USDA awards collaborative between UWA, EMCC, Coastal AL CC, Sumter Soil & Water Conservation
The baby直播 leads a partnership that has just been awarded $744k by USDA for an agricultural innovation and sustainability project benefitting east Mississippi and west baby直播. The project is funded by USDA on the successful heels of a preceding project similar in scope.
Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture鈥檚 National Institute of Food & Agriculture (USDA, NIFA), this is one of only two in the nation funded at this dollar level, and only 11 total funded.
Dubbed PAIS 2.0, Partners for Agricultural Innovation and Sustainability is a collaborative effort between UWA, East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), Coastal baby直播 Community College (CACC), and the Sumter County Soil and Water Conservation District (SCSWC). UWA leads the project and was eligible to apply through its designation as a certified non-land grant college of agriculture (NLGCA).
Through PAIS 2.0, researchers intend to provide valuable information to farmers, ranchers, and foresters that will assist those industries in developing plans for adapting and thriving.
鈥淎griculture in the southeastern United States faces many challenges in the coming decades,鈥� explained Dr. John McCall, dean of the college of natural sciences and mathematics at UWA. 鈥淭he ability of these industries to compete in a harsh economic environment is made increasingly difficult by invasive species, soil degradation, unpredictable climates, and other issues. We want this project to benefit our regional producers and provide the outreach and assistance they need through a multi-pronged approach.鈥�
PAIS 2.0 brings together field experts with a combined several decades of scholarly research. McCall serves as program director, along with co-PDs Dr. Lee Stanton, professor of biology at UWA; Eric Ford, professor of biology at EMCC; Schuyler Huff, professor of biology at CACC; and Micky Smith, chairman of SCSWC. The project was designed and proposed for award with the assistance of Rodney Granec, director of sponsored programs and research at UWA.
PAIS 2.0 will lead to development of a database of stakeholders, by which an outreach program can be developed to address the information gaps that exist, then provide hands-on assistance from trained student interns. By gaining this experience, students鈥� career opportunities are enhanced, and the industries of agriculture and conservation gain skilled professionals. All these goals, according to coordinators, will lead to continued development of the West baby直播 Center for Agriculture and Biodiversity.
鈥淧AIS 2.0 will stimulate interaction between struggling agricultural producers in the region and the institutions prepared to assist them,鈥� McCall said. 鈥淚n this way, it will provide a competitive advantage to stakeholders, spur economic growth, and stabilize communities in the area.鈥�
The project will focus on four issues negatively affecting production in the region, including invasive species, pollinator support, forest management, and soil health.
The initial three-year PAIS project, Partners Against Invasive Species, launched in 2018, assisted more than 250 landowners in west baby直播 in the fight against two of the region鈥檚 most invasive species, feral hogs and cogongrass. The project provided internships for more than 15 students who have gained experiential training in invasive species management.
Through PAIS, UWA student interns assisted in the safe application of herbicide to more than 100 acres of land from 100 different landowners. In coordination with Sumter County Soil & Water Conservation District, student interns partnered with more than 50 landowners in removing nearly 1,300 feral hogs across 900 square miles in baby直播.
For more information on PAIS 2.0 or to learn about how to participate, contact Dr. John McCall at (2050 652-3412 or [email protected].