Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:• UT-RGV students, staff, and faculty • Existing organic and transitioning farmers in South Texas • New and beginning farmers • Resource Personnel (Agricultural Extension Agents, Vendors, Advisory personnel) • Programs at Hispanic Serving Institutions or other University Institutions interested in replicating participatory research Changes/Problems:During this project period we requested a one year no-cost extension due a cumulation of various factors. In addition to the late start for the project ( with some delay at the establishment of the project period due to a 15-day government shutdown). We only succesfully hired a post-doc research associate beginning January 2014. When this post doc left in May 2015, this resulting in a four month transition before we advertised and successfully hired a qualified replacement in September 2015. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Through this project, we engaged a number of students to engage in various projects releted to the needs of farmers in south Texas. Students contributed to a number of different research projects, some of which resulted in publications and scientific presentations, and participation in field days related to this project. Graduate and undergraduate students received technical training by faculty and staff related to this project, as well as training in extension. These opportunities included internships, travel to professional conferences (such as to the Southern SARE Cover Crop Conference, Texas Organic Farmers and Growers Conference), and participating and presenting at annual farmer meetings. Students also recieved basic training available through the university, including USAJobs.gov training available through the College of Science. Post doctoral scholar involved in this project received various training opportunities associated with professional development as a university employee, and also participated in various workshops for beginning faculty at the university. She attended various seminars available through the BIology Department and the School for Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences. During this project period, she attended a university workshop in Writing and Publishing. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results and progress from this project have been disseminated though various presentations, publications and educational videos,and yearly contributions at the Texas Organic Farmers and Growers Association Annual meeting. This project period there was a strong extension effort on organic farming to producers, including a field day in November 2015, the publication of 9 short instructional videos (available on youtube in English and Spanish), 2 different webinars, and one scientific publication and three conference presentations on high-priority topics for South Texas organic growers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Using this year extension, we will continue with developing discrete farmer driven research projects on weed management and soil health using cover crops. This is one of the more salient, emergent technologies that have multiple potential benefits. In response to this we hired a research associate who can help students design and conduct research leading to new knowledge in this field. We will also augment our publication and extension of our progress and results. This includes reporting on cover crop research, as well as five additional short ATTRA publications (tipsheets) are forthcoming, featuring botanical pesticides that are effective on various pests, all to include the USDA-NIFA Acknowledgement. Targeted audience includes farmers and growers who are members in Texas Organic Farmers and Growers Association (TOFGA), and well as beginning and/or Hispanic farmers and ranchers in south Texas.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We successfully identified high-priority research needs of organic and sustainable farmers and transitioning farmers in South Texas via various surveys, interviews, and informal communications with beginning and established farmers in the region We successfully hired a replacement post doctoral research associate to help manage research and efforts of this project. THe first research associate participated in the project for 16 months, and then landed a tenure track job with the University of Idaho. We successfully hired a second postdoc, chosen based on her ability to address farmer questions about weed control and soil health, which have emerged as a potential tool to deal with subtropical conditions in these areas. Through this project, we have engaged a 8 different students to engage in various projects releted to the needs of farmers in south Texas. Students contributed to a number of different research projects, some of which resulted in publications and scientific