Coastal Alabama Community College partners with the University of West Alabama to assist landowners across southwest Alabama

Coastal Alabama Community College and the University of West Alabama have put innovative thinking and education to practice in the field (literally), and it’s helping landowners across southwest Alabama.

“We were inundated with hogs,” said Stan Boggs, a landowner in Gilbertown, Ala. “The interns reduced the hog population significantly, and the turkey population has climbed ever since.”

Invasive species, such as feral pigs, create major issues for areas they occupy.  These species, which also include the infamous cogongrass plant, threaten 49% of the United States’ endangered species and cause billions of dollars in damage.

Invasive species management is one of four focal points for the USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture-funded project – Partners for Agricultural Innovation and Sustainability (PAIS). The PAIS program is a collaborative effort between UWA and Coastal Alabama and is in its second generation of renewal after seeing success in the areas of invasive species management, forest management, soil health consultation, and pollinator support across the region.

According to UWA’s website, the purpose of the grant is to provide area stakeholders with knowledge, tools, and manpower to combat environmental and economic threats.

Manpower is where Coastal Alabama Community College has assisted, as student interns in the PAIS program learn about such threats to the region while gaining hands-on experience in various fields and on properties in southwest Alabama.

“Our students receive training and experiences outside the classroom that enhances their academic studies,” said Schuyler Huff, Biology Instructor and PAIS faculty liaison at Coastal Alabama.  “More so, they are learning about critical needs in our region and how they can assist agricultural sustainability.”

Through other efforts in the PAIS program in the areas of soil health, landowners are able to maximize their production, thus supporting healthy soil, healthy crops, and healthy farms.

“They were a tremendous help,” said Boggs. “I really appreciate it.”