Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Our audience were forest and grassland owners, small fam owners from central Missouri. We reached out to economically distressed small farm owners and minority and women farmers. Some of our audience were young and beginning farmers whith forests and grasslands on their properties. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Between 2006 and 2010 we seeded native plants and prepared a warm season pasture demonstration plot. Following this, our demonstration plot was continuously managed and improved and was used annually to demonstrate management of grazing, prescribed fire, control of invasive species, and management of biological diversity to central Missouri farmers who own forests and grasslands. Between 2011 and 2016 we organized and offered annual training workshops and seminars on prescribed fire, rotational grazing, timber stand improvement, and habitat management for deer and willd turkeys to central Missouri farmers who own forests and grasslands. We organized and offered several workshops on prescribed fire in collaboration with Missouri Department of Conservation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. When conditions were right, we had demonstration prescribed burns. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Between 2011 and 2016 we organized and offered annual training workshops and seminars on prescribed fire, rotational grazing, timber stand improvement, and habitat management for deer and willd turkeys to central Missouri farmers who own forests and grasslands. We disseminated information to our community of interest though the workshops and seminars and through site visits by interested landowners at our demonstration farms. Several of our workshop attendees offered their own properties for demonstrations and site visits by interested landowners. As a result, our workshops included demonstrations on forests and grasslands were management was implemented to re-establish healthy and diverse communities of native warm season grasses, improve control of weeds and invasive species, and improved wildlife habitats and biological diversity. Approximately 250 landowners attended one or multiple of our workshops. Collectively, they reported increased awareness about challenges to managing productivity and biological diversity on forests and grasslands. Further, our workshop attendees reported increased awareness about management methods available to them, and approximately half of them expressed interest in implementing at least one improvement on their properties. From follow up phone calls, we estimate that our program has affected change in management practices on approximately 1,000 ha of grassland and forest. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We offered annual training seminars to our audience with the aim of re-establishing native grassland vegetation, controling invasive species, enhancement of biological diversity and management of wildlife habitats. We also surveyed our seminar participants on their information and training needs and on how our seminars affected changes on their farms.

Publications

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Our program is aimed at forest and range owners in Missouri, fromseveral counties (Cole, Osage, Gasconade, Callaway, Boone, Moniteau). These landownersown small farms (5-100 ha). Most of these farms contain fragmented patches of forest and rangeland and are used for grazing cattle, timber and firewood production, and outdoor recreation. Most landowners and state agency personnel in county offices report that general use, economic values, and biological diversity of rangeland and forests are challenged by aggressive invasive non-native plants and by lack of management. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In March 2016, we organized and offereda prescribed fire seminar at Carver Farm, Lincoln University. The seminar introduced landowners to objectives, ecological importance, economical benefits, timing, safety issues, and various technical aspects of prescribed fire when used for improving forage quality and wildlife habitats. Invited speakers included personnel from Missouri Department of Conservation. Participants consisted of approximately 30landowners who collectively own over 2000 acres in the surrounding counties (Maries, Gascone, Osage, Boone,Cole, Moniteau). Seminar participants were instructed about prescribed fire objectives, planning, and implementation.Lastly, in collaboration with local landowners and Missouri State employees, we conducted a demonstration burn on 20 acres of privately owned rangeland. Seminar participantsgained awareness and increased knowledge aboutplanning, safe fire lines, implementation of prescribed fire, and fire behavior. Following our seminar and demonstration, at least 5 landowners used prescribed fire on approximately 150 acres of rangeland. In the fall of2016 we offered a training seminarto forest owners. Because most forests in central Missouri are fragmented in small patches, many are not well managed. As a result, timber and wildlife suffer and invasive species thrive. Approximately 35 landowners learned about Timber Stand Improvement. They became aware and increased knowledge about goals and objectives, benefits, and resources available.Our seminar included a visit totypical stands of Missouri forest in various states of health: unmanaged and invaded by non-native plants, unmanaged and healthy, managed, overharvested, etc. We evaluated that most seminar participants will implement some form of timber stand improvement and wildlife habitat enhancement in their forests. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?1. Training and demonstration workshop for prescribed fire 2. Seminar on Timber Stand Improvement and wildlife habitat enhancement What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period we plan to offer workshops and training to both local landowners, but also to Lincoln University's Small Farm outreach workers based in south-eastern Missouri. We plan to reachmore disadvantaged farmers through direct contact and through our future train-the-trainer programs.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. Educational event, a precribed fire workshop, with a demonstrationburn, offered to owners of rangeland 2. At least 30 direct and indirect contacts with increased awareness and knowledge about rangeland and forest health. 3. At least 150 acres of rangeland were conditions improved this year. 4. At least 5 rangeland owners who implemented at least one new management practice.