presentations. The project was a tremendous success and elevated the role of community engagement across the entire university. The SOAR project was recognized by UTRGV, earning PI Racelis the UTRGV 2015 Faculty Excellence Award in Community Engagement. This project also helped inspire new facilities, new degrees and research tracks at UTRGV. For example, UTRGV now boasts the only certified organic teaching farm on a Texas University Campus across the entire state. Through various publications and educational videos, and yearly contributions at the Texas Organic Farmers and Growers Association Annual meeting this program has increased awareness by Texas crop producers about organic requirements, certification, marketing, processing facilities, enterprise budgets, and production methods.This project period included a field day, and the publication of 9 short instructional videos, 2 different webinars, and one peer-reviewed publication. Under the SOAR Program, 4 farmers have transitioned to certified organic practice, with a total of nearly 750 acres either currently certified organic or under organic transition.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Soti, P.G., S. Rugg, A. Racelis (2016). Potential of Cover Crops in Promoting Mycorrhizal Diversity and Soil Quality in Organic Farms. J. of Agricultural Science 8(8): 42-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jas.v8n8p42
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Savannah Rugg, P.Soti, A. Racelis (2016) On-farm benefits of four warm season cover crops in subtropical organic farms. Southern Cover Crop Conference, Goldsboro, NC. July 18-19
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Amrita Singh, Diana Cantu, P. Soti, and A. Racelis (2016) Using Mycorrhizal fungi to increase productivity in organic farming. Subtropical Agriculture and Environment Society Annual Meeting. Weslaco, TX. Feb. 6
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Subtropical Organic Agriculture Research (SOAR) Partnership Videos. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDu0ElBiEy9x7YyLIpqu8mTdLRuInfMNG

Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:UT-RGV students, staff, and faculty Organic and sustainable farmers in South Texas Resource Personnel (Agricultural Extension Agents, Vendors, Advisory personnel) Programs at Hispanic Serving Institutions or other University Institutionsinterested in replicating participatory research approach Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Insect scouting workshop held November 5, 2014 in partnering farm Hilltop Gardens in Lyford Texas (22 attendees) Two SOAR students and post doctoral research scholar attended 2015 Texas Organic Farmers and Growers meeting in San Antonio TX. Project students and scientists were invited to bepart of a paneldescribing the SOAR project.SOAR partnership-led panel at Texas Organic Farmers and Grower's Association Annual Meeting in San Antonio TX.Panel included student presentations for research, and general overview of the impacts and outcomes to date of the SOAR program How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Information is communicateddirecly in person. Much of our reseach to datewas disseminated directly to them at our annual SOAR PartnershipMeeting held on October 5, 2014. 8 Farms were represented (at total of 15participants). Insect scouting workshop held November 5, 2014 in partnering farm Hilltop Gardens in Lyford Texas (22 attendees Social Media includes Facebook (The SOAR Partnership), Website(www.utpa.edu/agroecology), direct emails,SOAR Listserv,Texas Organic Chronicles (1400+ members), • SOAR Newsletter What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? 3rd Annual SOAR meeting planned for November 5, 2015. Meeting will include SOAR advisor board and UTRGV Administrators. We will work closely with partners at NCAT to develop other communications about the project. We expect graduate student to finish thesis research as part of SOAR program and present this work,at conferences and in scientific publication Complete 3rd annual student survey at UTRGV and complete summary report.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 2nd annual SOAR Partnership Meeting held on October 5, 2014. 