Adaptive Research and Technology

A survey was conducted by AAMU of minority-owned and serving foresters, loggers, and mills to obtain updated information for minority, young, and beginning forestry business owners, including, minority landowners, contractors, and companies not listed in online databases. At FVSU minority clientele with involvement in forestry (minority and minority-serving forest and forest-product industries) were surveyed to determine attitudes, perceptions, and experiences faced concerning timber sales, forest products, silviculture activities, and business relationships. AAMU expanded their forestry research partnerships with University of Georgia, Clemson University, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and The Alabama Forestry Association and collected survey information in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. (ThA3)

WVSU developed a web-based ArcGIS portal accessible via desktop and mobile platforms to allow small farmers to access information pertinent to their market/supply chain, climate, and production potentials. Old-storage trailers were outfitted with asset trackers and environmental data loggers to research the geographic range of use of the equipment and assess their market reach economic impact of WVSU no-cost cold-storage lease program. Hobo environmental data loggers were added to stationary cooler/freezer units provided to farmer cooperative and the state Department of Agriculture and implement remote connectivity for critical temperature alerts. Each insulated cooler trailer and a refrigerated truck was outfitted with Linxup ATSolar asset GPS trackers (self-chargers) to research the actual geographic range of use of the equipment, transmitting data via 4G mobile networks at 15-minute intervals. Companion apps allow real-time and long-term monitoring of units’ usage patterns, their market reach, and the economic impact of our no-cost cold-storage lease program (ThA5).

KSU (lead), CSU, DSU, TU, VSU are assessing hemp varieties for adaptability and levels of cannabinoids within fiber and grain crops across multiple states and ecosystems. Replicated trials assess yield effects of varieties and fertilizer rates on properties of extracted lignocellulosic biomass. Results show that high quality lignocellulosic components and silica from industrial hemp residues could be developed as value-added products in packaging, bio refinery, and bioplastic industry. (ThA1)

An 1890 Beef Cattle Extension/Research working group was established in 2021 and included PVAMU, LAU, UMES, PVAMU, TSU, TU, and FAMU. The two initial objectives are:

1) establishment of a database/website of previous, on-going, and potential research projects, for limited resource farmers and SDFRs; and

2) investigation of constraints to small-scale beef production, marketing strategies, and genetic improvements within herds. (ThA2)

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Research sites were established by LaU for use of goats to control red cedar and post oak. The sites were fenced using portable electric fencing and solar power. Goats were introduced in early February and a comparison made with trees removed mechanically (ThA2). TU evaluated viable strategies for supplementing lactating goats and suckling kids while grazing in woodlands (ThA4).