College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
June 2017
Prairie View, TX
No Hoggin’ Around Feral Hog Program Wildly Popular! See centerfold for full story
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Events2017
Upcoming
June 4 - 16, 2017
Research Extension Apprentice Program (REAP) PVAMU – Main Campus www.pvamu.edu/REAP
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 Editor and Media & Publications Coordinator Maurice Perkins Contributing Photographers Maurice Perkins Contributing Writers LaRachelle Smith Kelley Redmon Ali Fares, Ph.D. Danielle Hairston-Green, Ph.D. Kwaku Addo, Ph.D. Carolyn Williams, Ph.D. Raymond Thomas Angela Moore Gail Long William Turner, Ph.D.
June 19 – 30, 2017
Ag Discovery PVAMU – Main Campus www.pvamu.edu/agdiscovery
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
CDE Continues to Expand College Outreach The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences continued its mission to serve the community by hosting its 4th annual FFA Career Development Event (CDE) at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU). This event has grown significantly since its introduction in 2014 and continues to impact the lives of FFA members from several Texas counties. This year, roughly 1200 high school participants from all over the state registered for the event and converged on the campus accompanied by their agriculture coaches. The goal was to give participating students a chance to show their skills in different leadership and career activities. These activities range from a wide variety of agriculture-based concentrations offered in the CAHS including Animal Sciences, Agribusiness and Plant and Soil Sciences. While at PVAMU, the FFA students competed in an economics test, extemporaneous public speaking, milk quality assessment, land evaluation, and even a mock test for filing veterinary prescriptions for animals. Each activity was designed to help improve students’ skills by giving them an opportunity not only to step out of their comfort zones, but also practice the very things they have learned in school and through FFA programs. After a long day of competitions and exploring the beautiful campus, the high school students were acknowledged for their winning efforts at the CDE Awards Program. Andra Collins-Johnson, an Agriculture Science Teacher in Aldine ISD, and Horace D. Hodge, USDA/1890 Program Liaison a member of the Texas FFA Association Board of Directors, moderated the program. After an introduction by the Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture & Human Sciences, James M. Palmer, and greetings from Felecia M. Nave, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the students received awards for their participation and excellence in this year’s FFA CDE. With an event planned on such a large scale, it took a lot of effort to make it a success. The coordinator for the CDE, Wash Jones, Associate Professor, expressed just how important it is for students, faculty, and staff to get involved with this event. In an interview with him on the Outlook on Agriculture radio show, he talked about the importance of volunteering. Jones said, “This program would not be possible without our student, faculty, and staff volunteers. We use about 150 volunteers to make this program a success.” Raymond Thomas, DOMCiT Student Staff
To learn more about FFA CDE, view photos from previous contests or get details about the FFA Leadership Development Event (LDE) planned for October 2017, visit pvamu.edu/ffalde.
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Current and former leaders from all sectors of the agriculture industry were invited for a gathering to meet, mentor, and give their vision to advisors and students studying under the CAHS’ Student Leadership Apprentice Program (SLAP). They re-emphasized the importance of the C5E – a concept developed by CEP Program Specialist and co-advisor Danielle Hairston-Green at the completion of her dissertation on the “Perceptions of Agriculture Leaders on the Value of Non-Cognitive Skills Related to Early Success in the Agriculture Industry.” These skills include Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Conflict Management, Critical Thinking and Ethics. Focusing primarily on the students from the CAHS but extended to other majors as well, the SLAP is dedicated to helping young adults identify their own leadership potential and give them access to mentors that will guide them every step along the way. By completing the Personal Professional Leadership Plan, accompanied by workshops and assessments like the MBTI and 360 degree feedback tool, the apprentices gain exposure to the platforms that are employed by the best of successful leaders. Next, the apprentices will prepare to show off their newly acquired skills at a “SLAP Talk” presentation and finally prepare to assist advisors, LaRachelle Smith and Hairston-Green, with the selection of the next cohort of student apprentices for the 2017-2018 academic year as they graduate to peer mentor status. Presenters and focus group participants included: • Samuel Sampson, QualQuan LLC • Mark Tschaepe, PVAMU Assistant Professor, Philosophy • Gregory D. Anderson, Texas Anger Managers, LLC • Kimberly Gay, JB Coleman Head of Reference and Information Services • Deland Myers, CARC Research Scientist Food Systems Leader • William Turner, CARC Research Scientist Social Systems and Allied Research Leader • Kwaku Addo, CAHS Associate Director for Academic Programs and Department Head • Cady Auckerman, TAMU Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement LaRachelle Smith, Director of Marketing, Communications and Information Technology