8 Farms represented. Undergraduate students presented summaries of their participatory research. Insect scouting workshop held November 5, 2014 in partnering farm Hilltop Gardens in Lyford Texas (22 attendees) Recruited a total of 4 undergraduates and 1 MS student into project.3 UG have graduated of which 2 successfully entered graduate program in agriculture related studies, and other currently technician with the USDA.Students were awarded a scholarship for each semester involved in SOAR and were key participants in research endeavors.Successfully recruited graduate student, who currently is in the second year of MS degree in Biology.Student doing graduate research on subtropical covercrops In summer of 2014 held "meet the buyers" meeting with buyersHEB in San Antonio Texas (August 20) and Whole Foods in Austin TX (August 27).A total of 11 and 13 participants respectively. Identified and formed a 22-member SOAR advisory board of federal and state scientists, extension agents, industry who have agreed to support local area organic farms. Advised 3 SOAR Partners in the certification process, including the processing facilities at Plantation Produce, and Terra Preta Farms (Edinburg TX) and Yahweh All Natural Farms (Harlingen TX).Successful applications were submitted to Nature's International Certification Services, WI. Assisting two other SOAR Partners in the organic certification process:El Sabroso (Jesus Navar, San Benito TX) and Garza Family Farms (Rio Grande City Texas) SOAR partnership-led panel at Texas Organic Farmers and Grower's Association Annual Meeting in San Antonio TX.Panel included student presentations for research, and general overview of the impacts and outcomes to date of the SOAR program Inaugurated the UTRGV Certified Organic Agroecology Garden and Greenhouse, first certified organic garden on a Texas university campus (October 2014) (No NIFA funds were spent on the construction of the garden, although grant funding was used as an impetus for such as space on campus)Currently, the 12000 sq ft space is used for demonstration plots for ongoing research carried out in partnering farms. Spring 2015--Completed 2nd annual survey designed to rank awareness of the ecological benefits of organic farming on the UTRGV campus. This past summer (2015) helped negotiate separate agreements between 2 partnering farms and local hospitals/health agencies in a farm to work program.Doctors Hospital at Renaissance is has agreed to sponsor Terra Preta Farms, and the Texas Health and Human Services (Children and Pregnant Women Program) is currently in negotiations with Yahweh All Natural Farms. Site visit by Whole Foods officials (July2015) to partnering farm in Lyford TX. < >

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Moreno C. and A. Racelis. 2015. Attraction, Repellence, and Predation: The Role of Companion Plants in Regulating Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphidae) in Organic Kale Systems of South Texas. Southwestern Entomology 40 (1) : 1-14
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Morris, M., C. Moreno, and A. Racelis. (2014) Brassica Pests and their Natural Enemies: A Field Guide For Texas Organic Farmers. National Center for Appropriate Technology (Butte, MT) (Published for Local Distribution, 25 pp)
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Maggiani, R. (2014) Organic Specialty Crop Production in Texas: A Growers Handbook. ATTRA Publication (retrieved from: https://attra.ncat.org/...-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=474)

Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: · UTPA University community, including students, faculty and staff · Local area farmers, especially those interested in transition to organic agriculture · Agricultural stakeholders, including consumers, extension agents, producers, processors, vendors, certifiers, in Texas and subtropical US, · Other universities interested in integration of education, research and extension efforts, especially in organic/sustainable agriculture. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? · Recruited and hired one research associate to manage research and collaborative efforts with Co-PI’s. Dr. Carlo Moreno began as a full time Post-doctoral Research Scientist in January 2014 and is committed 100% of time and effort to the SOAR program · Recruited 2 undergraduate students for research internships to conduct short-term stakeholder driven research projects. Mr. Ricardo Marez and Ms. Heather Hernandez began with the SOAR program in January 2014 and will continue as undergraduate interns through to their expected graduation in December 2014. Both students received a USDA-NIFA-ORG SOAR scholarship of $3500 in the spring 2014. · Recruited one qualified masters student into UTPA’s Department of Biology to conduct long-term stakeholder driven agroecological research during project period. Ms. Savannah Rugg has been accepted into the program and will begin as a full time MS student in Fall 2014. · Engage UTPA students in carrying out practical field research aimed at answering real-world problems faced by organic and transitioning producers. Students are currently working on four projects: (1) a survey of insect fauna in organic-certified kale production; (2) a comparison of the effectiveness of flame-weeding and hand weeding; (3) an exploration of 6 different heirloom tomato varieties that are both heat- and disease tolerant, i.e. appropriate for cultivation in south Texas; and (4) a comparison of the effectiveness of 4 different summer cover-crop treatments to suppress weed pressure. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Wide dissemination of SOAR progress: a. On October 15, Dr. Racelis spoke at an event at the UTPA Farmers Market Workshop (sponsored by NIFA-FMPP) highlighting our programs objectives. Several farmers were in attendance that eventually participated in our November stakeholder meeting. b. Robert Maggiani (NCAT) spoke about organic farming at three annual meetings: the Texas Certified Market Association (in Seguin, TX), Texas Olive Oil Growers’ Association (in San Antonio, TX), and Fort Bend Vegetable Growers (in Rosenberg, Texas). *Not funded through this SOAR project. c. On January 31, Dr. Alex Racelis was invited as a guest speaker in a panel arranged by NCAT at the Texas Organic Farmers and Grower’s Association Annual Meeting in Houston, TX. d. NCAT staff met with senior managers from H-E-B Grocery (on April 3, in San Antonio) and Whole Foods (April 17, in Austin). Among other topics of discussion, NCAT made them aware of our SOAR partnership and efforts to increase organic production in Texas. e. SOAR partnership with Plantation Produce referenced in a GO TEXAN insert in this April 6-13 week’s edition of THE PACKER. f. On April 30, NCAT hosted a reception in San Antonio for members of the National Organic Standards Board. The SOAR program was showcased among attendees. g. SOAR program was highlighted in a USDA Strikeforce Taskforce visit to UTPA May 11. h. Invited presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America meeting (held in August 10-15, 2014 in Sacramento CA) highlighting the SOAR program. Presentation is part of an Organized Symposium titled “Agroecology and its Application”. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? · Annual meeting with farmer/grower partners to held in late September to disseminate research advances and redefine research questions to pursue during the 2 discrete growing seasons in south Texas · Continue to participate in the co-generation of agricultural knowledge with core group of organic or sustainable growers in south Texas · Work closely research associate to manage research and collaborative efforts with farmer partners and NCAT. · In December 2014 recruit new undergraduate students for research internships to conduct short-term stakeholder driven research projects. · Retain masters student (Savannah Rugg) who will conduct long-term stakeholder driven agroecological research as part of MS thesis. · Continue to engage UTPA students in carrying out practical field research aimed at answering these questions and solving real-world problems faced by organic and transitioning producers. · Add a strong experiential learning component focused on organic agriculture and agroecology to the Biology program at UTPA. · Give students a deep and meaningful experience that includes making a positive impact on agriculture, the economy, and the environment in South Texas. · Raise awareness by students, faculty, and community members, of the ecological benefits of organic farming, including its benefits for biodiversity. · Increase awareness by Texas crop producers about organic requirements, certification, marketing, processing facilities, enterprise budgets, and production methods. · Broadly disseminate research results to producers, educators, and agency staff via publications (in both English and Spanish), videos, webinars, and workshops. · Increase usage by Texas specialty crop growers of the free resources and technical assistance ervices available through NCAT’s ATTRA Project and San Antonio-based office. · Continue with evaluation of all project activities for their impact on knowledge, behavior, and attitudes. · Evaluate the suitability of this educational model for replication in other places. · Continue to foment and build interdisciplinary partnership between UTPA and the National Center for Appropriate Technology.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? · A key outcome of the November 20 meeting was the identification of critical research questions for organic and transitioning farmers in South Texas. This was accomplished through interviews and surveys of local farmers and growers. · Through a participatory process (largely voluntary from the farmer) we’ve identified a core group of organic or sustainable growers in south Texas interested in participating in the identification of research gaps. This list includes certified organic growers such as Plantation Produce (Mission, TX), Hilltop Gardens (Lyford, TX), as well as transitioning growers such as Yahweh Farms (Harlingen, TX), Gracia Farms (San Benito, TX), and Terra Preta Farms (Edinburg TX). · Recruited and hired one research associate to manage research and collaborative efforts with Co-PI’s. Dr. Carlo Moreno began as a full time Post-doctoral Research Scientist in January 2014 and is committed 