Agriculture Commons^™

Predicting Soil Erosion In The Santa Rosa Creek Watershed Using Rusle2 And Geographic Information Systems, Stacey Carol Smith

Master's Theses

The Santa Rosa Creek watershed is one of the most pristine watersheds on California’s Central Coast.  Preserving this watershed is of great interest because it provides rich soils for agriculture, vast rangelands for cattle, and flowing streams for federally threatened species such as steelhead trout.  Soil erosion could impact these resources.  Using prediction tools, it is possible to study the erosion that could be occurring in a watershed and identify locations which could contribute the highest amounts of sediment.  The objectives of this study were to use RUSLE2 and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to predict soil erosion rates for each …

Evaluation Of Drip Applications And Foliar Sprays Of The Biocontrol Product Actinovate On Powdery Mildew And Other Fungal Diseases Of Tomato, Therese Angelica Quintana-Jones

Master's Theses

The effectiveness of the biocontrol product Actinovate^® at enhancing tomato plant growth and yield, and reducing the presence of fungal pathogens was studied in greenhouse and field conditions. In the greenhouse, no differences were found among seed germination or plant survival rates, seedling heights, dry root weights, and dry shoot weights of tomato seedlings grown from seeds drenched with Actinovate^® or Rootshield^®. The effects of one initial Actinovate^® seed drench at sowing, repeated applications through the drip irrigation throughout the season, or repeated applications through the drip irrigation plus foliar applications throughout the season at …

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Beef-Herd Risk Assessment, Kerry A. Rood, C Kim Chapman

All Current Publications

This publication gives insite into understanding where the greatest risk to a herd is, relative to the introduction of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD).

Spinach, Elisabeth Inman

USU Student Organic Farm Newsletter

Spinach is believed to originate in Persia ␣ modern-day Iran. It was introduced in China over 10 centuries ago and in America only about 3 centuries ago. Spinach is currently produced year-round in the United States with California being the major producer here. However, China produces about 85% of the world's spinach whereas the United States only produces a mere 3%.

Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Union Of The American Society Of Equity (Mss 370), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 270.  Minute books, account books and organizational papers of the Muhlenberg Union of the American Society of Equity, a farmers collective bargaining organization.  Also includes constitution and by-laws, stationery, and other printed ephemera associated with the organization.  The Muhlenberg Union was organized on 28 July 1905.

Kale, Brianne Sherwood

USU Student Organic Farm Newsletter

Kale is the super hero of vegetables. If you have ever gardened you know that kale is super hardy and will withstand even the coldest of frosts. It ALSO has been recognized for it’s amazing health benefits, nutrient richness, and delicious flavor. Kale has the most nutrients per calorie than almost any other food around, making it one of the healthiest vegetables. The more you know about kale, the more you fall in love with it, especially when you know your favorite ways to cook it.

Lettuce, Brianne Sherwood

USU Student Organic Farm Newsletter

There are so many varieties of lettuce! Just on our farm we have EIGHT varieties: deertongue, black seeded simpson, four seasons, red sails, two star, red grand rapids, benito, and green salad bowl lettuce. Come to the farm and check them out or take a peek in the hoop houses next week when you pick up your share.

Compost Tea And Milk To Suppress Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera Xanthii) On Pumpkins And Evaluation Of Horticultural Pots Made From Recyclable Fibers Under Field Conditions, Matthew Debacco

Master's Theses

Powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera xanthii) a common problem for vegetable growers, and the cost of controlling the disease with fungicides to the growers and the environment is high. An alternative approach for control using methods approved for organic production are sprays based on teas made from compost, both actively aerated (ACT) and non-aerated (NCT) compost teas, and sprays made from diluted milk. We evaluated these sprays for control of powdery mildew on pumpkins in field trials in Connecticut in 2008 and 2009, and in greenhouse trials in 2009. We also evaluated the compost teas and milk in the greenhouse …

We Can Grow It: Reporting On Women In Agriculture In India, Belize And The U.S., Colleen Stewart

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Women produce more than half of the world’s food, according to the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization. This aligns with the Chinese proverb– “Women Hold up Half the Sky.” As the role of women in agriculture increases in the developed and developing world, female economic activity in agriculture serves as a beacon for poverty reduction, increased food security, and environmental sustainability. In the United States, there has been a 30-percent increase in the number of female-run farms in the U.S. since 2002 and women, now the largest “minority” group in agriculture in the U.S., operate approximately 300,000 farms throughout the …

Interview With Michelle Markesteyn-Ratcliffe, Oda, 2011, Michelle Markesteyn-Ratcliffe

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Michelle Markesteyn-Ratcliffe by Megan Rice in Portland, Oregon on May 10th, 2011.

The interview index is available for download.

