VERMONT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION AND UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT EXTENSION
Annual Report 2015

Program Goal Area: Global Food Security and Hunger

  Kolodinsky, Jane   UVM Campus Peace Corps Recruiting
  • To recruit a minimum of 20 students to serve as Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) following graduation. Alumni PCVs further the goals and raise the profile of the program, the University, and the state.

    Kolodinsky, Jane   Integrated Business Model Design

  • In collaboration with Goodwill of Northern New England, CRS identified four primary research components: Integrated Business Models Research; literature review, organization identification; Workforce Needs (Job Gap) Research; industries analysis, business database, workforce needs survey, labor-shed mapoping

    Kolodinsky, Jane   Consumer Assistance Program Joint UVM/Vermont Attorney General's Office service learning program.

  • Students become consumer advisors staffing a consumer helpline and managing a letter mediation program for consumer complaints against businesses

    Baker, Daniel   Adjusting to Vermont: Stress Among Latino Farmworkers and State Policy Development

  • I partner with the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity to increase emergency preparedness in Vermont’s mobile home parks (MHP’s) by working with MHP’s to create emergency plans, meeting with regional planners and assessing how municipal plans do/don’t address MHP vulnerability.

    Barrington, David   Collaborative Research: Digitization TCN: The Macroalgal Herbarium Consortium: Accessing 150 Years of Specimen Data to Understand Changes in the Marine / Aquatic Environment

  • The Pringle Herbarium has joined the Macroalgal Herbarium Consortium (MHC), a network of 48 U.S. institutions with an initiative to access 150 years of specimen data to understand changes in the marine/aquatic environment.

    Barrington, David   Developing the US National Virtual Herbarium

  • to implement web sharing of the extensive plant-information resources of the Pringle Herbarium in coordination with the development of the Unites States Virtual Herbarium

    Barrington, David   Digitization PEN: Partnership to Existing Macrofungi Collection Consortium - Digitization of an Important Regional Collection of Macrofungi at the Pringle Herbarium

  • provide data on the macrofungi accessions at the University’s Pringle Herbarium to the Macrofungi Consortium, whose goal is to improve understanding of fungal biotic interactions, nutrient-cycling and impact on human affairs

    Barrington, David   Collaborative Research: Digitization TCN: Mobilizing New England Vascular Plant Specimen Data to Track Environmental Changes

  • We are making the Pringle Herbarium’s collections available as research and teaching resources to the University, the State, and beyond, for those interested in conservation biology, biodiversity studies, and regional history.

    Barrington, David   CSBR: Natural History: Launching the University of Vermont Natural History Museum Step One: Securing the Collections This grant funds complete replacement of collection cabinets and development of on-line information and images for the Univ. of Vermont Natural History Museum, enhancing Vermonters’ access to biodiversity information for conservation and research.

    Berlin, Linda   Measuring food insecurity among Vermont refugees

  • We aim to improve our understanding of how food insecurity is experienced and managed y Vermont's resettled refugees in order to assess the relevance to refugees of the food security easurement tool currently used at the national level

    Berlin, Linda   Enhancing Food Security in Underserved Populations in the Northeast Through Sustainable Regional Food Systems

  • To access whether greater reliance on regionally produced foods can improve food access for low-income communities, while also benefitting farmers, food supply chain firms, and others in the food system.

    Bradshaw, Terry   Field Assessment of Biostimulants for Organic Apple Scab

  • Evaluation of salicylic acid-based biostimulants to improve apple scab management in organic apple orchards

    Bradshaw, Terry   Improved Technical Support Programming for Vermont Apple Growers

  • Develop communications platform to disseminate research-based horticulture, pest management, and related information to commercial Vermont apple (and grape) growers.

    Bradshaw, Terry   Biological Management of Apple Replant Disease

  • Apple replant disease (ARD) is a serious disorder that reduces tree growth and cumulative yield on affected trees planted on previous orchard sites. This project will assess biological control materials in two ARD-affected orchards in Vermont.

    Bradshaw, Terry   Apple Market Optimization and Expansion through Value-Added Cider Production

  • Identify horticulturally and economically feasible market expansion opportunities for Vermont orchards to grow apples for high-value processing by hard cider producers in Vermont.

    Bradshaw, Terry   Northern Grapes: Integrating Viticulture, Winemaking, and Marketing of New Cold-Hardy Cultivars Supporting New and Growing Wineries

  • Evaluate cold-hardy winegrape cultivars and provide research-based information to stakeholders as part of a multistate partnership project.

    Bradshaw, Terry   Orchard Economic Assessment to Support Vermnt Hard Cider

  • Quantify production costs, characterize cider fruit quality, and identify orchard management practices of apples grown for hard cider making.

    Chen, Yolanda   Genetic factors associated with insecticide resistance in Colorado potato beetle

  • We study why Colorado potato beetle has been able to evolve resistance to all insecticides. Insecticides are the only viable tactic for producing potatoes commercially.

    Chen, Yolanda   Establishing a Swede Midge Damage Threshold for Brassica Crops

  • We are studying whether there is a threshold of the number of swede midge larvae that may induce major harvestable yield losses on broccoli crops.

    Chen, Yolanda   Exploiting the Reproductive Biology of the Invasive Swede Midge to Improve IPM in Brassica Crops

  • We are studying if the female pheromone of swede midge can be used to control this devastating pest in Brassica crops.

    Chen, Yolanda   Developing a Sustainable Pest Management Program for the Invasive Swede Midge in Brassica Crops

  • We are studying whether alternative pest management practices are effective for managing the invasive swede midge.

    Chen, Yolanda   Do Hyper-Diverse Genomes Run the Pesticide Treadmill: Resequencing Colorado Potato Beetle Genomes to Understand Rapid Pest Evolution and Improve Sustainable Pest Management

  • We are resequencing the genomes of geographic populations of the Colorado potato beetle to identify how genetically diverse they are.

    Conner, David   Enhancing the Sustainability of Food Systems through Service Learning-based Entrepreneurship Education and Outreach

  • This project will foster successful food-based entrepreneurs and partnerships in Vermont, improving our economic well-being

    Conner, David   Renewing an Agriculture of the Middle: Value Chain Design, Policy Approaches, Environmental and Social Impacts

  • This project will measure the economic impacts and contributions of the Vermont’s food system, uncovering opportunity for greater impact

    Conner, David   Optimizing Protected Culture Environments for Berry Crops

  • We are investigating the use of high tunnels to grow high quality berries.

    Darby, Heather   Development of Tech. Training and Support for Ag. Service Providers & Farmers in Certified Organic Dairy Production Systems through eOrganic

  • Over the past ten years, organic dairy production has been the fastest growing sector of the organic market (McBride and Greene, 2009). However, research-based information on organic dairy farming techniques is lagging and many agriculture service providers have had little training or experience in offering technical advice and analysis of organic dairy operations (Jones, 2007).

    Darby, Heather   Hop varietal tolerance to potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae)

  • The overall goal of this project is to increase the quantity and quality of hop production in the Northeast through locally relevant research and outreach programs. The specific objectives of this proposal are to identify hop varieties that are appropriate for this region to improve the yield and quality of locally grown hops. The ultimate impact is for farmers to be able to produce an economically viable crop in our region with minimal environmental impact.

    Delaney, Terrence   Arabidopsis LNK2 Regulation and Role in Plant Defense and Flower Induction

  • Our research goal is to better understand the role and regulation of two plant genes implicated in controlling plant disease resistance and circadian rhythm. Research may enable new strategies for controlling plant disease and reducing pesticide use.

