Ballard County CES

Title:

Living with GMO's and Biotechnology

MAP:

Ballard County Agriculture Stability

Agents Involved:

Tom Miller

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

ANR Biotechnology

Situation:

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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.)

Initial Outcomes:

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

Evaluation:

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

Learning Opportunities:

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 2018

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