Extension Today

Mention the word composting and most people think of large wooden bins located outside with a deteriorating collection of yard clippings, leaves and household food garbage. Composting, typically set up in backyards, is the natural process of creating rich organic soil by the aerobic (oxygen required) breakdown of the compost materials into a rich crumbly mixture. While the complete organic breakdown of this biodegradable potpourri may take several months, the result is well worth the wait.

Composted material can be used in a variety of places such as houseplants, gardens and yards. Additional benefits of composting include reducing the amount of lawn debris, as well as food refuse that would otherwise be sent to landfills as trash or garbage. Composting also eliminates the need for harsh chemical fertilizers for your lawn and garden. Composting, however, is not just limited to the outdoors. Even those living in urban areas with limited green space can experience the benefits of composting, just on a smaller scale.

Alabama Extension educates consumers about composting through its Urban Green program. In 2023, the program reached 58,728 people. A comparison of pre- and post-test scores among 957 participants indicated that 91% (871) increased their knowledge of composting and understood why composting is important. In addition, post-delayed data among 77 participants indicated that 82% (63) were more engaged in composting, including turning the compost pile more regularly.

Visit www.aces.edu to learn more about composting as a natural organic process.

The Mobile Plant Lab Program at Alcorn State University plays a crucial role for farmers who want to grow organic veggies but don't have many resources. Bringing expert advice straight to farmers' fields, this initiative offers personalized guidance on organic crop cultivation. Farmers learn essential techniques like soil care, eco-friendly pest control and organic fertilizers through engaging workshops, hands-on demonstrations and tailored consultations. But it doesn't stop there – this program also provides information about accessing high–quality seeds and resources for healthy harvests.

Plus, it fosters a supportive community where farmers can swap tips and tricks. From January to April 2024, this program reached 87 clients across five counties with its practical sessions. Empowering farmers with the tools and know-how for successful organic vegetable production is not just bolstering local food security and economic resilience. It's also promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship on a broader scale. Stay tuned for more updates from this ASU Extension Mobile Plant Lab Program!

In Wilberforce, Ohio, the Seed to Bloom Botanical and Community Garden at Central State University Extension serves as a hub for heritage preservation through organic farming. A recent class on African Heritage Crop Germination demonstrated a commitment to nurturing crops and cultural connections.

Under the guidance of Clare Thorn, an agriculture and natural resources Extension associate, participants, including Jasmine and Jacqueline, along with dedicated student workers Corey and Mariah, embarked on a journey of germinating seeds of African heritage.

“Preserving African heritage crops is not just about agriculture; it’s about safeguarding cultural identity and legacy,” Thorn emphasized, highlighting the profound significance of their endeavor.

The seeds, which ranged from Mrihani Basil to Iron & Clay Southern Pea, symbolized a rich cultural legacy awaiting revival. As participants plunged their hands into the soil, anticipation filled the air, marking the beginning of a new cycle. The event fostered a sense of community and belonging beyond mere cultivation. Participants found themselves not only planting seeds but also sowing bonds with their heritage and fellow gardeners.

“In the soil lies not just sustenance, but the stories of our ancestors waiting to be told,” Jacqueline concluded, echoing the sentiment that the Earth holds the key to preserving our past and nurturing our future.

Inspired by the experience, Jasmine and Jacqueline eagerly anticipate the upcoming African Heritage Crop Transplanting event on Thursday, June 6, 2024. This date marks another milestone in their journey, where seedlings will find a new home in the community garden beds.

Despite ongoing research, outreach and demonstration efforts, aquaculture production in Delaware remained low in terms of the number of commercial producers for many years. While there have always been a handful of individuals involved with the industry to varying degrees, traditionally, Delaware aquaculture has been dominated by finfish production.

In 2013, then-Governor Jack Markell signed legislation allowing the leasing of subaqueous lands in the Inland Bays for commercial shellfish aquaculture use. In addition to the expected economic benefits from shellfish aquaculture, part of the rationale behind this initiative was that more shellfish positively impact water quality.

In 2016, when SADA leases were first made available to the public, DNREC instituted a lottery to allocate this limited resource fairly, and there were more than 50 entrants. Unfortunately, there have only been about 12-15 leaseholders. As of 2021, only 10 active leaseholders are farming approximately 23 acres (DNREC 2022). Collectively, these growers produced 431,000 oysters valued at $306,423.

Shellfish aquaculture represents a significant opportunity to expand DE’s aquaculture industry and poses a challenge as there is a new/expanded demand for technical assistance, education and outreach. With funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program (Awards 2022-38821-37400 and 2024-38821-42127), Dennis McIntosh at Delaware State University is expanding the scope of his existing aquaculture Extension program to address these needs. He is working to build on DE’s legacy as a prominent shellfish producer and the DSU Aquaculture Technical Assistance and Outreach Program’s model of employing an aquaculture demonstration farm.

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Cooperative Extension is planting collards and turnip greens as cool-season crops and tomatoes, bell peppers, watermelons and cantaloupes as warm-season crops in raised beds on the campus farm.

These crops will be grown by agriculture and natural resources (ANR) and managed by Dr. James E. Brown, professor and program leader. These crops will be harvested during the summer and fall of 2024 and sold through Sodexo of the FVSU dining facilities as a food source for university faculty, staff and students.

Brown said supplying vegetables to the university as a food source will provide a more nutritious diet for university personnel than food brought to campus from an outside source.

“ANR is delighted to have the opportunity to partner with the university dining facilities operation,” Brown said. “We look forward to supplying vegetable produce to the university dining facilities with the support of Sodexo for many years to come.”

Recognized as a highly efficient means of producing animal protein, fish farming offers substantial benefits over traditional livestock farming.

According to the Global Aquaculture Alliance, 100 kilograms (about 220.46 pounds) of fish feed can yield up to 15 times more meat than an equivalent amount fed to beef cows. Despite these advantages, conventional fish-farming methods often pose significant environmental challenges. Open-air pond farms, which are prevalent globally and constitute the most widespread form of aquaculture, contribute to pollution in local water bodies due to the discharge of fish waste and the use of veterinary medications to prevent diseases.

Acknowledging the pressing need for more sustainable practices, the future of fish farming is transitioning toward indoor facilities. Recent advancements in water filtration and circulation have paved the way for indoor fish farms to increase production while minimizing environmental impact dramatically. To facilitate this transition and support small-scale producers, research scientists at Langston University Sherman Lewis and Applied Sciences (LU-SL/SAAS) collaborate with local fish cultivators to integrate state-of-the-art technologies into their aquaculture practices. In line with this commitment, the scientists are launching a speaker series tailored for novice farmers.

The series will cover various topics, including the utilization of fish waste for soil enrichment, optimal fish production techniques, and the integration of fish farming with vegetable and spice crop cultivation.

Dr. Leonard Kibet, director of crops and resource sustainability at LU-SL/SAAS, stated, “The goal is to empower attendees with practical knowledge and insights to elevate their fish farming practices.”

The Lincoln University Alan T. Busby Farm, nestled near Jefferson City, Missouri, has undergone a remarkable transformation since its purchase in 1984. Initially outdated, it evolved into the largest organic-certified research farm in the lower Midwest under the visionary leadership of Dr. Steve Meredith. Transitioning to certified organic status in 2012, it became a leader in organic agricultural research and education.

Production of cattle, sheep and goats on Busby Farm all adhere to the organic production protocol outlined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As the lead institution in the state of Missouri for small ruminant production, the farm employs various innovative practices, such as rotational grazing and out-of-season breeding, to combat foot health and internal parasites.

