May 2014 Volume 3, Issue 5

FAMU EXTENSION SDA

NEWSLETTER FAMU Cooperative Extension: Reaching. Teaching. Serving.

Inside this issue:

A Student’s

Perspective

2

Hot Pepper

Monthly

3

Knowing Your

Herbs

4

FAMU FARM

FEST 2014

5

Photo Gallery:

Extension

Centennial

Celebration:

Crops Block

Party 2014

***

2014 HACCP

Food Safety

Training

6-10

Upcoming Events 11-15

FAMU

Extension

Faculty/Staff

17

Amelia C. Davis, MBA

SDA Newsletter Editor

USDA Announces Additional Support for Small and Midsized

Farmers and Ranchers Second major small farmer package this year includes research awards, technical assistance and marketing support

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2014 – Today, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional

support and resources for America's small and midsized farmers and ranchers. Today's

announcement includes $7 million in university research awards in support of small and midsized

producers; $8.8 million in technical assistance for small, socially-disadvantaged producers and Rural

Cooperative Centers; and a marketing certification program for small and very small grass-fed beef

producers. This is the second major USDA package this year in support of small and midsized

producers. The first package included efforts to increase access to capital, provide better risk

management tools, expand marketing opportunities, and offer food safety training and educational

resources specific to America's small and midsize producers. Today's announcement builds on these

efforts.

"Small and midsized producers are a vital part of America's agricultural future, and we are dedicated

to ensuring their success," said Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The programs and opportunities announced

today are part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that smaller farmers and ranchers get access to

the resources they need to thrive. USDA is continually reviewing our resources, programs and

policies to make sure we are working for producers of all sizes."

More information about USDA tools and resources available to small and mid-sized farmers,

including information about today's announcement, is available on USDA's Small and Mid-Sized

Farmer Resources webpage.

Efforts announced by the Secretary today include:

$7 million in grant awards to 10 universities to develop programs that will assist small and

medium-sized farmers grow their operations, enhance their production and become

economically viable. These awards, made by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture

(NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Small and Medium-Sized Farms program,

focus on developing models to assist small farmers in their decision making with respect to

management strategies, new technologies, sustainability, competitiveness and viability. These awards

prioritize strategies enhancing access to markets, developing local and regional food systems,

assessing the impact of economic changes to new and beginning farmers, and conducting outreach

activities which can inform relevant public policy to enhance small farmers' well-being. For example,

the University of Illinois received $495,000 to research risk mitigation participation strategies for

small and midsized producers in the advanced biofuel industry, while Oklahoma State University

was awarded $484,000 to research economic development opportunities for small and mid-sized

farms in the local and regional food system. Clarkson University in New York received $499,000 to

study anaerobic digesters for small farms and University of Vermont was awarded $499,662 to

research how to improve the quality of labor management decisions for small and medium-sized

farm operators. A full list of awardees and their projects is available on the NIFA website.

Continue on page 16

“Farm, Animals, Movement, Unity- Research Extension Center”

Farm Life….

Scenic roads and dim lights guide and welcome you to another

wonderful work day full of the treasures that nature brings. Driving

through the gates you get an eye full of the vast growing fields of grass

and vegetables, a nose full of outdoor goodness and an ear full of

animal sounds. For the early morning workers, days at the Florida

A&M University (FAMU) Research Extension Center, known as the

“Quincy Farm” , start bright and early. From the moment they step

foot on the farm’s rich soil, you can sense that the magic has already

taken place. You are blessed to not only experience a beautiful warm

sunrise, but to know that here on the farm, you’re the object of every animal’s desire. As the sounds of stampeding

feet rushes toward you as you fill the troughs and animal feed areas, you step back and watch the animals devour

the feed. Just for that moment, you realize your importance to them, providing for them and making sure they have

all they need. Although they can never tell you how much they appreciate it...somehow you know. This is the job

that we as veterinarians, vet techs, animal care takers, student workers and interns take on each day at the farm. We

help ensure that proper care, maintenance and love is given to our animals and because of this , we have a

successful program and farm facility.

Births…..

Currently residing at the farm, we have a number cows, horses , donkeys, pigs and good number of goats. The

Breeding Program is one of our major projects that each year, through careful planning and monitoring, we look

forward to seeing the offspring of various species. Last winter, we had the pleasure of welcoming 15 beautiful goat

kids, seven winter calves and 15 piglets! Wow, talk about a daycare center! That’s one of the great things about

working here, we get the chance to see generations of animals born right before our eyes.

Facility…. Exciting new projects are unfolding everyday at the farm. The latest project is the construction of our poultry house

facility for the chickens that will be used for husbandry and teaching purposes. These animals will provide the

students with hands-on learning in the poultry sciences and promote environmental awareness in the arena of

poultry processing. We are always searching for new and innovative ways to enhance our facility and promote a

steady flow of learning and education for our students as well as the community. Progress is always taking place

here and it won’t be stopped.

Dianna Smith is a 4th year Animal Science student at Florida A&M University– College of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Page 2 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER

A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Contributor: Dianna Smith

Page 3 Volume 3, Issue 5

* Hot Pepper Monthly * Contributor: Mr. Gilbert Queeley

Sandy Soils: No Problem For Growing Scotch Bonnet (Capsicum chinense) Hot Peppers

Hot Peppers are such hardy plants that they will grow just about anywhere, as long as the right

cultural practices are administered. As most of us will agree, sandy soils can be a challenge for

growing many plants, mostly because of their poor water retention properties. Not only that, but

many sandy soils lack adequate organic matter that provides the natural nutrients required for

optimum plant growth. Many of our farmers, especially those in the surrounding counties of

Jackson, Jefferson, Suwannee and some parts of Gadsden County, are faced with the above

challenges when attempting to grow hot peppers on medium to large scales. This month’s issue is

the introductory version of three articles that focus on the use of plastic mulches and drip irrigation

for growing Scotch Bonnet hot peppers on sandy soils. Sandy soils are not all bad. One of their

advantages is the ease of making beds. The soil structure also facilitates the laying of plastic mulch

either manually, or with a mechanical bed layer. The latter is highly preferred due to its accuracy in

mulch layout and labor saving qualities. The mechanical bed layer also simultaneously lays the drip

irrigation tubing through which your crop is irrigated and ‘fertigated’ simultaneously.

* Scotch Bonnet hot pepper seedlings planted on plastic mulch on sandy soil

Plastic mulches also provide these additional benefits on sandy soils:

they slow down the rate of evaporation keeping water available to your plants.

they reduce weed growth which in turn:

makes more nutrients available to your peppers

limits the build up of dangerous insect pests and diseases and

improves fruit quality by avoiding unsightly dirt particles from accumulating on the fruits

through rain splashes

So once your plastic mulch and drip irrigation system combination is in place, all that’s needed is

regular maintenance, which is basically weekly surveillance for potential problems with insect pests,

diseases and mechanical issues with your irrigation unit. Be on the lookout for future issues of the

hot pepper monthly which will outline:

- the application of fertilizers through drip irrigation tubing (‘fertigation’) and

- the costs and benefits associated with the use plastic mulches for growing hot peppers.

Page 4 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER

Knowing Your Herbs Contributors: Linda Sapp and Trevor Hylton

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

It is employed principally, externally, as spiritus Rosmarini, in hair-lotions, for its odor and effect in

stimulating the hair-bulbs to renewed activity and preventing premature baldness. An infusion of the

dried plant (both leaves and flowers) combined with borax and used when cold, makes one of the best

hair washes. It forms an effective remedy for the prevention of scurf and dandruff.

Rosemary Tea, when taken warm, is a good remedy for headache, colic, colds and nervous diseases.

Rosemary is propagated by seeds, cuttings and layers, and division of roots. Rosemary succeeds best in

a light, rather dry soil, and in a sheltered situation.

Herb of the Month:

Page 5 Volume 3, Issue 5

“Did You Know ?” trivia facts can be found on our

FAMU Extension Facebook page.

Also, follow us on Twitter @FamuExt

Sponsored by:

Florida A&M University

Cooperative Extension Program

215 Perry Paige Building, South

Tallahassee, FL 32307

Office: (850) 599-3546

Fax: (850) 561-2151

TDD: (850) 561-2704

Email: Extension@famu.edu

Registration :

$5– Adults- $2/kids under 18

Children 5 and under free

Early registration available

Reaching. Teaching. Serving.

www.famu.edu/cep

Educational Demonstrations & Presentations

Exhibits

Tours * Health Expo* Food/ Music

Entertainment for all ages

FAMU IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS UNIVERSITY

Page 6 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER

Extension Centennial Celebration:

Crops Block Party 2014

The FAMU/Extension Crops Program celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Extension with a block party on the campus of

FAMU. The event will took place on April 16, 2014 from 9am to 3pm on the corner of West Osceola and Pinder Street at the

FAMU Extension Teleconference Center.

The FAMU Cooperative Extension Program faculty & staff, farmers and agricultural related businesses, including horticulture

and arboriculture, shared the importance of agriculture for food production and other related agricultural industries that help to

improve our lives and quality of life. We like to extend a special “Thank you” to all the participants, vendors and supporters

of FAMU Cooperative Extension.

