ANREP 2022

Concurrent Breakout Session 4

Track 1 - Topic Focus

Lymantria dispar dispar: An open forum for landowner education strategies

Julie Crick - Michigan State University Extension

Lymantria dispar dispar (formally known as the European gypsy moth) populations exploded in 2020 and 2021 across the North-Eastern United States and Canada. The defoliating caterpillar caused homeowner anguish over leaf-less trees while their droppings wreaked havoc on all outdoor activities. Many extension services were overwhelmed with calls from concerned people and spent hours relaying the same message countless times. If you were part of this cyclic outbreak, join us to learn about Lymantria dispar dispar outreach conducted by Michigan State University Extension followed by a discussion in which all affected extension representatives will have an opportunity to share their strategies for outreach and homeowner management of the naturalized invasive pest.

Invasive Species & Citizen Science: Solving Problems

Angela Gupta - University of Minnesota Extension

The University of Minnesota Extension is a leader in citizen science and invasive species education and research. Starting during the spring of 2020 and continuing through 2022 several new, one-year, citizen science and invasive species projects launched. The projects are quick, timely, low budget and require minimal training. Each project had a different audience, objective and tools that uniquely fit each research question.

In 2020 projects included squill, jumping worm, Amur corktree, Norway maple and oak wilt. As a result of this work participants discovered the northernmost infestation of squill in the United States (as confirmed in EDDMapS); new infestations of Norway maple; photo confirmation that Amur corktree male trees, identified by flower sex, are producing fruit; and first trials for garden level jumping worm management.

In 2021 the Jumping worm: Report management project continued with additional information and emotional support. The Find and Report project hopes to inform policy; participants will look for escaped Japanese tree lilac, porcelain-berry, European black alder and Siberian peashrub. In the Mysterious Mulberries project volunteers work to better understand the distribution of native red mulberry and non-native white mulberry and to better understand the interplay between these two species.

The 2022 projects are still in development but will likely include: “motherworts”, highbush cranberries, Miscanthus, mock strawberry and butternut. The Jumping worm: Report management project will continue for another year.

This presentation will highlight what was learned, worked and didn’t work. It will focus on the successes of the Amur corktree and jumping worm projects.

Growing Michigan aquarium and water garden retailers and hobbyists’ knowledge of aquatic invasive species through the Reduce Invasive Pet and Plant Escapes program

Paige Filice - Michigan State University Extension

Michigan State University Extension has been working in collaboration with state agencies to raise awareness of aquatic invasive species available in the aquarium and water garden industry. Non-native aquatic plants and animals introduced through trade pose a significant ecological and economic threat to Michigan waterways. To address this, we developed the research-based outreach program Reduce Invasive Pet and Plant Escapes (RIPPLE) to educate retailers and hobbyists about safe handling and disposal practices. Since 2015 over 125 pet and garden retailers, hobbyist clubs, nature centers, zoos and school districts have become RIPPLE partners. Partners receive aquatic invasive species identification and reporting resources as well as an outreach kit with materials for display and distribution. To ensure the program was meeting the needs of our primary target audience and to assess our outreach efforts we surveyed all independently owned pet and garden retailers in Michigan. The survey has been conducted twice, once in 2017 and again in 2022. The survey evaluated retailers’ knowledge of aquatic invasive species, current behaviors, attitudes regarding their responsibility, and their willingness to participate in education programs like RIPPLE. Utilizing these survey results we are enhancing the RIPPLE program to empower our program partners and designing new outreach materials that align with their knowledge and behaviors.

Anticipating The Arrival Of An Unwanted

Amy Stone, Carrie Brown, Ashley Kulhanek, Kathy Smith - Ohio State University

Invasive species come in all shapes and sizes. While their introduction can be geographically specific, we know that more often than not, populations increase and radiate in an outward direction. The spread of an invasive species can be compared to a forest fire – the initial detection, no matter the threat, grows and its expansion occurs in a contiguous manner. However, ‘sparks’ can escape and new ‘hot spots’ build and develop into novel and separate infestations.

Using the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) as a case study, we will describe and explain Ohio’s approach to its outreach and education plan prior to this planthopper’s unwanted arrival and subsequently illustrate how changes were implemented with the first, and then the second, confirmed reproducing populations in the Buckeye State.

The session will include examples of our collaborations, how partnerships were formed, and sources of funding used to implement SLF awareness and prevention in Ohio

Our SLF shared experience at the conference could be implemented in other states as is, but the process, or strategy, used can be applied as states face other invasives threats, including those posed by insects, diseases and plants. While we know no one eagerly awaits the arrival of any new invasive pest, we are sure our colleagues are eager to empower, engage and educate our own audiences and increase our own armies against invasives. 

Track 2 - Topic Focus

Collaborative Placed- Based Woodland Owner Education to Support the Efforts of the Ohio Interagency Forestry Team

David Apsley, Leslie Horner - Ohio State University Extension

The Interagency Ohio Forestry team, a collaboration of Extension and all government agencies in Ohio with forestry in their mission, has developed a place-based woodland owner education series for Appalachian woodland owners focusing on Stewardship Opportunities, Selling Timber and Legacy Planning. These topics are being offered on a rotational basis in the 17-county project area.  Collaborative teams were formed in 2-3 county “places” where coordinated programming will be initially offered on these three key topics. The goal is to offer at least one program in each “place” annually.   Partners in the project include but are not limited to local – ODNR-Division of Forestry (State Service Foresters), Ohio State University and Central State University Extension (ANR Educators and Specialists), county Soil and Water Conservation District (Technicians), area Natural Resources Conservation Service (area staff) and ODNR-Division of Forestry (private lands biologists).

Curriculum development is iterative and is led by Cooperative Extension with input from all partners and selected woodland owners.  Cooperative Extension provides training for partners, marketing materials (Local media, social media and direct marketing) and on-site assistance for each program.    All curriculum and marketing materials are being developed using TELE - targeted marketing principals designed for specifically for working the land and woodland retreat owners.  Peers and Pros – 360 conversational approach is being employed in field-based sessions.

Understanding and measuring woodland owner engagement Program Impact & Public Value

Kris Tiles - University of WI-Madison Division of Extension

University of Wisconsin Extension has been conducting Learn About Your Land, beginner level classes for woodland owners, since 2008. The intent of these classes is to provide landowners basic skills to understand their woodlands and start to feel comfortable engaging with resource professionals. Sounds familiar, eh? But ALL our funders want to know… so what?

This session will cover three topics to answer that and engage in conversation around our theories and methods. Part one will introduce our models and understanding of landowner engagement over the past few years. Part two will cover our evaluation plan and methods. We have followed this plan regularly the last 13 years, but our questions have evolved to address our models. The last half of this presentation will engage attendees in conversation about concepts of landowner engagement, how we measure it moving forward, and what support Extension educators need to fully engage in impact evaluation of programs for woodland owners.

Feasibility study for evaluating the potential of biochar as an economically viable agricultural component in Michigan’s bioeconomy

Nafisa Nowshin Ahmed- Michigan State University

In the State of Michigan, 53% of land is covered in forests. The forest products industry is built upon 20 million acres of land with 150 registered foresters and more than 800 logging and trucking firms. However, in these forested lands, there is a significant proportion of non-merchantable and low-value biomass left on the forest floors. These residues are of no use, but they do increase the risk of fire hazards and diseases. Our study aims to procure this biomass to produce biochar, specifically using logging and pulpwood residues, and create a framework for the supply chain process using transportation network analysis. We intend to conduct a life cycle assessment subsequently to analyze the potential environmental and economic impacts biochar leaves behind for landowners, foresters, and farmers in the industry. Biochar is a charcoal like substance produced through the decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen, which has shown to have great carbon sequestration potential. Our preliminary results have indicated that hauling time and distance heavily influence costs incurred during the transportation of biomass to a centralized biochar producing facility. In addition, competition for feedstock with biomass power plants, social and economic demography of a region also influence the demand and price for biochar in the market. Our research plans to explore how these components affect different stakeholders in the potential biochar industry. We expect to support landowners, foresters, farmers, and policy makers better understand the role of biochar towards building a sustainable bioenergy based circular economy in Michigan.

Track 3 - Topic Focus

Improving soil moisture capacity with cover crops

Lee Riley - University of Arkansas System Division of Ag

Cover crops reduce runoff losses, increase water infiltration, and can reduce nutrient loss. Soil moisture sensors were used to study cover crops impact on soil moisture and water extraction by cash crop roots. Research was conducted in two cotton fields, one field with cereal rye as a cover crop since 2016 and zero to minimum tillage, when tillage was conducted it was as minimum disturbance to the soil, only to rehip beds and clear furrows. The other field did not have a cover crop. Irrigation and rainfall inputs as well as irrigation and runoff loses and tailwater nutrient loses were measured from each field with automated edge-of-field monitoring equipment. Soil moisture sensors were placed at depths of 6, 12, 18, and 30 inches. Telemetry from soil moisture sensors showed more water available and less moisture variability at all depths in the field with cover crops vs. the non-cover.

