The Small Farmer-Tuskegee University-Walmart Project: Observations of the Steps within Commercial Supply

Abstract Observations of the various efforts necessary in an initiative, the Small Farmer-Tuskegee University-Walmart Project, to assist small farmers to comply with produce industry standards and supply produce to a major retailer over a six-year period were documented through an illustrative case study. The observations were taken from meetings with commercial buyers and farmers, site visits to processing centers and corporate farms, conference calls, and, mainly, from the authors’ “hands-on” participation with the functioning and preservation of this initiative. Consequently, these observations were organized into a framework of criteria that must be successively satisfied to be able to supply produce commercially. These criteria were capacity, capability, quality, food safety, consistency, sustainability, and marketability. A key finding was that for small farmers to meet these criteria, they required organization and support. It was concluded that although the effort was successful, the information gained through the effort was perhaps more valuable. Keywords: Small Farmers, Produce Markets, Commercial Supply, Capacit

The Effect of Two Planting Dates and Methods on Snap Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Production in a Tunnel House

The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of two planting dates and methods on snap bean yields in a tunnel house. The main plots included planting dates March 17 and 31, 2016 for first and second plantings. The sub-plots consisted of planting Method 1 where one seed per hill was planted every 4” apart, and planting Method 2 where three seeds per hill were planted every 12” apart; each treatment combination was replicated four times. The results of the study showed that it took 55 days for the snap beans to be ready for harvest for both planting dates. Also, there were no significant differences in yields between planting dates, and there were no significant differences in yields between planting methods. This notwithstanding, it may appear that Method 2 would better for weed control because the plants will be well spaced compared to Method 1. Keywords: Tunnel House, Snap bean Planting Dates, Snap bean Planting Methods, Snap bean Yield

Extending Sustainable Irrigation Opportunities to Socially and Historically Disadvantaged Farmers in the Alabama Black Belt to Support Commercial-Level Production

This paper focuses on providing sustainable irrigation opportunities to socially and historically disadvantaged farmers (SHDFs). The ability to provide steady production capacity through the use of renewable energy sources and microirrigation is innovative, in that it demonstrated how to develop and utilize a sustainable irrigation system in both energy and water conservation. This venture is also innovative in that it sought to provide SHDFs with irrigation in a state in which irrigation in agriculture is minimal, while at the same time, offsetting the energy costs that normally accompany irrigation. Several farmers are profiled in their participation in the irrigation program. The lessons learned will provide a starting point for a more permanent research, educational, and outreach partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and SHDF clientele. This relationship will lead to further strengthening the relationships between Tuskegee University and both participating farmers and USDA agencies. Key Words: Irrigation, Small Farmers, Agricultural Sustainability, Solar Energy, Black Bel

The Evaluation of Two Different Harvesting \u27Topbunch\u27 and \u27Hi-Crop\u27 Collards (Brassica Oleracea (L)) Leaves from Plants Grown in a Wiregrass Tunnel House

A study was conducted to determine if a 100% or 50% harvest intensity of ‘Topbunch’ collards leaves could be a recommended practice for Tunnel House producers. The experiment was conducted as a split-plot design with harvest dates as main plots, and harvesting intensity of 100% or 50% of leaves as sub-plots. All treatments were replicated three times, drip irrigated, and fertilized according to soil test recommendations. The results showed significant interactions between harvest methods and dates for number and weight of leaves harvested. There were also significant differences for the weight of leaves harvested and numbers. The leaf recovery rates were greater for plants that had 50% of their leaves harvested compared to those which had 100% of their leaves harvested. This higher recovery rate for the former suggests that the harvest interval could be reduced in the future from 21 to 15 or 18 days

Yield Response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.)) Transplanted in Single And Double Row at Different Dates in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A split-plot study was conducted to evaluate the yield response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ sweetpotato when planted in single and double rows at four planting dates (March, April, May, and June) in a Wiregrass Tunnel House located at S&B Farm in Eufaula, Alabama. The main plots consisted of planting dates, sub-plots single, and double rows, with each treatment combination, replicated three times. The results showed a significant linear and quadratic effect for US#1 grade of sweetpotato and total marketable yields. Yields were highest at the first and second planting dates and declined at the two later planting dates. Single vs. double row planting significantly affected canner grade of sweetpotatoes, while the other grades were unaffected