    Greenwood, Sabrina   Creating a healthier bovine milk proteome using alternative forages

  • In this research we are examining how the diet fed to lactating dairy cattle affect the milk profile produced. We are specifically examining how changes in the rumen available protein profile of the diet, both in a typical indoor diet (a total mixed ration) in Experiment 1 or from a grazing diet (grazed alternative forages) in Experiment 2, can affect the milk protein profile.

    Greenwood, Sabrina   Feeding Dairy Cows to Produce Health Milk

  • This research investigates whether two locally available byproducts of the human food industry, coffee grounds and grape marc, can be fed to dairy cows to further improve the healthfulness of the milk profile produced by lactating dairy cattle

    Hazelrigg, Ann   Comparison of Three Organic Apple Management Systems on Disease and Arthropod Pests

  • Disease control in organic apples is reliant on sulfur-based fungicides. These organic fungicides can have negative impacts on tree health and beneficial arthropods. The project examines the us of agricultural biostimulants for disease management in organic apple orchards

    Hazelrigg, Ann   The Multidisciplinary Vermont Extension Implementation Program Addressing Stakeholder Priorities and Needs for 2014-2017

  • The Vermont Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program uses a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to address critical IPM needs of diverse stakeholders by reducing potential risks to human health and the environment through sustainable pest management systems.

    Hazelrigg, Ann   National Plant Diagnostic Network for the Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative

  • The UVM Plant Diagnostic Clinic represents Vermont in the National Plant Diagnostic Network and is responsible for insect, disease and weed id and diagnosis on plants and reporting results to the National database to help identify invasive insects, disease and weeds of national importance.

    Inwood, Shoshanah   Linking the Cost of Health Insurance and Child Care to Future US Agricultural Production

  • The purpose of this research is to understand how household level factors, specifically the cost of health insurance and childcare influence farm entry, persistence and growth by accounting for policy context across the state

    Inwood, Shoshanah   Linking Health Care Reform and Economic Development in the Agriculture Sector

  • This project examines how health insurance impacts economic development and quality of life of farmers and ranchers in ten case study states, including Vermont with the Extension goal of developing health insurance literacy tools

    Inwood, Shoshanah   Small and Medium Scale Farm Growth, Reproduction and Persistance at the Rural-Urban Interface: Balancing Family, Goals, Opportunities and Risks

  • This national project qualitatively and quantitatively examines the way farm household values, goals, demographics, employment strategies, health insurance status, community embeddedness influence farm development, growth and reproduction at the rural urban interface. Data is from five caste study communities, in Vermont farmer in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties were included

    Kolodinsky, Jane   Influences on citizen support/opposition for controversial food system policy initiatives

  • As a leader in legislative attempts to label GM food and tax sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) Vermont's experience serves as a bellwether for similar legislative initiatives across the country.

    Kolodinsky, Jane   Economic Impact Study of the Vermont Maple Industry

  • The Center of Rural Studies conducted an economic contribution study of the Vermont maple industry at the request of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association. Vermont is the largest maple producer in the United States accounting for 42% of the production.

    Kraft, Jana   Feeding stearidonic acidrich oils to enhance animal health and nutritional attributes of bovine milk

  • Establishing a feeding strategy (lipid-encapsulated terrestrial plant-based seed oil) to enhance the nutritional value of milk fat in dairy cows. The research will strengthen milk as a food for health as well as the dairy industry to take up positions in the emerging market of functional foods

    Kraft, Jana   Characterizing the Rumen Microbiome in Dairy Cows as a Tool to Improve Health Attributes of Bovine Milk Fat

  • Our projects aims to establish an understanding of the complex interaction and dynamics between dairy cow genetics, diet, rumen microbiota, and milk fat quality to provide a scientific basis for successful strategies to enhance health attributes of bovine milk fat

    Kraft, Jana   Examining the Effects of Consuming a Diet Comprising of Full-Fat Milk on Metabolic Health Markers

  • Perform a clinical trial on adult individuals designed to develop scientific evidence on the beneficial effects of milk fat on metabolic health markers. The results will benefit the dairy producer (increased marketability and profit) and the consumer (increased appeal and acceptability)

    Liang, Kathleen   Do Networks Improve the Effectiveness of Promotion for Vermont Wine Producers

  • The project explores and examines winery owners' marketing strategies, and how and if network marketing improves each winery's profitability and market share.

