Southern Archives - Page 8 of 8 - Land-Grant Impacts

closeup photograph of pile of strawberries

Breeding crops tailored for the future

Food crops are constantly under attack by plant diseases and pests that result in losses in crop quantity and quality. Declines in crop health can lead to food waste and threaten global food security. Land-grant universities are breeding plants that are resistant to pests and disease for greater resilience and sustainability. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers in [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2024, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Auburn University, Cornell University, Crop Management, Extension, Food Systems, Georgia, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New York, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Research, Southern, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of New Hampshire, Washington, Washington State University, Western

Healthy soils sustain food security

Researchers at the nation’s land-grant universities are studying the health of soils to increase agricultural production and decrease the use of agrochemicals used to grow food. Their work will contribute to our ability to meet the world’s growing demand for food. Here are a few examples of that work: Agricultural researchers in Pennsylvania are studying how soil salinity and soil nitrogen [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2024, Connecticut, Cornell University, Crop Management, Extension, Food Security, Georgia, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Research, Soil Health, Southern, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of Connecticut, University of Wisconsin, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Western, Wisconsin

scientist in a blackberry field wearing a device with finger nodules for picking blackberries

Building a better blackberry picker

Labor is among the biggest expenses for U.S. fruit growers — 39% of production costs for fruit and tree nuts — and farm wages are rising, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Harvesting blackberries by hand is a costly endeavor that takes more than one-third of the hours in berry production. Mechanical harvesting of this [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Arkansas, Crop Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, University of Arkansas

a group of farmers attend an outdoor educational workshop

Seed initiative reflects role of beans in Puerto Rico culinary heritage and agriculture

Beans stand as a cornerstone within the vibrant tapestry of Puerto Rican creole cuisine. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 242 farms dedicated their land to cultivating dry, green and tender beans in 2017, generating an importation value of $15.2 million. Local bean varieties in Puerto Rico offer a host of advantages crucial for both farmers and consumers. [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Crop Management, Economic Development, Extension, Profitability/Competitiveness, Puerto Rico, Southern, Specialty Crops, University of Puerto Rico

Historically underserved south Texas small-acreage farmers benefit from Extension trainings

In 2019, the Texas Community Futures Forum identified critical issues in three Rio Grande Valley counties: sustainable business models for small farms, increasing small-acreage gardens and job creation. Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties have a combined agricultural market value of $214.45 million. Small-scale producers contribute to this total market value, but actual figures are unknown. Small-acreage farms – under [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Economic Development, Extension, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, Specialty Crops, Texas, Texas A&M University

Southern Women in Agriculture Workshops build confidence among female livestock producers

Animal agriculture, specifically cattle production, is a male-dominated industry. According to statistics from a 2014 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, 76% of those who identified as farmers or ranchers were male. In response to this disparity, female agricultural agents from University of Georgia Extension collaborated to develop Southern Women in Agriculture Workshops in 2016. The workshops were discontinued in [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Extension, Georgia, Southern, The University of Georgia, Workforce Development and Readiness

closeup shot of turfgrass on a soccer field

Strengthening, beautifying turfgrass on the pitch

Natural grass is used in 70% of all soccer stadiums and practice fields in Mexico. However, turfgrass managers lacked professional, research-based support for managing these fields. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension was invited to help develop a certification system that trained more than 200 turfgrass professionals in Mexico’s premier soccer leagues — Liga MX, the top professional men’s soccer division, [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Extension, Georgia, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Southern, Specialty Crops, The University of Georgia

Smaller trees produce larger yield

North Carolina ranks seventh in the nation in apple production with nearly 4 million bushels of apples — more than 150 million pounds — produced each year. The majority of these apples are used in the processing industry and turned into food items like applesauce, baby food, juice and other packaged products. Extension specialists at North Carolina State University are [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Crop Management, Extension, Food Systems, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern

Farm pesticide training program decreases drift complaints in Georgia

For many family farms, pesticides provide the foundation for effective pest management. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s pursuit of protecting endangered species in accordance with the Endangered Species Act is challenging the practical use of these tools. In response, University of Farm pesticide training program decreases drift complaints in Georgia Extension participates in a joint effort that protects both family [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story Georgia, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, The University of Georgia

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