The James Harrison Hill, Sr. Young Scholar Enhancement Grant Program is an extension of SSARE’s Research & Education Grants program, which allows researchers conducting SSARE-funded projects to partner with high school and undergraduate students on sustainable agriculture research.
The first James Harrison Hill, Sr. Young Scholar Enhancement Grants were awarded in 2013 with the goal to engage youth in the research process and encourage the pursuit of college degrees emphasizing sustainable agriculture. In 2024, 10 young scholars were selected for the program. A digital copy of their research posters can be found below.
LS22-364 Empowering Young Scholars in Nitrogen Management for Organic Ratoon Rice While there is substantial research and practical guidance available on N management for the organic rice main crop, there is a notable gap in recommendations for the ratoon crop in organic systems. This Young Scholar Grant aims to enrich undergraduate STEM students’ education by focusing on organic rice production and N management.
LS22-366 Development of Sustainable Strategies for Managing Bacterial Diseases and Improving Tree Health in the Peach Production System This study focuses on evaluating field performance of different biopesticides as potential alternative options to manage bacterial spot more sustainably and improve tree health.
LS22-367 Cultivation of Mushroom on Agricultural Residues for Use as Nematicide Against Barber Pole Worm in Sheep and Goats The objectives of the project were to cultivate oyster mushroom on crop residues, harvest and preparation for evaluation as a nematicide against barber pole worm, and to evaluate yield, biological efficiency and composition of oyster mushroom cultivated on crop residues.
LS22-368 Bursting the “Magic Bubble”: Perceptions of Identity as the Farmers Market This project explored conversations at farmers markets about races and asked about the policies that farmers have related to DEI among their vendors, and how farmer vendors and market managers discuss the role that identity plays in shaping market dynamics.
LS22-374 Corn Root Morphology in a Cover Crop Interseeded System The objective of the project was to investigate the effects of tillage, interseeded cover crops and seeding rates on the number and length of brace and crown roots of corn.
LS23-377 Characterizing the Mycology (Muscle Profile) of Meat Goat Carcasses to Improve Value-added Processing and Retail Consumption in Farm-to-Fork Marketing The overall objective of the proposal is to conduct a comprehensive myology investigation using meat goats reared under 3 practical production scenarios employed by farmers in the Southeast.
No digital poster available.
LS23-381 Investigating the Impact of Light on the Physiological and Biometric Changes in Vanilla The growth of vanilla is largely impacted by the light quality and quantity but has not been determined. This study was conducted to determine the optimized light quality by evaluating the effects of light on the physiological and biometric changes in vanilla.
EDS22-35 Student Research and Extension Experiential Learning in Climate Smart Integrated Pest Management for Underserved Communities The objective of this project was to provide students with research and extension experiential learning opportunities through interdisciplinary, and multi-institutional collaboration in climate smart IPM practices.
EDS22-38 Establishment of Agriculture Community Education Online Courses to Advance Sustainable Agriculture Practices The objective of the project was to determine if integrated hands-on instruction for the Small Farming Course can be effectively taught in an online only mode to students and result in their successful completion of the course objectives.
EDS23-052 Arkansas CommUniversity Young Scholar Program The objective of the project was the develop a community-integrated AGRI-STEM pathway program that impacts underserved and marginalized communities in the state of Arkansas.