College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
July 2017
Prairie View, TX
CAHS Wins BIG in Ag Research! Association of 1890 Research Directors Symposium See centerfold for full story
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Events2017
Upcoming
September 7, 2017
2017 Emergency Management Summit Carden-Waller Cooperative Extension Building www.pvamu.edu/cahsEMS
Outlook on Agriculture Radio Show Thursday 1pm ET HBCU Radio – Sirius XM Ch. 142 Sunday 10:30AM CST KPVU – 91.3 FM www.pvamu.edu/ outlookonag
With hosts LaRachelle Smith & Maurice Perkins
For an in-depth listing of CAHS programs www.pvamu.edu/cahsprograms
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is published by Prairie View A&M University College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Department of Marketing Communications & Information Technology Interim Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs JAMES PALMER Ph.D. Director of Marketing, Communications & iT LaRachelle Smith Media & Publications Coordinator Maurice Perkins Contributing Photographer Michael Thomas
September 21, 2017
Small Ruminant Workshop Series PVAMU – Main Campus www.pvamu.edu/ruminantseries
Contributing Writers Haimanote Bayabil Guadalupe Castro Ali Fares Danielle Hairston-Green Joice Jeffries Maurice Perkins LaRachelle Smith Raymond Thomas Johnathan Williams Contributing Proofreader Kelley Redmon Maurice Perkins
This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the EvansAllen 1890 Research Formula Program and the 1890 Extension Formula Program project under Section 1444 and Section 1445. The contents are solely the responsibility of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA or NIFA. Opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, PVAMU or the Tri-Ag editor.
News, story ideas and comments should be sent to:
250 E.M. Norris St. | P.O. Box 519, MS 2001 Prairie View, TX 77446 cahscomm@pvamu.edu
PVAMU College of Agriculture and Human Sciences See more at
This publication available electronically www.pvamu.edu/cahs/e-publications
www.pvamu.edu/cahs
youtube.com/pvamutriag
Upcoming Events Complete your Program Planning Approval Form at least 6 months in advance to have your program/event included here.
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Current Locations Prospective Locations
What’s on Your Plate?
Feeding Your Anxiety Can you imagine a worry free life? A life where there are no concerns, no dilemmas, no deadlines‌just peace? Well, some people do not have the luxury of living such a peaceful existence. Instead, their heads are always full of worry and can become so frequent or forceful, that it can take over their lives. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health illness in the United States. There are approximately 40 million adults (representing 18% of the population) who are currently struggling with various symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety is defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Getting nervous or anxious from time to time is normal. I get a little anxious when I am speaking in front of a large crowd or when I am preparing to have an awkward conversation, anticipating the birth of my grandchildren, and even sometimes when I am watching movies that leave me in suspense. Those feelings for me are temporary, and I move forward and can have a normal day. Some of the symptoms of anxiety could include excessive worry, sleep problems, irrational fears, muscle tension, chronic indigestion, self-consciousness, panic, perfectionism, and even self-doubt. We may not know how our nutritional health decisions could exacerbate an already difficult situation. Having a balanced diet can help to relieve symptoms of anxiety. According to Dr. Uma Naidoo, Harvard Psychiatrist and Professional Chef Innovator, a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits is a healthier option than eating a lot of simple carbohydrates found in processed foods. Dr. Naidoo also shares that the gut-brain axis is also critical since a large percentage (about 95%) of serotonin receptors are located in the lining of the gut. Dr. Milton S. Daley, Professor at Prairie View A&M University in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, urges individuals seeking to reduce their anxiety symptoms to pay attention to their nutritional health. He also has shared that Magnesium and antioxidant levels impact an individual's increased anxiety-related behaviors. Equally important is the avoidance of foods that may contribute to anxiety symptoms like fried foods, alcohol, coffee, dairy products, refined sugars and acid forming foods like yogurt, pickles, eggs sour cream, wine, and liver.
If you or a family member are struggling with any of the symptoms mentioned and believe that you may be experiencing anxiety or depression, please consult your physician. In the meantime, increase your consumption of foods that are designated as high antioxidants by the USDA: Beans:
Pinto, Black, Red Kidney
Fruits:
Apples, Prunes, Sweet Cherries, Plums
Berries:
Blackberries, Strawberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Blueberries
Nuts:
Walnuts, Pecans
Vegetables: Artichokes, Kale, Spinach, Beets, Broccoli Spices:
Turmeric, Ginger
Add omega three fatty acids which can be found in fish, flax seed, and winter squash. It is also crucial to consume enough water regularly because dehydration nearly always leads to anxiety. References: Harvard Health Publications Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic Danielle Y. Hairston-Green, Ph.D., Program Specialist: Nutrition, and Childhood Obesity, Adjunct Instructor
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At any given point, so much can be running through the mind of an average student at Prairie View A&M University: goals, challenges, fears, and ambitions. However, the students who make the most of their educational career are the ones who seek and appreciate the wealth of opportunities this institution offers. The Outlook on Agriculture radio show hosts spoke to one such student and guest, Juan Avendaño. Avendaño, a 26-year-old senior at PVAMU, originally from Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, is looking forward to graduating in December 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agriculture with a concentration in Animal Science. During his time in the CAHS, he maintained membership in the Livestock Club and participated on the Livestock Show Team, displaying his skills in the areas of livestock management, roping techniques, and riding proficiency. To date, he found beneficial experiences working in goat genetics and breeding as a research assistant at the world renowned International Goat Research Center located at the University Farm. Working with research scientists, Gary Newton and Shaye Lewis, provided him distinct exposure to the field and established his path to earning a doctoral degree. He competed in the 2016 Pathways Research Symposium which hosts over 900 students from eleven different institutions in the TAMU system. With the help of his research mentors, Avendaño placed 1st in agricultural presentations and 2nd overall. “As soon as I heard about Prairie View, I got excited. And once I set foot on the beautiful campus, faculty informed me of all the opportunities available to students,” Avendaño states. “I am thankful to the researchers who have given me the opportunity to work with them. I believe that if I keep working hard, more opportunities will come. Prairie View is an excellent place for anyone who is trying to go to college,” he declared. He is looking forward to using the skill and knowledge gained in continuing his education and participating in future research to progress the field of agriculture. Raymond Thomas, DOMCiT Student Staff
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Studentsuccess
Students’ Goals and Ambitions Met, Challenges and Fears Overcome through CAHS Research
College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
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Cooperative
at work CEP Staff Engage Educators at State Conference of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Cooperative Extension Program 4-H Agents Shannon Johnson-Lackey and John Ferguson along with Program Specialist Joice A. Jeffries engaged educators at the 99th State Conference of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) in Plano, Texas. The trio presented a workshop entitled “SEW ON! Fostering Meaningful Connections through 4-H Sewing Projects”. In the workshop, attendees learned how to conduct 4-H clothing and textile projects through the educational model for the experiential learning process, “Do, Reflect and Apply.” As with all 4-H workshops, the 16 participants received hands-on experience sewing a toiletry caddy. The toiletry caddy project is practical in functionality because it provides organization, allows for more storage, eliminates sifting through drawers for frequently used products and is easily transportable from room to room. Once the project was completed, many stated they intended to share this idea with their 4-H and family and consumer science colleagues. The advantage of this activity allowed creativity, independence, and self-sufficiency. Having the participants adopt this model into their classrooms, clubs and/or communities will enhance learning skills, help in decision making, develop a positive self-concept, strengthen interpersonal skills and respond to the needs of others and the community. Professionals and 4-H volunteers agreed experiential learning builds self-confidence and improves the ability to work through a process and will carry over to other skills through life. Joice Jeffries, Ph.D. , Program Specialist, 4-H and Youth Development
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Extension program
Duds to Dazzle Mock-Competition and Bilingual Sewing Class for Project Leaders held in Cameron County San Benito, TX--- Thirty-nine 4-H youth, adult project leaders, and parents participated in two workshops held in Cameron County’s Extension Office. The two-day event provided inspiration for the Duds to Dazzle contest. Because the average American throws away about 81 pounds of discarded garments, resulting in about 26 billion pounds of textiles added to landfills each year, Duds to Dazzle sought a strategy to raise Texans’ youth consciousness about disposing of textiles. Participants in acquired information regarding clothing and textile careers and the different types of fibers used in fabrics. Extension personnel discussed the Duds to Dazzle project guidelines as 4-H members incorporated what they learned in a mock-competition. The elementary, middle and high school youth competed by recycling old clothes and making a necklace from an old T-shirt. The youth formed teams and were given a piece of clothing, a specific design category and 45 minutes to create something new using five items from the Duds to Dazzle closet. At the end of the competition, each team gave an oral presentation to the judges. Youth shared the importance of teamwork, explained their process for making their item, and the approximate retail cost.
In another room, there was a sewing project led and taught in Spanish by Zoee Escobar. In this class, six adult volunteers learned the basics of sewing and how to use a sewing machine. These adult volunteers were parents of the 4-H members. The idea of this class was to teach collaboration with their children to build their responsibility, teamwork and empowerment for their own happiness and success by making a self-storing blanket. All adult volunteers, 4-H members, and others walked away with usable information on related careers, 4-H projects, and working with Extension staff. They also gained practical skills in teamwork, public speaking, and sewing. The training was facilitated by Travis County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Crystal Wiltz, Cameron County 4-H Agent Guadalupe Castro, and 4-H Program Specialist Joice A. Jeffries. Resource: Here’s why we trash 26 billion pounds of clothing a year. Retrieved from: www.takepart.com/article/2016/06/10/why-we-trash26-billion-pounds-clothing-year Guadalupe Castro, Extension Agent, Cameron County
To learn more about the Cooperative Extension Program, visit the CAHS website at www.pvamu.edu/CEP. The Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University is funded by the National Institute for Food & Agriculture (NIFA) through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The 1890 Extension Formula Program supports extension education programs that respond to the changing needs of limited resource clientele and underserved populations.
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he College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) researchers, faculty members, and their students presented 36 oral and poster presentations at the 18th Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. (ARD) Research Symposium 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 36 presentations were given by ten scientists/faculty/postdoctoral fellows, 19 undergraduate and seven graduate students. The presentations covered the following topic areas: i) Animal health and production and animal products (6 abstracts); ii) food safety, nutrition, and health (8 abstracts); iii) renewable energy, natural resources, and environment (12 abstracts); iv) plant health and production and plant products (7 abstracts), and v) family, youth, community and economic development (4 abstracts).
CAHS Participates at Association Research Directors, Five students won prizes for best poster and oral presentations: three undergraduate students: Jeremy Brent (1st place – poster), Jessica Watts (2nd place – poster), and Robert Douglas (1st place – poster); and two graduate students: Nakita Bowman (2nd place – oral) and Abayomi Adekanmbi (3rd place – poster) in respective presentation categories. Cooperative Agricultural Research Center scientists Alfred Parks, Gary Newton, Paul M. Johnson and Aruna Weerasooriya, and PostDoctoral Researcher Haimanote Bayabil served as moderators for different sessions of the symposium. Also, Eric Risch, Shaye Lewis, Ripendra Awal, Yoonsung Jung, Subhani Bandara, Maryuri Nunez de Gonzalez, Sharon McWhinney, Adela Mora-Gutierrez, Haimanote Bayabil, Almoutaz Elhassan, Paul M. Johnson, and Rahmat Attaie served as judges for oral and poster presentations. Ali Fares, CARC’s Associate Director of Research, presided over the students and faculty oral presentation sessions for the Family, Youth, Community and Economic Development section of the symposium. Also, Water Team Members Ripendra Awal, Haimanote Bayabil, and Ali Fares contributed to a special session on “Smart Agriculture: Drones, Robotics and Other Technologies”. Participants in this session agreed to pursue joint integrated projects through different NIFA funding opportunities involving multiple 1890 institutions and potential collaboration with the USDA- Agricultural Research Service. Fares organized and moderated this session.