CAHS Academics Share a Few Notable Happenings Beverly Copeland, Assistant Professor, has been selected by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Board to serve a three-year term as an ACEND Program Reviewer, beginning June 1, 2017. Reviewers play an essential role in assisting ACEND in maintaining quality nutrition and dietetics education in the country. This is a great achievement on the part of Copeland and recognition of her contributions to nutrition and dietetics education. Copeland has also been invited to present a paper titled “A Foods and Nutrient Comparison Study of Meals Eaten at Home vs. Meals Eaten at Head Start Centers in Washington DC, USA” at the 10th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Rome, Italy in June 2017. Five students from the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology (ANE) are at the Northwestern Community College, Colorado for the National Park Service Law Enforcement Academy January 9 – April 29. This is part of an on-going relationship between PVAMU and the National Park Service’s Professional Ranger Program. Kwaku Addo, Ph.D., Associate Director for Academic Programs and Department Head
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Studentsuccess
Student Leadership Apprentices and the C5E
College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
F l ash b ac k
Cooperative
at work
YouthLab’s Impact on Dallas County 4-Her’s As a follow-up to the magnificent experience during Prairie View A&M University’s annual Youth Leadership Laboratory (YouthLab), 30 4-H members in Dallas County got a chance to be Agricultural Scientists for an entire week. Under the leadership of Noel Estwick, Information Specialist with the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC) in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS), the 4-Her’s were able to see how the work of Agricultural Scientists impacts the world. The youth extracted DNA from strawberries to learn how scientists improve the quality of our food by manipulating genes. They also tested lactose levels in goat, cow, soymilk and Lactaid. It was the first for the youth to actually smell and taste goat milk. Estwick also presented activities to demonstrate how The Global Positioning System (GPS) impacts some agricultural practices. The weeklong activities ended with a Geocache Treasure Hunt, which successfully led their teams to the treasure. For more information contact Cynthia Pierfax; Dallas County CEP 4-H Agent; 214-904-3050 or by email: Cynthia.Pierfax@ag.tamu.edu Carolyn Williams, Ph.D., Associate Administrator, Cooperative Extension Program
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Extension program Small Acreage Horticulturists Attend Spring Fruit Tree Maintenance Program
With spring here, fruit tree growers are thinking about the production of this year’s fruit crop. Corey Hicks, Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Agent, offered Houston County a Spring Fruit Tree program held at the Crockett Resource for Independent Living Center in Crockett, Texas. This program gave fruit tree growers the opportunity to review research-based information and covered topics on different varieties of fruit trees. Namely, they learned which varieties were favorable for growth in the East Texas area, the proper planting techniques to use according to the fruit tree variety, insect and disease management options, and season-long fruit tree care. Guest presenter Kim Benton, Horticulturist with Texas A&M University, spoke to the group about horticulture, and Angela Moore, PVAMU Extension Associate, gave a presentation about the Texas AgrAbility Project. Thirty-three persons attended the workshop, two of whom received three varieties of Pomegranate trees to plant and to track the production of each variety for comparisons and contrasts. These trees will be used as a long-term demonstration, and recipients will work one-on-one with producers and the PVAMU Ag Specialist to gain knowledge on which variety of Pomegranate trees will grow well in this area, what insects and diseases may occur along the way, and the overall production of each tree. The outcomes of this pomegranate study will be shared over the course of the next three growing seasons. There will be future horticulture programs held in Houston County focused on the topics of proper budding and grafting techniques for fruit trees, the proper fruit tree pruning techniques to use according to fruit tree variety, and effects of bees on fruit trees. Angela Moore , Extension Associate, Agriculture and Natural Resources