Food Forests – Building Edible Community and Home Landscapes

Gary Wyatt - UM Extension

There is a growing interest in creating perennial edible landscapes for families and communities.  People are familiar with community gardens, but have you heard of community food forests?  A food forest combines trees, shrubs, vines, perennials and self-seeding annuals to produce vegetables, fruits and nuts.  These plantings provide healthy foods while protecting soil and water resources and adding carbon to underutilized properties.  Food forests can address the need for urban food security, resilient communities and productive public lands.  Food forests are established almost anywhere but are commonly found in community green spaces and riparian areas.  These plantings can also be designed for home landscapes.  This presentation will discuss what a food forest is, examples of food forests, layout design, plants producing edible fruits and nuts and resources to find more information.  Learn more about Food Forests, edible landscapes and how you can be involved or educate others in your community.

Effectiveness of Floating Wetlands in Removing Nutrients from Tile Drains

Alaina Nunn - Michigan State University/Institute of Water Research

Recently published data indicates that agricultural tile drains may be the greatest single contributor of phosphorus delivery to Lake Erie. This research is being directed toward developing a novel approach to reduce nutrients leaving farm fields and entering tributaries. Two floating wetlands were constructed to determine the effectiveness of using floating vegetation mats and a filtration bed for removing nutrients from an agricultural tile outlet draining a 16-acre alfalfa field. The wetlands work as a treatment train with the first wetland using a surface water treatment of floating vegetation on mats and the second connected wetland using subsurface treatment with a sand and limestone mix as a filter media.  Water samples are collected at 48hr intervals using an automatic sampler and drainage control structures to measure water flow, while concentrations of phosphorus (total and dissolved) and nitrogen are measured in the lab. Over a two-and-a-half-year period this system has shown a significant reduction of nutrients as water leaves the wetland, particularly during large rain events. This study has also indicated which plant species thrive best in this environment and uptake the highest amount of nutrients. As more is discovered about floating wetlands, it is hoped that this innovative approach can be used by producers in the future as a cost-effective method for finding a balance between critical food production and our delicate ecosystem.

A Model for Stewardship: Engaging the K – Gray Audiences in Salt Marsh Community Science

Kimberly C. Morganello, E.V. Bell- Clemson University Cooperative Extension

South Carolina is home to some 350,000 acres of salt marsh ecosystem. The salt marsh is ranked as one of the most biologically productive ecosystems on earth and provides many ecosystem services including flood control, nursery grounds for commercially and recreationally important fish and shellfish species, and filters pollution from the water.  The salt marsh is currently threatened by sea level rise, development pressure, and pollution from stormwater runoff. The salt marsh is integral to the way of life in coastal South Carolina; therefore, involving and educating communities on stewardship and management of this habitat is crucial to its future protection. In 2011, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Clemson Extension, lead the development of “From Seeds to Shoreline®,” a youth wetland restoration initiative in which K – 12 students actively cultivate and transplant Spartina alterniflora, the dominant plant in southeastern salt marshes. Since that time, more than 7,500 students and teachers have participated in the program. In 2019, the program expanded to incorporate adult community volunteers and a citizen science component. In 2020, the South Carolina General Assembly approved a regulatory process for living shoreline installation, with a new industry on the horizon, a training need was identified. Over the course of a decade, educational resources were developed to help residents better understand the salt marsh and how to manage and steward this resource for current and future generations.

Track 4 - Topic Focus

Wildlife Outdoor Leadership Focus (W.O.L.F. ) Day Camp

Ronnie Cowan, Sheila Dunning, Laura Tiu, Jill Breslawski - University of Florida IFAS

Environmental science is a very broad topic. Wildlife Outdoor Leadership Focus (W.O.L.F.) Day Camp was designed to incorporate many environmental components for use by youth, volunteers, and agents alike. The camp focused on topics such as wildlife ecology, marine sciences, survival skills, and careers. In addition, these natural resource programs highlight the complexity of available natural resources and the connections to other fields of discovery like engineering. Objectives:   As a result of this program, participants were able to 1) identify Florida wildlife and plants, 2) Demonstrate their knowledge of best management practices for wildlife, and 3) describe the complexity of natural resource management. Methods: The virtual 2020 W.O.L.F. Camp google site http://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/4-h-w-o-l-f-camp/home was utilized for activities and materials for the face to face 2021-day camp. Participants were broken into three groups. A team of Agents and 4-H Volunteers hosted stations that instructed participants on wildlife management techniques, nutrition/health, team work, art, and marine science. The three groups rotated ever forty minutes. Results: 31 participants enrolled in the 3-day camp. Camp evaluations were completed by every camper. Over 80% of participants reported a knowledge increase in concepts and identification of flora and fauna. Furthermore 90% considered the importance of teamwork. Participants self-assessed that their knowledge increased by 60%. Furthermore 100% indicated that they would consider their impact on wildlife habitat. Conclusion: The long-lasting impacts of W.O.L.F. Camp are high quality cross-discipline environmental educational content that can be replicated by Extension Agents for years to come.

