With stressors including long working hours, financial uncertainty, isolation in rural areas and seasonality, farming has been identified as one of the most stressful occupations — and farmers are at a risk of physical and mental health issues as a result of this occupational stress, including an increased risk of suicide. Land-grant universities across the country are on the forefront …
Managing nutrients and water quality
Nutrients are essential for crops, but must be managed properly. Nutrients provided by fertilizer, manure, compost, cover crops, and other means are essential for the profitable, sustainable production of crops for food, fiber, and bioenergy. Nutrient management is key to maintaining or increasing plant productivity, ensuring soil health, protecting ground and surface water resources from potential harm, and using farmers’ …
Protecting our water
Water continues to be one of the most critical challenges facing agriculture and communities. Land-grant universities are working to discover new ways to increase water efficiency, reduce water use and protect water quality. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers in Ohio are working to improve soil health and water quality through best agricultural management practices to prevent non-point-source …
Strong farms strengthen local food systems
New farmers just starting out and established farmers looking to expand markets have something in common: looking to the Land-grant University System to support their growth. Strong local farms strengthen local food systems and food security. Here are a few examples of this work: When participant surveys indicated a need for more in-depth and hands-on farmer education, Idaho Extension educators responded using …
Reaching diverse farms and farmers
Extension educators and researchers across the Land-grant University System reach diverse farmers and farms through programming, information and accessible tools. Their work ensures farming resources are available to all individuals. Here are a few examples of that work: Minnesota Extension launched a pilot project to bring Minnesota-grown goat meat to halal customers. The collaboration has resulted in the first halal certified …
Research, education improve livestock health
Livestock producers are continually searching for the best management strategies to protect animal health, which is essential to productivity and profitability as well as the animal’s well-being. Maintaining healthy animals also protects human health. Here are a few examples of how land-grant universities are contributing: When the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) threatened domestic poultry in Oregon, Extension responded rapidly with …
1890 Extension Transforming Lives
From the 2023 1890 Extension Transforming Lives Report: The dynamic work of Cooperative Extension at the 1890 Land-grant Universities is changing lives and connecting people to vital information. Extension professionals have the unique responsibility of translating federal and state dollars into educational outreach that advances the well-being of their states’ diverse audiences, particularly those with limited social and economic resources. …
Honoring a Legacy in Agriculture: The Dr. Mort Neufville Scholarship/Fellowship Fund
After an illustrious 53-year journey in the realms of agricultural science and higher education leadership, Dr. Mortimer H. Neufville, affectionately known as Mort, has retired as of December 2023. His career, marked by a deep commitment to the land-grant universities mission of research, extension, and education, culminates in his role as the inaugural President & CEO of the 1890 Universities …
1890 Historically Black land-grants bridge the gap to empower communities
Within the national Land-Grant University System, 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities are bridging the gap between information and lack of resources to enhance underserved communities through research and Cooperative Extension programs. Many of these initiatives focus on healthy eating, physical activity, entrepreneurship and improving the economic conditions of small farmers. Examples of this work include: Extension professionals at Alabama …
Scientists across the country working to create more nutrient-dense diets
Many American diets don’t include enough basic nutrients, which can lead to health issues as we age. Low-nutrient diet lead to issues, including macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and diabetes. Improving the nutritional quality of basic crops through plant breeding is a cost-effective, sustainable way to address these nutritional needs. Researchers at land-grant universities across the country are seeking ways …
Scaling up skills for success in agriculture
To remain competitive in the agricultural industry, farmers must stay current on the latest techniques and technology. Training new workers is also essential to building necessary skills in the agricultural labor force. Here are a few examples of that work: To improve ornamental horticulture industry profits, Hawaii Extension provides education for nursery and floriculture business owners and workers on crop …
Prioritizing food and nutrition security
Many Michiganders struggle to reliably access nutrient-rich foods; this is especially true for households with children and with racial and ethnic minorities. MSU Extension community nutrition instructors contribute to efforts throughout the state focused on supporting access to and consumption of vegetables and fruit. MSU Extension staff members delivered relevant and practical nutrition education—a key component of the Fruit and …
The St. Helena Farmers Market, a small oasis in a rural food desert
Food insecurity, defined as the lack of access to a reliable source of food during a given year, is high in St. Helena, one of Louisianas eight Florida Parishes. The food insecurity rate here is 32%. There are only two grocery stores nearby: one in town and another about 10 miles outside of town. St. Helena Parish is not alone …
Increasing food safety and reducing food waste
Protecting the nation’s food supply is a top priority of land-grant institutions across the United States. Whether that is training to ensure food safety, reducing food loss and food waste or research to better detect and protect foods. Successful examples include: Foodborne illness is a common but preventable problem that impacts one in six Americans and causes some 3,000 deaths …
Improving crops key to food security
Research at land-grant institutions keeps the U.S. food production on the cutting edge when it comes to quality, nutrition, disease resistance and other factors that help keep our food system safe and contribute to national security. Successful examples include: In North Dakota, nitrogen fertilizers are the single largest expense for food crops such as wheat, corn, canola, barley, sugar beets …
Land-grant universities improve local food security
