Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences
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The Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences (OMALS), http://www.cals.vt.edu/online/, is uniquely positioned to meet the evolving and dynamic needs of today’s agricultural professionals. The program offers concentrations in the areas of agribusiness, applied animal behavior and welfare, applied nutrition and physical activity, education, environmental science, food safety and biosecurity, and leadership studies, as well as plant science and pest management. In addition to engaging classes, students benefit from the opportunity to work on-on-one with well-respected faculty in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to complete a rigorous final project, using what they've learned and developing real-world research and communication skills. This collection showcases final projects completed by current and former OMALS students.
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Browsing Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences by Content Type "Technical report"
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- Examining Partnerships in a Farm to School ProgramBarber, Donald S. (Virginia Tech, 2015-09-14)This qualitative study examined one school and school system’s Farm to School program in an urban environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the partnerships of an established Farm to School program so that we can better understand the mechanisms that support the work and how to improve upon them. In this case study, eight participants were interviewed, and the data were analyzed for emergent themes related to Farm to School program partnerships and participation. As themes emerged, the results answered the two research questions. In the first research question, “Who are the partners in this Farm to School program?” three major themes addressing this question emerged from the interviews conducted. These themes were school-based partners, community and nonprofit partners, and business partners. All three types of actors that emerged play specific roles that maintain the flow of the school system and Smith Elementary’s Farm to School program. In regards to the second research question on which this study focused, “How do these partners view their collaboration and experiences with each other as partners within this Farm to School program?”, three additional themes emerged. The partners viewed their collaboration and experiences valuing each other and the benefits of the Farm to School program, focusing on social justice and knowledge of how their efforts bettered the community, and by focusing on capacity building as they were looking to improve and sustain Farm to School and the students’ future. Theories of social exchange and socioeconomic embeddedness reinforce Farm to School program success and collaboration. Recommendations include education, staffing, communication, using available resources, and building upon a feasible Farm to School program using the strengths and resources of program partners.
- The Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety RuleLong, Theresa M. J.; Strawn, Laura K.; Eifert, Joseph D.; Rideout, Steven L. (Virginia Tech, 2016-04-04)Limited resources are available for extension personnel to distribute to stakeholders seeking information on the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and its seven different rules: Produce Safety Rule, Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule, Preventative Controls for Animal Food Rule, Foreign Supplier Verification Program for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals, Accredited Third-Party Certification Rule, Focused Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration Rule, and Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food Rule. Of the seven different rules associated with FSMA, the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) will evoke the most changes of stakeholders. The PSR is the first time the produce industry will be required to meet specific food safety standards. Therefore, this project constructed four educational publications focused on providing an overview of FSMA’s PSR and also the key components (including worker training, health and hygiene; domestic and wild animals; and agricultural water). The publications were developed to be resources for both extension personnel and the produce stakeholders they serve. Additionally, these educational publications were distributed to Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) agents for evaluation on their usefulness. The majority of VCE agents who reviewed the material responded that the publications were appropriate, useful and served their needs. It is recommended that future publications (e.g., biological soil amendments, equipment/tool/building sanitation) be developed to address other key components of the PSR not covered under this project.
- Organic Oils as Seed Treatments for Soybeans to Inhibit Fungal GrowthBurgett, Alison (Virginia Tech, 2015-12-20)Producing organic crops has become essential to satisfy the desires of the end consumer. To completely fulfill this task and meet the requirements of the National Organic Program in the U.S., the seeds planted must be organic. Seeds succumb to fungal infections without seed treatments. Organic seed treatments are not common. The purpose of this study is to test the ability of three organic oils (tea tree, coconut, and lemon) to act as organic seed treatments to inhibit fungal growth on soybean seeds that were badly infected with fungal disease. Each oil treatment was tested with three separate concentrations 10%, 50%, and 100%. The treatments were observed for 10 days and the results were recorded as a percentage of seeds infected with fungi. Both lemon oil and coconut oil at all concentrations failed to inhibit fungal growth. Tea tree oil at all three concentrations successfully prevented fungal infection on 100% of the seeds. The effective treatments show promise as organic seed treatments. Because of the positive results from the tea tree oil, it was further tested for germination and fungal inhibition on live soybean seeds at 2%, 5% and 10% concentrations. The treatments were observed for 12 days, and the results were recorded as a percentage of seeds infected with fungi. The germination rate and final germination percentage were also recorded. The 10% concentration inhibited a high percentage of fungi, but inhibited germination completely. The 2% and 5% concentrations had low germination percentages and mediocre fungal inhibition. The results from this research project show that there are still many options to explore in terms of organic seed treatments. Tea tree oil should be further tested in field studies, viability and vigor tests, and the germination study should be replicated at the 2% and 5% concentrations. Tea tree oil is effective against certain seed fungal contaminants, but also displays some phytotoxicity at low concentrations. Research should be completed to find tea tree oil’s effect on seedling emergence and early seedling growth. Tea tree oil could be effective in conjugation with other organic seeds treatments. Other essential oils that are produced organically should be tested against fungal control, and tea tree oil should be thoroughly tested and considered for cost effectiveness and possible health effects to farm workers.
- Plant Date, Yield, and Nitrogen Management for Strawberries in the Coastal Plain of VirginiaDeitch, Ursula (Virginia Tech, 2016-04-25)Fresh market strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) availability in mid to late -April signals the beginning of locally available fresh fruit and vegetables for the mid-Atlantic region. Of the 290 acres of fresh market strawberries grown in Virginia annually, the majority are produced in the coastal plain of Virginia using intensely managed annual hill production systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential yield of strawberries, determine how yield components change with planting date and cultivar, and assess the fertility management techniques recommended by Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Commercial Vegetable Production Guide for strawberries. June-bearing cultivars ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Chandler’ were grown in Painter, Virginia during the 2012-2013 season. Three planting dates (Sept. 21, 28, and Oct. 5) were assessed while evaluating the cultivars performance. Petiole nitrate-N readings and leaf tissue were collected at initial flower and mid-flower to evaluate the accepted fertigation recommendations. The cultivar trial yielded between 7,205 – 21,393 lbs./acre. Overall, ‘Camarosa’ yielded highest with the early planting date (Sept. 21; 21,393 lbs./acre). As the planting dates moved later into the fall, ‘Camarosa’ lost yield while the yield for ‘Chandler’ remained constant and averaged 9,705 lbs./acre. Harvest pick data also indicated that ‘Camarosa’ out performs ‘Chandler’ both early and late in the season for berry number and yield. Petiole nitrate-N and leaf tissue data suggested that excess N fertilization leads to lower yields. In conclusion, strawberry cultivar ‘Camarosa’ should be a standard for farmer’s in the mid-Atlantic and planted late to mid-September while continuously monitoring and adjusting N fertility as needed.