Publications

Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Our first extension program, about improving pastures and forest to benefit livestock and wildlife,was aimed at local farmers in central Missouri. Average farm size and incomes are generally small. Our second extension program, In Touch with Nature, was designed for urbanites; they were introduced to various species of wildlife and to possibilities and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Our third program,showing and releasing hawks on campus, was offered to school children from the Jefferson City, MO, Boys and Girls Club. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Our audience was approximately 30 farm owners from central Missouri. Local farmers were informed about methods used for improving grasslands as wildlife habitats while enhancing their value for cattle production. Information about cost-sharing programs was also available. Deer, turkey, and wildlife habitat specialists fromMissouri Department of Conservation and Lincoln University informed seminar atendees about biology, ecology, and habitat requirements of wildlifeand emphasized similarities between the needs of livestock and those of wildlife. Farmers were also informed about the multitude of cost sharing options available for enhancing farm productivity both for livestock and wildlife, while enhancing ecosystem services such as water retention and filtration, soil protection, resisting invasive species, and biodiversity. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our seminar was advertised though local newspapers, and Missouri Department of Conservation and USDA and NRCS county offices. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?An important management tool for maintaining health and productivity of grasslands is prescribed fire. In March 2016 we will offer a training seminar that will introduce farmers to why, how, and when to safely and effectively use prescribed fire.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During summer of 2015 we prepared, organized, and advertised a 4 hour workshop aimed at local farmers.We collaborated with deer, wild turkey, and wildlife habitat specialists from the Missouri Department of Conservation and we offered a 4 hour seminar about improving wildlife habitats. We also participated at our annual In Touch with Nature even, which attratced over 100 urbanites. We presented various species of Missouri wildlife and various opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Publications

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Our target audience were farmers and other landowners who own cattle and pastures. The RREA program at Lincoln University in Missouri promotes conservation and restoration of native Missouri grasslands. These warm season grasslands are important because they provide habitats for many species of plants, insects, and wildlife. These increase overall health of grasslands and provide benefits to landowners. Native grasses also offer superior nutrition to cattle during the summer months. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Direct (phone and in person meetings) and indirect (mail)contact. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During spring 2015 we will offer a training seminar about maintenance of warm season grasses, focused on prescribed fire and maintenance grazing.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? we prepared wildlife habitat management plans for 7 central Missouri landowners, including conversions to native warm season grasses. Our management recommendations will improve approximately 300 acres of grassland. One of the landowners was particularly interested in having bobwhite quail and high quality summer pasture for cattle established in a field dominated by invasive non-native plants. We arranged several on-site consultation meetings and we also offered several farmers guided visits to one of the best managed grasslands, Prairie Fork Conservation Area. We followed our consultations with written grassland establishment plans which took into account available funding. We made approximately 30 direct and indirect contacts with centralMissouri landowners and helped increase awarness about improtance of healthy grasslands for cattle and wildlife; approximately 20 landowners increased thir knowledge about how toconserve and improve grasslands; approximately 300 acres of land were improved; 7 landowners adopted at least one new management practice.

Publications

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Our target audience were landowners and livestock owners who were concerned about resilience of their pastures and livestock operations after the sever 2012 drought. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? September 5, 2013: Workshop on Native Warm Season Grasses for Missouri Stockmen, at Lincoln University Carver Farm. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Seminar/workshop and personal communication with landowners (e-mail and phone). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Seminar or workshop on prescribed fire for maintenance of native grasslands.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? After the sever drought of 2012, many livestock owners expressed interest in resilient pastures and forage systems. In September 2013 we organized a training seminar to promote restoration of native grasslands and wildlife habitats through soil preparation, seeding, and application of prescribed fire. The seminar presented the objectives, importance, advantages and benefits, timing, and technical aspects of managing native Missouri grasses. When used properly, the native prairies improve quality of food for grazing livestock and provide wildlife habitats. Many landowners realized that prescribed fire is necessary for maintenance of prairies. Invited speakers included personnel from Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri State Parks. Participants consisted of more than 40 landowners who collectively own over 3000 acres in the counties surrounding Jefferson City, MO. During the summer of 2013, we also prepared wildlife habitat management plans for 5 landowners, including conversions to native warm season grasses.

Publications

Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In March 2012, we organized and conducted, together with Missouri Department of Conservation and NRCS, a prescribed fire seminar at Carver Farm, Lincoln University. The seminar introduced landowners to ecological importance, economical benefits, timing, safety issues, tools, and various technical aspects of prescribed fire when used for improving forage quality and wildlife habitats. Invited speakers included personnel from Missouri Department of Conservation and Quails Forever. Participants consisted of approximately 40 landowners who collectively own over 2,000 acres in the surrounding counties. At the end of the seminar the attendees expressed interest in an annual series of seminars on related subjects, such as conversion of cool season non-native fescue to warm season grasses, seeding, rotational grazing, and creation and maintenance of wildlife habitats. Following the seminar, we received requests for designing prescribed burn and wildlife habitat management plans from 5 property owners. PARTICIPANTS: Adrian Andrei, Lincoln University Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science and Office of Cooperative Extension; Jamie Barton, Private Land Conservationist - Callaway & Montgomery Counties, Missouri Dept. of Conservation; TARGET AUDIENCES: Central Missouri landowners (Boone, Cole, Callaway, Montgomery, Osage counties). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Following our prescribed fire seminar, several property owners expressed interest in updated land management methods that would combine improved livestock forage with enhanced wildlife habitats. We received requests from 5 property owners for designing plans for prescribed fire and wildlife habitat improvement during 2012. Unfortunately, the spring of 2012 was warm and rainy, with green fields before prescribed fire could be applied. The summer and fall of 2012 were exceedingly dry and hot, with conditions unfavorable for prescribed fire or other vegetation management. Overall, considering the public's interest in a continued series of seminars, we estimate that approximately 40 farms and 2,000 acres were impacted by our program in 2012.

Publications

• No publications reported this period