Water
Research related to water issues in the Lamm Lab
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Oluwafunmilayo Ajiferuke’s research was presented by Michael Batame at the 2026 International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) Conference titled Communicating the Effects of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) with the Public to Assist in Environmentally Sound Decision Making. PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are persistent environmental contaminants linked to potential risks to…
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At the 2026 International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) Conference, Michael Batame delivered an oral presentation titled Exploring United States Consumers’ Plastic Use Impact Perceptions and Knowledge: An Audience Segmentation Analysis. The purpose of this study was to apply audience segmentation to knowledge gap theory to identify the characteristics of the general public…
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Michael Batame and Dr. Alexa Lamm (alongside Dr. Sarah White) presented research at the 2026 National Agricultural Communications Symposium (NACS) and the 2026 Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science (SRASHS) conference, highlighting how communication strategies, emotions, and audience characteristics influence perceptions of plastic use and sustainability in horticultural systems. At NACS, Michael Batame displayed a research poster titled Testing Microplastic…
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The Lamm Lab recently published an article titled Healthy Harvests: Reducing Plastic Use and Associated Water Contaminants in U.S. Greenhouses and Nurseries, authored by Masoud Yazdanpanah and Alexa Lamm at the University of Georgia, Jim Owen and James Altland at USDA ARS, and Sarah White at Clemson University. The study explored the environmental and behavioral…
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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, and microplastics have both become significant environmental concerns. Some people even believe they are the same. Dr. Sarah White, a nursery extension specialist and professor at Clemson University’s Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences is collaborating with the Lamm Lab on a USDA ARS project…
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When you think of nurseries and greenhouses, you probably imagine rows of beautiful growing plants. But behind the scenes, there is something else that’s just as common: plastic. From pots and trays to ground covers and irrigation pipes, plastics are found everywhere in greenhouses and nurseries. And while they help get the job done, they…
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Authors: Kristin Gibson, Alexa Lamm , Kevan Lamm, Jessica Holt, and Kyle Maurice Woosnam Kristin presented research about single-use bottled water use at the National Agricultural Communications Symposium (NACS) held in Atlanta, Georgia, February 4-5. The study was part of her dissertation. The presentation addressed single-use bottled water use in national parks by exploring the influence of visual communication interventions designed for…
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The 2024 National Agricultural Communications Symposium was held February 4-5th in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with other Lamm Lab members, Olivia Erskine presented her paper, authored with committee members Alexa Lamm, Kevan Lamm, and Catherine Sanders, titled “Public engagement in community gardens: Communicating to prepare for climate change impacts on gardens”, which is part of her…
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Emerging environmental contaminants (EECs, e.g., perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS], heavy metals, trace elements, harmful algal bloom products, and micro- and nano-plastics) can impact drinking water and water used for irrigation of food crops. In fact, previous research has shown irrigation water containing EECs can be absorbed into food crops (i.e., produce and grain, meat,…
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Dr. Alexa Lamm attended the International Plant Propagators’ Society western region meeting in Temecula, CA to conduct focus groups with nursery and greenhouse growers perceptions related to the use of plastic on farm and how it relates to their water. Lively discussions with 24 growers over a period of three days elevated our understanding of…