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Title: CONSERVATION TILLAGE TRAINING FOR GEORGIA'S COUNTY AGENTS

Author
item HAWKINS, G - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item LEE, R - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item GASKIN, J - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item Reeves, Donald
item JAYARANTNE, KS - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item GLENDON, H - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item BARRENTINE, R - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/19/2006
Publication Date: 7/9/2006
Citation: Hawkins, G.L., Lee, R.D., Gaskin, J., Reeves, D.W., Jayarantne, K.U., Glendon, H.H., Barrentine, R. 2006. Conservation tillage training for Georgia's County Agents. 2006 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting, July 9-12, 2006, Portland, Oregon.

Interpretive Summary: As conservation agriculture acreage in the Southeast continues to increase, County Extension agents in Georgia identified a critical need for training in conservation tillage to meet the information needs of producers. A multi-disciplinary conservation tillage educational Task Force, comprised of University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UGA-CAES) staff, USDA-NRCS personnel, USDA-ARS research scientists from the J. Phil Campbell Sr. Natural Resource Conservation Center, Watkinsville, GA, and the Conservation Systems Research Team, Auburn AL developed a training program for Georgia’s county agents. A survey of the county agents was conducted to determine specific training needs and attitudes towards CT. The survey indicated most county agents had a positive attitude towards CT systems, but their knowledge was weak in differences between CT systems and conventional systems in terms of: economic inputs, equipment, changes in soil quality and fertility, effects on yields and quality of different commodities, and specifics on how to implement CT practices. Based on the survey, the Task Force developed tailored educational modules and conducted training to improve the knowledge level of conservation agriculture for the 90 county agents with agronomic responsibilities in GA. Post-evaluation showed agents significantly improved their knowledge related to soil, water, and agronomic management practices in conservation tillage systems. 96% of agents rated the training ‘excellent’ and 98% would recommend the program to other agents. This program proved an excellent means to relay USDA-ARS technologies and research results, and resulted in the development of 90 specialists who are now trained to promote the use of environmentally and economically sustainable conservation practices on 2.3 million acres of cropland in Georgia.

Technical Abstract: Farmer interest in conservation tillage (CT) has increased with rising fuel prices, the new Conservation Security Program, and desire for improved resource stewardship. Research has shown that farmer’s see maximum benefit to CT if it is part of a cropping system that includes cover crops and crop rotation. The CT system best suited for a particular operation will vary with the crop, site, soils, and other factors. Many county extension agents in Georgia indicated they needed further training to meet the informational needs of their farmers. Consequently, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences created a multi-disciplinary conservation tillage educational task force to develop a training program. The College recognized the need for input from other agencies that had extensive experience in conservation and management of natural resources. The task force includes UGA-CAES faculty, USDA-NRCS personnel, USDA-ARS research scientists, and non-governmental representatives. A survey of the county agents was conducted to determine specific training needs and attitudes towards CT. The survey indicated most county agents had a positive attitude towards CT systems, but their knowledge was weak on the differences between CT systems and conventional systems in terms of: inputs, equipment, changes in soil quality and fertility, effects on yields and quality of different commodities, and specifics on how to implement CT practices. The survey also indicated that more information on the economics of CT systems was needed. Agents preferred a combination of classroom and field training. The results of the survey were used to develop specific training modules with the purpose of improving the knowledge level of county agents on conservation tillage systems.