CAHS and Texas A&M AgriLife Host National Conference The 2017 National Extension and Research Administrative Officers’ Conference hosted by Prairie View A&M University College of Agriculture & Human Sciences and Texas A&M AgriLife took place in San Antonio, TX, April 23-26. NERAOC is intended for administrators, program directors and staff with responsibility for USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) land grant programs. These programs include the 1862, 1890, 1994 land grant extension, equity, research and endowment programs. The theme for this year’s conference, “Viva Fiesta: Celebrating Our Successes,” provided a wealth of information on programs, grants and fiscal management of land-grants, and included topic tracks on minority-serving institutions, sessions specifically for 1994s and an overview session for new attendees. Participants had the opportunity to meet with NIFA staff and colleagues from throughout the land-grant system. “The committee has worked quite diligently to plan a conference that strengthened and enhanced participants’ professional growth and development,” stated Claudine Gee, co-chair for the conference. The Texas Planning Committee consisted of co-chairs, Claudine Gee and Cady Auckerman, Steve Schultz, James Palmer, Kelsey Agnew, LaRachelle Smith, Rebecca Hamilton and Gail Long. These individuals also served on the National Committee and are worked with NIFA staff and other land grant staff to plan the 2017 conference. Gail Long, Assistant Director for Staff Development and Special Projects
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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errick Banks, Agriculture and Natural Resources CEP Extension Agent at Prairie View A&M University, spoke with constituents in Ft. Bend County about the growing nuisance of feral hogs for weeks, so he knew that it was a hot-button issue. What he may not have known, however, was that the number of persons attending a workshop about field dressing and processing feral hogs would be double the number initially expected.
Feral Hog
Program
Wildly
Fifty participants came out to the Yelderman House in Needville, Texas for a feral hog workshop covering field dressing and processing, eradicating and trapping, and nuisance control, including a discussion about technological advancements in trap types and equipment. Bo Haltom, River Bend Deer Processing, lead the Feral Hog Processing demonstration, going through the process step by step, from field dressing to processing, using a 250 pound boar as is found in growing numbers in the Ft. Bend County region. Haltom’s detailed review covered numerous topics with recommendations for best practices. These include the recommended technique for erecting and dressing the hog, minimizing the risk of toxins from diseased organs contained in a localized area, overflowing and contaminating the entire hog, the best tools and proper techniques for cutting, minimizing the amount of fat and preserving the coat in taxidermy or market condition. The feral hog nuisance control demonstration, lead by Rowdy Woodson, Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association, covered
trapping equipment and techniques for predatory nuisances, such as bobcats and coyotes. The most important rule for successful trapping is to never to leave a scent. This is achieved by minimizing the amount of time one spends on the ground setting the trap, wearing gloves, knee pads, clothing and boots that are washed in unscented detergents. Even the equipment should be carried in an odor-resistant bag, with a hard bottom, to reduce the risk of the contents of the bag seeping through and onto the ground. Another important tip is the leave the trapping area in as natural condition as possible, so as not to alert the predator and decrease the probability of a successful trap. Banks gave a presentation on feral hog eradication methods in Ft. Bend County. From the use of corn and molasses for baiting and videography for checking the traps, several recommendations were shared on trapping feral hogs. Banks’ feral hog eradication team generally uses 12� trailers with box cages and panels, making
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Popular sure the gaps are closed-in, and that they use extra wire where it’s needed. Banks does not recommend removing the hogs alone. He says that one should be sure to use a trap exit to remove the hog through, to place the panels on both sides of the trailers, showing no gaps, and to wire the panels to both the traps and the trailers because the hogs will move them. One should also place a ramp on the trailer for easy loading and a panel above the trailer so that the hogs will not jump out. Another key point Banks recommends is getting the hogs out of the traps at night because they don’t see very well in the dark and it is cooler at that time of the day. Banks stressed that it is important because we want to preserve the hog for the growing market demands for feral hog meat. Moreover, al things must be done as humanely as possible by ensuring that the hogs are trapped alive and kept comfortable. Angela Moore, Extension Associate, Prairie View A&M University, Cooperative Extension, concluded the workshop with a presentation
on the Texas AgrAbility Project, a United States Department of Agriculture funded project geared towards providing assistance to help farmers who have a disability continue to work in Ag production. Moore explained that what constitutes a disability extends beyond the commonly known disabilities involving paralysis or an amputation, to include, for the purpose of this program, chronic back pain, vision or hearing impairment, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and arthritis, among many others. Moore shared how the Texas AgrAbility Project restores hope to individuals with a disability, their families and their employees who have been impacted by barriers that have prevented them from being able to do their job as a farmer. By coordinating services and service providers to provide assistance and assistive technology to those in need, AgrAbility makes it possible for Ag producers with a disability to continue to be productive doing the work that they love.
