About This Program

Livestock on Small Acreages: Protecting Water Resources and Health
A Train-the-trainer Extension Education Program

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (formerly the USDA CSREES) Extension Education Grant (Sept. 2006 - Sept. 2010)

View our Project Summary for details about this grant. Visit our Project Accomplishments page for updates on methods and current progress. Visit our Contacts page for more information about Project staff.

Situation
Throughout Rhode Island and New England, small acreage livestock and horse owners often “slip through the cracks” for receiving education and assistance that encourages the adoption of livestock Best Management Practices (BMPs). Often, the information you do find applies to large scale livestock operations that may be difficult to understand and simply doesn't fit in with the goals, conditions and resources that small acreage owners have. Properties usually consist of small lots in residential areas that are close to water resources including private drinking water wells and storm drains. All these factors pose challenges with managing manure, livestock yards and pastures.

Developing an Adoption-Outreach Education Program

The University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension (URI CE) Home*A*Syst and 4-H Programs, URI Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science and URI Department of Communication Studies are developing an education program for small acreage livestock and horse owners.

A needs assessment of the target audience will identify barriers and incentives for encouraging the adoption of livestock BMPs.

A train-the-trainer education program, primarily working with 4-H volunteers, will be developed to increase knowledge about livestock pollution risks, adapt and transfer livestock BMPs at a scale that is appropriate, and increase the adoption of livestock BMPs by the target audience.

An existing small acreage livestock fact sheet and self-assessment series was developed in April 2005 as part of the Healthy Landscapes Education Program (a USDA NIFA Extension Education Program, funded Sept. 2002 - Sept. 2006). The series will be utilized and refined based on the program evaluation plan.

Pro bono review of this website provided by MBA 576 Business Communication and the Internet, Summer Session III, 2009, College of Business Administration, University of Rhode Island.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
NIFA advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities through national program leadership and federal assistance.