    Liang, Kathleen   Sustaining and Enhancing Local Agriculture in Rural Areas: Assessing Key Producer and Consumer Issues in Northern New England

  • This study focuses on analyzing fresh fruits and vegetables production and consumption in Vermont and other New England states. The key research is – how much fresh vegetable we are producing and if we can satisfy the demand of fresh vegetable in our own region.

    Liang, Kathleen   Understanding and Designing Long-Term Resilience in the US Food System: The Role of Regional Food Networks (RFNs)

  • This project focuses on identifying critical elements of designing and supporting sustainable food networks including elements of food systems and key factors influencing how different elements interact with each other across sectors.

    Liang, Kathleen   Impacts of Multifunctional Operations on Long Term Sustainability and Prosperity for Smal and Medium-Sized Farms and Rural Communities

  • This project explores and examines multifunctional agriculture (agritourism, value added, direct sales, and off farm income) and its impacts on farm families and communities in Vermont and other New England states.

    Parker, Bruce   Earthworms: A Real Threat to our Northeastern Sugarbushes

  • Invasive earthworms disrupt natural biodiversity, transform the forest floor structure. We will determine their abundance in sugarbushes relative to management, understory diversity, maple regeneration and soil characteristics.

    Parker, Bruce   An Emerging Problem for Vermont Christmas Tree Growers: Root Aphids

  • Root aphids are problems in Christmas trees. They slow growth, delay maturity, impact revenues. We identified aphid species and evaluated predatory mites for aphid control.

    Parker, Bruce   An Emerging Problem for Vermont Christmas Tree Growers: Root Aphids

  • Root aphids are problems in Christmas trees. They slow growth, delay maturity, impact revenues. We identified aphid species and evaluated predatory mites for aphid control.

    Parker, Bruce   Sustainable Biological Control Strategies for Growers of Greenhouse Vegetables in Lebanon

  • Research with American University of Beirut scientists on banker and habitat plants to support biocontrol and scouting, and reduce pesticide use is underway in Lebanese greenhouses to determine the suitability of these systems.

    Parker, Bruce   Planning Research Using Novel Plant and Habitat Systems for Sustainable Pest Control in Vegetable Production

  • For this planning project, UVM scientists will collaborate with Egyptian cooperators to determine the IPM capacity of both organizations, assess current practices for thrips and whiteflies and prepare a collaborative research proposal on habitat plant systems for submission in 2016.

    Parker, Bruce   Biological Control of Arthropod Pests and Weeds

  • We evaluated the invasiveness of Acer mono as a sentinel tree in three USDA plant coldhardiness zones for deployment and detection of Asian longhorned beetle.

    Parker, Bruce   Planning Research Using Novel Plant and Habitat Systems for Sustainable Pest Control in Vegetable Production

  • For this planning project, UVM scientists will collaborate with Egyptian cooperators to determine the IPM capacity of both organizations, assess current practices for thrips and whiteflies and prepare a collaborative research proposal on habitat plant systems for submission in 2016.

    Parker, Bruce   Worms: The Lurking Threat to New England's Sugarbushes

  • Invasive earthworms disrupt natural biodiversity, transform the forest floor structure. We will determine their abundance in sugarbushes relative to management, understory diversity, maple regeneration and soil characteristics.

    Perkins, Timothy   Long-Term Effects of Sap Extraction on Sugar Maple Growth and Health

  • We are examining the long-term effects of tapping and sap extraction with gravity and vacuum on taphole closure and growth of sugar maple trees.

    Perkins, Timothy   Is Tapping Below the Lateral Line an Effective Tool to Increase the Size of the Tapping Band

  • Examining the effect that tapping below the lateral line in maple tubing systems on vacuum has on sap yield.