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During the Awards Banquet Program, the CAHS’ Alfred L. Parks was honored for sustained exemplary leadership and strong dedication to the advancement of the 1890 Land-Grant Universities. Before and during the ARD Research Symposium, faculty, research scientists and postdocs continued training Prairie View A&M University students on how to formulate a research question, conduct experimental work, analyze the data, and present the findings to a wider audience as part of their research activities in addressing the needs of limited resource communities that CAHS-PVAMU serves. Ali Fares ,Interim Associate Director, Cooperative Agricultural
Research Center
and Wins of 1890 Research Symposium
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SPECA
Planning Conference Galveston College and Prairie View A & M University were awarded a U. S. D. A. National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Challenge Grant to host a conference entitled “Food Science Pathways: A SPECA Planning Conference.” The Secondary Education, TwoYear Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) program seek to promote and strengthen education in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human (FANH) sciences in order to help ensure a qualified workforce in the United States to serve the FANH sciences system. The SPECA program also promotes complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, twoyear postsecondary, and higher education programs in the FANH sciences. SPECA projects advance excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the FANH sciences. The purpose of the Galveston conference was to gather stakeholders to discuss expansion/realignment of the current Galveston College Culinary Arts curriculum to meet the needs of employers. Attendees discussed the concept of tying the Galveston College associate degree program to 4-year universities for advanced education opportunities in food science; health – nutrition, obesity, wellness; organic and sustainable agriculture; and workforce development. Invitees were leaders in community services, education, medicine, agriculture, commercial fishing, and the food industry. There were four speakers who provided insightful and stimulating presentations to attendees between team discussions that generated novel ideas from stakeholders. National speaker, Barton Seaver was the opening and keynote speaker; followed by Sharon McWhinney, Professor of Nutrition and Director of the Dietetic Internship program at PVAMU; Buddy Guindon, owner and manager of Katie’s Seafood Market in Galveston, Texas; and Deland Myers, Endowed Professor of Food Systems at PVAMU. Opening and closing remarks were given by Paul Mendoza, Chef at Galveston College and Beverly Copeland, Assistant Professor at Prairie View A&M University, both co-sponsors of the conference. Beverly Copeland, Ph.D., RD, LD, Assistant Professor
Pictured: James Palmer, Interim Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs at Prairie Vew A&M University, Paul Mendoza, chef Galveston College, Beverly Copeland, Assistant Professor, Prairie View A&M, and Barton Seaver, National speaker, author and chef.
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The USAID Farmer to Farmer Program provides technical assistance from U.S. specialists to farmers, farm groups, agribusinesses and other agriculture sector institutions in developing and transitional countries with the goal of promoting sustainable improvements in food security and agricultural processing, production, and marketing. Bill Foxworth, Research Scientist, International Goat Research Center (IGRC), traveled recently to Nepal with Winrock International conducting the program “Training of Trainers on Artificial Insemination (AI) for goats.” Representing research and outreach of the IGRC, he also conducted seminars on “Artificial Insemination Technology in Goats” at the Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (HICAST) affiliated with Purbanchal University and at the Animal Breeding Division of the National Animal Science Research Institute (NASRI), Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). GARY NEWTON, Ph.D., CARC Scientist and Animal Systems Group Leader
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foreignAlliances
Foxworth Serves USAID Farmer to Farmer Program in Nepal
21st Century Farmers Get Tech Savvy
In 2015, during the 125th year celebration of 1890 land-grants, an address focused on the mission of our institutions by NIFA Director, Sonny Ramaswamy, inspired the catchphrase “Project 2050”. Under the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC) in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) at Prairie View A&M University, it is our solution to tackle this challenge for limited resource clientele in Texas. Researchers, working together with extension agents in current and prospective strike force counties across the state, work toward the goal to make an impact on the 70% increase in demand for food supply one producer at a time. A collaborative project, under the guidance of CARC researcher Dr. Paul Johnson, is underway that leverages the technology of the current era and through incremental initiatives, advances movement toward solutions that address the Project 2050 challenges. He has developed a database of animal management issues along with an interactive blog creating a forum that helps producers working with small ruminants preserve a sustainable food source for protein nutrients supporting themselves and the greater community. The database is accessible at cahsspvd.pvamu.edu. The USDA’s Capacity Building Grant program that specifically targets 1890 land-grant institutions and its mission to serve underrepresented communities funds the project. Extension agents and specialists doing field work with their producers can search the online database of multimedia resources on livestock concerns and provide answers on the spot. The current implementation of this innovative web technology has already met success in partnership with FFA supporters at the grass roots level who share in the mission to increase awareness about the global and technological importance of agriculture to meet the growing demand for viable food sources. Joseph Reznicek of the Langham Creek FFA praised Johnson’s project showing his enthusiasm stating, “Information [on goats] is hard to come by.” Nancy Groschke, a cattle and goat rancher, raising the FFA show goats from former show contest students also found this technology feasible for her operations and credits Prairie View A&M for the success of their goat program. Training youth is an important aspect
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he 21st century has introduced incredible technological advancements. The evolution of technology makes real-time communication across the globe no longer a possibility but a reality. Enterprises throughout all industries, including agriculture, communicate virtually to buy and sell goods, analyze profits, and measure productivity. Even so, there is a misconception in the small-scale agricultural community of farmers and ranchers that they are not staying abreast of this technological evolution. In fact, the Food and Agriculture Organization predicts that 9.6 billion people will inhabit the earth by 2050, which continues to be an evergrowing challenge for the entire agriculture sector. Innovation in technology is ever more necessary to aid in a 70% increase in the demand for food production despite limited arable land and availability of fresh water.
