Grower Participation Research Articles

Techno‐economic assessment of single‐stream feedstock logistics supply chain for corn stover and grain

AbstractThe state‐of‐technology for corn stover harvest is a multi‐pass system that collects the stover after grain harvest. An alternative is a single‐stream system where the grain and stover are harvested as a bulk material co‐stored and preserved by anerobic fermentation, and finally, co‐transported to a biorefinery. In the present work, four single‐pass whole‐plant bulk systems were compared with a conventional multi‐pass bale system. The single‐stream systems consisted of the harvest of corn grain and a portion of the stover fraction. Four machine configurations were simulated. This work predicted that a multi‐pass bale system would result in a material cost of 111.80 $2021 Mg–1 stover DM delivered to the biorefinery gate. Alternatively, the lowest cost single‐stream system was the self‐propelled forage harvester (SPFH) configured with the whole‐plant header, which delivered feedstock for 74.76 $2021 Mg stover DM–1. In addition to machine configuration, a sensitivity analysis was performed to understand important drivers of feedstock cost. These analyses revealed that feedstock cost increased with moisture content, fertilizer price, and biorefinery size, and decreased with harvest season length, crop yield, and grower participation. This work demonstrated that single‐stream systems could reduce corn stover feedstock costs in comparison with state‐of‐technology systems. © 2022 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A Regional, Honey Bee-Centered Approach Is Needed to Incentivize Grower Adoption of Bee-Friendly Practices in the Almond Industry

Managed and wild bee populations contribute over $15 billion in pollination services to US agriculture, yet both are declining or becoming increasingly vulnerable to parasites and disease. The loss of healthy and diverse forage is a key driver in bee declines, so incentivizing land managers to adopt diversified bee-friendly management practices such as forage plantings and reduced pesticide use can directly increase food security, pollinator health, and farmer adaptive capacity. To better understand what might incentivize growers to adopt bee-friendly practices, we conducted a survey of California almond growers, whose orchards are entirely dependent on bee pollination and draw nearly 88% of US bee colonies each February to pollinate almond bloom. We asked 329 respondents across all major almond growing regions of CA about their adoption rate and incentives for planting cover crops, pollinator habitat, and practicing the recommended and legally required bee-friendly best management practices, as well as their interest in bee-friendly certification programs. Using a model selection framework, we evaluated which geographic, social, operational, and pollination-service related factors were predictive of bee-friendly practice adoption. We found that no single factor was a statistically significant predictor of adoption across all models, suggesting there is no silver bullet determining bee-friendly practice adoption. However, we discovered that region and concerns about future pollination services consistently emerged as important factors related to all the practices we investigated, except the adoption of legally required BMPs. These findings suggest that a regionally flexible pollinator conservation strategy focused on supporting honey bee colonies might have the highest likelihood of grower participation and adoption.

Sustainability partnerships and viticulture management in California

Agricultural regions in the United States are experimenting with sustainability partnerships that, among other goals, seek to improve growers' ability to manage their vineyards sustainably. In this paper, we analyze the association between winegrape grower participation in sustainability partnership activities and practice adoption in three winegrowing regions of California. Using data gathered from a survey of 822 winegrape growers, we find a positive association between participation and adoption of sustainable practices, which holds most strongly for practices in which the perceived private benefits outweigh the costs, and for growers with relatively dense social networks. We highlight the mechanisms by which partnerships may catalyze sustainable farm management, and discuss the implications of these findings for improving sustainability partnerships. Taken together, we provide one of the most comprehensive quantitative analyses to date regarding the effectiveness of agricultural sustainability partnerships for improving farm management.

Quality perception of organically grown tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in Vienna, Austria

Austria is one of the major organic tomato producing countries for local and export marketing. These tomatoes are produced in parts of Austria especially around Vienna where their production system has to meet stringent organic quality standards in both local and international markets. These quality standards may put considerable strain on farmers and are normally formulated without famers’ participation so may not be wholly representative of the farmers’ quality interpretation. The aim of this paper is therefore to determine the Austrian organic tomatoes growers’ perception and practice of quality and challenges. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out among 28 organic tomatoes farmers in Vienna, Austria. Findings suggest that quality of organic tomatoes is mainly perceived in terms of both informal values (big fruit size, long shelf life, food security and amount of income received from tomato sales) as well as formal norms (non- application of chemicals, human health, damage free, sweet taste, red colour, and juiciness). There were no gendered differences in quality perception among the growers. High costs of production inputs were identified as the main challenge to attaining quality in organic tomatoes. Following these findings, there is need for effective participation of growers in formulation of standards as well as subsidizing of production inputs by the government. The Austrian tomato growers as well as local and international retailers should work closely to increase the price received by the Austrian organic tomato growers so that it more adequately covers their production costs.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 5 (2): 16-20, December, 2015

