This document discusses the role of extension professionals in linking scientific research to practical application for producers. It emphasizes that research needs to provide information that influences profitability and risk management. The challenges of technology transfer include issues like impractical products, unfamiliarity, and previous bad experiences. Extension can help with applied research expertise, education experience, and relationships with key producers. The document outlines input from Utah producers on bioplastics research, including developing brand recognition, testing in local soils, and potential uses. It stresses the importance of including economics analysis, producer input, and outreach methods like workshops and field days to communicate results.

1. Bioplastics: The Extension
Professional’s Role in Linking
Science to Practice
Dr. Heidi Kratsch
Dr. Ruby Ward
Utah State University Extension

2. What’s the point of research?
 Journal articles
 Grant funding
 University recognition
 Tenure/promotion
 Advancing science
 Information that influences producers
profitability and risk

3. From problems to answers
 Recognize a problem or opportunity
 Devise idea(s) to solve the problem
 Product/process development
 Product/process testing
 Refine product/process (and more
testing)
 Communication of concept/results
 Implementation – leads to impacts

4. Technology Transfer: the
challenges of integration
 Process/product not practical
 Unfamiliarity with product/process
 Much to lose if product fails
 Previous bad experience
 Wait-and-see attitude
Producer input – early and often –
will result in a more successful integration

5. Why Extension?
 Expertise in applied research
 Expertise in adult education
 Established relationships with key
producers (those who influence other
producers and consumers)

6. Input from Utah producers
 Need to develop “brand recognition”
 Terminology in marketing will be
important
 Would like to see pony-packs and liners
 Need to test in the dry, sometimes low
organic matter and/or salty soils of the
Intermountain West

7. Input from Utah producers
 Will be especially useful for woody
plants
 Potential use in simplifying the planting
process for woody plants
 Possibility for “custom” pots with
different degradation rates?
 Is their a way to include other nutrients
besides N? (P, K, micronutrients?)

8. USDA Specialty Crops
Research Initiative RFA
 “…include explicit mechanisms to
communicate results to producers and
the public.”

9. Explicit Outreach Methods
 Workshops (for producers)
 Inservices (for county
agents)
 Field days
 Articles in trade magazines
 Producer involvement in
product/process trials

10. Why include economics?
 How does this idea influence a
producer’s “bottom line”?
 Weigh the associated costs against the
value of potential benefits

11.  Can strengthen the argument for
pursuing the research
 Provides a way to assess impacts
Why include economics?

12. How to include economics
 Keep track of all costs:
 Set-up
 Recurring costs
 Time for implementation
 Cost of materials
 Cost of other inputs

13. How to include economics
 Assign costs to inputs
 Dollar cost of production
 Dollar cost of labor hours
 Cost of materials
 Cost of potential changes in processes or
facilities to integrate the new technology

14. How to include economics
 Assign value to new product or process
 Process takes less time? Uses fewer
inputs?
 Can sell product at a better price?
 Product is more marketable?
 Product fills a niche?
 Product creates a niche?

15. Questions? Comments?