Agriculture Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Feeding and Beautifying the World"

The Vendors and Exhibit Participants

Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services AAA Tree Service

Tallahassee Nurseries Johnston’s Meats

Page 7 Volume 3, Issue 5

Melva Morfaw, Madison County Extension Agent, at the

Farm and Home Equipment exhibit Linda Sapp, Coordinator of Vet-Tech Program, sets up the

Herbs display

Dr. Alex Bolques, FAMU Extension Agent/Gadsden County,

discuss the Rain Garden display.

Trevor Hylton, FAMU Extension Agent/Leon &Wakulla

County discusses Gardening and Herbs with FAMU students

FAMU student and CRD Team member, Andrew Jackson,

works on their display Gilbert Queeley, Research Associate and Angela McKenzie-

Jakes, Program Leader, at the Small Ruminant Program

display.

Page 8 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER

Reaching.

Teaching.

Serving.

FAMU Cooperative Extension …..

Page 9 Volume 3, Issue 5

A special “Thank you” to the FAMU/CAFS family, Tallahassee

community and Big-Bend area, for your support!

Page 10 Volume 3, Issue 5

2014 HACCP Food Safety Training Program

April 28-29, 2014

Quincy, FL- On April 28, 2014, Florida A&M University (FAMU) conducted its annual Hazard Analysis and

Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety training at its FAMU Quincy Farm Teleconference Center. The

objective of this two-day HACCP workshop was to train food service processors, producers, and students in

practices that will minimize potential food borne hazards and ensure improvement in the safety of food served and

consumed in their respective areas. At this year’s workshop, Dr. Keawin Sarjeant, presented the welcome and

opening remarks on behalf of the Dean Dr. Robert Taylor, who is the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Food

Sciences (CAFS) at Florida A&M University. Mrs. Vonda Richardson, Associate Director of Cooperative

Extension at Florida A&M University welcomed the participants to the FAMU Research and Extension Center on

behalf of the Cooperative Extension Program at FAMU .

Page 11 Volume 3, Issue 5

UPCOMING EVENTS

Come and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of

the Smith-Lever Act: “The Birth of

Cooperative Extension “ with

FAMU Extension at “ The Quad”

On the campus of Florida A&M University

Thursday, May 8, 2014

1 pm — 3 pm

FAMU Cooperative Extension

Reaching. Teaching. Serving.

Page 12 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER

What will you learn from the Urban Food Gardeners? Small garden formats (space utilization)

Cultivation strategies

Irrigation strategies

Planting of seasonal vegetables

Harvesting strategies

Weeding strategies &Pest management strategies

For more information, contact:

Sandra Thompson (850) 599-3546/sandra.thompson@famu.edu

Trevor Hylton (850) 599-3546/ trevor.hylton@famu.edu

CYFAR Program/ Funded by:

Learn from Urban Food Gardeners

May 17, 2014

9:00 am – 1:00 pm

FAMU Community Gardens

2001 W. Orange Ave.

Tallahassee, FL

Health Screening Face Painting for

Kids

Get your free ticket to win a Fresh Vegetable Food Basket (30 available)

Page 13 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER

Hosted By:

Florida small farmers who cannot attend the conference due to financial hardship have the opportunity to apply for a

registration scholarship. Up to a $150 value, the scholarship covers the cost of a full conference registration. Other

costs associated with the conference such as travel, lodging, and incidentals are not covered under the registration

scholarship and will be the responsibility of the individual.

Applications will be reviewed in the order received by a committee composed of small farm producers and university

extension faculty. Priority will be given to first time conference attendees. Past winners are not eligible and all

scholarship recipients must be 18 years of age or older. Scholarship recipients name and Florida County will be posted

on the conference website.

The number of scholarship that can be awarded will depend on the total amount of donations received for this

purpose.

Florida small farmers applying should complete the application and send by June 1 for consideration.

Applicants will be notified by June 23. Awardees will be required to complete a registration within one week of

notification to confirm scholarship acceptance (by June 30).

Registration Scholarship Info

Online registration information coming soon!

Check out website: http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms/index.html

Page 14 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER

The Forestry and Conservation Education

(FACE) summer program runs from June 9 –

20, 2014 on Florida A&M University Campus.

The program offers teenagers from Gadsden/

Surrounding counties many varied field related

forestry and natural sciences excursions.

Stipend Fun‐filled trips Certificate of participation

Contact:

Conchita Newman

(850) 599-3440

conchita.newman@famu.edu

An intensive week long program developed to provide a

better understanding of science through experiential

activities in Food Science that are linked to the Sunshine

Standards.

Hands-on Experiments

Product Development

Educational Field Trips

June 16 -20, 2014

Contact:

Conchita Newman

(850) 599-3440

conchita.newman@famu.edu

Page 15 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER

Page 16 FAMU EXTENSION SDA NEWSLETTER

$8.8 million for technical assistance funding opportunities for small, socially-

disadvantaged producers and Rural Cooperative Centers.

