2014 Final Report for UCONN/UMASS/URI PDP Program

Transcription

1 2014 Final Report for UCONN/UMASS/URI PDP Program Project Title: Grass-fed All Year Long Strategies for Expanding Year-round Production of Local, Grass-fed Meat Joseph Bonelli UConn Heather Faubert URI Michael T. Keilty UConn Jean C. King UConn Sonia Schloemann UMASS 1. Report Summary From 2008 to 2011 the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island SARE PDP plan focused on increasing production of local meat in the region. The tri-state project worked to improve livestock producers and agricultural service providers knowledge and skills in the areas of forages and grazing, studied the relationship between local meat production and animal processing, and created a strategic plan to increase the production and availability of local meats. After study and investigation of the farmers' expressed problem of a slaughter and processing infrastructure shortage, the project concluded that at least part of the problem is seasonal capacity rather than overall capacity. One recommendation of the strategic plan was to address some processing capacity shortages by promoting year round breeding of beef cattle that would result in year round slaughter and processing. The tri-state PDP program intended to educate service providers and farmers in each of the three states about the benefits of year-round, grass-fed meat production. Topics included animal selection/breeding, seasonal nutrition for animals, environmental impacts of year-round production, facility design/maintenance, and alternative forage options. Year-round production of grass-fed beef will alleviate the fall slaughtering glut, provide producers and processors with a more consistent income flow, enable consumers to access fresh meat year-round, and potentially increase the total amount of meat grown in the region. The goal of this SARE PDP plan is to create a sustainable meat production system in Southern New England. The project developed two ongoing mechanisms to communicate with service providers and farmers: a web site and a master list of about 523 persons. We consistently met all our goals of reaching farmers and service providers and in the three year period 172 different persons attended at least one of the 18 project workshops. We designed workshops in partnership with agricultural service providers -- developing a strong working partnership with NRCS staff throughout the three states, with university educators, and with farmers already successfully raising beef on pasture year-round. The project focused on the physical needs for year-round beef production: careful breed selection, appropriate forage and the importance of soil fertility to support that forage, appropriate acreage to support year-round grazing, weed control, and use of SARE and NRCS grant resources. Our 2014 Farm Case Studies focused on creative marketing tools and management systems to support sustainable farms. 1

2 Over the three years of this project there has been steady growth in participation by farmers and agricultural service providers. The 172 different participants consistently report positive learning outcomes when completing onsite workshop evaluations. New farmers attended each of the 3 workshops this summer seeking information about feeding animals on pasture year round, winter care and baleage, strengthening pasture grasses, dealing with weeds and invasive species and building marketing systems. Over the three year period participation has grown among farmers and agricultural service providers. At each workshop there are several who report their intent to begin or to expand raising livestock on pasture. Farmers are seeking to learn more from other farmers. As this project progresses more farmers throughout Southern New England in both dairy and meat systems are seeking information about grass-based systems, including rotational grazing, mob grazing and pasture stockpiling. These systems issues will play an important role in our SARE PDP Project Health Care Practices for our Food Animals. 2. Performance Target(s) 12 ag service providers will educate 120 farmers representing 1,200 head of cattle on all aspects of year-round production of grass-fed meat 25 farmers of the 120 (representing 250 head of cattle) will integrate 2 or more of the 5 aspects of year-round production into their operations 3 farmers of the 25 (representing 30 head of cattle) will transition to year-round grass-fed meat production 3. Report on Milestone Accomplishments agricultural service providers and 120 farmers receive verification instruments verifying outcomes. Fall 2013 In January ASPs were surveyed for verification of their outcomes. Of the four responses we received to the survey, three reported that they had incorporated new ideas from workshops they attended into their programming agricultural service providers and 200 farmers receive advertisement for live animal grading workshop at the UMASS feeding demonstration site. Summer 2014 The UMASS feeding demonstration did not continue in as planned due to the departure from UMASS of the project leader. No workshop was held agricultural service providers and 20 farmers will attend workshop on live animal grading at UMASS feeding demonstration site and learn about the animal growth responses to the different feeding regimes and how to grade live animals. Summer 2014 The UMASS feeding demonstration did not continue in as planned due to the departure from UMASS of the project leader. No workshop was held agricultural service providers and 200 farmers receive advertisement for carcass grading workshop at Massachusetts based processing facility. Summer 2014 The UMASS feeding demonstration did not continue in as planned due to the departure from UMASS of the project leader. No workshop was held. 2

