FY2010 Annual Report Project Descriptions

AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS

UVM research scientists and outreach specialists ...

·  determine the potential productivity of various perennial grasses for biomass and determine optimum establishment and management strategies.
Vermont Biofuels Initiative - Grass Biomass Energy
BOSWORTH 1

 

·  increase farmers ability to produce bread wheat for an expanding high-value market. In doing so, it will contribute to the long-term profitability and sustainability of organic agriculture and farms in areas like Vermont.
Enhancing farmers capacity to produce high quality organic bread wheat in Vermont.
DARBY 1

 

·  investigate organic matter and calcium carbonate development to assess soil carbon sequestration and offsets
Soil Organic Matter: Formation, Function and Management (new project)
GORRES 1

 

·  develop a greater understanding of the impact of earthworms on economically important ecosystems in Vermont
Earthworm Mediated Losses of N from Dairy and Maple Production Systems in Vermont
GORRES 1

 

·  develop producer-driven recommendations for a geographical indication and place-based marketing system for Vermont products.
Researching the Taste of Place in Vermont
KOLODINSKY 1

 

·  propose livelihood diversification and agrobiodiversity strategies as part of food security interventions in coffee growing communities.
Graduate Fellowships for Sustainable Livelihoods in Coffee Producing Regions
MENDEZ 1

 

·  improve N fertilizer management in small-scale coffee farms of Tarrazu, Costa Rica.
Sustainable Coffee Growing Communities in Costa Rica
MENDEZ 1

 

·  identify best practices to achieve food sovereignty for smallholders in coffee growing regions of Mesoamerica.
Confronting the Thin Months: Participatory Learning on Best Practices and Impacts of the GMCR Food Security Program
MENDEZ 1

 

·  determine the effect of midwinter deacclimation regimes on subsequent hardiness of two herbaceous perennials exposed to subzero soil temperatures
Herbaceous Perennials Hardiness
PERRY 1

 

·  determine hardiness of popular new coralbells cultivars
Heuchera (Coralbells) Hardiness
PERRY 1

Dairy

·  investigate the Vermont dairy labor workforce to understand the impact of the increase in Hispanic labor
The Vermont Agricultural Labor Force: Characteristics, Challenges, and Policy Implications
BAKER 1a

 

·  evaluate Holstein cattle immune function genes and determine the relationship between genetic type and response to vaccination for viral diseases.
Holstein Cattle Major Histocompatibilty (MHC) Gene Diversity and Tracking the Immune Response to an Adenoviral Vectored Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Using MHC Tetramer Technology
BARLOW 1a

 

·  evaluate Holstein cattle immune function genes and determine the relationship between genetic type and response to vaccination for viral and protozoal diseases.
BREAD: A Modern Approach for the Development of Cattle Vaccines for Critical Bovine Diseases Impacting Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
BARLOW 1a

 

·  providing cheesemakers with the technical and scientific knowledge needed to assure production of cheeses of consistent quality and safety.
The Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese: Risk Reduction Management Program
DONNELLY 1a

 

·  determine cow and pathogen specific factors that contribute to the degree of pathogenesis associated with bovine mastitis
Effects of genetic variation in host and pathogen on severity of bovine mastitis
KERR 1a

 

·  detect specific genes associated with disease resistance in dairy animals.
Mastitis Resistance to Enhance Dairy Food Safety
KERR 1a

 

·  detect genetic differences between dairy cows that affect their susceptibility to mastitis
Effects of Variation in Pathogen Detection and Signaling Pathways on Resistance to Bovine Mastitis
KERR 1a

 

·  provide farmers, policymakers, lenders, and organic dairy supporters reliable estimates of the profitability and costs of organic dairy farming in Vermont
Profitability and Transitional Analysis of Vermont Organic Dairy Farms: Identifying Key Factors for Success
PARSONS 1a

 

·  enhance the survival of dairy farms throughout New England by examining challenges and alternative management and policy actions that will aid their survival
The Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Small and Medium Size Dairy Farms in New England: An Integrated Research-Extension Program
PARSONS 1a

 

·  develop simulation models of highly contagious disease transmission to inform the development of plans to protect the economic viability of livestock and tourism
Evaluating resilience of Vermont's dairy industry through simulation modeling
SMITH 1a