Angela Moore , Extension Associate, Agriculture and Natural Resources
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What’s on Your Plate? There isn’t anything more exciting than co-workers from different cultures and ethnicities. It makes learning so much more enjoyable, and you become more appreciative of your culture as your communication, politics, global issues, and my favorite FOOD are put into perspective! A colleague from India often indulges me with tasty goodies whenever I visit his office and guess what?...I always oblige by eating it all! It is apparent that I trust him immensely. Recently, he shared with me an excellent treat, the anjeer, which he referenced as an Indian Fig. I am a fan of FIG NEWTONS™, so I was very curious to taste this fig. I must say the taste was much better than Fig Newtons™. The fig is considered one of the earliest fruits known to man, pre-dating pomegranate and grain. The fig regarded as a popular fruit in India. However, my colleague informed me that this fresh, tasty fruit treat is very costly in India due to it not being available year-round. The enjoyment and nutritional properties of the fresh fig all year is sold as a dried fruit in specialty stores, and the cost is equivalent to almonds and cashews. The flavor of a fresh fig is seedy and sweet; whereas, the taste of dry fig is leathery, chewy in texture. The best part of the fig is the nutritional benefits which are always good to hear. So, naturally, I would like to share what I learned about the India fig. Some advantages of eating the India fig:
• Bronchitis
• Anti-inflammatory treatment
• Asthma
• Treats tissue growth & tumors
• Piles
• Puffy gums
• Male sexual dysfunctions
• Headaches
• Anticancer effects
• Upset stomachs
Figs can be used as a preserve, added to salads, and used as a base for pies and pastries. New foods provide a fun experience, and when they are tasty and healthy, it is a bonus. I suggest trying a new food and sharing your experiences. Danielle Y. Hairston-Green, Ph.D., Program Specialist
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Ag Students Win Big at MANRRS Conference Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) chapter of the national organization Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources & Related Sciences (MANRRS) traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to participate in the 32nd Annual National MANRRS Career Fair and Training Conference. The conference hosted hundreds of high school and college students interested in the agricultural industry from across the nation. Designed to connect with industry professionals, major companies, and agriculture institutions the conference provided the opportunities for potential employment and educational prospects. It also perfected the setting for students to network with each other and form friendships through their common interest in agriculture. Professional development was a major part of the conference. Throughout the entire weekend, workshops were held to help students understand how to prepare for the work environment. The topic of these workshops ranged from job readiness to government and corporate opportunities. There were even workshops to help students in their pursuit of undergraduate or graduate degrees. Corporate and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) representatives along with university recruiters hosted these workshops as a way to level the playing field in the government and corporate job markets. Students who attend the conference also had the opportunity to showcase their research, writing, photography, and communication skills by participating in one or more of the eleven contests held annually. From the oral and poster research presentations to the impromptu speeches and business pitches, the competition was intense as high school, undergraduate, and graduate students competed to challenge themselves, validate their skills and apply their knowledge outside the classroom. The contests were great for students to be recognized and build their resumes. This year, the PVAMU’s chapter of MANRRS was well represented in several aspects of the conference. Raymond Thomas (agribusiness, junior), and Russell Thomas (agribusiness, freshman), were recipients of the Farm Credit MANRRS VIP Scholarship, which provided each a $2000 financial award to attend the conference and supplement some of the cost. Seniors Shirley Fritzsching (animal science), and Jasmine Hayes (plant and soil science) tied for 1st place in the Undergraduate Research Poster Contest. A first time conference participant, senior Gabriel Phillips (animal science) who won 3rd place in the same contest. Another highlight of the conference a junior studying agribusiness, Tiffany Latin was elected to serve as the Region 4 National Vice President for MANRRS. The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences represented the university and Texas well at this year's conference. Raymond Thomas, DOMCiT Student Staff
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PVAMU Adds Value Students journeyed to Pittsburgh, Pa. in high anticipation of the 32nd Annual Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Career Fair and Training Conference to connect with leaders and industry professionals. MANRRS offered support to college, pre-college, technical professionals and alumnae to increase diverse talent in the field of agriculture. The conference allowed participants from across the nation to discuss ways to grow and empower the next generation of leaders. Also, the conference was an outlet for participants to explore the latest developments in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences along with professional development, networking and mentoring. The MANRRS conferences have a long history of contributing to the preparation of a world-class workforce. Throughout the weekend, students expanded their leadership potential and developed skills for life such as planning, goal setting, problem-solving, decision making and interpersonal communication necessary for personal and professional growth. Although gainful employment is the ultimate aim for all, the conference sponsors offered participants exposure to the benefits of research and technology through the pursuit of graduate schools. Students involved in MANRRS integrate classroom knowledge, connect to business and promote competition. Raymond Thomas and Kelley Redmon
Graduates of the College of Agriculture & Human Sciences have impactful and sustainable careers.