Beyond livestock, research extends to greenhouse and high tunnel production, cover crops, soil health, integrated pest management, silvopasture and industrial hemp studies, emphasizing varieties adaptable to Missouri's climate and resistant to pests.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology like Eddy-Covariance equipment, the farm monitors environmental interactions vital for sustainable agriculture. To expand partnerships, Busby Farm hosts workshops and field days in collaboration with the Missouri Organic Association to promote organic practices and certification.

The journey from conventional to organic practices reflects a commitment to ecological balance, shaping the future of sustainable farming at Lincoln University.

Two small farmers who use organic practices to produce vegetable crops, hemp fiber and all-natural honey were honored this year as Small Farmers of the Year by Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T.

The awards were presented as part of Small Farms Week, the annual tribute to small-scale agriculture launched by Extension in 1985. The weeklong event also includes educational programs, farm tours, workshops and demonstrations with a special focus on reaching minority farmers and those in limited-resource communities.

Patrick Brown’s farm has been in his family since 1865. Currently, Brown, a fourth-generation farmer, and his nephews, the fifth generation of the family take up farming, cultivate organic vegetables and produce hemp extracts and fiber. Jim Hartman turned his land into a honeybee-keeping operation as a way to manage the post-traumatic stress syndrome that he was experiencing after 10 years in the Army as an explosive ordnance disposal officer, including two tours in Iraq. His farm is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that uses organic practices whenever possible and hand harvests and packages all its honey.

The Southwest Center in Texarkana, Texas, hosted the 14th annual Bi-State Hybrid Horticulture & Seed Swap Conference, a joint effort by Prairie View A&M University Extension in Bowie & Cass Counties and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff - Small Farm Program.

The conference covered various topics relevant to modern agriculture, such as climate change, heirloom herbs, bees and pollinators, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Outreach to Tribal Nations, estate planning, GMOs and diabetes, heirloom bulbs in the African American Sunset Community, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Urban Farming in Northeast Texas.

The conference aimed to teach attendees about sustainable agriculture practices, community involvement, and the links between agricultural innovation and social and environmental issues.

South Carolina State 1890 Research & Extension is bolstering its sustainable agriculture and controlled environment program with a new hydroponic research program aimed at assisting small farm producers with indoor farming integration.

Led by Dr. Brandon Huber, research scientist and Extension associate, the hydroponic research program will explore the integration of hydroponic systems into high tunnel production systems.

“There are many benefits to growing in hydroponic systems, including faster plant growth and reduced pathogen pressure,” said Huber. “Hydroponic systems also significantly improve water and nutrient utilization as caused by the systems recirculation of water and nutrients.”

Huber states that an increased level of control allows growers to have more control over their yields with improved quality.

“Instead of importing goods from other states like Florida or Georgia, we want to use these vehicles to give farmers value-added options, increase their marketability, and enable them to supply their products to neighborhood grocery and community stores year-round,” noted Huber.

The program will also explore the economics of each hydroponic system and provide farmers with resources to improve their current production systems through in-person workshops. For more information about hydroponic research, contact Huber at bhuber@scsu.edu.

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SU Ag Center) is teaching horticulture to non-traditional students in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Out the Mud Capacity Building Grant program.

The program has several sites in which the target audience is students who are obtaining their high school equivalency diplomas. Students have the opportunity to start a vegetable and herb garden on their campus. The garden is implemented and maintained by the students over a 10-week program. Throughout the program, students are taught landscaping and horticultural lessons derived from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Horticulturalist License Handbook.

Lessons include seasonal planting, proper watering, weeding, harvesting and mulching techniques, experience with commercial-grade landscape tools and equipment, how to cook from the garden, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, nutrition education and mental health presentations (grief, relationships, yoga for mental health, art therapy, etc.). Throughout the span of the grant, 49 students have graduated from the program and achieved their Out the Mud certificates. Of the 49 graduates, 25% of students have obtained plant nursery and landscaping jobs. The certificates can be utilized to obtain agriculture-related jobs, add to their resumes, add to court documentation, as well as support any applications for college or university agriculture programs.

