Extension
It Starts With Us
Living with GMO's and Biotechnology
Ballard County Agriculture Stability
Tom Miller
ANR Biotechnology
The adoption and use of Biotech products has exploded for the grain producers of Ballard County. Over 85% of all corn acres and 95% of the county’s soybean acres use a Biotech product. The scientific aspects of GE crops (=GMOs) are not widely understood. Furthermore, credible scientific information is sometimes misrepresented in the public domain. While value judgements rightfully drive public decision-making, the public has the right to credible scientific information as it deliberates controversial issues such as this.
Agricultural producers and consumers will:
•Understand the science of agricultural biotechnology
•Be confident to make informed decisions on crop/food selection
•Be able to critically evaluate biotechnology information in the media and on-line
Improved communication between consumers and producers within communities
Consumers will:
•Evaluate their personal position on labeling of GE foods
•Make informed food choices with respect to biotechnology
•Relate the use of biotechnology to major issues confronting agriculture (nutrition, invasive pests and disease, pesticide use, etc.)
•Be able to locate unbiased information on Ag biotechnology
Agricultural producers will:
•Make informed decisions about use of GE in Ag production
•Discuss how they use biotechnology to residents within their communities (schools, churches, etc.)
Consumers will be able to:
•Define biotechnology
•Describe how it is used in agriculture
•Understand why biotechnology is used in agriculture
•Discuss its benefits, risks and limitations
•Distinguish between GE and non-GE foods
•Restate the issues with labeling GE food
•Seek non-biased, scientific information and analyze it to evaluate the issue of genetically-engineered foods
•Understand how biotech information on the internet and through the media may be prejudiced
Agricultural producers will:
•Acquire the resources related to explain Ag biotechnology to others in their communities
Initial Outcome: Increased Knowledge
Indicator: Consumers can define Biotech, understand why it is used
Method: Biotech team survey
Timeline: Spring 2017
Intermediate Outcome: Ag producers will share knowledge of Biotech with consumers
Method: Producers survey
Timeline: Spring 2018
Long-term Outcome: Consumers and Farmers will understand the science of Biotechnology
Indicator: Increased understanding of Biotech
Method: Consumer and farmer Biotech survey
Timeline: 2019
Audience: Ballard Ag producers and Consumers
Project or Activity: Media stories on history, uses and regulation of GMO crops
Content or Curriculum: Newspaper articles on the GMO story
Inputs: in-service training, specialist articles, Dr. Paul Vincelli, BioTech Program Development Team
Date: Start fall 2016 and ongoing
Audience: 2nd Grade
Project or Activity: Where Food Comes From
Content or Curriculum: Food from Grocery back to Farm plus intro to GMO
Inputs: in-service training, specialist articles, Dr. Paul Vincelli, BioTech Program Development Team
Date: March 2019
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Project or Activity:
Content or Curriculum:
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Author: Thomas Miller
Major Program: Forages
In July of 2018, a prospective alfalfa producer contacted Tom Miller with the Ballard County Cooperative Extension Service, about the possibilities of growing alfalfa on a small tract of ground just purchased. After a site visit, soil tests were submitted and several recommendations were made for pH correction and a fertilizer recommendation rate for fall application and planting. Dr. Chris Teutsch, new Forage Extension Specialist at Princeton was brought in the loop and plans were m