As alumni, they have a collective responsibility to represent the university in a positive manner. Subsequently, dedicated alum seeks to be the best representation in academic and professional excellence possible, as well as ways of giving and showing their appreciation for the institution that provided a magnitude of opportunities for them. It is noted that Alumni serves as living examples of the university’s growth and history, so every now and again, the occasional reconnect must occur. On Thursday, April 27, CAHS hosted an Alumni Day,
Ag Alumni Day Reunites the Panther Family
to involve alumni in the daily interactions of today’s students, classrooms, and curriculum while making connections. Approximately 20 CAHS Alumni attended lectures in the new Agriculture and Business Multi-purpose Building, visited the laboratories in the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC) and toured the campus, resting at the new Panther Stadium at Blackshear Field. This portion of the day allowed alumni to share memories of their time(s) at “The Hill,” as well as a glimpse of the future. During lunch, the alumni fellowshipped with each other, current faculty, staff and students as the new VP of Marketing of AgWorkers, Chris Campbell, announced his vision of a positive relationship between CAHS and his company. Relationships are important in all avenues of life and it was not more evident when the Ag Alumni presented Jeremy Brown, junior animal science concentration, as its first academic scholarship recipient. The Ag Alumni day featured a peek of campus life but more importantly, it provided the opportunity for current students to express their appreciation of support and the legacy left behind by their predecessors and bridged the gap with the love of “The Hill.” Since 2015, alumni have engaged with one another and CAHS faculty and staff via the exclusive AlumniClass.com page. The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences encourages all of its alum to visit, www.pvamu.edu/cahs/alumni-connection to sign-up, and also search alumni in their class. Submit alumni successes or alumni related inquiries to cahsinfo@pvamu.edu. Raymond Thomas, DOMCiT Student Staff
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Ignite the CAHS Performance of Legume and Grain Cover Crops Under Southeast Texas Conditions
C
over crops are known for their benefits to farmers and ranchers since they can improve soil quality and health, suppress weeds, reduce pollution and erosion among other environmental benefits. However, information on the most suited cover crop for south east Texas is lacking. A multidisciplinary team* from the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center has been working on a cover crop performance experiment since late last year. This team is evaluating the performance of four different cover crops (Winter Rye, Winter Wheat, Crimson Clover, Hairy Vetch), four combinations (Winter Rye-Crimson Clover, Winter Rye-Hairy Vetch, Winter Wheat-Crimson Clover, Winter Wheat-Hairy Vetch), and a Control treatment (no cover crop). The team member scanned the site with EM38, an electromagnetic sensor, and a ground penetrating radar to examine the soil spatial variability of the experimental site (Figure 1). The team members will be monitoring the progress of this experiment over the next 3 to 4 months. They will monitor crop growth parameters, weed pressure, and soil organic content at the end of the experiment. Results will be shared with participants at the 2017 Agricultural Field Day. They will also be shared with farmers, ranchers and other stake holders to help them select the appropriate cover crops suited for this part of the state.
Post-doctoral scholars, Almoutaz ElHassen and Haimanote Bayabil, and their students are scanning the field using EM38 and ground penetrating radar.
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Ripendra Awal, Almoutaz ElHassen and Ali Fares are discussing the experimental layout before seeding the different treatments.