The Effect of Two Different Harvesting Methods on the Yield of \u27Topbunch\u27 and \u27Hi-Crop\u27 Collards (Brassica Oleracea (L)) When Grown in a Wiregrass Tunnel House

A study was conducted to determine if 100% or 50% harvesting of collard leaves was a suitable recommendation for Tunnel House producers. The experiment was conducted as a split-split plot design with varieties as the main plots, harvesting 100% or 50% of leaves as the sub-plots, and days after transplanting as the subplots. All treatments were replicated three times, drip irrigated, and fertilized according to soil test recommendations. The results showed significant interactions between varieties and method of harvest, for leaf numbers and weight. Conversely, the varieties showed significant differences for yield but not leaf numbers. Both varieties showed significant increases in leaf numbers and yield at each harvest period when 50% of the leaves were harvested, instead of 100%. This approach led to higher leaf recovery rates suggesting that a 50% leaf harvest would result in higher yields, and reduce the harvest intervals from the present 21 to 12 or 18 days

An Analysis of the Relationship Between Leadership Styles and Community Development in Selected Counties of the Alabama Black Belt

Leadership styles are surmised to influence community development. The study, therefore, assessed the relationship between leadership styles and community development in selected Black Belt Counties of Alabama. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 38 locally elected officials, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The most dominant leadership style selected was participating; followed by telling and selling, with identical ratings; delegating; autocratic, and democratic. The most preferred economic indicators were improving the physical infrastructure and constructing a 24-hour health facility. Additionally, participants indicated that constructing or improving of an industrial park; locating a manufacturing company, and locating a tier-1 automobile supplier are important facets of community development. Furthermore, the more preferred educational factor was providing after school programs, and the more preferred social factor was providing recreational facilities. The regression results revealed that of the economic indicators, democratic leadership style had the most relative importance; of the educational indicators, telling leadership style had the most relative importance, and of the social indicators, delegating leadership style had the most relative importance. For the overall community development indicator, democratic leadership style had the most relative importance. Keywords: Leadership Styles, Leadership, Community Development, Black Bel

An Analysis of the Relationship between Socioeconomic Factors and Leadership Styles in Selected Counties of the Alabama Black Belt

Socioeconomic factors are important to leadership styles and may have an influence on leadership styles. The study assessed the relationship between socioeconomic factors and leadership styles in selected counties of the Alabama Black Belt. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 38 locally elected officials, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that there were more male, Black, “older”, educated, moderate- to moderately high-income household, and low- to medium-tenured elected officials than otherwise. The most dominant leadership style was participating; followed by telling and selling. Gender and age had enhancing effects (i.e., positive relative impacts) on the participating leadership style; race had enhancing effects on the selling, delegating, and democratic leadership styles; education had enhancing effects on the selling, participating, and delegating leadership styles; household income had enhancing effects on all the leadership styles, and tenure had an enhancing effect on the autocratic leadership style. This suggests that the officials are more prone to use the said leadership styles vis-à-vis the particular socioeconomic factors. Keywords: Leadership styles, Leadership, Socioeconomic factors, Black Bel

The Effect of A Fifty Percent Leaf Harvest From Three Varieties of Collards (Brassica Oleracea(L)/Cultivar Group Acephala) Cropped at Selected Intervals When Grown in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A study was conducted to determine the effects of a 50% leaf harvest from ‘Heirloom’, ‘Georgia’, and ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ collards on yield, when leaves were removed at 18-, 21-, and 25- day intervals, over four harvest periods of 102, 127, 152, and 177 days after transplanting in a Wiregrass Tunnel House. The experimental design used was a split-split plot with three replications, where harvest periods were main plots, cropping intervals (3) were sub-plots, and varieties were sub-sub-plots. Yield data (lbs./acre) showed significant interactions between harvest periods x cropping intervals for leaf numbers and yield, harvest periods x varieties, and cropping intervals x varieties. The 18-day cropping interval had the highest yields over all harvest periods; while varieties responded differently for each harvest period, and cropping intervals. ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ had the highest yield over all harvest periods and cropping intervals, followed by ‘Georgia ‘and ‘Heirloom.