Transcript PAZ-SECC Extension

SECC Extension Activities and
Status of AgroClimate
Joel O. Paz
Department of Biological and
Agricultural Engineering
University of Georgia
Cast of Contributors
 Auburn : Jim Novak
FSU : David Zierden, Melissa Griffin
NCSU : Gail Wilkerson, Ryan Boyles
UAH : John Christy
UF : Clyde Fraisse, Keith Ingram
UGA : Joel Paz, Pam Knox, Carrie Furman,
Carla Roncoli, David Stooksbury
UM : Norman Breuer
Land Grant Universities
Mission: Teaching, Research, and Extension
Extension Service
 Smith-Lever Act
 Established in 1914, Cooperative Extension was designed as a
partnership of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the
land-grant universities, which were authorized by the Federal
Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890.
 Legislation in the various States has enabled local
governments or organized groups in the Nation's counties to
become a third legal partner in this education endeavor.
Extension Service
 Organization
 County Coordinator and Extension Agents
Supported by both University (State & Federal) and
County funds
Experts in multiple commodities and disciplines, including
both crops and livestock
 Direct link to growers and producers
 District Director
 District Program Development Coordinator
 Extension Specialist
Commodity or discipline specialists
Partnership with Key Extension
Personnel
 The key to effective dissemination of
climate-based information to growers
is the partnership of the SECC and the
Cooperative Extension Service of LandGrant Universities.
Interaction with Stakeholders
Web-based DSS
www.AgroClimate.org
Interaction with Stakeholders
Extension and Outreach
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Winter school
AgroClimate Workshops
Stakeholder meetings
Sunbelt Expo
Press releases
Impact Assessment
AgClimate
AgroClimate
First Online Version
 AgClimate goes
online during the
last quarter of
2004
 Most of 2005 was
spend developing
content for the
system: decision
support tools and
adaptation
strategies
Centerpieces: Climate tool and
Crop yield tool
Climate and Agricultural Outlooks
• Outlooks are
delivered 6 - 12 times
a year and have been
very successful with
stakeholders
Ag Outlook Contributors
Research and Extension Faculty
Agronomists (Cotton, Peanut, Corn, Soybean)
Plant Pathologists (Row Crops/Fruits)
Horticulturists
Forage Specialist
Application of Climate Outlook
SECC Outlooks in the SE Farm Press
AgClimate 2007
 Hosting, maintenance,
and development
responsibilities have
been transferred to
University of Florida
Extension.
AgroClimate
AgroClimate Tools
 Climate
 Climate Risk
 Freeze Risk
 Cooling/Heating Degree Days
 Drought
 Keetch-Byram Drought Index
(KBDI)
 Lawn & Garden Index
 Crop Yield
 County Yield Database
 Yield Risk
 Irrigation Tool
 Crop Development
 Growing Degree Days
 Chill Accumulation
 Pests & Diseases (2008-09)
 Strawberry
 TSWV (peanuts)
Recent Developments - Climate
 Cooling and
heating degree
days forecast
based on ENSO
phase for all
counties in
Alabama, Florida,
and Georgia
Recent Developments – Crop Yield
 Improved (and
simplified) crop
yield risk tool
incorporates
suggestions
received from
Extension faculty
during hands-on
workshops.
 Peanut, Potato,
and Tomato
Better chances of high yield
if planted earlier during La
Nina years
AgroClimate – Spanish Version
AgroClimate
New Mexico State University
Development of a disease forecast system for
strawberries as a tool on AgroClimate
 Main Goal: Develop and
deliver a disease
forecasting system to
predict Anthracnose and
Botrytis fruit rot
epidemics on
strawberries on
AgroClimate.org
 Funding Agency: USDARMA
UF-IFAS Climate Extension
Reducing Forage Producers Drought
Vulnerability in the Southeastern USA
 Main Goal: Develop and
deliver a drought
monitoring and
forecasting system
designed to help forage
producers in the
southeastern U.S. adapt
and mitigate risks
associated with climate
variability
 Funding Agency: NOAA
UF-IFAS Climate Extension
Determination of Carbon Footprint Baselines for
Florida Strawberry Production and
Transportation Systems
 Main Goal: To determine
emission baselines of
strawberry production in
Florida and prepare
producers to respond to
market pressures regarding
the potential impact of
their production systems on
climate
 Funding Agency: Florida
Strawberry Growers
Association
UF-IFAS Climate Extension
SECC Extension in NC
Bringing NC to AgroClimate.org
Evaluation of historical climate data
Analysis of ENSO phase and crop yield
Crop model simulations
NCSU Team Development
Recruiting extension specialists
Planning for workshops in 2009
Climate Change Extension
 Interest of Extension Agents
in climate change is growing:
 IPCC report
 Weather extremes in recent
years (hurricanes, drought)
 Carbon resource management
 Concern about sea level rise,
invasive species
 2-day In-service training for
Extension Agents planned for
February 2009 at the
University of Florida
Opportunities for Climate Extension
 Development of climate extension as a core program
in every land-grant institution
 Better integration with research, extension, and
assessment for planning and setting priorities
 Increased visibility among various stakeholders
 Wider acceptance and use of climate information to
lower risk and increase agricultural production
Thank you!
Farmer Joe’s Questions
La Niña
El Niño