Food security impacts individuals, as well as the health of entire communities. Through creation of food pantries, community gardens, food drives, farmers markets and more, land-grant universities and local community initiatives collaborate to keep food on the table for many. Successful examples include: An effort begun during Covid-19 is still providing high-quality shrimp to food banks in Louisiana. With help …
Beekeeper education and training is critical to Florida’s large honey industry
Honey bees contribute nearly $20 billion to the crop industry by providing pollination services all over the United States. There are nearly 5,000 registered beekeepers in the state of Florida, managing approximately 650,000 colonies. Florida’s honey industry is ranked among the top five in the nation, producing more than 10 million pounds in 2018. Nearly 85% of these are considered …
Managing controlled environments efficiently
In controlled environmental agriculture, plants are grown inside a greenhouse or other type of enclosure where growers can maintain optimal growing conditions, such as light, temperature, humidity, water, and nutrients. In the northeastern climate, controlled environments play a vital role in year-round production, but growers need more information about how to fine-tune their environments to achieve optimal plant growth and …
Farmer Focus Conference makes its way to Pohnpei, Micronesia
A recent study from the University of Guam examined agricultural stressors and opportunities in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The newly released reports summarize survey responses from 161 farm workers and 216 farmers. Using the data collected from these surveys, the University of Guam Farmer Focus Project curated their annual conference on farmer mental …
Migrant farmworkers receive much needed health screens
Programs that help anyone improve or maintain their health are key. This is especially true for migrant farmworkers, an underserved community across the country. Screening for chronic health problems such as hypertension and diabetes and providing important information about healthy lifestyles improves farmworkers’ ability to continue to work and make a living. Here are examples of that work: Florida is …
Penn State Extension experts release guidelines to increase safety of manure-storage
In 2012, two Pennsylvania (PA) children were knocked out by toxic manure gases during routine activities on their family farm. The year prior, PA saw fatalities associated with manure agitation on local dairy farms. Penn State experts, in partnership with local industry and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service quickly stepped in to identify the cause: gypsum bedding. Over the …
Keep farm employees safe around large equipment
Despite the idyllic perception of farm life, farming can be a dangerous profession. In an industry that thrives on dedication and hard work, producers can struggle to find the time for safety trainings. Dr. John Shutske, Professor and Agricultural Safety & Health Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, advocates for short, frequent training sessions between producers and their farm workers. …
Virginia Tech farm and agricultural safety training program
Land-grant universities like Virginia Tech champion farm safety through their Farm & Agricultural Safety Training Program. “More than 334,000 Virginians work as part of the Commonwealth’s diverse agricultural ecosystem, despite farming’s status as one of the nation’s most hazardous occupations. Virginia Tech Environmental Health & Safety’s (EHS) Farm and Agricultural Safety Training Program aims to reduce injuries and fatalities on …
Twiggs County, Georgia community comes together for health and wellness
Residents of Twiggs County participate in the Stepping into Fall Walkathon organized by Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program in Jeffersonville, Georgia. Residents of Jeffersonville, Georgia, gathered at the City Hall Square to participate in a program organized by Fort Valley University’s (FVSU) Cooperative Extension Program. From September 20-22, 75 residents walked more than a mile during the Stepping …
Southern University Ag Center develops interactive mental health resource for farmers
SU Ag Center Works to Develop an Interactive Mental Health Resource Database Tailored to assist Farmers Contact: LaKeeshia G. Lusk | 225-771-2160 | lakeeshia_giddens@suagcenter.com Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center’s (SU Ag Center) mental health specialist, Ashlyn Harrison, LPC, NCC, is making significant strides in addressing the mental health challenges faced by farmers in Louisiana. …
Extension transforms traditional outreach to virtual learning programs
Working within COVID-19 restrictions, land-grant university Extension programs worked with agencies and community partners to conduct virtual meetings helping farmers and producers update their knowledge and earn the continuing education credits required to maintain their certifications. Successful examples include: In Delaware, Extension collaborated with the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware to provide annual educational meetings for growers. These …
Investing in community development
Advancing the growth of communities, multiple land-grant universities are providing vital programs to help with finding employment, opening a business and offering essential services for those in need. Research and Cooperative Extension experts are making a difference in the communities they serve. Successful examples include: In Alabama, 1890 Extension professionals are “Promoting Readiness for Employment Possibilities,” educating 595 participants about …
Developing a diverse and thriving workforce
Access to quality education and career opportunities are key components to success among underserved and at-risk communities. Land-grant universities are working to identify and address barriers to inclusion, benefitting individuals, communities and economies. Here are a few examples of that work: In Missouri, rural counties experience high rates of drug overdose, suicide and related diseases. The Rural Opioid Technical Assistance …
Land-grant universities help communities cope with mental health, substance abuse challenges
Across the country, many communities — especially those in rural areas — are facing growing challenges related to mental health and substance abuse. Extension personnel with land-grant universities are in a unique position to help educate and encourage those they serve and have developed a variety of efforts to tackle these problems, which have economic, social and other consequences. Here …
Preparing the next generation of farm operators
Farm families facing the challenging issue of transferring the farm to the next generation confront many hurdles in putting together a sound succession plan. Some programs are helping farmers with financial management – solidifying and preserving farm operations, ensuring these operations are profitable, sustainable, and transferrable in the years to come. Successful examples include: Purdue Extension adapted a program from …