*The Team members include research scientists, post-docs, faculty members (Peter Ampim, Ripendra Awal, Ram Ray, Haimanote Bayabil, Almoutaz El Hassen, Ali Fares, Richard Griffin, Louis Nuti, and Erich Risch), and their students (Abayomi Adekanmbi, Yassine Cherif, Yannick Kablan. and Oluwafemi Paul Olaleye). Ali Fares, Ph.D., Interim Associate Director, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center
CAHS Scientist Publishes on Flooding Generation With increasing population and urbanization, flooding is a serious problem for public and livestock safety as well as for crop and natural resources protection. Hydrologists and water resource experts are called upon to shed light on flood occurrence, its frequencies, and magnitudes and more importantly how to mitigate and adapt to it. Flooding and extreme rainfall events are occurring more often in recent years even in areas historically known for their low rainfall, e.g. West-Texas, including a large part of the Hill Country, and semi-arid locations across the globe such as parts of the Middle East. Almouatz ElHassen, a post-doctoral scholar and a member of the Natural Resources and Environmental Systems Group, has just published a manuscript on the use of hydrological models to investigate the impact of urbanization on the surface runoff generation and spatial distribution of flooding in Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia. The city is located in a very arid catchment. Flooding of the city is influenced by the presence of three major tributaries that join the main channel in and around the heavily urbanized area. Results of the work revealed that 85% of the flooding was generated in the urbanized portion of the catchments for the simulated flood. Distributed model simulations demonstrate that flooding in the city is driven primarily by topography rather that overbank flow in the main channel. A well designed urban drainage network might be needed to prevent flooding of residential areas and streets. This information is important if the city officials want to implement flood mitigation measures. Recommended mitigation measures include the establishment of large detention basins outside the city on the main channel and Northwest and South streams can help mitigate flooding caused by extreme events. ElHassen is using the same hydrological model in this study to work on joint efforts between CAHS’ Water Team members and the West Gulf River Forecast Center-National Weather Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to understand the impact of land use changes in the Texas Hill Country and extreme events on flooding. Part of this work will be discussed by ElHassen in the CAHS Seminar Series. Ali Fares, Ph.D., Interim Associate Director for Research
Turner’s Invited Essay Appears in Now & Then Now & Then: The Magazine of Appalachia, a quarterly published magazine at East Tennessee State University from its Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, commissioned a dozen scholars and researchers to comment on “The Future of Appalachia” for its Winter 2017 issue. William H. Turner, Research Scientist Leader, Social Systems and Allied Research, commented on the future of blacks in coal mining, historically one of the Region’s primary industries. The Appalachian Region follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi, including 420 counties in 13 states: all of West Virginia and parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Forty-two percent of the Region’s population is rural and 91 of its 420 counties have poverty rates 1.5 times the national rate. Parts of the Appalachian Region—particularly its rural, isolated, interior, where Southern WV, Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia meet—are much like the Strikeforce Counties in Texas insofar as long term poverty is concerned. Our Cooperative Extension Service serves many of these areas, and we are focused on providing evidence-based research of the populations and communities. William Turner, Ph.D., Research Scientist Leader (Social Systems and Allied Research)
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Scientists Study Carbon Dioxide Emission from Soil Organic Amendments
2017
Research Impacting
Texas
Organic agriculture is gaining ground globally; such agricultural production system uses huge amounts of organic amendments (OA) some of which are lost as carbon dioxide CO2. It’s important for this industry to be able to quantify these losses for different organic amendment types and levels, and under different moisture regimes. This was the subject of a recent multi-institution peer-reviewed manuscript published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B by Ripendra Awal, Haimanote Bayabil, and Ali Fares, researchers from the CAHS who coauthored this work with colleagues from other universities. In this study, the authors evaluated the effect of irrigation levels (deficit, full, and excess), and organic amendments type (chicken manure [CM] and bone meal [BM]) and OA application rates (No Amendment, Half the Recommended Rate (0.5RR), RR, and 2 times the RR) on (i) soil properties and (ii) soil carbon dioxide (CO2). Their work revealed that OA type, rate, and their interaction had significant effects on soil CO2 fluxes. The team members, in collaboration with other CAHS scientists, are conducting a study that builds on this work using additional OA types under southeast Texas conditions. Results of the current study will be shared with Texas agricultural producers using different communication platforms. Ali Fares, Ph.D., Interim Associate Director for Research
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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.
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COL LE GE OF AGR ICULTURE AND HUM AN SC I E NCE S