3 5. 10 agricultural service providers and 20 farmers will attend carcass grading workshop where they will be able to evaluate the yield and quality of animal carcasses from the two demonstration feeding regimes. Summer 2014 The UMASS feeding demonstration did not continue in as planned due to the departure from UMASS of the project leader. No workshop was held agricultural service providers and 200 farmers receive advertisement for 3 case study workshops (one in CT, RI, and MA). Summer 2014 The advertisement for the 3 case study workshops for summer 2014 was sent to 523 persons on the mailing list. That list includes: 141 ASP, 250 farmers, and the remainder not self-identified. In addition the workshop brochures were posted on the Meat Systems web site, and distributed by hand at other meetings agricultural service providers and 30 farmers attend 3 case study workshops. 3 case study farmers provide real-life success stories for year-round meat production that will be shared at a workshop at each of the farms and via the website. Case study farms will demonstrate utilization of year-round systems adopted. (one farm from CT, MA and RI) Summer ASP, 34 farmers, and 2 others attended at least one of the three workshops. The case study reports are appended to this report. 8. Throughout this grant period we have conducted verification surveys of participants in project workshops. Following the completion of the 2014 workshops we will design a survey for all who have participated in the project over the entire project period. We will survey farmers, service providers and the meat processors. Our intent is to learn what changes have occurred in each component of the meat producing process. Summer 2014 The survey of all participants was sent to 150 persons who participated in at least one of our workshops over the three year period. The survey was sent in December 2014 in order to assure that participants from the summer 2014 workshops had the opportunity to take some action following their participation. Total who received the verification survey were 150, estimated at 70 ASP, 70 farmers, and remainder others. To date, 22 persons have responded to the survey 10 ASP, 10 Farmers, 2 other. The survey is included in the appendix. The survey results are the basis for the reporting of the performance target outcomes in Item 5. 3

4 4. 3-Year Summary of Activities, Participants, Learning Outcomes and Products Table 1 Activities. Type of Educational Activity Conducted by Project from Number of Each Activity Conducted Workshop/Field Day 18 On-farm Demonstration 14 of the 18 workshops held were conducted on-farm Tour Webinar/Talk/Presentation Presentations at Yale Conference on Sustainable Agriculture, NE NOFA Annual Conference, and Yale Silvopasturing Workshop 3 Other on-line training Individual Consultations (an estimate is acceptable) Other (specify) Participation at the New England Meat Conference, 2013 and service providers; 75 farmers 2 Table 2 Participants. Type of Agricultural Service Provider Extension Number Who Participated NRCS Other Federal/State Agency Other (specify) Total Number of Agricultural Service Providers* 141 Farmers 139 4

5 Table 3 - Learning Outcomes. Total Number of Agricultural Service Providers Total Number of Farmers Verified an increase in knowledge, skills, confidence n/a Verified intention to use knowledge and/or skills learned n/a Total number of acres or animals the farmers manage, if known *Bulleted list of only the key knowledge and skill areas for which you verified an increase in knowledge and skills. Raising animals on pasture or plan to begin raising animals on pasture in the next year Understanding of this farm s grass-based system Marketing local grass-fed beef Engaging with SARE or NRCS programs for farmers Feasibility of year-round production Selecting of breeds for year-round production and market value Making and feeding baleage for winter livestock production Infrastructure needed for winter livestock production Identification and control of weeds Forage analysis Soil testing and soil fertility Table 4 Products. Type of Information Product Produced Number of Each Type Produced Fact sheet/guidance document 3 Decision tool Website/web content 1 Article (newsletter, press) Curricula Video Other (specify) ongoing web site 3 published newsletter articles 5

6 5. Performance Target Outcomes and Additional, Unanticipated Outcomes a. Summarized Outcome Data Table 5 Numbers of agricultural service providers taking action The total number of agricultural service providers who incorporated information and/or used skills learned through the state program training activities in their educational activities, services and/or information products for farmers. The total number of farmers these agricultural service providers reached through their efforts Table 6 Actions taken by the agricultural service providers Place an X next to all that apply Types of Educational Activities Ag Service Providers incorporated information they learned into Number of Each Activity Type, if known Workshop/Field Day X X X X On-farm Demonstration Webinar/Talk/Presentation Other on-line training Individual Consultation (an estimate is acceptable) Fact sheet/guidance document Article (newsletter, press) Web content Other (specify) Table 7 OPTIONAL - Actions taken by farmers The number of farmers who made a management change as a result of learning from the project activities and/or the trained agricultural service providers? 8 Bulleted list of the changes made by farmers Added or expanded work raising animals on pasture Changes in animal selection and breeding for year-round meat production Changes in seasonal nutrition for animals Increased understanding of environmental impacts of year-round production Facility design and maintenance for year-round production Alternative forages Number of acres, animals, or other appropriate production units that were affected by these changes acres 448 animals 6

