www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts development-of-new-selection-tools-and-crop-varieties-for-sustainable-agriculture Development of New Selection Tools and Crop Varieties for Sustainable Agriculture — California Genetically crossing heirloom dry beans with major commercial types achieved six new, high-yield, high-market value varietals distributed nationally and internationally through grassroots methods. The varieties released from this project combine the high-market value of heirlooms with the high productivity of commercial types and several are highly productive across environments.” —Travis Parker, Graduate Student Grantee Viable […]
www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts developing-efficient-probiotics-for-microbiota-of-diarrhea-resistant-livestock Developing Efficient Probiotics for Microbiota of Diarrhea-Resistant Livestock – Florida A new microbiome guided strategy to improve livestock health, productivity, and profit margins for beef and dairy producers. Our intention with what we're calling a microbiome guided strategy is to use our research findings to enhance calves’ microbiomes by suggesting to farmers how they can breed and manipulate the animal diet to boost their economic […]
www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts impacts-of-silage-tarps-on-soil-arthropods-soil-properties-and-crop-yields Impacts of Silage Tarps on Soil Arthropods, Soil Properties and Crop Yields – Vermont A Participatory Action Research study examines the pros and cons of silage tarping on yield and the biodiversity of below-ground organisms Being a farmer is a very complex job; you have the economic side of things and also many ecological considerations. I believe a lot of farmers are interested in conservation but may not be […]
www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts biofumigants-for-sustainable-soil-borne-disease-management-in-nursery-production Biofumigants for Sustainable Soil-Borne Disease Management in Nursery Production – Tennessee Biofumigant cover crop research guides a student into a sustainability-focused research career and positions a university researcher as a respected resource and partner among nursery productions. This study impacted the graduate student’s work path. ... After almost five years, she is still digging into research questions as a postdoctoral researcher. It was very, very helpful […]
www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts advancing-walnut-syrup-production-for-increased-profitability-and-farm-income-diversification Advancing Walnut Syrup Production for Increased Profitability and Farm Income Diversification – West Virginia Researchers advance black walnut tapping for commercial syrup production, diversifying the industry and furthering niche market opportunities. Walnut syrup is truly a novel product commercially. We knew of people making it on the home scale and, scientifically, that it could be done. There’d been some small- scale research into the process of making it similarly […]
www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts sheet-mulch-using-cardboard-and-nitrogen-fixing-trees Sheet Mulch Using Cardboard and Nitrogen Fixing Trees – Guam Cardboard sheet mulching diverts paper products from the landfill and inspires rural family farmers to incorporate innovation into traditional practices. The reason I wanted to experiment with cardboard was because I work at the school and see all the cardboard loaded in the bins every week. ... Our local grocery stores, the mom-and-pop stores always […]
www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts formalizing-partnerships-to-scale-up-value-added-local-food-in-rural-ohio Formalizing Partnerships to Scale-Up Value-added Local Food in Rural Ohio The year before we applied for the first SARE grant, a farmer approached us with a whole bunch of hot peppers he didn’t know what to do with. As a licensed cannery, we had a sauce recipe to process these peppers that was approved already. That got us thinking about the amount of waste that […]
www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts improving-silvopasture-systems-in-the-south-identifying-suitable-forage-crops-and-enhancing-environmental-quality-in-upland-forests Improving Silvopasture Systems in the South: Identifying Suitable Forage Crops and Enhancing Environmental Quality in Upland Forests – Alabama Engaging with farmers as equal partners positions a small liberal arts university as a trustworthy partner and resource. We were able to establish longer-term relationships that we might not have been able to otherwise because of the grant. SARE gave us legitimacy in the community, that we were doing equivalent work to the local land […]
www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts staying-ahead-in-the-packshed-improving-postharvest-equipment-and-building-guidance-for-fruit-and-vegetable-farms Staying Ahead in the Packshed: Improving Postharvest Equipment and Building Guidance for Fruit and Vegetable Farms – Vermont Coupling on-farm technical assistance with case study methods to enhance postharvest infrastructure and build a peer-to-peer training network. Produce that has been harvested is a living organism, but it is dying. The best we can do is develop systems and practices that maintain and sustain quality and safety as long as possible. All of this […]
www.sare.org publications case-studies-of-sare-grant-impacts research-and-education-grants-impacts Cover Crop Management Options to Improve Weed Control, Crop Yield and Soil Health – Kansas Longest-running experiment in the Mid-Western U.S. demonstrates the economic and soil-health benefits of cover crops as cattle forage. Whether you graze cover crops with livestock or you hay it, you get an economic benefit even if it impacts your next crop yield.” —Dr. Augustine Obour, Research and Education Grantee Crop-Livestock Integrated Systems are Economically Viable […]