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INVESTIGATOR: Mortley, D. G.; Bambo, S.; Quarcoo, F. Y.; Doamekpor, P.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA 36088

BUILDING CAPACITY OF TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE SCIENCE-BASED GARDENING EDUCATION IN ALABAMA BLACK BELT COUNTIES

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The Black Belt region experiences low food production capacity as well as high poverty and related economic problems. The low income and small-scale nature of food production in this region, especially fruits and vegetables, makes such foods inaccessible to many within the community, hence there exist food deserts or areas where there is limited access to affordable and nutritious food. In addition to this, there is inadequate Extension education on science-based gardening and insufficient technology for efficient Extension education delivery. To address the problems, Tuskegee University will deliver effective science-based gardening Extension education programs. The methods to be used include: Establishing science-based gardens as tools for education; recruiting and training Master Gardeners volunteers and youth leaders; upgrade Extension IT; conducting workshops; developing a gardening curriculum; developing and disseminate Extension publications. The expected short-term outcomes are: creation of awareness on gardening principles; adopting of gardening practices. The expected medium term outcomes are: decisions made to introduce community gardens; youth involvement in gardening; adoption of gardening practices. The expected long-term project outcomes are: reduced food deserts; increased food production capacity; increased dietary choices; improved healthy living through access to fresh food; enhanced rural agribusiness. The anticipated benefit is improved standards of living.

OBJECTIVES: The overall project objective goal is to build the capacity of Tuskegee University to provide science-based gardening education in Alabama Black Belt counties. The specific objectives are to enhance: (1) Extension personnel and volunteers' development, (2) Extension technology upgrade; and (3) Extension delivery system to reach the target audiences. The expected outputs include: Extension IT upgrade; 10 Extension publications; 1 gardening curriculum; 1 student thesis; 20 Workshops and field days; 10 Master Gardeners recruited and trained; 20 Extension personnel trained; and 100 clients reached.