Stakeholder Engagement and Extension Teaching with Crop Management Contests
Teaching & Educational Technologies
Kevin Athearn
Regional Specialized Agent - Rural & Agribusiness Development
UF/IFAS NFREC-Suwannee Valley
Live Oak
Abstract
The Florida Stakeholder Engagement Program (STEP) engages farmers and other agricultural stakeholders in friendly crop management competitions focused on water and nutrient efficiency and profitability. The purpose of this program is to engage stakeholders in shared experiences that will lead to improved crop management, farm profitability, and adoption of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) that protect water quality and quantity. Whereas traditional extension programs often treat clients as passive recipients of information, the STEP program creates active learning experiences for farmers, extension agents, researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives. It also allows participants to try out new management approaches without incurring costs or risks. In 2022 and 2023, the Florida STEP program featured corn management contests under the variable-rate, linear-move irrigation system at the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley. Each competing team was assigned four randomized plots and given control over several parameters, including corn hybrid variety, seeding rate, irrigation management, nitrogen management, insurance selection, and grain marketing. The teams competed for awards in two categories: (1) most profitable, (2) highest water-and-nutrient-use efficiency. Ten teams with 27 members competed in 2022, and fourteen teams with 36 members competed in 2023. The program also collaborated with 17 industry partners to provide technologies such as soil moisture sensors and drone imagery. Program evaluation surveys showed participants learned about fertilizer timing, using soil moisture sensors, and new perspectives on marketing and insurance. Asked if participation in the program would lead to any changes on their farm, 63% reported change in seeding rate, 88% reported change in nutrient management, 100% reported change in irrigation management, and 71% reported change in marketing. Participants especially liked the competition aspect, the risk-free environment to test different management strategies, and the ability to see how other teams chose to manage their corn crop. In 2024, crop management contests are planned for both corn and cotton. The Florida STEP program was adapted from a similar program for corn in Nebraska and can be replicated for other crops and regions.
Authors: Vivek Sharma, Kevin Athearn, Jay Capasso, Kevin Korus, Shivendra Kumar, Tyler Pittman, Sudeep Sidhu, Mark Warren, Keith Wynn
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Vivek Sharma Assistant Professor, UF Ag & Biological Engineering Dept., Florida, 32611
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Kevin Athearn Regional Specialized Agent - Agribusiness, UF/IFAS North Florida REC - Suwannee Valley, Florida, 32060
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Jay Capasso Regional Specialized Agent - Ag Water Resources, UF/IFAS North Florida REC - Suwannee Valley, Florida, 32060
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Kevin Korus Ag & Natural Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 32669
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Shivendra Kumar Regional Specialized Agent - Agronomy, UF/IFAS North Florida REC - Suwannee Valley, Florida, 32060
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Tyler Pittman Ag & Natural Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 32693
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Sudeep Sidhu Assistant Professor, UF/IFAS North Florida REC - Quincy, Florida, 32351
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Mark Warren Commercial Ag Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 32621
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Keith Wynn Ag & Natural Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 32052