Spatial And Temporal Diffusion Of Agricultural Best Management Practice Adoption In The South Fork Shenandoah River Watershed., Megan Renee Bauer

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This research visualizes, describes, and analyzes the unique spatial and temporal diffusion of agricultural best management practices adopted within the South Fork Shenandoah River Watershed during the twenty year period from 1989 to 2008. The Shenandoah River is a tributary of the Potomac River, which in turn flows directly into the Chesapeake Bay. The findings and research presented here could aid policy makers, conservation technicians, and Soil and Water Conservation District agents to better plan promotions and funding for cost share BMPs. This research identifies motivations and influential forces that are inherent in the BMPs, in the social system, and …

Macy, Jethro (Sc 223), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 223.  Copy of portion of a diary kept by Macy from 8 November 1847 to 2 November 1848 chiefly while residing with the Shakers at South Union, Kentucky.  He engaged in carpentry work and tending cattle before moving to Newburgh, Indiana, 25 July 1848.  Includes 1961 letter related to the diary.

A Poultry All-Hazard Threat, Vulnerability, And Capability Assessment With Rockingham County Fire Rescue., Daniel Robert Dales

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Agriculture is argued to be one of our most critical infrastructures and is vital to human health and survivability. Agriculture is economically important in Virginia as it provides over 350,000 jobs and generates $55 billion annually (Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services). This high criticality lends to significant areas of vulnerability in each sector of agriculture. Rockingham County is of particular importance as the top agriculturally producing county in the state and is ranked 5th in the nation for poultry sales (2007 Census of Agriculture). The desire to uphold this high production calls for a need to better understand …

The Effects Of Multispecies Grazing On Pasture Management And Utilization, Chelsea Williams

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Multispecies grazing research was conducted using meat-type goats (Capra hircus L.) and Jersey heifers (Bos taurus L.) to determine the relationships between multiple grazing treatments and pasture utilization. The study was conducted for 60 days on the Western Kentucky University Farm in Bowling Green, KY. Cattle and goats have shown to differ in grazing preferences and to be economically important to the area. Grazing treatments included goats and cattle grazing simultaneously, sequentially, and goats grazing alone. A typical established Kentucky pasture was utilized with no weed management practices employed. Predominant forage species included tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), orchardgrass (Dactylis …

Economic Impacts Of Drought On Kentucky Corn, Hay, And Soybeans, Kortney E. Craft

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Understanding climatic impacts is important if we are to comprehend the relationship between climate and society. Weather phenomena can have environmental, economical, and social impacts. Drought is the natural hazard that affects people the most. It is also the most complex and least understood. There is no one universally accepted definition for drought which makes its examination difficult. Droughts’ duration is also difficult to determine because it has no clearly defined onset and end. Also, drought varies both geographically and temporally making uniform drought monitoring difficult. Since drought is difficult to monitor and access, drought impacts are often poorly documented. …

Sensory Evaluations Of Usda Select Strip Loin Steaks Enhanced With Sodium And Potassium Phosphates And Usda Choice Strip Loin Steaks For Comparable Palatability Factors, Lindsey Reynolds

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The cyclic nature of the beef industry is dependent on the supply and demand transaction initiated by consumers’ acceptability of quality meat products. When purchasing beef at the grocery store, consumers are dependent on USDA grades and visual appraisal; consumers expect consistency in products. Upon this appraisal, quality is determined by the color, marbling content, and texture of a particular retail cut, as well as cooked characteristics of tenderness, flavor, and juiciness. Variability in meat tenderness is a major quality defect of beef (Morgan et al., 1991b; Smith et al., 1992). A common practice used by beef processors to extend …

The Western Kentucky University Teaching Gardens: Landscape Design And Establishment Plan, Claudia Stetter

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this thesis is to design a landscape plan for Teaching Gardens at the Western Kentucky University Agriculture Research and Education Center. The landscape plans were selected based upon the available 5.3 acres surrounding the greenhouse, vineyard, and Exposition Center. Planning included goals and objectives, analysis of the available site, landscape design plans, and connecting the Teaching Gardens to the current curriculum. This thesis also includes related areas to the development of Teaching Gardens such as: summary of courses with related topics to Teaching Gardens, programs that will be used throughout the community, and a listing of current …

Back To The Basics: What Does The Market Tell Us About Harvest Grain Basis, Matthew Fischer

All Theses

Grain marketing in the United States is a complex system; therefore producers require information on grain markets to effectively manage risk. Futures markets provide the mechanism for price risk management based on the national supply and demand signals. However price risk is managed on the local level, therefore the relationship between local cash price and futures price, basis, must be understood.
The market forces which explain grain basis are the cost of storage and the transportation cost. The current body of research in grain basis uses the storage component of basis as the driving force. This approach is applicable to …

Nebline, May 2011

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Nature, Gardening & Science Come Together in the Butterfly Garden

Farm Views

Horticulture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Environmental Focus

Urban Agriculture

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

Hyperspectral Imaging For The Detection Of Microbial Spoilage Of Mushrooms, Edurne Gaston, Jesus Maria Frias, Patrick Cullen, Colm O’Donnell, Aoife Gowen

Conference papers

Brown blotch, caused by pathogenic Pseudomonas tolaasii, is the most problematic bacterial disease in Agaricus bisporus mushrooms; it reduces their consumer appeal in the market place, thus generating important economical losses worldwide. The mushroom industry is in need of fast and accurate evaluation methodologies to ensure that only high quality produce reaches the market. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a non-destructive technique that combines imaging and spectroscopy to obtain spatial and spectral information from an object. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Vis-NIR HSI to identify microbiological damage in mushrooms and to discriminate it from …