100% of time and effort to the SOAR program · Recruited 2 undergraduate students for research internships to conduct short-term stakeholder driven research projects. Mr. Ricardo Marez and Ms. Heather Hernandez began with the SOAR program in January 2014 and will continue through to their expected graduation in December 2014. · Recruited one qualified masters student into UTPA’s Department of Biology to conduct long-term stakeholder driven agroecological research during project period. Ms. Savannah Rugg has been accepted into the program and will begin as a full time MS student in Fall 2014. · Engage UTPA students in carrying out practical field research aimed at answering real-world problems faced by organic and transitioning producers. Students are currently working on four projects: (1) a survey of insect fauna in organic-certified kale production; (2) a comparison of the effectiveness of flame-weeding and hand weeding; (3) an exploration of 6 different heirloom tomato varieties that are both heat- and disease tolerant, i.e. appropriate for cultivation in south Texas; and (4) a comparison of the effectiveness of 4 different summer cover-crop treatments to suppress weed pressure. · Provide technical support to participating stakeholders a. In early April we provided technical assistance to Hilltop Gardens, which experienced severe insect damage by army worms and aphids. b. We also provided technical assistance to Terra Preta Farms, who had severe impacts by rabbits and crop losses due to leaf-cutter ants. c. Provided technical assistance via NCAT to Plantation Produce in terms of the organic certification of their processing plant. · Add a strong experiential learning component focusing on organic agriculture and agroecology to the Biology program at UTPA through the establishment of 8,000 sq ft. research and teaching garden on campus. No NIFA funds were spent on the construction of the garden, although grant funding was used as an impetus for such as space on campus. However, it is mentioned here since the garden will undoubtedly direct attitudes of students toward awareness of issues and careers in agriculture and is an example of UTPA ‘s co-investment in programs such as these. Part of the campus garden will be certified organic, and will be used for research in this program. · Begun preliminary evaluation of project activities for their impact on knowledge, behavior, and attitudes toward sustainable and organic agriculture at UTPA. This is done in close collaboration with Mr. Al Kurki, evaluation specialist at NCAT. a. Campus survey at UT-Pan American (including questions about organic food and the ecological benefits of organic farming) ran for about a month and ended on April 25. A total of 512 responses were collected. b. As part of Earth Week at UTPA, NCAT partners offered a booth at the Student Union, coordinated with the campus Office for Sustainability, and provided information about organic farming as part of Earth Week activities on the UT-Pan American campus. · Launched a new interdisciplinary partnership between UTPA and the National Center for Appropriate Technology. UTPA and NCAT have met several times to discuss and plan our methods, and have spoken by phone at least once a month for periodic updates. · Wide dissemination of SOAR progress: a. On October 15, Dr. Racelis spoke at an event at the UTPA Farmers Market Workshop (sponsored by NIFA-FMPP) highlighting our programs objectives. Several farmers were in attendance that eventually participated in our November stakeholder meeting. b. Robert Maggiani (NCAT) spoke about organic farming at three annual meetings: the Texas Certified Market Association (in Seguin, TX), Texas Olive Oil Growers’ Association (in San Antonio, TX), and Fort Bend Vegetable Growers (in Rosenberg, Texas). *Not funded through this SOAR project. c. On January 31, Dr. Alex Racelis was invited as a guest speaker in a panel arranged by NCAT at the Texas Organic Farmers and Grower’s Association Annual Meeting in Houston, TX. d. NCAT staff met with senior managers from H-E-B Grocery (on April 3, in San Antonio) and Whole Foods (April 17, in Austin). Among other topics of discussion, NCAT made them aware of our SOAR partnership and efforts to increase organic production in Texas. e. SOAR partnership with Plantation Produce referenced in a GO TEXAN insert in this April 6-13 week’s edition of THE PACKER. f. On April 30, NCAT hosted a reception in San Antonio for members of the National Organic Standards Board. The SOAR program was showcased among attendees. g. SOAR program was highlighted in a USDA Strikeforce Taskforce visit to UTPA May 11. h. Invited presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America meeting (held in August 10-15, 2014 in Sacramento CA) highlighting the SOAR program. Presentation is part of an Organized Symposium titled “Agroecology and its Application”.

Publications