    Skinner, Margaret   Granular Formulations of Insect-Killing Fungi with Plant-Medicated IPM Systems for Thrips

  • This project focused on western flower thrips (WFT) in bedding plants. It evaluated an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, combining predatory mites, granular insect-killing fungi, a pheromone lure and marigolds into a plant-mediated system.

    Skinner, Margaret   Saffron: A New High-Value Crop for Vermont Growers

  • Saffron is a high value herb with a retail price of $312/oz. It is a culinary spice and medicinal plant with anti-carcinogenic properties. This project assesses the feasibility of growing saffron in Vermont high tunnels.

    Skinner, Margaret   Developing an IPM Program for Western Bean Cutworm, a New Corn and Dry Bean Pest in the NE Region

  • This was a collaborative project with Cornell Univ. and Penn State. to evaluate the risk posed by western bean cutworm. Pheromone traps in corn-growing areas in Vermont from 2012-2014.

    Skinner, Margaret   IPM for Vermont’s Landscape Industry: A Longterm Investment to Ensure Success

  • The landscape industry relies heavily on chemical pesticides for pest management. We conducted a grower survey to enable us to develop programs to meet landscaper needs and advance IPM adoption.

    Skinner, Margaret   The Working Group on Improving Microbial Control of Arthropod Pests

  • This multi-faceted project assesses aspects of the use of marigold plant-mediated systems and insect-killing fungi for integrated pest management of western flower thrips in greenhouse ornamentals to reduce growers’ reliance on chemical pesticides.

    Skinner, Margaret   Dynamics of Naturally Occurring Fungal-Induced Epizootics of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid

  • Our goal was to assess the dynamics of naturally-occurring fungal-induced epizootics of hemlock woolly adelgid and determine how to exploit this microbial control agent to develop sustainable management options to protect the hemlock resource.

    Skinner, Margaret   Plant-mediated IPM Systems for Pest Aphids of High Tunnel Vegetable Production

  • This project assesses plant-mediated IPM tactics for high tunnel vegetable production suitable for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas and encourages adoption through a collaborative, multidisciplinary, regional research and outreach approach.

    Smith, Julie   A Human Behavioral Approach to Reducing the Impact of Livestock Pest or Disease Incursions of Socio-Economic Importance

  • Changing attitudes and implementing practices intended to protect food animal health from new or foreign pests and diseases of socio-economic importance

    van den Berg, Abby   Identification of Effective Maple Tubing Cleaning Practices

  • We have identified the maple tubing cleaning practice that results in the best impacts on sap yields and net annual profits for maple producers.

    van den Berg, Abby   Standard Practices for a New System of Maple Syrup Production

  • We are developing standard practices for integrating sap collection from small trees with thinning in regenerating maple stands to promote the growth of crop trees in order to provide additional revenue and increase profitability of maple operations in VT.

    Vogelmann, Thomas   Investigation of a new paradigm in maple syrup production

  • Find ecologically sustainable mechanisms to increase the productivity of maple production operations to enable producers to continue to thrive and provide an affordable, high quality product to consumers.

    Wang, Qingbin   Converting cow manure into electricity and other energy products on dairy farms: Financial and economic analysis and policy implications

  • We are working with Vermont dairy farms with biodigesters to collect primary data and conduct financial analysis of their operations and provide information and recommendations

    Wang, Qingbin   Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Small and Medium Sized Dairy Farms through Artisan Cheese and Other Valued-Added Products

  • We have analyzed data collected from farmers who produce artisan and farmstead cheese, cheese retailers and consumers and provided information and recommendations to dairy farmers engaged or interested in cheese and other value-added products

    Zhao, Feng-Qi   Regulation of glucose production and utilization in dairy cattle

  • Our study will provide mechanistic insights into metabolic adaptation to lactation in dairy cows, which will lead to improvement in milk production efficiency while maintaining whole body glucose homeostasis