National Association of County Agricultural Agents Proceedings 103rd Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference July 29- August 2, 2018 Chattanooga, TN TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE REPORT TO MEMBERSHIP..........................................................................................................................................................................................1-26 POSTER SESSION APPLIED RESEARCH......................................................................................................................................................27-54 EXTENSION EDUCATION......................................................................................................................................................................................55-100 AWARD WINNERS.................................................................................................................................................................................................................101 Ag Awareness & Appreciation Award..................................................................................................................101-104 Excellence in 4-H Programming.................................................................................................................................104-107 Search for excellence in croP production........................................................................................107-109 search for excellence in farm & ranch financial management.........................109-112 search for excellence in farm Health & safety................................................................................112-114 search for excellence in ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, forestry and natural resources................................................................................................................ 114-116 search for excellence in Consumer or commercial horticulture................116-118 search for excellence in livestock production...........................................................................118-120 search for excellence young beginning small farmers rancers..................120-122 search for excellence in SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE.................................................................123-125 SARE FELLOWS..............................................................................................................................................................................................125-129 AMERICAN /WORLD AGRICULTURE AWARD..................................................................................................................130 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS....................................................................................................................................................131 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD WINNERS.......................................................................................................................131 HALL OF FAME AWARD WINNERS..........................................................................................................................................132-133 COMMUNICATION AWARDS.......................................................................................................................................................134-186 MEMBER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS.........................................................................................................................................187 4-H & youth...................................................................................................................................................................................................188-191 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS....................................................................................................................................................192-195 AGRICULTURAL ISSUES & PUBLIC RELATIONS..........................................................................................................195-198 AGRONOMY & PEST MANAGEMENT...................................................................................................................................199-208 ANIMAL SCIENCE......................................................................................................................................................................................208-214 EARLY CAREER DEVELOPMENT................................................................................................................................................214-215 HORTICULTURE AND TURFGRASS.....................................................................................................................................215-220 Leadership & ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS........................................................................................................................220-223 NATURAL RESOURCES.....................................................................................................................................................................223-226 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE....................................................................................................................................................226-229 TEACHING & EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES.......................................................................................................229-232 speaker profiles............................................................................................................................................................................................233 2017-2018 NACAA REPORT TO THE MEMBERSHIP The NACAA has had an excellent year. they sponsor, it is Since we left Salt Lake City last July, the easier to convince a President NACAA board has managed their duties returning sponsor with efficiency and accuracy throughout to continue giving Alan B. Galloway the year. Their attention to managing their hard earned within our budget and expanding money. professional improvement opportunities Tennessee for our members has been impressive. This year each Participation by NACAA members in the member of the various awards and recognition programs NACAA board has been above expectation. The number was asked to of entries in our many programs offering contact at least recognition, awards and presentation one new potential sponsor. This opportunities has been outstanding. and the educational tours on Thursday. Over 173 abstracts were submitted for effort was coordinated by President the poster session, and there has been elect Fechter and succeeded in obtaining There are some events at the 2018 AM/ stiff competition for all categories of the a $5,000 sponsor for NACAA and a PIC which should NOT be missed. communication awards. Even the Search $5,000 sponsor plus over $10,000 in like The two general sessions on Monday for Excellence programs saw excellent kind support for the host state. Many and Wednesday will be slightly different participation. The 103rd NACAA AM/ new potential sponsors now know more from past years. The keynote speaker on PIC in Chattanooga is shaping up to be a about NACAA, and those relationships Monday morning is one you will want memorable, educational and high energy may develop into new sponsorship in the to hear. Dr. James “Pete” McConnell is event. future. an individual who grew up on a farm, participated in 4-H, spent his career Changes to the annual meeting and Speaking of our host state, Tennessee, their success in fund raising enabled them teaching agriculture and will provide professional improvement (AM/PIC) insights relating to who we are and what schedule include the addition of more to share and help everyone attending the 2018 AM/PIC. By covering the we do. Also during the Monday general breakout sessions and providing for longer session will be recognition of one life time slots for each session. Through cost of the Sunday evening meal and portions of the spouses, life members member who has reached a special these changes the committees are able to milestone and the Hall of Fame Awards, accommodate more presentations than and sons and daughters programs their generosity reduced the registration cost where four individuals will receive one ever before. NACAA members stepped of our highest recognitions. up and submitted more than enough for all attendees. The time and effort abstracts for presentations and filled all invested by the Tennessee Association The Wednesday morning general session of the new slots. Having a high level of of Agricultural Agents and Specialists is half the length of previous years. member participation in our programs (TAAA&S) members is greatly However, it contains the presentation makes obtaining and keeping sponsors appreciated and will ensure a successful of the Service to American/World much easier. We appreciate the duties and memorable conference. The 2018 Agriculture award. Hearing the carried out by our NACAA committee AM/PIC theme of “Celebrate, Innovate comments of past recipients of this chairs, regional vice-chairs and the state and Cultivate” fits well in defining the award has often been a highlight of committee chairs. They oversee the many events and functions occurring the entire AM/PIC. Learning of their submission and judging of a wide range this year in Chattanooga. accomplishments and knowledge of of programs and help NACAA in sharing agriculture and Extension work is always around $40,000 in awards each year. The 2018 NACAA AM/PIC will