Cooperative Extension Service
Departments
Administration
Agriculture Special Programs - Sustainable, Organic, and Low-Input Agricultural Production for Arkansas
1) TITLE OF FOCUS PROGRAM:
Sustainable, Organic, and Low-Input Agricultural Production for Arkansas
2) SITUATION AND PRIORITIES:
Interest in and demand for information by clientele on
sustainable, organic, and low-input agricultural production is
increasing. Currently, production is scattered throughout the state
and is small in comparison to traditional agricultural production.
Opportunities, however, are increasing as the number of farmer’s
markets and direct market prospects increase. Demand for
sustainable, organic, and low-input products is increasing and
Wal-Mart has announced a major effort to offer such products
nationally.
Past surveys of agents indicate that the number of counties
participating could be as many as 30.
3) GOAL(S) OF THE PROGRAM:
UAEX is a primary source of scientific based information for
sustainable, organic, and low-input fruit, vegetable or dairy
production information in Arkansas.
4) OBJECTIVE(S):
1. To develop for fruit or vegetable producers educational
materials for use by agents and clientele, in-service training
programs for county agents and promotional activities to inform
clientele.
2. To support dairy producers through the transition period
from conventional to organic dairy production, enhance organic
dairy production efficiency.
5) FACULTY IN CHARGE BY OBJECTIVE:
OBJECTIVE 1: Elena Garcia and Craig Andersen from
Horticulture and Faculty from Entomology, Plant Pathology and Crop
and Soil Science, and Agricultural Economics
OBJECTIVE 2: Jodie Pennington and other faculty from Animal
Science, Entomology, and Biological & Agricultural Engineering
VI. OUTPUTS (for each objective):
OBJECTIVE 1:
Demonstrations: desirable
In-Service Trainings: Series of trainings in all aspects of
sustainable, organic, and low-input production for fruit and
vegetable production
Support Materials: Fact sheets, budgets, PowerPoint
presentations.
Media Packets: yes
Meeting Support:
Other:
OBJECTIVE 2:
Demonstrations:
To assist 2 to 4 dairy producers through the transition period
from conventional to organic
Conduct various production management demonstrations to enhance
production efficiency
Form an organic dairy group (list-serve, kitchen meetings, etc.)
In-Service Trainings: Two organic dairy trainings
Support Materials: Three Fact sheets, two PowerPoint
presentations and demonstration signs will be developed or produced
Media Packets: Articles will be written (4 to 6 per year)
Meeting Support: Three per year
Other: Organic dairy manual will be produced
VII. OUTCOMES EXPECTED (for each objective):
OBJECTIVE 1:
- 10 - 20 % increase in number of
sustainable, organic, and low-input producers of fruits or
vegetables
- 20 – 30% adoption of UAES science based
recommendations.
OBJECTIVE 2:
- Convert 7 to 10 dairies from conventional dairy
farming practices to organic dairy management and marketing
systems
- Increase dairy profitability due to organic milk
production
VIII. TARGET AUDIENCE(S):
UAES county faculty, fruit or vegetable producers, current and
potential organic dairy producers
IX. (A) SPECIALIST ROLE: Program research and development,
in-service presentations, grant funding, coordinate demonstrations
(B) AGENT ROLE: Help conduct and monitor demonstrations,
provide information to producers
(C) DISTRICT DIRECTOR ROLE: Program support and liaison
between agents and specialists
(D) UNIT HEADS ROLE: Program administration and support
X. EVALUATION METHODS PLANNED:
Conduct surveys of market needs and production adoption; other
evaluation methods will be determined by specialists and agents
XI. RESOURCES REQUIRED:
Mileage support, limited materials and supplies for demonstration
XII. LIST OF DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED:
OBJECTIVE 1: Horticulture, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Crop
and Soil Science, and Agricultural Economics
OBJECTIVE 2: Animal Science, Entomology, and Biological &
Agricultural Engineering
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