Post on 25-Aug-2018
May 2014 Volume 3, Issue 5
FAMU EXTENSION SDA
NEWSLETTER FAMU Cooperative Extension: Reaching. Teaching. Serving.
Inside this issue:
A Student’s
Perspective
2
Hot Pepper
Monthly
3
Knowing Your
Herbs
4
FAMU FARM
FEST 2014
5
Photo Gallery:
Extension
Centennial
Celebration:
Crops Block
Party 2014
***
2014 HACCP
Food Safety
Training
6-10
Upcoming Events 11-15
FAMU
Extension
Faculty/Staff
17
Amelia C. Davis, MBA
SDA Newsletter Editor
USDA Announces Additional Support for Small and Midsized
Farmers and Ranchers Second major small farmer package this year includes research awards, technical assistance and marketing support
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2014 – Today, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional
support and resources for America's small and midsized farmers and ranchers. Today's
announcement includes $7 million in university research awards in support of small and midsized
producers; $8.8 million in technical assistance for small, socially-disadvantaged producers and Rural
Cooperative Centers; and a marketing certification program for small and very small grass-fed beef
producers. This is the second major USDA package this year in support of small and midsized
producers. The first package included efforts to increase access to capital, provide better risk
management tools, expand marketing opportunities, and offer food safety training and educational
resources specific to America's small and midsize producers. Today's announcement builds on these
efforts.
"Small and midsized producers are a vital part of America's agricultural future, and we are dedicated
to ensuring their success," said Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The programs and opportunities announced
today are part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that smaller farmers and ranchers get access to
the resources they need to thrive. USDA is continually reviewing our resources, programs and
policies to make sure we are working for producers of all sizes."
More information about USDA tools and resources available to small and mid-sized farmers,
including information about today's announcement, is available on USDA's Small and Mid-Sized
Farmer Resources webpage.
Efforts announced by the Secretary today include:
$7 million in grant awards to 10 universities to develop programs that will assist small and
medium-sized farmers grow their operations, enhance their production and become
economically viable. These awards, made by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture
(NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Small and Medium-Sized Farms program,
focus on developing models to assist small farmers in their decision making with respect to
management strategies, new technologies, sustainability, competitiveness and viability. These awards
prioritize strategies enhancing access to markets, developing local and regional food systems,
assessing the impact of economic changes to new and beginning farmers, and conducting outreach
activities which can inform relevant public policy to enhance small farmers' well-being. For example,
the University of Illinois received $495,000 to research risk mitigation participation strategies for
small and midsized producers in the advanced biofuel industry, while Oklahoma State University
was awarded $484,000 to research economic development opportunities for small and mid-sized
farms in the local and regional food system. Clarkson University in New York received $499,000 to
study anaerobic digesters for small farms and University of Vermont was awarded $499,662 to
research how to improve the quality of labor management decisions for small and medium-sized
farm operators. A full list of awardees and their projects is available on the NIFA website.
Continue on page 16
“Farm, Animals, Movement, Unity- Research Extension Center”
Farm Life….
Scenic roads and dim lights guide and welcome you to another
wonderful work day full of the treasures that nature brings. Driving
through the gates you get an eye full of the vast growing fields of grass
and vegetables, a nose full of outdoor goodness and an ear full of
animal sounds. For the early morning workers, days at the Florida
A&M University (FAMU) Research Extension Center, known as the
“Quincy Farm” , start bright and early. From the moment they step
foot on the farm’s rich soil, you can sense that the magic has already
taken place. You are blessed to not only experience a beautiful warm
sunrise, but to know that here on the farm, you’re the object of every animal’s desire. As the sounds of stampeding
feet rushes toward you as you fill the troughs and animal feed areas, you step back and watch the animals devour
the feed. Just for that moment, you realize your importance to them, providing for them and making sure they have
all they need. Although they can never tell you how much they appreciate it...somehow you know. This is the job
that we as veterinarians, vet techs, animal care takers, student workers and interns take on each day at the farm. We
help ensure that proper care, maintenance and love is given to our animals and because of this , we have a
successful program and farm facility.
Births…..
Currently residing at the farm, we have a number cows, horses , donkeys, pigs and good number of goats. The
Breeding Program is one of our major projects that each year, through careful planning and monitoring, we look
forward to seeing the offspring of various species. Last winter, we had the pleasure of welcoming 15 beautiful goat
kids, seven winter calves and 15 piglets! Wow, talk about a daycare center! That’s one of the great things about
working here, we get the chance to see generations of animals born right before our eyes.
Facility…. Exciting new projects are unfolding everyday at the farm. The latest project is the construction of our poultry house
facility for the chickens that will be used for husbandry and teaching purposes. These animals will provide the
students with hands-on learning in the poultry sciences and promote environmental awareness in the arena of
poultry processing. We are always searching for new and innovative ways to enhance our facility and promote a
steady flow of learning and education for our students as well as the community. Progress is always taking place
here and it won’t be stopped.
Dianna Smith is a 4th year Animal Science student at Florida A&M University– College of Agriculture and Food Sciences
Page 2 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER
A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
Contributor: Dianna Smith
Page 3 Volume 3, Issue 5
* Hot Pepper Monthly * Contributor: Mr. Gilbert Queeley
Sandy Soils: No Problem For Growing Scotch Bonnet (Capsicum chinense) Hot Peppers
Hot Peppers are such hardy plants that they will grow just about anywhere, as long as the right
cultural practices are administered. As most of us will agree, sandy soils can be a challenge for
growing many plants, mostly because of their poor water retention properties. Not only that, but
many sandy soils lack adequate organic matter that provides the natural nutrients required for
optimum plant growth. Many of our farmers, especially those in the surrounding counties of
Jackson, Jefferson, Suwannee and some parts of Gadsden County, are faced with the above
challenges when attempting to grow hot peppers on medium to large scales. This month’s issue is
the introductory version of three articles that focus on the use of plastic mulches and drip irrigation
for growing Scotch Bonnet hot peppers on sandy soils. Sandy soils are not all bad. One of their
advantages is the ease of making beds. The soil structure also facilitates the laying of plastic mulch
either manually, or with a mechanical bed layer. The latter is highly preferred due to its accuracy in
mulch layout and labor saving qualities. The mechanical bed layer also simultaneously lays the drip
irrigation tubing through which your crop is irrigated and ‘fertigated’ simultaneously.
* Scotch Bonnet hot pepper seedlings planted on plastic mulch on sandy soil
Plastic mulches also provide these additional benefits on sandy soils:
they slow down the rate of evaporation keeping water available to your plants.
they reduce weed growth which in turn:
makes more nutrients available to your peppers
limits the build up of dangerous insect pests and diseases and
improves fruit quality by avoiding unsightly dirt particles from accumulating on the fruits
through rain splashes
So once your plastic mulch and drip irrigation system combination is in place, all that’s needed is
regular maintenance, which is basically weekly surveillance for potential problems with insect pests,
diseases and mechanical issues with your irrigation unit. Be on the lookout for future issues of the
hot pepper monthly which will outline:
- the application of fertilizers through drip irrigation tubing (‘fertigation’) and
- the costs and benefits associated with the use plastic mulches for growing hot peppers.
Page 4 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER
Knowing Your Herbs Contributors: Linda Sapp and Trevor Hylton
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
It is employed principally, externally, as spiritus Rosmarini, in hair-lotions, for its odor and effect in
stimulating the hair-bulbs to renewed activity and preventing premature baldness. An infusion of the
dried plant (both leaves and flowers) combined with borax and used when cold, makes one of the best
hair washes. It forms an effective remedy for the prevention of scurf and dandruff.
Rosemary Tea, when taken warm, is a good remedy for headache, colic, colds and nervous diseases.
Rosemary is propagated by seeds, cuttings and layers, and division of roots. Rosemary succeeds best in
a light, rather dry soil, and in a sheltered situation.
Herb of the Month:
Page 5 Volume 3, Issue 5
“Did You Know ?” trivia facts can be found on our
FAMU Extension Facebook page.
Also, follow us on Twitter @FamuExt
Sponsored by:
Florida A&M University
Cooperative Extension Program
215 Perry Paige Building, South
Tallahassee, FL 32307
Office: (850) 599-3546
Fax: (850) 561-2151
TDD: (850) 561-2704
Email: Extension@famu.edu
Registration :
$5– Adults- $2/kids under 18
Children 5 and under free
Early registration available
Reaching. Teaching. Serving.
www.famu.edu/cep
Educational Demonstrations & Presentations
Exhibits
Tours * Health Expo* Food/ Music
Entertainment for all ages
FAMU IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS UNIVERSITY
Page 6 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER
Extension Centennial Celebration:
Crops Block Party 2014
The FAMU/Extension Crops Program celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Extension with a block party on the campus of
FAMU. The event will took place on April 16, 2014 from 9am to 3pm on the corner of West Osceola and Pinder Street at the
FAMU Extension Teleconference Center.
The FAMU Cooperative Extension Program faculty & staff, farmers and agricultural related businesses, including horticulture
and arboriculture, shared the importance of agriculture for food production and other related agricultural industries that help to
improve our lives and quality of life. We like to extend a special “Thank you” to all the participants, vendors and supporters
of FAMU Cooperative Extension.
Agriculture Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Feeding and Beautifying the World"
The Vendors and Exhibit Participants
Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services AAA Tree Service
Tallahassee Nurseries Johnston’s Meats
Page 7 Volume 3, Issue 5
Melva Morfaw, Madison County Extension Agent, at the
Farm and Home Equipment exhibit Linda Sapp, Coordinator of Vet-Tech Program, sets up the
Herbs display
Dr. Alex Bolques, FAMU Extension Agent/Gadsden County,
discuss the Rain Garden display.
Trevor Hylton, FAMU Extension Agent/Leon &Wakulla
County discusses Gardening and Herbs with FAMU students
FAMU student and CRD Team member, Andrew Jackson,
works on their display Gilbert Queeley, Research Associate and Angela McKenzie-
Jakes, Program Leader, at the Small Ruminant Program
display.
Page 8 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER
Reaching.
Teaching.
Serving.
FAMU Cooperative Extension …..
Page 9 Volume 3, Issue 5
A special “Thank you” to the FAMU/CAFS family, Tallahassee
community and Big-Bend area, for your support!
Page 10 Volume 3, Issue 5
2014 HACCP Food Safety Training Program
April 28-29, 2014
Quincy, FL- On April 28, 2014, Florida A&M University (FAMU) conducted its annual Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety training at its FAMU Quincy Farm Teleconference Center. The
objective of this two-day HACCP workshop was to train food service processors, producers, and students in
practices that will minimize potential food borne hazards and ensure improvement in the safety of food served and
consumed in their respective areas. At this year’s workshop, Dr. Keawin Sarjeant, presented the welcome and
opening remarks on behalf of the Dean Dr. Robert Taylor, who is the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Food
Sciences (CAFS) at Florida A&M University. Mrs. Vonda Richardson, Associate Director of Cooperative
Extension at Florida A&M University welcomed the participants to the FAMU Research and Extension Center on
behalf of the Cooperative Extension Program at FAMU .
Page 11 Volume 3, Issue 5
UPCOMING EVENTS
Come and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of
the Smith-Lever Act: “The Birth of
Cooperative Extension “ with
FAMU Extension at “ The Quad”
On the campus of Florida A&M University
Thursday, May 8, 2014
1 pm — 3 pm
FAMU Cooperative Extension
Reaching. Teaching. Serving.
Page 12 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER
What will you learn from the Urban Food Gardeners? Small garden formats (space utilization)
Cultivation strategies
Irrigation strategies
Planting of seasonal vegetables
Harvesting strategies
Weeding strategies &Pest management strategies
For more information, contact:
Sandra Thompson (850) 599-3546/sandra.thompson@famu.edu
Trevor Hylton (850) 599-3546/ trevor.hylton@famu.edu
CYFAR Program/ Funded by:
Learn from Urban Food Gardeners
May 17, 2014
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
FAMU Community Gardens
2001 W. Orange Ave.
Tallahassee, FL
Health Screening Face Painting for
Kids
Get your free ticket to win a Fresh Vegetable Food Basket (30 available)
Page 13 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER
Hosted By:
Florida small farmers who cannot attend the conference due to financial hardship have the opportunity to apply for a
registration scholarship. Up to a $150 value, the scholarship covers the cost of a full conference registration. Other
costs associated with the conference such as travel, lodging, and incidentals are not covered under the registration
scholarship and will be the responsibility of the individual.
Applications will be reviewed in the order received by a committee composed of small farm producers and university
extension faculty. Priority will be given to first time conference attendees. Past winners are not eligible and all
scholarship recipients must be 18 years of age or older. Scholarship recipients name and Florida County will be posted
on the conference website.
The number of scholarship that can be awarded will depend on the total amount of donations received for this
purpose.
Florida small farmers applying should complete the application and send by June 1 for consideration.
Applicants will be notified by June 23. Awardees will be required to complete a registration within one week of
notification to confirm scholarship acceptance (by June 30).
Registration Scholarship Info
Online registration information coming soon!
Check out website: http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms/index.html
Page 14 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER
The Forestry and Conservation Education
(FACE) summer program runs from June 9 –
20, 2014 on Florida A&M University Campus.
The program offers teenagers from Gadsden/
Surrounding counties many varied field related
forestry and natural sciences excursions.
Stipend Fun‐filled trips Certificate of participation
Contact:
Conchita Newman
(850) 599-3440
conchita.newman@famu.edu
An intensive week long program developed to provide a
better understanding of science through experiential
activities in Food Science that are linked to the Sunshine
Standards.
Hands-on Experiments
Product Development
Educational Field Trips
June 16 -20, 2014
Contact:
Conchita Newman
(850) 599-3440
conchita.newman@famu.edu
Page 15 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER
Page 16 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER
$8.8 million for technical assistance funding opportunities for small, socially-
disadvantaged producers and Rural Cooperative Centers.
In support of rebuilding America's rural economy, USDA's Rural Development Agency is
making funding available to small and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as
well as Rural Cooperative Centers. The Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant
program (SSDPG) will make $3 million available to provide technical assistance to
small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives and
cooperative development centers. Awardees will be able to conduct market research,
product and/or service improvement, feasibility studies, training, and implement business plans. Applications are being
accepted through June 30, 2014. More information about how to apply is on the Rural Development website.
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG) will make up to $5.8 million available to Rural
Cooperative Development Centers, which in turn, provide technical assistance to individuals and entities improving the
economic condition of rural areas by supporting start-up, expansion or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and
other business entities. Cooperatives have often been the mechanism used by small and midsized producers to work together
to access new markets or market value added products. Information about how to apply is on the Rural Development website.
In 2013, business and cooperative funding through Rural Development helped 17,773 rural businesses, including 4,200
farmers and 4,472 small businesses. These investments created or saved over 41,600 jobs. Under the 2014 Farm Bill USDA
will be creating an Interagency Working Group to improve coordination of programs and services between federal agencies
and national and local cooperatives through the RCDG program.
USDA Certification for Small and Very Small Producers of grass-fed beef. Administered by USDA's Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS), this new verification program is tailored to meet the needs of small-scale livestock producers and
the growing grass-fed beef industry. It allows small and very small-scale producers to certify that their animals meet the
requirements of the grass-fed marketing claim standard, helping them differentiate themselves and communicate value to
their customers. As part of USDA-wide efforts to create more opportunities for small-scale livestock producers, AMS is
targeting producers that market 49 cattle or less each year by designing a less costly application process for these producers
to use the USDA Certified Grass-Fed claim. Producers who are certified under the new program will receive certificates that
allow them to market cattle to slaughter facilities as USDA certified grass-fed, increasing their market value and creating new
economic opportunities throughout the supply chain.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary
for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free
Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
Continue from Page 2
FAMU EXTENSION FACULTY/STAFF
www.famu.edu/cep
The Florida A&M
University Cooperative
Extension Program is an
equal employment/
educational opportunity
access organization which
provides
research-based
educational information
and other services only to
eligible individuals and
institutions regardless of
race, color, national
origin, religion,
gender, age, disability,
martial or veteran status.
Dr. Robert Taylor, Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs,
College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS)
Vonda Richardson, Interim Director, Cooperative Extension Programs
Dr. Lawrence Carter, Director of Special Outreach Programs Dr. Ray Mobley, Director of Veterinary Services
Dr. Jennifer Taylor, Extension Specialist– Small Farms/Sustainable
Development
Tondalaya Nelson, EFNEP Interim Coordinator/4-H Youth Development
Specialist
Angela McKenzie-Jakes, Extension Animal Science Specialist/Program
Leader Small Ruminant Program Carmen Lyttle-N'guessan, Coordinator, Animal Healthcare/Veterinary
Technology Program (Vet-Tech) Sandra Thompson, Community Resource Development Program Leader/
Extension Specialist Dr. Glen Wright, Director of Animal Health Dr. Robert Purvis, Extension Veterinarian Gilbert Queeley, Research Associate Dr. Keawin Sarjeant, Asst. Professor, Animal Science/Food Science-HACCP Trevor Hylton, County Extension Agent (Leon & Wakulla) Dr. Alex Bolques, County Extension Agent (Gadsden)
Melva Morfaw, County Extension Agent (Madison)
Donna Salters, Coordinator, Community Resource Development Amelia Davis, Coordinator, Management Analysis, Extension
Communications / Editor of SDA Newsletter
Linda Sapp, Project Coordinator, Vet-Tech Program Faith Clarke, Coordinator, OASDFR Project Sam Hand, Associate Professor, Extension
Covey Washington, Extension Agent Conchita Newman, Extension Agent Renysha Harris, Coordinator, Administrative Services Rhonda Miller, Office Manager
Julie-Ann Valliant, Vet-Tech Extension
Cynthia Davis-Holloway– Recruiter, Vet Tech
Donna Swilley– Quincy Farm Office Manager
Godfrey Nurse– Quincy Farm Manager
Florida A&M
University College of
Agriculture & Food
Sciences
Cooperative
Extension Program
1740 S. Martin Luther
King Jr, Blvd
215 Perry Paige
Building South
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 850-599-3546
Fax: 850-561-2151
FAMU Extension: Reaching. Teaching. Serving.
SDA Outreach Project funded
by USDA/APHIS.