The Out the Mud program is led and implemented by Stephanie M. Elwood, Kiyana Kelly and Michael "Terra" Polite.

Dr. Dilip Nandwani, professor of the organic agriculture research, Extension and education program, has secured more than $22.4 million of competitive extramural grants and contracts as project director and co-director since 2014. Since joining Tennessee State University in January 2014, Nandwani led projects in climate-smart agriculture (CSAF), transitional organic partnership program (TOPP), urban agriculture, vertical farming, season extension, training and education in plant and horticultural sciences.

Nandwani is involved in international agricultural development and affairs and leads several projects funded by USAID, USDA-FAS, TLSAMP, NSF and Farmer to Farmer in Asia, Africa and South America. He is a certified professional horticulturist from the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) and served as chair of the Organic Fruits workgroup in the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS). Nandwani teaches courses for undergraduate and graduate students in organic agriculture and delivers training workshops, field days, in-service trainings and conferences for the stakeholders statewide.

More than 25,000 stakeholders reached out through his 180 outreach events for small farmers, agriculture Extension agents, researchers, students and government officials in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, organic agriculture, specifically, urban gardening, farm record keeping, grafting fruits and vegetables, tissue culture, nursery management and high tunnel.

Nandwani mentored 15 graduate students (master's and doctoral), several undergraduates and interns, published more than 300 articles (peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, Extension publications, conference proceedings and book chapters), and edited four books and earned 16 awards and recognitions. He is the editor of several journals, including organic agriculture (Springer Nature) and served on several boards, including the National Organic Standards Board of the National Organic Program (USDA).

Tuskegee University Extension Program participated in outreach with a community garden using tunnel houses to extend the growing season and to increase organic growing. Tunnel houses are like greenhouses, where experiments and growing vegetables directly in the ground happen.

According to Victor Khan, a research specialist at Tuskegee University, stated, “This is different from a greenhouse in that we don’t artificially heat it. We just depend on the natural sunlight with the thermal properties of the plastic to provide the heat.”

Khan participated in the outreach program to explain the benefits of using tunnel houses, a concept increasing in popularity as small farmers, backyard growers and hobbyists look to extend their growing season. He continues to explain how using the sun’s heat and the thermal nature of the plastic sheeting, irrigation is a key factor in successfully growing crops in a tunnel house.

The project was a partnership with the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) agency in Ozark. The Wiregrass RC&D was selling kits for tunnel houses and worked closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and experts from Tuskegee University to help those interested in extending their growing season.

James Currington, executive director of the Wiregrass RC&D, suggested that small tunnel houses would be ideal for backyard growers and teaching gardens at schools.

“The ideal situation is actually for farmers to extend the growing season,” Currington said. “After the summer, they’re getting into the fall and production goes way down because they can’t produce the crops.”

Faculty and students of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and Delaware State University (DSU) recently traveled to the West African country of Ghana to promote opportunities in aquaculture and fisheries. Over the course of two weeks, they conducted experiential learning activities at Valley View University in Techiman, Ghana, provided Extension and outreach services to local farmers, and participated in educational cultural activities.

“This program had two overarching goals,” Dr. Dayan Perera, Extension aquaculture specialist, said. “First, we wanted to provide educational training in aquaculture and fisheries to students and staff at Valley View University. Secondly, we wanted to train our students to become teachers through experiential learning. This was an opportunity for them to learn how to interact with another culture and gain a global perspective that they can incorporate in their ongoing teaching, research and Extension activities.”

As the aquaculture industry begins to grow in Ghana, those working in the field need practical skills in water quality, fish diets, and nutrition and disease diagnostics, Dr. Rebecca Lochmann, professor of aquaculture and fisheries, said. She and the other program participants aimed to impart some of these skills to the Valley View University faculty and students during workshops and training sessions.