 

·  determine biosecurity needs on dairy farms and demonstrate effective practices to prevent disease outbreaks
Costs and Challenges Associated with Developing and Implementing a Community-Wide Biosecurity Plan
SMITH 1a

 

·  develop educational resources to support the control or prevention of Johne's disease in ruminant herds in Vermont
Vermont Cattle Health Improvement Program
SMITH 1a

 

·  determine relationships between management practices and presence of disease-causing organisms on dairy farms
Pilot Study of Factors Affecting Maintenance of Mycobacterium, Salmonella, E. Coli, and Listeria on Dairy Farms
SMITH 1a

 

·  provide technical and business management information and training for assisting small and medium dairy farms to produce and market farmstead and artisan cheese and other value-added dairy products.
Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Small and Medium Sized Dairy Farms through Artisan Cheese and Other Valued-Added Products
WANG 1a

 

 

·  advance our current techniques of producing life-saving medicine with much reduced costs, and also help create new practices for sustainable agriculture.
Dairy Pharming: Production of Pharmaceutically Active Human Proteins in Bovine Milk
ZHAO 1a

·  contribute to the knowledge base on glucose utilization in bovine mammary gland and ultimately to the improvement of dairy productivity and efficiency.
Properties and Regulation of Glucose Transporters in Bovine Mammary Gland
ZHAO 1a

Maple

·  determine the level of sap yield reductions in maple tubing systems as they age and explore strategies to limit reductions in sap yield in tubing sytems due to age and microbial contamination
Strategies to Limit Reductions in Maple Sap Yield in Vacuum Installations
PERKINS 1b

 

·  investigate the effects of temperature on autumn color development in maple to provide a scientific basis for projecting the potential impact of global warming on autumn leaf coloration.
Potential impacts of global warming on autumn coloration in maple
PERKINS 1b

 

·  explore a method of improving vacuum transfer to trees (and thus sap yields) in a maple tubing system
Maximizing Vacuum Transfer and Sap Yields in Tubing Operations: Evaluation of a New Method to Increase Production
PERKINS 1b

 

·  develop improved maple sap collection systems for vacuum
Achieving High Maple Sap Yields
PERKINS 1b

 

·  compare the chemistry, quality and flavor of maple syrup made with and without reverse osmosis
Effects of Sap Preconcentration by Reverse Osmosis on Maple Syrup Chemical Composition and Flavor
PERKINS 1b

Fruits and Vegetables

·  evaluate the viticultural and wine quality potential of emerging wine grape cultivars in Vermont
Multi-State Evaluation of Winegrape Cultivars and Clones
BERKETT 1d

 

·  evaluate field performance of apple rootstocks under Vermont conditions
Improving economic and environmental sustainability in tree-fruit production through changes in rootstock use
BERKETT 1d

 

·  identify the opportunities and challenges of organic apple production. Incorporate and evaluate apple cultivars and research-generated knowledge of apple ecosystem dynamics into organic production systems to determine sustainability and profitability
Using New Alternatives to Enhance Adoption of Organic Apple Production through Integrated Research, Education, and Extension
BERKETT 1d

 

·  achieve adoption of ecologically-based IPM and reducing pesticide risks in cold climate winegrape production in northern New England
Achieving Adoption of Ecologically-Based IPM and Reducing Pesticide Risks in Cold Climate Winegrape Production in Northern New England
BERKETT 1d

 

·  implement the Vermont Apple and Grape Programs at the University of Vermont
Specialty Crops - Apple and Grape IPM
BERKETT 1d

Ornamental Horticulture

·  conduct surveys to identify grower and stakeholder priorities to increase implementation of IPM in greenhouse ornamental production.
A Public-Private Partnership to Promote IPM Implementation in Northern New England Greenhouse Ornamentals
SKINNER 1e

 

·  evaluate the ornamental attributes of American and hybrid Asian elms as part of a nationwide study for resistance to diseases and insects, geographic adaptation, meteorological tolerance, growth rate, and form.
National Elm Tree Evaluation
STARRETT 1e

 

·  create a dynamic website which showcases The Gardens at The University of Vermont and encourages greater use by faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus as an educational resource
Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust Grant Proposal
STARRETT 1e