National Association of County Agricultural Agents E TH UR AT LT U W C O I R R K G S A INDIANA Proceedings 104th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference September 8-12, 2019 Fort Wayne, IN TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE REPORT TO MEMBERSHIP................................................................................................................................................................................. 1-25 POSTER SESSION APPLIED RESEARCH................................................................................................................................................. 27-44 EXTENSION EDUCATION................................................................................................................................................................................... 45-83 AWARD WINNERS.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 85 Ag Awareness & Appreciation Award........................................................................................................... 86-87 Excellence in 4-H Programming....................................................................................................................................88-91 search for excellence in Consumer or commercial horticulture............ 91-92 Search for excellence in croP production........................................................................................ 92-94 search for excellence in ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, forestry and natural resources.......................................................................................................... 94-97 search for excellence in farm & ranch financial management..................... 97-99 search for excellence in livestock production....................................................................... 99-101 search for excellence in SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE.......................................................... 101-103 search for excellence young beginning small farmers rancers............... 103-105 SARE FELLOWS.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 105-110 AMERICAN /WORLD AGRICULTURE AWARD.................................................................................................................. 111 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS....................................................................................................................................................112 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD WINNERS.......................................................................................................................112 HALL OF FAME AWARD WINNERS..........................................................................................................................................1113-115 COMMUNICATION AWARDS................................................................................................................................................... 116-165 MEMBER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS............................................................................................................................ 166-223 4-H & youth................................................................................................................................................................................................ 167-171 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS................................................................................................................................................ 171-177 AGRICULTURAL ISSUES & PUBLIC RELATIONS.......................................................................................................177-182 AGRONOMY & PEST MANAGEMENT...................................................................................................................................182-190 ANIMAL SCIENCE......................................................................................................................................................................................190-199 EARLY CAREER DEVELOPMENT......................................................................................................................................... 199-202 HORTICULTURE AND TURFGRASS................................................................................................................................. 202-210 Leadership & ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS................................................................................................................. 210-212 NATURAL RESOURCES.................................................................................................................................................................. 212-216 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE....................................................................................................................................................216-220 TEACHING & EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES................................................................................................ 220-225 speaker profiles................................................................................................................................................................................... 226 2018-2019 NACAA Report to the Membership will be very similar to last year with the shortened Wednesday President general session allowing for additional breakout sessions for member presentations. This enables a larger number of Richard H. Fechter members the opportunity to be recognized as having presented at a national conference. Kansas Some other changes that we have implemented this year to better meet the needs of our members is through technology. Thanks to the help of John Porter and Jennifer Rees, our member presentations will be able to be evaluated on your smartphone or other device with SLIDO. Also, we will be using the YAPP app for the AM/PIC. The YAPP has many Where did the year go? The past year has just flown by. It capabilities besides just our schedule of events. We are very seems like only yesterday we were in Chattanooga, Tennessee excited about the possibilities not only for this year, but in and I was being sworn in as the 101st President of NACAA. future years with the YAPP. This has been a very exciting and challenging year. I am very pleased to report that NACAA has had an excellent year and is A couple of other noteworthy changes to the AM/PIC. Our in great shape for the years ahead. Hall of Fame winners will be recognized at the Annual Banquet on Wednesday evening. Also, when you registered for the Serving as your President has been a great experience for me, AM/PIC, you should have noticed that we are offering lunch but I cannot take credit for all our accomplishments. Each opportunities for all members. Members that signed up for member of your elected board of directors plays a unique and lunches can attend any of the Search for Excellence Luncheons significant role in ensuring the smooth functioning of this that they wish once they pick up their lunch and if the room association. Many thanks to the officers and directors for your has available seats. This is just another way that our board is sincerity and work ethic for your role in NACAA. The NACAA giving back more to our members. Board of Directors is truly a team. As a team, our main goal has been to increase the value of your membership in NACAA. I have had the privilege of leading the NACAA Board through The NACAA Board continues to look forward toward potential the Post AM/PIC meeting in Chattanooga, Tennessee; the changes and how our association can adjust to these. Winter Board Meeting in Fort Wayne, Indiana and a Spring Board Meeting in Wichita, Kansas and monthly conference Those of you that have participated in hosting an AM/PIC, calls. I also attended the NACAA Western Region Professional know the amount of work that goes into this meeting from the Improvement Conference in Cody, Wyoming. host states perspective. The Indiana agents have worked very The Spring Board Meeting was a slight change from previous hard to put together professional development tours, spouse years. Besides being later in the year, it was in my home area of and life member programs, and sons and daughter’s programs Kansas. We had a very productive meeting and accomplished that are sure to please everyone. many things. We also had a great tour day and ended the day for supper at the Fechter home and was entertained by The 2019 AM/PIC will provide multiple opportunities for Jeff Davidson. Jeff is a former Kansas County Agent (my members to hear presentations from speakers and witness the County Agent when I was growing up) and western singer and presentation of awards to many of our peers. I think you will entertainer. find our Sunday evening speaker extremely inspirational. Also, our keynote speaker, Damian Mason, on Monday morning will In addition to being NACAA President, I have had the honor be one you won’t want to miss. Damian will provide insight of representing NACAA on the Joint Council of Extension on today’s business of agriculture and entertainment. Both Professionals (JCEP) board, participating in monthly men attended Purdue University. The schedule at the AM/PIC conference calls and two face to face board meetings. I served 1 1 on the planning committee for the Extension Leadership