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of agricultural sustainability, which prepares them for a future in livestock management and production for the market. Similar to the popularized WebMD internet application, “WebMD for Goats” will soon be a veterinarian counterpart which will give producers the capability to use smart mobile devices where they submit pictures and symptoms to vets in the local area so these medical experts can respond with possible causes of illness and treatment. The web application or “app” is part of a subsequent stage of Dr. Johnson’s Novel Livestock Information Delivery System Phase 2 grant proposal. Presently, the app is in development for availability on both an Android platform and iOS. Johnson is collaborating with Computer Science Department Head, Dr. Yonggao Yang to make this vision a reality. Other implications for the future include commercializing the technology for use in telemedicine with an augmented reality component. Yang and Johnson are exemplary participants to validate the need for more collaboration between colleges and the tripartite units of the CAHS. Dr. Johnson is also appreciative of his team of expert researchers, veterinarians, engineers, and technologist that helped develop the Novel Livestock Diagnostic and Information Delivery System concept. The team includes CARC’s former vet staff, Kellye Thompson, DVM and Barbara Johnson, DVM as well as Ashwani Srivastava from the CAHS department of marketing, communications and IT along with Carl Taylor from the Office of Distance Learning. To learn more about what Prairie View A&M University is doing to address the anticipated food shortage through Project 2050, visit www.pvamu.edu/project2050. Maurice Perkins, Media and Publications Coordinator LaRachelle Smith, Director of Marketing, Communications & iT
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College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
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CARC Water Team Contributes to the Geological Society of America CARC Water Team members Ripendra Awal, Ram Ray, Haimanote Bayabil, Almoutaz El-Hassan, and Ali Fares actively participated and contributed to the 51st Annual Meeting of the South-Central Section, Geological Society of America in San Antonio, Texas. The Water Team members gave four oral presentations during the meeting. Awal shared the results of the study on the Development of a new irrigation scheduling tool for agricultural crops and urban landscape in Texas. The specific objectives of this study were to: i) develop web applications to acquire near real-time weather data of rainfall and reference evapotranspiration from different weather networks across Texas, and ii) develop an irrigation scheduling tool to provide site specific near real-time irrigation scheduling data (when to irrigate and for how long to irrigate) for agricultural crops and urban landscape in Texas. The tool keeps track of crop growth stages starting from planting and the status of the different soil water budget components (crop evapotranspiration, soil water content, drainage) on a daily basis based on near-real time weather data, e.g. rainfall and potential evapotranspiration demand. This tool will help increase irrigation water use efficiency in agricultural crops and urban landscapes in Texas, eliminating over and under irrigation applications. Ram Ray discussed the finding of a study on Assessing the effects of change in impervious areas on flooding in Texas. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of change in impervious surfaces on flood frequency at selected major watersheds (San Antonio, Colorado, Brazos, San Jacinto and Trinity) in Texas. Ray concluded that the highest rate of change in impervious area was at San Jacinto watershed between 2006 and 2011; as such 1.5% (105 km2) area of this watershed was changed into 50-100% impervious surface between 2006 – 2011 whereas the change at Trinity and Brazos watersheds were 0.49 and 0.13% respectively. Although the effects of change in impervious areas on flooding were not consistent across the state, the majority of watersheds showed an increasing trend of flooding with respect to increased impervious areas during the study period. Assessing climate change effects on surface water resources in the lower basin watershed of the Colorado River was the topic of the presentation presented by Haimanote Bayabil. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of potential climate change scenarios on streamflow in the Lower Basin Watershed, one of the Colorado River Basin Watersheds in Texas based on 11 Global Circulation Models (GCMs). Overall, results of this study show that projected streamflow will greatly vary spatially and temporally. While all GCMs agreed in their predictions of minimum and maximum temperature, GCMs predictions of precipitation showed greater variability and contradictions at times. Overall predictions based on multi-model ensemble projections show that annual streamflow will decrease considerably towards the end of the 21st century. Almoutaz Elhassan shared results of his work on Modeling the effect of land use change on hydrologic response of a semi-urbanized watershed using a physically based distributed model. He investigated the impacts of land use change on surface runoff responses of the Leon Creek watershed, a 538 km2 sub-watershed within the San Antonio River basin, with a typical Texas Hill Country landscape. A physically based distributed model: Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Model (GSSHA) was used to simulate runoff from the watershed. Preliminary results of this work indicate that the land use change has significantly altered the physical soil hydraulic properties (e.g., infiltration rates) that govern the hydrological processes in the watershed. Haimanote Bayabil, Post-doctoral Researcher, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center
