Extension
Website: www.drylandag.org
Short film, Resilient: Dryland farming in the semi-arid High Plains
Schnarr, C. and M. Schipanski. 2016. Keeping the farm on the farm when the wind blows. Technical Bulletin, Wheat Field Days 2016. Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station.
Schipanski, M. 2015. Evaluating the ripple effect of cropping systems research. Technical Bulletin, Wheat Field Days 2015. Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station.
Schipanski, M. 2014. Reframing the discussion about cover crops in semiāarid regions. Southeast Area Extension Farm and Ranch Newsletter. Colorado State University Extension. Volume 2, Issue 3.
Farmer-to-farmer learning
There is a growing demand for farmer-driven learning networks due to their proven effectiveness and utility for designing locally adapted systems. Through our cover crop cocktails research project we are providing facilitation support to strengthen existing farmer learning networks and engage in co-learning activities by which growers inform our research on cover crop mixtures, and researchers and farmer-collaborators share results from research station and on-farm experiments.
Field days and workshops
Problem-based and active learning are particularly effective educational approaches with adult learners, who bring a rich diversity of life experiences to extension events. We have designed and led hands-on field days and workshops that engage participants in assessing cropping system multifunctionality and soil health. For example, the photo on the left shows field day participants assessing soil quality, plant health, and weed and insect diversity of different fields to understand legacy effects of tillage and crop rotations.
Examples of past extension publications
Schipanski, M. (editor) 2011, 2012. PSU Organic Acres newsletter.
Schipanski, M., Sandy, D., Barbercheck, M. 2011. Organic corn yields in a drought year. Organic Matters, PCO Quarterly Newsletter Winter 2011, pp. 11, 22.
Dempsey, M., M. Schipanski, and M. Barbercheck. 2011. Penn State organic corn variety trial. Field Crop News Vol.11. Penn State Crop Management Extension Group, University Park, PA; Also printed in Organic Matters, PCO Quarterly Newsletter Winter 2011, pp. 9 ā 10.
Schipanski, M. and L. Drinkwater. 2009. Dear Vicki Vetch: Red clover vs clover-grass mix for a cover crop in winter grains. Small Farm Quarterly, Cornell University.
Schipanski, M. and L. Drinkwater. 2009. Legume nitrogen fixation learning module, Organic Cropping Systems Project Web site: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/extension/organic/ocs/tutorial/legume_n/index.html
Schipanski, M. and L. Drinkwater. 2007. Researching legume nitrogen fixation, Organic Cropping Systems Project Web site: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/extension/organic/ocs/tutorial/legume_n_research/index.html