. For more information, contact Maja at jmaja@scsu.edu.

The Southern University Ag Center’s Mobile Education and Technology Center (M-Tech Unit) is a high-tech training classroom that can travel across the state of Louisiana to bring internet access, hands-on training and live instruction to the most marginalized areas and remote corners of the state. The unit is equipped with 10 computer workstations and can travel to any community or location to perform onsite computer or educational training.

After a natural disaster, the unit is often mobilized to provide internet access for individuals to complete and submit disaster relief documentation. Our Enhancing Capacity of Louisiana’s Small Farms and Businesses Certification Programs also utilizes the M-Tech Unit to teach basic and targeted computer skills to small and minority farmers, ranchers and business owners; assist targeted audiences with understanding the challenges and creating opportunities for growth and expansion for their small businesses and communities; and to demonstrate food safety practices and procedures in a real and practical setting.

The M-Tech Unit allows the rural community to gain the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to start and advance their businesses, improve their quality of life and aid the state of Louisiana in making strides toward economic parity.

For additional information about the Mobile Education and Technology Center, contact William Augustine, project coordinator, at william_augustine@suagcenter.com.

The Tennessee State University College of Agriculture’s Mobile Biodiesel Education Demonstration project was kicked off in 2012 with a critical capacity building grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

The project led to the creation of the mobile education unit, a demonstration trailer that houses an innovative seed press for crushing oilseeds like canola seeds, sunflower seeds and soybean seeds in a process that releases vegetable oil and produces a meal that can be utilized as an animal feed. Also housed in the demonstration trailer is a biodiesel processor where vegetable oil is converted to biodiesel through a chemical reaction called transesterification. A big thank you to oil manufacturer Hart AgStrong LLC for supporting us by donating canola seed for the project.

The project was led by the principal investigator and TSUAg Extension professor Dr. Jason de Koff, along with TSUAg collaborators Chris Robbins, Dr. John Ricketts and Dr. Prabodh Illukpitiya (co-principal investigators), along with Alvin Wade. Since the mobile education demonstration unit hit the road back in 2013, it has been utilized in connecting with more than 2,300 members of the public in and around Tennessee’s agriculture community.

The Mobile Biodiesel Education Demonstration project was a national finalist in the Search for Excellence in Crop Production contest held by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in 2016.

Fishing is a favorite activity for many. That’s where the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's (UAPB) Youth Fishing Education trailer becomes a mobile day of fun for youths from all over Arkansas, according to Scott Jones, small impoundment Extension specialist at UAPB.

Youth fishing derbies and educational events often focus on urban areas where residents have fewer opportunities to access natural resource recreation. Additionally, these events often encourage participation from families and underserved communities, Jones said. People in these situations can sometimes struggle to afford all the gear needed to go fishing, especially if there are many children of age wanting to participate, on top of the ever-rising cost of essential needs.

“Being able to provide participants with all the gear they need for the family to enjoy a nearly free-of-cost fishing experience near home can be tremendously helpful in facilitating family enriching activities, encouraging passion and respect for natural resources, and help universities, agencies and local leaders interact with residents in a fun, informal format to build stronger communities,” he said.

The trailer, which holds up to 80 rods and reels, tackle, gear and associated equipment can be used by any Extension agent in Arkansas at no charge, Jones said. Organizations seeking assistance with fishing derbies or fishing education events can contact their county Extension agent or the UAPB Aquaculture and Fisheries Department to arrange the use of the trailer.

FarmBots are the latest in innovative agriculture, especially where arable land is limited and space is at a premium. The trending term refers to farming with the assistance of robotic agriculture for planting, watering and weed management.

Urban robotic farming is the focus of a three-year U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) project at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Madhumi Mitra, professor of biology and environmental science, is the lead on a $780,700 grant involving discovery through research, experiential learning for students and training for farmers through Extension activities.

“Sustainable food production for a growing population with an energy-smart approach is the overall goal,” Mitra said. “During the project, the Rappahannock tribe will receive assistance automating its greenhouse at the Tribal Center in St. Stephens Church, Virginia, with a computer-controlled robot for cultivating indigenous plants and medicinal herbs.”

On campus, students will grow beets and carrots in a tunnel house FarmBot using rainwater irrigation to study the harvest characteristics, phytochemicals and micronutrients of the vegetables. Another experiment looks at the impacts of seaweed-based biostimulants on the growth of indoor-grown spinach.

Market analysis and stakeholder surveys measuring the willingness to adopt automated indoor farming technology will be conducted.

“Implementing these systems not only enhances food security and minimizes environmental impact but also provides benefits to growers by promoting sustainable practices and reducing reliance on long supply chains,” Mitra said.

"Indoor Sustainable Urban Robotic Farming for Discovery (ISURF), and Experiential Learning (DEL) in STEM" - USDA-NIFA Award No. 2024-70019-42199

25,000 miles along the East Coast from Virginia to Florida: this is the distance Virginia State University (VSU)’s Mobile Education Unit (MEU) has traveled since its first road trip just two years ago.

What started as a grant-funded opportunity from agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Virginia Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau and more has taken on a life of its own with more than 10 sponsors, most of which are Virginia-based. The MEU is a state-of-the-art trailer with dynamic, interactive exhibits that showcase Virginia’s rich agriculture and forestry industries. While the MEU team is already accomplishing the unit’s mission of agriculture education outreach, there’s even more on the horizon.

The iconic trailer is a mobile classroom that shows visitors the importance of agriculture in their daily lives. Young children, students and adults can interact with hands-on exhibits like the virtual reality-enabled “visits” with Virginia’s beef, dairy, vegetable, timber and aquaculture farmers, the map that teaches users about the five different USDA gardening zones and a large plate puzzle through which visitors can learn about nutrition and pick different elements of a well-balanced meal.

Moving through the trailer, guests can test their knowledge with a quiz and play against each other in an on-theme video game. Some exhibits reflect the MEU’s sponsors, like the Virginia Beef Council, with a display that educates visitors about different cuts of beef and offers downloadable recipes to try at home.

Virginia Cooperative Extension extends the resources of Virginia's two land-grant universities, Virginia State University and Virginia Tech, to solve problems facing Virginians every day.

West Virginia State University (WVSU) 4-H’s portable StarLab program offers many benefits for our youths, making it a valuable educational tool for schools. Firstly, the program focuses on education by providing informative programs covering astronomy, space science and the universe. Through immersive visuals and simulations, complex concepts become more accessible and easier to comprehend.

Moreover, the StarLab program serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for young minds. Showcasing the vastness and beauty of space has the potential to ignite curiosity and passion, inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Additionally, the interactive nature of planetarium shows encourages the youth’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they engage in Q&A sessions.

“The StarLab is an immersive learning experience for youths and an exciting scholastic tool for educators to bring into schools,” said WVSU 4-H Extension educator Christine Kinder. “Students leave our StarLab presentations with enthusiasm about the universe and a desire to explore.”

The community engagement aspect of the StarLab program is also significant, as it brings young people together through events and workshops, fostering a sense of collaboration and social interaction.

Lastly, exposure to the StarLab program can open doors to future career paths in astronomy, astrophysics, aerospace engineering and science communication. Bringing the planetarium to schools allows students to learn about space in an immersive and enriching way, providing a unique and impactful experience that positively impacts their intellectual, emotional and social development.