7 Table 8 OPTIONAL Additional outcomes as a result of the project Type of Outcomes Achieved New working collaboration Number of Each Outcome 1 with NRCS Grants applied for Grants or other funds received Other (describe) 3 Farmer commitments ongoing farm relationship with the project b. Outcome Narrative Performance Target Outcomes Outcomes summarized in tables 5, 6 and 7 above represent outcomes reported in the most recent verification survey. The workshop learning outcomes forms with pre and post assessments show a continual increase in learning from participants. Attached is a sample copy of the learning outcomes form used at each workshop. Over the three year period participation in workshops has grown among farmers and agricultural service providers and at each workshop there are several who report their intent to begin or to expand raising livestock on pasture. Farmers are seeking to learn more from other farmers. The project s ongoing partnership with NRCS staff in three states has increased their involvement in the entire process of raising meat on pasture, integrating learning about soil and forage with information with farm and environmental management. As this project progresses more farmers throughout Southern New England in both dairy and meat systems are seeking information about grass-based systems, including rotational grazing, mob grazing and pasture stockpiling. These systems issues will play an important role in our SARE PDP Project Health Care Practices for our Food Animals. Other Results, Unanticipated Outcomes and Interesting Findings Outcomes from the 2014 Farm Case Study Workshops went beyond the original project targets. The farms offered substantial information about building and managing sustainable meat farms in Southern New England. This included options for marketing that increase profits. The project continues to be strengthened with real partnerships with successful meat producers. The willingness of several different farms to share their learning experiences with others is very positive. 7

8 SARE Outreach Activities Event/Activity 11/9/13 Class at The Gunnery - 12 students Number of Contacts (please enter your best estimate) Farmers 11/15/13 Annual Meeting CT Farm Bureau /6/13 New England Famers Union Annual Meeting booth /16/13 CT NRCS State Office 5 2/4/14 CT NOFA 4 3 2/20/14 UCONN Animal Science Faculty 4 2/26/14 CT Dept. of Agriculture 4 2/28/18 Working Farms Alliance conference on farm easements NESARE Display and handouts /1/2014 CT NOFA Annual Meeting display and workshop 200 at meeting, 10 workshop 3/6-3/8/14 New England Meat Conference NESARE Display and handouts /10/14 UCONN Dairy conference NESARE Display and handouts /18/14 UCONN Extension Collaboration Conference NESARE Display and handouts /19/14 AG Day at State Capitol NESARE Display and handouts /25/14 NRCS State Office Officials 6 4/7/14 RI Raised Livestock Annual Meeting NESARE Display and handouts /10/14 CTNOFA Workshop Woodbridge /14/14 CTNOFA Wilton /5, 8/6, 8/7 On-Farm case studies /21/14 Cornucopia UCONN Storrs NESARE Display and handouts TOTAL Ag. Professionals 8

9 7. Assessment of Project Approach /Lessons Learned/Future Recommendations NESARE trainings offered on measuring project outcomes have been helpful to the project. However, measuring outcomes in terms of farmer action remains a challenge. We plan to strengthen work with agricultural service providers in this measurement process in including providing a template for documentation of outcomes. Attachments Sample of Evaluation Form used for workshops 2014 Verification Survey Document sent separately Farm Case Studies 2014 sent separately 9

10 USDA/NESARE Professional Development Program: Grass-fed All Year Long A joint project of the Universities of CT, MASS, and RI Farm Case Studies August 5, 6, 7, How would identify yourself? Farmer Ag service provider Other 2. Listed below are topics presented. For each topic, circle your knowledge (or level of understanding) before and after today s event. Understanding Before Topics Understanding After Nonexistent Minimal Moderate Considerable Understanding of this farm s grass-based system Nonexistent Minimal Moderate Considerable Nonexistent Minimal Moderate Considerable NRCS resources for grass-based farmers Nonexistent Minimal Moderate Considerable Nonexistent Minimal Moderate Considerable Antibiotics and drug use in food animal production Nonexistent Minimal Moderate Considerable Nonexistent Minimal Moderate Considerable Marketing local grass-fed meat Nonexistent Minimal Moderate Considerable 3. Listed below are some activities discussed at today s event. Please circle the answer(s) that best fits your situation. Have done this in the Intend to try this in On-Farm Activities past 2 years the next year I have no plans to implement this Raising local meat on pasture Before Plan No Plan Learning more about antibiotics and drugs in food animal production systems Before Plan No Plan Understanding soil and forage health indicators Before Plan No Plan 10 Engage with SARE or NRCS programs Before Plan No Plan OTHER THOUGHTS: