2016 Texas A&M University and Prairie View A&M
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2016 Texas A&M University and Prairie View A&M University Combined Research and Extension Annual Report of Accomplishments and Results Status: Accepted Date Accepted: 06/02/2017 I. Report Overview 1. Executive Summary Texas is the second largest state in the nation with approximately 25 million citizens. The size and scope of Texas poses unique challenges with a wide range of diversity including both the agricultural and human sectors. The issues and needs of Texans vary by numerous factors and, in many cases, are complex. Texas is one of the most rural and most urban states in the nation with a majority of its citizens living in 20 of the 254 counties in the state. AgriLife Extension and AgriLife Research Texas A&M AgriLife Research (AgriLife Research) and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife Extension) are the land-grant research and Extension components of the Texas A&M System and are headquartered in College Station, Texas. Since its beginning in 1876 as a land-grant institution, Texas A&M University has been a recognized leader in agriculture, food, and natural resources. Today, Texas A&M University, AgriLife Research, and AgriLife Extension continue this legacy through outstanding academic programs, important contributions to science through research and discovery, and life-long learning and youth development through Extension programs. The work of both AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension is guided by strategic plans. AgriLife Research developed a strategic plan to focus its resources on issues of highest importance as identified by agency scientists and other stakeholders. The major topical areas in the strategic plan are identified as priorities. These priorities are vital and equally important to ensuring a positive future for Texas and its citizens. The priorities are as follows: 1) Achieve resilience in food, fiber, and ecological systems through adaptive strategies. 2) Detect, monitor, and mitigate insect vector-borne diseases and invasive species. 3) Enhance agricultural information systems and expand their use through innovative applications. 4) Integrate basic and applied research at the nexus of food and health. The Extension strategic plan is designed to enable the dissemination of research-based information to the citizens of Texas on issues of importance as identified through grassroots and other stakeholder input processes. This information is intended to allow the citizens of Texas to make sound decisions that will improve the overall quality of life for themselves and all Texans. The goals of the Extension strategic plan are: 1) Ensure a sustainable, profitable, and competitive food and fiber system in Texas. 2) Enhance natural resource conservation and management. 3) Build local capacity for economic development in Texas communities. 4) Improve the health, nutrition, safety, and economic security of Texas families. 5) Prepare Texas youth to be productive, positive, and equipped with life skills for the future. 6) Expand access to Extension education and knowledge resources. Work on issues of importance in the state is a joint endeavor by both AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension. Research-based information is translated to practical best management practices and disseminated via multiple channels including the network of agents in all 254 counties in the state. Both AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension conduct identification of issues and needs at multiple levels. Grassroots involvement by citizens, advisory groups, and commodity and industry groups are just a few of the ways this information is generated. Work with other states on areas of shared interest is also of high priority. Report Date 06/02/2017 Page 1 of 201 2016 Texas A&M University and Prairie View A&M University Combined Research and Extension Annual Report of Accomplishments and Results This Plan of Work addresses programs of primary importance in Texas. The programs selected also address federal initiatives for agriculture and natural resources, individuals and families, communities, and youth and adult leadership development. Cooperative Extension Program and Cooperative Agricultural Research Center The mission of the Cooperative Extension Program is to respond to the needs of underserved Texans through life changing opportunities that empower families, promote agriculture, strengthen communities and foster leadership development in youth. The Cooperative Extension Program utilizes various methods to engage stakeholder groups to identify and address emerging issues thus meeting state and federal priorities. More than one in six Texans live in poverty, and 25% are children. Therefore, well-trained Extension staffs are positioned and available offering relevant outreach programs to address the needs of underserved audiences in rural and urban communities. Currently, we have staff in 35 of the 254 Texas counties. Given the targeted audience that encompasses various ethnic groups, religions, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, the outreach methods used to address the identified needs are client focused and culturally sensitive. The present and emerging needs such as Global Food Security and Hunger, Childhood Obesity, Climate Change, Food Safety, Human Development and Family-Well Being, Youth Development, Individual and Family Resource Management provided the direction for development and implementation of educational outreach methods in the counties. These methods are delivered through local and state collaborators, College of Agriculture & Human Sciences faculty, staff and research scientists. The Agriculture and Natural Resources (AgNR) unit focused its efforts on developing sustainable farming and ranching operations by improving their ability to manage risks related to their operations. Our extension specialists and agents plan and implement diverse outreach series targeting local producers, farmers, and ranchers. Workshops and hands-on clinics provided information about grant and loan opportunities. Programs helped participants find reasonable and helpful cost reductions in their agriculture plans and enterprises. Partnerships with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) assisted small-scale agricultural producers with individual assistance in completing microloan and youth applications. Additional outreach activities engaged small scale producers with the knowledge needed to maintain their livestock in a sufficient and sustainable way. Programs covered, including (but not limited to) herd health, vaccination protocols, and parasite management. Other educational efforts addressed soil health related issues emphasizing the need to test the soil to determine proper fertilization, proper pH adjustment rates, weed control and the use of cover crops to reduce soil exposure and add organic matter to the soil. CEP partnered with the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the 100 Ranchers, a local community-based organization, and offered a series of workshops over Southeast Texas. Various field days and farm tours engaged producers in new revenue streams for Texas producers at local farmers' markets. A survey of participants attending trainings reported that 59% will sell produce at local farmers' markets. Technical support and training on sustainable urban farming attracted organic farmers in Houston who have successful organic produce markets and desire to engage youth through community gardens. One-on-one technical assistance and consultations included 1,352 individuals, 43 workshops, seven on-farm demonstrations were conducted and 69 farmers were assisted with loan applications totaling $5,873,000.00. Furthermore, a new production technology transfer was developed for improved cultivation of a healthier variety of grafted cucumbers. As a result of the Community and Economic Development staff's efforts, limited resources individuals across the State of Texas have experienced positive outcomes in small business creation, business expansion, home ownership, foreclosure prevention, financial literacy, emergency preparedness, and youth entrepreneurship. Businesses have received millions of dollars in contract opportunities and hundreds of youth have been trained in entrepreneurship. Participants (25) enrolled in the Individual Development (IDA) program are estimated to accumulate over $250,000 to be used for higher education, home ownership and in some cases, for purchasing a vehicle for transportation. This additional economic boost will create jobs as participants buy homes and graduate from college with less debt. Of the 394 applications submitted for home loans and rehabilitation, 123 were approved at the time of this report. A Report Date 06/02/2017 Page 2 of 201 2016 Texas A&M University and Prairie View A&M University Combined Research and Extension Annual Report of Accomplishments and Results total of $3,105,000 invested in home repair and of that amount, $2,460,000 is the line of credit approved by underserved participants at 1% for repairs. One-hundred sixty were assisted with first-time home buyer and low interest mortgages at a value of $19,200,000 in approved applications. The flagship program implemented was the Businesses In Development (BID) program, a 12-week training course conducted in various counties. The workshops focused on training new and existing businesses how to get and successfully execute State contracts. The Program had 230 course participants, 267 HUB profiles reviewed, and 89 new Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs)