NCCC009: MWPS: Research and Extension Educational Materials
Statement of Issues and Justification
The mission of NCCC-009 is to enhance the outreach, research, and teaching programs of the Land-Grant universities by facilitating a learning community that provides a collaborative mechanism for engineers and scientists to exchange knowledge and to cooperate in the development of multi-state/regional educational projects related to food, fiber and energy production systems.The Land-Grant system continues to be called upon to positively impact communities by delivering timely and effective Extension programs and producing high-quality educational / informational materials to support these programs. The need to share engineering and science-based knowledge about food, fiber and energy production systems is as great as its ever been. While far fewer people are involved in production agriculture than when NCR-9 (predecessor to NCCC-009) was formed in 1929, the need for credible information and educational programs keeps growing. More attention is being directed toward topic areas such as: " Natural resource utilization and conservation " Environmental quality " Food safety and public health " Rural communities and sustainability " Non-farm rural residents and the rural-urban interface"
Extension engineers, working with their research partners and in collaboration with scientists, are addressing critical technical needs of these topical issues. Most usually do so while also addressing more conventional agricultural needs, which have evolved over the years, but have not really diminished. While the needs to be addressed have not subsided, the human and financial resources available to individual state educational institutions for meeting these needs continue to decline. This means that, in addition to working in multidisciplinary teams, Extension engineers generally need to work with colleagues in other states to effectively leverage the knowledge and resources necessary to develop quality educational materials and implement effective Extension programs.
NCCC-009 participants benefit from the professional dialogue that occurs with those having research appointments and those from other regions of the country. All participants benefit from the sharing of expertise that translates research-based knowledge into practice.
NCCC-009 will continue to advise and collaborate with Midwest Plan Service (MWPS) publication staff to maintain this primary outlet for educational products that provides educational materials to a wide variety of disciplines in the region, the U.S., and the world. In addition to providing information about issues related to agricultural engineering, MWPS products include material about dairy science, beef cattle production, farm business management, and agricultural economics. MWPS publications provide a vehicle to publish research findings and facilitate technology transfer in formats useful to public and semi-technical audiences. MWPS publications are thorough, unique, and widely respected references. The publications present data and interpretations that enhance both the expert and consumer knowledge bases. Additionally, accumulated NCCC-009 member knowledge serves researchers, extension educators, university faculty, government agencies, and the public by providing guidelines, standards, and models for improved production systems and facilities.
Since 2005, MWPS has made available the major publications listed below (* indicates that NCCC-009 members produced the material):
-Horse Facilities Handbook; MWPS-60*, 2005
-Rectangular Concrete Manure Storages; MWPS-36*, 2005
-Farmstead Planning Handbook: Guidelines for Planning and Expanding Agricultural Facilities and Operations; MWPS-2*, 2005
-The House Handbook: Guidelines for Building or Remodeling Your Home; MWPS-16*, 2006
-Living on Acreages: What You Need to Know; MWPS-50*, 2006
-Wiring Handbook for Rural Facilities; MWPS-28*, 2006
-Crop-share or Crop-share/Cash Rental Arrangements for Your Farm; NCR-105, 2007
-Fixed and Flexible Cash Rental Arrangements for Your Farm; NCR-75, 2008
-Residential Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: An Operation and Maintenance Service Provider Program, Second Edition; CIDWT, 2008
-CNMP Core Curriculum, CNMP-CD-ROM, 2007
-Mitigating Air Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations, MWPS-AIR, 2008
-Private Water Systems Handbook, 5th Edition; MWPS-14*, for release in 2008
In summary, NCR-0009 activities and MWPS publications address regional priority objectives by: " Conveying information that improves agricultural production systems, improves quality of life, and enhances the economic competitiveness of clients. " Describing and illustrating proper systems for storing, managing, and applying manure effectively and efficiently with minimal adverse effects. " Documenting the links between an animals environment, its welfare and behavior, and its care and management by focusing on how to construct and maintain the most effective, efficient, and safe animal housing facilities. " Assessing and explaining the effects of agricultural practices on soil, water, and air quality. " Publicizing and detailing methods to control and reduce chemical and pesticide contamination of soil, water, and air. " Improving housing through education of homeowners, designers, and builders.
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