Engaging 4-H youth in civic literacy with environmental projects

Sarah Davis, Martha Monroe, Kimberly Davis- University of Florida/IFAS/Sarasota County

CAPE (Community Action Projects for the Environment) is a 4-H program for youth 11-18 years old that helps them navigate the process of exploring, developing, implementing, and reflecting on a project that addresses an environmental issue affecting their community by engaging with decision makers to make a change that benefits everyone and sustains their environment. Closely linked to 4-H Life Skills, the program engages youth in exploring local environmental issues and community governance, then identifying an issue and project they can undertake. Rather than assigning youth (or their parents) with a task for a pre-determined service project, CAPE leads youth through critical thinking exercises to select a change they would like to see in their community and make a persuasive request of local decision makers.

A co-development team of leaders, agents, and specialists from UF and FAMU have worked together to create the curriculum, dramatically simplified from EarthForce, to match the interests of youth and abilities of volunteer leaders. This presentation will introduce the program and highlight the projects that youth have undertaken in Sarasota, Leon, Hamilton, Alachua, and Duval counties in Florida. Let us know if you are interested in pilot testing this program in 2022-23!

Engaging Youth as Consumers at Farmers’ Market

Amanda Bennett, Marcus McCartney, Alisha Barton, Amanda Bohlen- OSU Extension

Farmers markets can be an exciting social event in a community and provide a tool to teach about local agriculture. A Junior Farmers Market was conducted 13 times in two counties for elementary students. The goal of the grant-funded markets was to provide opportunities for youth to make healthy food choices, try new vegetables, be introduced to shopping at farmers markets, encourage healthy purchasing habits and make connections with local producers. The markets were located on school grounds and attempted to replicate the atmosphere of a traditional farmers market. The youth interacted with local farmers at stations where fresh produce was available to “purchase” with wooden market coins. Partner agencies presented topics such as encouraging healthy drinks, hands-on activities for youth to explore where their food comes from and tasting new vegetables.

All programs were evaluated via surveys completed by the student, teachers, and parents. At one site a formal student evaluation was gathered utilizing a web-based survey administered to the students (n=137). Results of the survey showed 81% of the students ate produce purchased from the market and 58% stated they were excited about eating fruits and vegetables since participating in the Farmers Market and nearly 76% tried a new food at the market. Sixty-one percent responded they plan to attend a local farmer's market. An additional teacher survey revealed 100% agreed the program was a valuable tool in strengthening curriculum and one commented the event was a "great opportunity to promote agriculture in Ohio."

The Ochs Garden: A Blended Community Garden

Theresa Badurek- UF/IFAS Extension, Pinellas County

The Ochs (pronounced “oaks”) Garden goal is a connected and diverse community teaching garden. Diversity can reflect culture, age, race, life experiences, and more. The Ochs Garden blends three groups: 4-H, Master Gardeners, and community members. The mission of the Ochs Garden is to provide fun, innovative urban agriculture education to Tampa Bay residents of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures while fostering a community built on teamwork, trust, and integrity. This program could be replicated anywhere appropriate for a community garden or an existing community garden. OBJECTIVES: Objectives of this program include building a community garden for the surrounding neighborhood, blending youth and adult gardeners, and utilizing Master Gardeners, extension faculty, and staff to educate. METHODS: An existing 4-H garden was reconfigured to create three spaces, an in-ground community garden for residents, a raised bed Master Gardener demonstration garden, and a container garden for 4-H education. Regular classes and tours are held for all ages, most open to the community at large. Extension faculty and staff visit weekly to teach and observe. RESULTS: Extension faculty, staff and volunteers learned the social challenges of building a community garden. Leadership, conflict resolution, and communication skills are learned each growing season. Community gardeners have learned recommended gardening techniques demonstrated through observed behavior change. 70% of educational observations in 2021 have included behavior changes like proper pest control, weed identification, and proper watering.  CONCLUSIONS: Blending a diversity of people into a community is complicated and often difficult but the positive outcomes outweigh the challenges.

Track 5 - Special Session

Defining Extension's role and the need for collective action to help meet community needs related to wildfire (Part 2)