In support of rebuilding America's rural economy, USDA's Rural Development Agency is

making funding available to small and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as

well as Rural Cooperative Centers. The Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant

program (SSDPG) will make $3 million available to provide technical assistance to

small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives and

cooperative development centers. Awardees will be able to conduct market research,

product and/or service improvement, feasibility studies, training, and implement business plans. Applications are being

accepted through June 30, 2014. More information about how to apply is on the Rural Development website.

The Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG) will make up to $5.8 million available to Rural

Cooperative Development Centers, which in turn, provide technical assistance to individuals and entities improving the

economic condition of rural areas by supporting start-up, expansion or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and

other business entities. Cooperatives have often been the mechanism used by small and midsized producers to work together

to access new markets or market value added products. Information about how to apply is on the Rural Development website.

In 2013, business and cooperative funding through Rural Development helped 17,773 rural businesses, including 4,200

farmers and 4,472 small businesses. These investments created or saved over 41,600 jobs. Under the 2014 Farm Bill USDA

will be creating an Interagency Working Group to improve coordination of programs and services between federal agencies

and national and local cooperatives through the RCDG program.

USDA Certification for Small and Very Small Producers of grass-fed beef. Administered by USDA's Agricultural

Marketing Service (AMS), this new verification program is tailored to meet the needs of small-scale livestock producers and

the growing grass-fed beef industry. It allows small and very small-scale producers to certify that their animals meet the

requirements of the grass-fed marketing claim standard, helping them differentiate themselves and communicate value to

their customers. As part of USDA-wide efforts to create more opportunities for small-scale livestock producers, AMS is

targeting producers that market 49 cattle or less each year by designing a less costly application process for these producers

to use the USDA Certified Grass-Fed claim. Producers who are certified under the new program will receive certificates that

allow them to market cattle to slaughter facilities as USDA certified grass-fed, increasing their market value and creating new

economic opportunities throughout the supply chain.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary

for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free

Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

Continue from Page 2

FAMU EXTENSION FACULTY/STAFF

www.famu.edu/cep

The Florida A&M

University Cooperative

Extension Program is an

equal employment/

educational opportunity

access organization which

provides

research-based

educational information

and other services only to

eligible individuals and

institutions regardless of

race, color, national

origin, religion,

gender, age, disability,

martial or veteran status.

Dr. Robert Taylor, Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs,

College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS)

Vonda Richardson, Interim Director, Cooperative Extension Programs

Dr. Lawrence Carter, Director of Special Outreach Programs Dr. Ray Mobley, Director of Veterinary Services

Dr. Jennifer Taylor, Extension Specialist– Small Farms/Sustainable

Development

Tondalaya Nelson, EFNEP Interim Coordinator/4-H Youth Development

Specialist

Angela McKenzie-Jakes, Extension Animal Science Specialist/Program

Leader Small Ruminant Program Carmen Lyttle-N'guessan, Coordinator, Animal Healthcare/Veterinary

Technology Program (Vet-Tech) Sandra Thompson, Community Resource Development Program Leader/

Extension Specialist Dr. Glen Wright, Director of Animal Health Dr. Robert Purvis, Extension Veterinarian Gilbert Queeley, Research Associate Dr. Keawin Sarjeant, Asst. Professor, Animal Science/Food Science-HACCP Trevor Hylton, County Extension Agent (Leon & Wakulla) Dr. Alex Bolques, County Extension Agent (Gadsden)

Melva Morfaw, County Extension Agent (Madison)

Donna Salters, Coordinator, Community Resource Development Amelia Davis, Coordinator, Management Analysis, Extension

Communications / Editor of SDA Newsletter

Linda Sapp, Project Coordinator, Vet-Tech Program Faith Clarke, Coordinator, OASDFR Project Sam Hand, Associate Professor, Extension

Covey Washington, Extension Agent Conchita Newman, Extension Agent Renysha Harris, Coordinator, Administrative Services Rhonda Miller, Office Manager

Julie-Ann Valliant, Vet-Tech Extension

Cynthia Davis-Holloway– Recruiter, Vet Tech

Donna Swilley– Quincy Farm Office Manager

Godfrey Nurse– Quincy Farm Manager

Florida A&M

University College of

Agriculture & Food

Sciences

Cooperative

Extension Program

1740 S. Martin Luther

King Jr, Blvd

215 Perry Paige

Building South

Tallahassee, FL 32308

Phone: 850-599-3546

Fax: 850-561-2151

FAMU Extension: Reaching. Teaching. Serving.

SDA Outreach Project funded

by USDA/APHIS.