Network-smart extension could catalyze social learning

Social learning, learning from others, has value in extending knowledge about farm management through networks of growers. Exactly how much value depends on the structure of the networks. We employed social network analysis to study knowledge networks and social learning in three American Viticulture Areas in California: Central Coast, Lodi and Napa Valley. In a survey, growers confirmed that experiential and social learning are more useful for accessing information about farm management than formal learning. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension (UCCE) was found to be well positioned to access and spread knowledge through the grower networks but a bottleneck exists — many knowledge-sharing relationships and relatively few staff. We also found that grower participation in traditional outreach activities, e.g., meetings and demonstrations, is a strong predictor of their number of knowledge-sharing relationships, so UCCE and other agricultural support organizations have an important role to play in strengthening networks. Several network-smart extension strategies might help alleviate the bottleneck and rewire networks to more efficiently connect those with questions to those with solutions.

Strengthening the performance of farming system groups: perspectives from a Communities of Practice framework application

Farming system groups are fast emerging as key players in the generation and sharing of farmer relevant information in agriculture. These are groups of farmers who, in association with broader agricultural industry members, are involved in conducting locally relevant research and extension activities. The strength of these groups to a large extent depends on the voluntary cooperative participation of growers in group activities. This paper draws on case studies of farming system groups in Western Australia and applies the Communities of Practice (CoP) framework to understand their role and effectiveness in addressing the information needs of growers. The paper adopts the CoP model to study and analyse the emergence, evolution and role of the groups as farmer learning structures and discusses aspects that could play a key role in impacting their effectiveness. The results highlight that community-based local groups are more effective at impacting member engagement in group activities and more readily serve the specific information needs of farmers. Large geographically dispersed groups on the other hand need more effort in terms of connecting members, promoting interactions, building interpersonal relationships, ensuring members to understand and support a clear and defined joint enterprise and meeting a broad range of information.

ON-FARM CITRUS TRIALS IN AUSTRALIA: EFFECTIVE EXTENSION FOR COMMERCIAL ASSESSMENT

Many products and practices have been promoted to the citrus industry and little is known about their performance under Australian conditions. Some of these products have been trialled within Australia. Performance of some of these products on-farm has been highly variable causing confusion in the industry. The variability could be due to differences in site (e.g. soil, climate, variety) and/or management (e.g. irrigation, nutrition). This project examines the on-farm cost-benefit of a number of citrus practices that have been promoted to industry. The project utilizes active learning principles by facilitating grower participation with trials (planning, maintenance and reporting). Over 20 trials have been implemented in the past two seasons. Trials included ground and foliar potassium applications, pruning, foliar fruit size sprays, kaolin clay foliar sprays and crop regulation practices. Trials have resulted in cost savings with reduced potassium application. The project developed tools and methods to enable efficient and effective in-field collection and analysis of data. This enabled the project to implement more trials. Single tree replicated trials (RCBD) are the favoured method to conduct trials. Grower feedback has been very positive indicating that it has helped them make improved and cost effective management decisions. On-farm trials are a very effective extension method to obtain fast assessment and adoption of best management practices suited to site conditions.

Best Management Practices and Long-Term Water Quality Trends in the Everglades Agricultural Area

The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) in South Florida, part of the historical Everglades, was initially drained in the early 20th century for agriculture and flood protection. The organic soils have been subject to subsidence caused by organic matter oxidation. Soils are deeper east of Lake Okeechobee compared to soils south of the lake. The area is mostly planted to sugarcane and other crops such as rice, vegetables, and sod. Concerns about quality of water leaving the EAA led to a regulatory program for mandatory best management practices (BMP) since 1995 to reduce phosphorus (P) loads out of the EAA by 25% compared to historical levels. The program is highly successful, with 100% grower participation and exceeding P load reduction required by law. Trend analysis conducted on selected EAA farms, subbasins, and whole basin show, in general, decreasing trends in P concentrations, drainage flow, and P loads. Differences are noted between farms and subbasins due to factors that include rainfall distribution, water management practices, irrigation water quality, soil type/depth, and cropping systems. Water management practices were the dominant factors affecting P loads out of the EAA. Water management research that targets farms with deeper soils is recommended to achieve additional P load reductions. Other practices to improve BMP performance include minimizing generation and transport of sediments from farm canals. The quality of irrigation water from Lake Okeechobee is of concern of its impact on BMP performance.

The Interaction of Global Value Chains and Rural Livelihoods: The Case of Smallholder Raspberry Growers in Chile

This paper integrates aspects of global value chain and sustainable rural livelihoods analyses in an exploration of the local impacts of agri-food globalization in Chile. In particular, it examines the evolution of the raspberry export sector in the context of Chile's non-traditional agricultural export boom, and considers its importance to smallholder growers and rural households in central Chile. The paper first outlines the geography and structural configuration of the global value chain for Chilean raspberries, and considers modes of governance and forms of coordination between key actors within the chain. Second, the terms and implications of smallholder grower participation in the value chain are explored in a discussion of access to key livelihoods assets. The paper concludes that institutional support to smallholders, even in the case of a crop that is widely seen to have a small-scale ‘size bias’, remains integral to their capacity to comply with required safety and quality standards and gain and retain market access via the value chain.

Extending agroecology: Grower participation in partnerships is key to social learning

The extension of agroecology requires an alternative extension pedagogy. Agroecology is more than merely the promotion of new technologies or practices, but rather a fresh understanding of how to optimize the configuration of biological and technological components of farming systems informed by ecological principles. This necessarily requires a shift in roles among growers and extensionists so that they can actively participate in networks of social learning. Agro-environmental partnerships have emerged in California as the primary strategy for extending alternative, agroecological knowledge in conventional agriculture. Partnerships are an intentional, multi-year relationship among at least growers, a growers' organization, and one or more scientists to extend agroecological knowledge and protect natural resources through a field-scale demonstration. Partnerships have been particularly successful in perennial crop farming systems, and have played critical roles in helping California's almond and pear growers to reduce organophosphate use by over 75%. This study provides a cross partnership comparison of grower participation in partnerships and proposes a five-part typology to rank this.

Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) of pome fruits in Hungary: national phytosanitary measures and management of the disease

After the first detection of Erwinia amylovora in Hungary, as a result of an intensive survey started in spring 1996, it was concluded that the incidence of fireblight was highest in a zone 10–30 km wide and 200–250 km long near the southern and south‐eastern border. The disease was concentrated in the Békés, Bács‐Kiskun and Csongrád counties. Isolated infection foci were, however, also found in Baranya county. In 1997, further spread of the disease was recorded. Only three of the 19 counties could be considered as free from the disease. The disease attacked nine major host plants, but the majority of infected plants were quince and pear. During the eradication campaign in 1996, more than 60 000 trees were uprooted and destroyed across the country. Eradication was performed partly by special work teams and partly with the participation of growers. The pathogen most probably entered Hungary by aerial drift from Romania or Yugoslavia during the previous 2 or 3 years. In the interior of the country, introduction through nursery stock and possibly infested tools, as well as wind and insect movement, cannot be excluded. Major measures to control the disease are discussed.

Effects of grower participation on onion IPM demonstrations

This research asked if growers who participated in demonstrations were different from non-participants, and whether any such differences make an impact on demonstration results. We included a non-participant group as a comparison to our demonstration participants, and use a pretest/post-test comparison to assess change which may occur as a result of the demonstration program in contrast to any pre-existing differences which might exist. The results suggest growers' attitude toward and adoption IPM prior to participating in the demonstration have impacts on demonstration results. These results highlight the importance of considering growers' prior attitudes toward the innovation in interpreting the results of research which is designed to show the effectiveness of the innovation.

Welcome to Reality: An Overview of a Low-input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) Project in Small Fruit

An in-the-trenches researcher/coordinator viewpoint of a northeast regional LISA grant funded from 1989-93 is presented. The specifics of the logistics of coordinating a multi-state grant in a fledgling granting program is emphasized, as well as the evolution of the content and focus of the research directions for the grant Evaluation of Alternative Strategies for Small Fruit Production (Univ. of Vermont Agreement 92-08-01). This was a project in which five states in the northeastern United States proposed to cooperate on a multi-disciplinary project exploring the biological and economic feasibility of selected production practices for small fruit. These practices were selected because they showed potential for increasing net profit by reducing purchased inputs or maximizing yield. Information transfer, before, during, and after the studies was emphasized, using such diverse means as grower experimental plots, the participation of growers in integrated pest management programs, the development and publication of economic data relevant to the projects, the development of a LISA small fruit newsletter, as well as more traditional means of information dissemination such as grower meetings, and trade and scientific publications.

Grower Contributions to the Early Stages of Crop Nutrient Trials with Vegetables

Trials to determine crop nutrients for four vegetable crops grown on the limestone soils of Dade County, Fla., have been conducted in growers' fields to duplicate commercial growing conditions. This has increased grower participation in the experimental process. The four vegetable crops are snap beans, Irish potatoes, sweet corn, and malanga (a.k.a. yautia or tannia, Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott). The discussion will focus on grower participation in various critical decision-making activities: a) location of plots in a commercial field, b) placement of fertilizers, c) possible problems with Restricted Entry Intervals, d) harvest determinations, and e) grading criteria and quality assessment.

Studies on the Fruit and Vegetable Handling System at Farmers' Market in Hawaii

Homestead and organic farming systems are the main sources of commodities sold at farmers' markets in Hawaii. Consumers are attracted because the products are generally accepted as safe and of premium nutritional quality. Markets were frequented by many groups, including senior citizens. Two models were studied in urban and rural Hawaii, respectively, to determine the support systems that make then function properly with special attention to the postharvest technology component of operations. Innovative preparation, presentation, and display methods were observed for bananas, ethnic vegetables, and herbs. Homestead and organic farmers work in the mornings and strict use of shade is significant in maintaining freshness from produce temperature standpoint. Hawaiian fresh produce distribution models that emphasize grower participation as found in this study could rapidly expand the horticultural industry and reduce postharvest losses significantly if adopted by developing countries.

001 COLLABORATIVE LEARNING AND PARTICIPATORY ON-FARM RESEARCH: COVER CROPS AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

A participatory, on-farm research project was initiated in 1992 in an effort to enhance mutual learning, knowledge, and experience of integrating cover crops into western Oregon vegetable production systems. A major goal of the project was to include growers, agribusiness representatives, governmental agency, Extension and university researchers in a collaborative learning process, emphasizing grower participation in the design and implementation of on-farm research and demonstration projects. To facilitate this participation from the planning stage forward, four “focus sessions” were hosted by lead farmers in different areas of the Willamette Valley to define growers' needs and interests relating to on-farm research and demonstration trials. Based on individual growers' specific experimental objectives, cover crop evaluation trials were established on ten farms. Typically on each farm, 5 to 10 cover crop species or mixtures (grain and legume) were planted in large plot strips. Twenty five different cover crop species, varieties, and mixtures were planted. Seasonal cover crop biomass and nitrogen accumulation rates were determined, with cover crop impacts on crop yields and economic returns evaluated at selected sites.

WELCOME TO REALITY: AN OVERVIEW OF A LISA PROJECT IN SMALL FRUIT

An “in the trenches” researcher/coordinator viewpoint of a northeast regional LISA grant which has been funded from 1989-1993 will be presented. The specifics of the logistics of coordinating a multi-state grant in a fledgling granting program will be emphasized, as well as the evolution of the content and focus of the research directions for the grant entitled Evaluation of Alternative Strategies for Small Fruit Production (University of Vermont Agreement No. 92-08-01). This was a project in which five states in the northeastern United States proposed to cooperate on a multi-disciplinary project exploring the biological and economic feasibility of selected production practices for small fruit. These practices were selected because they showed potential for increasing net profit by either reducing purchased inputs or maximizing yield. Information transfer, before, during and after the studies was emphasized, using such diverse means as grower experimental plots, the participation of growers in integrated pest management programs, the development and publication of economic data relevant to the projects, the development of a LISA small fruits newsletter, as well as more traditional means of information dissemination such as grower meetings and trade and scientific publications.

Hay Evaluation Improves Quality and Marketing

Depressed hay prices in 1987 prompted Wyoming hay producer organizations to request marketing assistance from the Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (WCES) and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA). The WCES and the WDA responded by implementing a 2-yr project to analyze and promote quality hay (WYOLIST). Hay quality and marketing improved with fee-based evaluation consisting of a standardized visual appraisal and chemical analysis. Quality of evaluated hay improved significantly from the first to second marketing seasons. However, sharply higher prices for hay, due to diminished supply and increased demand during the second season, reduced grower participation in hay evaluation. Nevertheless, cash premiums were documented for some sale lots of higher quality hay during both marketing seasons.

Development and Implementation of an Extension IPM Program for Long Island

The insect component of an extension integrated pest management (IPM) program for fresh market potato production on Long Island, N.Y., was developed and implemented during 1981–1985. Sampling procedures and preliminary action thresholds for Colorado potato beetles (CPM), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), were developed with data obtained in commercial potato fields during 1981–1983. The use of alternative CPB control procedures was promoted with on-farm demonstrations and by written and oral presentations. Sampling procedures and action thresholds for green peach aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and potato aphids, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), were adopted from those used in potato IPM programs in upstate New York. Grower participation in the scouting program ranged from 8 growers with 130 hectares (ha) in 1982 to 22 growers with 411 ha in 1985. Evaluation of the Long Island potato IPM program was conducted in several ways. Insecticide use by growers was compared wim IPM program recommendations based on action thresholds to determine the extent to which growers followed the recommendations. In 1984 and 1985, growers who followed the recommendations >60% of me time sprayed less often for CPB and aphid control than did the remaining participating growers, while maintaining acceptable levels of insect control. Based on estimated insecticide costs, growers who followed the recommendations >60% of the time saved from 84 to 143 per ha, compared with participating growers who followed me recommendations less often. Two surveys were completed in 1985. One was developed to determine the opinion of participating growers concerning me IPM scouting program and to discover the areas of program operation that needed improvement. Another survey was conducted to determine the impact of all IPM educational activities on commercial potato growers on Long Island.

Título en español.

Se determinó el efecto del virus causante del enanismo en la producción de caña y azúcar de las variedades B. 37161, B. 41227, B. 4362, Co. 421, H. 328560, P.O.J. 2878, P.R. 975, P.R. 980, P.R. 1000 y P.R. 1013. El tratamiento con agua caliente a 50° C. por 3 horas no erradicó el agente etiológico en la mayoría de las variedades; se presume que todas estaban inicialmente infectadas. No obstante, se logró un control muy efectivo, excepto en la Co. 421. En la cosecha combinada, a sea el promedio de la plantilla y dos retoños, el porcentaje de sacarosa fue significativamente mayor en la caña inoculada de las variedades H. 328560 y Co. 421. El tonelaje de caña por acre por cosecha se redujo significativemente como resultado de la inoculación en siete de las variedades. Las variedades afectadas, con sus respectivos por cientos de reducción, fueron las siguientes: B. 37161, 14.6; B. 41227, 11.4; B. 4362, 13.4; Co. 421, 13.6; H. 328560, 16.9; P.R. 980, 20.4 y P.R. 1013, 11.8. Hubo una reducción significativa en las producción de azúcar por acre por cosecha en siete de las variedades como resultado de la merma en el tonelaje de caña debido a la inoculación. Las variedades afectadas, con sus respectivos por cientos de reducción, fueron las siguientes: B. 37161, 12.1; B. 41227, 12.4; B. 4362, 11.2; H. 328560, 12.0; P.R. 975, 9.6; P.R. 980,16.9 y P.R. 1013, 10.2. Hay indicios de que el virus está presente en algunas variedades aunque las mismas no presenten síntomas. Esto parece suceder en el caso de las variedades B. 41227, B. 4362 y P.R. 1013, ya que hubo mermas significativas de caña y azúcar por acre por año mientras la infección detectable en la cosecha combinada de estas tres variedades fue sólo de 3.6, 5.7 y 6.0, respectivamente. La producción de azúcar por acre por cosecha de las variedades Co. 421 y P.R. 1000 no se redujo significativamente a pesar de los altos por cientos de infección (78.8 y 57.9, respectivamente) en la cosecha combinada. El hecho de que la variedad Co. 421 no se afectara significativamente puede atribuirse al aumento significativo en sarcarosa en la caña inoculada y a la infección de los testigos. Las variedades P.R. 1000 y P.O.J. 2878 son consideradas tolerantes al enanismo. La enfermedad, aparentemente, no es causa de los bajos rendimientos de estas variedades. Las variedades H. 328560, P.R. 975, P.R. 980 y P.R. 1013, las cuales sufrieron mermas significativas en la producción de azúcar por acre debido al enanismo, son las únicas entre las 10 inoculadas que recomienda al presente la Estación Experimental. La variedad P.R. 980, la cual ocupa el 60 por ciento del área dedicada a caña, mostró una reducción altamente significativa de 42.4 quintales de azúcar por acre por cosecha como resultado de la inoculación con el agente causal del enanismo. De haber sido ésta una operación comercial, la ganancia del agricultor se hubiera reducido en $170 por acre por cosecha, estimado a base del precio promedio de liquidación de $6.23 por quintal de azúcar cruda para la zafra de 1964-65 cuando la participación del colono fue 64.7 por ciento.