Arizona Report

SARE Professional Development Program Annual Report for Arizona
January 1 - December 31, 2010

State SARE Coordinator:

Summary of 2010 PDP Activities and Results

Travel scholarships assisted four Arizona Cooperative Extension agents to attend the National Association of County Agricultural Agents annual meeting and professional improvement conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Each agent participated in SARE-sponsored events during the meeting. Agents are better able to communicate and share sustainable agriculture concepts with clientele.

Agents and some specialists continue to report sustainable agriculture-related programming through the annual Arizona online reporting system.

Context and Overview

The sustainable agriculture professional development program (PDP) in Arizona strives to help Extension, NRCS and non-governmental agriculture professionals understand and better apply the principles of economic viability, environmental safety and public awareness in the production and marketing of food, energy and fiber products. Cooperative Extension, a vital part of The University of Arizona’s land grant mission, interacts with state and federal employees, producers, industry representatives and non-governmental organizations to extend new knowledge and understanding in agricultural production techniques. Currently, the Arizona PDP focuses on helping ninety-four Cooperative Extension agents, specialists, department heads with Extension appointments and administrators learn sustainable agriculture concepts; an increase of six over 2009. The Professional Development Program helps them become more familiar with SARE goals and programs so that they can in turn share them with their clientele.

Professional development efforts are generally focused upon current interests and needs of Extension professionals. Water conservation, heat stress management and budgeting are key areas of concern in both plant and animal systems, and marketing continues to be a major area of concern for all producers. During 2010, agents saw an increase in the demand for sustainable agriculture information, a continuation of a trend from past years. Cooperative Extension and NRCS, together and separately, have primary responsibility to help clientele learn agricultural sustainability in arid lands.

For more information related to the Arizona professional development program, please visit the Arizona Sustainable Agriculture web page. Also found there are links to the Arizona NRCS and other related sites.

Activities and Methods      

The following goals were set for the 2010 program year: 

• Encourage the development of sustainable agriculture educational programs in Arizona
• Continue the travel grant program for Arizona Cooperative Extension professionals
• Continue the mini-grant program to encourage local education projects
• Support the Arizona Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Committee
• Partner with the Arizona Direct Farm Marketing Association to host a seminar on direct marketing issues and sustainable agriculture issues
• Support FRTEP agents in sustainable outreach programs to Native American audiences

During 2010, Cooperative Extension agents were again encouraged to attend conferences and seminars that focused on sustainable agriculture principles. Travel grants were used to assist in defraying travel costs. Extension professionals were encouraged to apply for mini-grants to support their own sustainable agriculture projects. Funding opportunities through SARE were brought to the attention of professionals. Efforts were made to reach out to Extension personnel, non-governmental organizations and producers to work on common sustainable agriculture issues. Two FRTEP projects were active during the year but not concluded.

The state coordinator attended the annual Western SARE state coordinators training conference in Logan, Utah.

Changes in Ag Professionals’ Knowledge, Skills and Action

Four county agricultural agents attending the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting/Professional Improvement Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma reported a better understanding of sustainable agriculture concepts after participating in the SARE-sponsored seminars and tours. They report that their knowledge helps them better understand the needs of their clientele. It also helps them develop projects and programs to assist clientele. By written survey, all rated the overall learning opportunity as above average.

A review of the Annual Performance Reviews of Arizona Extension agricultural professionals indicated eight of twenty-eight agriculture/natural resources Extension agents and one specialist reported results from sustainable agriculture related programs during 2010. Other agents are involved with sustainable agriculture projects but did not include them in their APR. Extension programs are reported in water management, small farm sustainability, range cattle health and other areas.

One agent has taken leadership in developing food safety programs for vegetable producers, including concepts that are applicable to local foods producers.

Another agent spoke to local food producers at the annual meeting of the Direct Farm Marketing Association on organic certification procedures. He reported that producers surveyed at the conclusion of the session indicated that 86% would increase their organic production in the next five years. 83% said they increased their knowledge of organic production by attending the workshop. This agent is one who regularly attends SARE related workshops at the annual meeting and professional improvement conference of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

An additional agent used FRTEP funds to develop a sustainable garden at the local Senior Center. This project continues in 2011.

Other projects reported indicate an increasing effort in Arizona to include sustainable practices in agricultural outreach programs.

Unintended Outcomes

There were no applicants for mini-grants during 2010. While there were no projects funded during the reporting period, it is anticipated that with a better understanding of the professionals’ needs, a return to the mini-grant model may be needed in the future.

Because of the lack of mini-grant applications and other unforeseen conditions, a large segment of the granted funds were left unspent at the conclusion of the funding year. A no-cost extension was granted to finish programming in the first half of 2011.

Involvement of others in state PDP planning and implementation

The Arizona Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Committee provides input and direction to sustainable agriculture professional development programs. The committee is comprised of county Extension agents and a local foods producer. In 2010, the committee provided program input with verbal, individual feedback. Extension professionals continue to say that the travel grants are a valuable resource and should be continued. Less interest has been expressed in the mini-grant model, but as more agents conduct sustainable agriculture programming, I expect to see more inquiries for resources in Arizona.