Workshop topics included nutrition principles and diets for fish production, as well as measuring water quality and conducting field testing for water quality. Participants also learned how to build aquaponics systems to raise fish and vegetables simultaneously.

Naveen Kumar Dixit, an associate professor of horticulture and Extension specialist, leads the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (UMES) horticulture and fruit program. His focus is crop growth and development issues, including stress and post-harvest physiology.

Dixit aims to revive the region’s fruit industry. He looks to extend the growing season by cultivating day-neutral strawberries (and raspberries) in low and high tunnels. Along with berries, the horticulturist provides expertise in fruit tree cultivation.

An orchard was planted in 2017 at UMES with 30 apple scions for research, teaching and Extension. He also helped establish and maintain community mini-orchards as part of a joint UMES Extension project with its Extension nutrition and health program.

As the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) state coordinator, Dixit works with farmers in Maryland and Virginia growing apples. The SARE apple teams are part of a three-year program “to learn together” how to mitigate diseases such as fire blight, weather and pests. He also created an online coalition of farmers.

Dixit added a vineyard in 2019 with 40 varieties of grapes. Maryland grape production is becoming increasingly important as the law goes into 2024 mandating all Class 4 wineries in the state must own, or have under their control, 20 acres of grapes or other fruit or ensure that at least 51% of the ingredients used in the annual production of their wines were grown in Maryland.

Dixit’s interests have also delved into Asian fruit and ethnic vegetables, and recently added pomegranate as another crop that may have potential for Maryland small farmers.

Virginia State University (VSU) will conduct research investigating tomato growth and nutraceutical qualities within brackish water (5 ppt) aquaponic systems. Dr. Nicholas Romano, VSU’s aquaculture Extension specialist, along with Joshua Dusci, VSU’s indoor agriculture Extension associate, received a grant for $38,000 from the Virginia Department of Consumer Services to develop the project in collaboration with VSU’s Virginia Cooperative Extension counterpart, Virginia Tech (VT).

As a coastal state, some producers have small amounts of brackish water in their groundwater. “There might be low amounts of salt in producers’ groundwater,” explains Romano. “Some of them have been advised to install reverse osmosis filters, which are expensive and upwards of $20,000, and potentially unnecessary.”

Romano suggests there might be benefits to growing some crops through aquaponic systems with brackish water. Anecdotal evidence and past research indicate that tomatoes grown with brackish water may taste sweeter while some fish also benefit from slightly saline water. If so, a favorable taste could justify the higher prices producers generally charge for aquaponic products and bring customers back for more. This two-month study will begin over the summer within the Hydroponic and Aquaculture Demonstration Greenhouse at VSU’s Randolph Farm.

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) Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) offers numerous educational opportunities for individuals interested in gardening, fruit trees and tree care.

One of their most recent workshops was the joint apple tree grafting and pruning workshop in collaboration with the WV Department of Agriculture. This workshop provided a hands-on experience for participants to learn different grafting techniques and practices for pruning fruit trees for health and production, as well as perform an apple whip and tongue graft to take home.

Additionally, WVSU Extension ANR hosted a free seed-starting, propagation and tree-pruning workshop in partnership with the Gilmer County Farm Bureau. Participants learned how to start garden plants from seed and gained valuable knowledge on pruning trees.

"Our gardening series ranges from collaborating with the Master Gardener program to working with curious community members who want to learn gardening techniques," said WVSU Extension ANR Program Leader Dr. John Kessell. "We have covered several topics, such as garden planning and design, garden calendars, seeding, transplanting, harvesting and food preservation."

WVSU Extension ANR also provides free webinars for individuals interested in tree care. One recent webinar covered diseases and pathogens commonly found on trees in the Mid-Atlantic region. Participants learned how to identify the signs and symptoms of these conditions and received advice on protecting backyard and community trees.

In conclusion, WVSU Extension ANR's programs are tailored to equip participants with the practical skills and knowledge necessary for favorable gardening results.