Synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, plastic mulch, and monocultures boost yield and quality through specialization and efficiency to commercial strawberry systems, but these practices threaten long term production as the environment is impacted. Agroecology emphasizes aspects such as soil health and crop diversity that protect the environment, with the possibility of considerable strawberry production. Therefore, we designed a sustainable strawberry system implementing companion planting and vermicompost/organic mulch application. Harvests were classified into USDA standards of successes and failures. Even though the conventional system performed better in total successful yield (222 vs. 180), it had more failures (230 vs. 129). This is promising for agroecological farming given that the sustainable plot was accidentally watered less. Data on soil and tissue analysis and observational data were also collected. This pilot experiment serves as a small example that could be replicated onto acres of strawberry fields to investigate the impacts of conventional and agroecological practices.

This research asks, “Can we find lessons in how to have a healthy relationship with Coyotes (Canis latrans) from historical evidence of Indigenous peoples’ traditional wisdom and scientific knowledge?” The highly adaptable nature and behavioral plasticity of Coyotes makes them a critical case for study because they can provide us insight into similar large predators who also experience human interaction. The goal of this project is to better understand the inextricable link between Indigenous communities and Coyotes in the American West and apply lessons learned to our present and future Coyote management plans. This work will use a literature review of existing scholarship and first-hand interviews with Indigenous community members. Coyotes originated in the American West and since widespread colonization, when most other predator populations have declined, Coyote populations have increased and their ranges have expanded greatly. Their ability to survive and thrive alongside humans is an indication of the need to improve our relationship with them as our neighbors. Communities of people and Coyotes both stand to benefit from this research. By studying how the ancestral Indigenous communities of the West coexisted with Coyotes we can improve our relationship with them, and try to understand how we might treat them with respect and honor.

Annual veterinary exams are essential for ensuring good cat health and welfare. However, many cat owners do not take their cat for annual veterinary visits due to many factors, including negative experiences for themselves and their cat during clinic visits. In recent years, research has assessed strategies for reducing cat stress during clinic visits, and increasing cat owner willingness to bring their cat to the veterinary clinics. However, little is known about cat owner opinions of these strategies. Thus, we used a cross-sectional online questionnaire to survey current US and Canadian cat owners on their perceptions of common practices in the waiting room, examination room, and treatment area for both themselves and their cat. The questionnaire (N=41 questions) consists of 6 sections: 1) a consent form, 2) inclusion criteria, 3) owner demographics, 4) previous veterinary experience, 5) owner’s opinion on general appointment practices, and 6) an open-ended question. A minimum sample size of 385 respondents was calculated using a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. Recruitment and data collection is estimated to begin July 2024. Advertisements to participate will be distributed using digital platforms such as social media. We predict cat owner responses will reflect their desire to be more involved while their cats undergo routine examinations and procedures, and that cat owners will prefer cat-only waiting rooms and examination rooms. Our results will highlight strategies that may help improve owner satisfaction during routine veterinary visits.