AAES- Supporting Agriculture and Forestry Land Use and Conservation

1. AAES- Supporting Agriculture and Forestry Land Use and Conservation Dr. Jim Bannon November 4, 2003

2. Survey of Rural Land Issues • Respondents want AAES/ACES to do more… • Promoting conservation of rural land • Assisting with rural planning projects • Improving conventional row-crop agriculture

3. What Motivates the Purchase of Rural Land? • Immediate place to live – 73% • Land Ownership – 62% • Future Retirement Property – 48% • Investment for Resale – 43% • Farming and Livestock – 23% • Hunting or other Recreational Purpose – 21% • Rental Property – 18% • Timber Production – 17%

4. Similar reasons are given when asked about future rural land purchases.

5. Should AAES and ACES be doing more, less, or the same work in…“Promoting the Conservation of Rural Land?”65.7% said MORE!

6. Should ACES & AAES be doing more, less, or the same work in . . .(all respondents)

7. Should ACES & AAES be doing more, less, or the same work in . . . (Ratings of Respondents who Earn or Supplement Their Incomes Through Farming or Other Agricultural Activities)

8. Is This Sustainable Agriculture? • Assisting with Rural Planning? Role of AAES/ACES; Research & Extension Centers • Improving Conventional Row-Crop Agriculture? Conservation tillage • Developing Alternative Uses for Rural Land? Recreational/Agri-tourism

12. 2005? 2010?

19. Current AAES Research • Today • Environmental projects have doubled • Value added projects have increased • Overall, projects have decreased • 10 years ago • Sustainable Education Initiative

20. Planning for AAES Future • Strategic Plan • Legislative Initiatives • Reinventing E.V. Smith Research Center, Lower Coastal Plains Research Center, and Piedmont Research Unit • Marketing Value Added Products

21. Center for 21st Century Agriculture • Location: E. V. Smith Research Center • Organizations: AALGA and ADAI • Mission: Research/Outreach in agricultural production, processing/marketing systems • Goals: • High quality, high return products • Local varieties/local freshness • Consumer awareness/education • Environmental/Sustainable/Social issues

22. Wildlife Management for the 21st Century • Facility: Captive Deer Research Center • Location: Piedmont Substation, Camp Hill • Goals: • Reproductive success • Parasites and disease • Deer herbivory • Genetics • Quality Management

23. Milstead Farm Group Cotton Gin

24. Agricultural Waste ManagementResearch Unit

25. Cotton Gin Trash Windrows

26. Screener/Bagger

27. Lower Coastal Plain Substation

28. LCPS Development

29. LCPSS Development

30. Question Continues To Be… “What are the comparative advantages in Alabama?”

31. Poultry Forestry Catfish Cotton/Peanuts Turf/Ornamentals Beef Cattle Fruit/Nuts/Vegetables Effect of: Bioterrorism event Strength of dollar Water resources Crop failure Distribution system Local vs. Import Consumer habits What are Alabama’s comparative advantages?

32. Alternative Land Uses (Summary) • Sustainable Model • Green energy production • Value-added enterprises • Recreational land uses • Eco/Agri-Tourism • “Green” housing • Nutraceuticals • Nutrient Management