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Discover New Innovations
2017
Time is indispensable. It is something we all know we can not get back once it is gone. Managing time is crucial for a farmer. For a farmer, energy and time wasted determine the amount of money made. With innovations in technology, farmers are motivated to find better and efficient ways to manage the land. The available technology allows detection of what is on the ground, data analysis of the crop, monitoring and illustrations of life within the crop without harm. These types of equipment reduce the time and save money. The Ground Penetrating Radar and the EM 38 are new tools. Both machines are capable of providing data analysis and research scientist, Dr. Ram Ray with the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC), Prairie View, TX, shows the practicality, benefits, and usefulness to farmers. According to Dr., Ray, the ground penetrating radar is a non-destructive geophysical method that produces a continuous cross-sectional profile or record of subsurface features, without drilling, probing, or digging into the ground. This sophisticated equipment monitors and scans the surface of the ground. It transmits ultra-high-frequency radio waves underground by using an antenna, which is pulled by hand, or by a vehicle. The energy transferred into the ground is reflected from various buried objects or distinct contacts between different earth materials. As the antenna receives the reflection of waves, it registers and stores the frequency in the digital control unit. The radar travels a depth of about 100 feet (30 meters) underground; just a little longer than the full-size NBA basketball court. However, the depth of the GPR depends on the soil type, the rock monitored and the frequency of the antenna. In materials such as dry sand and granite, the depth can reach 100 feet. However, the deepness will decrease in moist clays and shale because the signals will be absorbed. Let us not forget the role of the antennae with this equipment. If the antennae have a low frequency, the machine will have low resolutions and reaches 25 to 100 feet. Dr. Ray explains, “The antennas can be used for investigating the geology of a site. For instance, it helps to locate sinkholes or fractures, and deeply buried objects.� The GPR has various applicable occupations. This equipment recommended for a farmer to investigate the characteristics of the land to the performance of a plant. Before a farmer starts his planting season, it is important to understand what is in the soil. For example, if a farmer buys a piece of land the GPR probes the soil which determines the correct use of the plot to provide the highest yield. This machine further shows the ground weaknesses and provide a full detail of soil performance which saves money and time. Like the GPR, the EM 38 is a scanning monitor device that analyzes the material in the ground. The EM 38 measure soil conductivity. It is an electromagnetic soil-mapping tool used for precision agriculture on all types of crops such as grain, pasture, cotton, and turf. The electromagnetic sensors monitor the surface of the soil by towing the EM 38 over the ground by hand or by a quad bike. This equipment has sensors to give feedback on the electrical conductivity of soil such as the salinity and moisture. Knowing the salinity and soil moisture is significant to crop yield and quality. When rainfall is scarce to drain ions from the soil, salt accumulates causing salinity, and too much accumulation destroys plant growth. The EM 38 monitors soil salinity, shallow groundwater and groundwater pollution, determines topsoil thickness and characterizes soils and soil moisture. This equipment saves a farmer time, money because it accurately identifies how to set up crops for them maximize their growth potential in different growing conditions. Agriculture, as we know, is here forever but the time and money for a farmer may not be sustainable. Therefore, efficiency is a must for those in agriculture and as farming changes so do the potential to make and save big bucks. This new equipment offers a new variable in analyzing land for planting crops and observing the performance of crops. Dr. Ray provides demonstrations at Prairie View A&M University. All displays are open to the public.
Research Impacting
Texas Johnathan Williams, DOMCIT Student Staff
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Donating to the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences will help its student organizations, and is tax deductible. Your gift will provide assistance with increasing our students’ ability to compete in collegiate competitions as well as support their community commitment. These agriculture and human sciences organizations develop soft skills that will prove valuable for their future careers. Your donations will aid in the education of deserving students who are pursing careers in the agricultural and human sciences sectors. Remember your gift is tax-deductible and no amount is too small.
Easy donation Options Mail a check Carden-Waller Cooperative Extension Building 250 E.M. Norris Street P.O. Box 519; MS 2001 Attn: LWAB Coordinator Prairie View, TX 77446
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COL LE GE OF AGR ICULTURE AND HUM AN SC I E NCE S