Progress 08/15/08 to 08/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project (SFOP) works collaborate with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies, federal and state agencies, and a variety of community- based organizations (CBO's) to ensure socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers families receive the training and technical assistance needed to improve their present operations and increase profitability. SFOP mission is to (1) develop educational programs that assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in adapting to new innovations while remaining current in their present operations, (2) identify production problems faced by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, (3) prepare farmers and ranchers to take advantage of opportunities for enhancing their profitability by establishing alternative enterprise and off-farm employment. (4) Assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in achieving profitability in their current operations and in pursuing new alternative agricultural enterprises. The Small Farm Outreach Project provided Vendor Borrowers training workshops to address real world problems and help producers become more profitable and better prepared to operate in today's environment. These training courses were designed to meet additional funding requirement as outlined in the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). The basis topics were Business Planning and Financial Management, Crop and Livestock Production. Practical exercises, participation in class and testing were used to evaluate the participant's ability to understand and implement the concept taught in each course. Provided USDA Awareness workshops and USDA Strike Force Outreach meetings and distributed educational materials to inform and educate socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and other clientele of the USDA agencies Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development (RD), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) based on educational strategies to provide awareness of programs and availability. Provided Loan Workshops to clientele who have a desire to apply for FSA Farm loans and youth loans and USDA NRCS low cost conservation program and practices, RD Housing loan and ASU Small Farm Development Center zero interest loans. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Small Farm Outreach Project provided six (6) Vendor Borrowers training workshops to assist forty-four (44) socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers in obtaining farm management skills through addressing real-world problems. Farmers/ranchers gained knowledge on increasing income through quality production, reduce the possibility of bankruptcy and land loss, improve debt repayment ability and increase crop and livestock production. Risk Management educational materials were distributed to five hundred and fifty-eight (558) socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers. Farmers gained knowledge on conservation practices such as soil erosion, improve soil health, improve water quantity and quality, conserve wetlands, and improve air quality and other resource distributed on Low Cost Conservation practices to five hundred and ninety-two (592) farmers/ranchers at USDA NRCS Strike Force Workshops. Six hundred ninety-nine (699) socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers gained knowledge of programs and services of the USDA agencies, Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development (RD), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) and Risk management Agency (RMA) through USDA Awareness Workshops. SFOP conducted eight (8) Small Farm Development Center Loan Application Workshops to five hundred ninety-three (593) participants who have a desire to apply for a 0% interest loan. Conducted forty-four (44) Farm and Financial Management and thirty-nine (39) Record Keeping workshops to educate and help increase farm profit. Fiscal 2011, the ASU SFOP provided technical assistance to forty-four (44) socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers that met the requirement for funding help spur $ 1,677,500 into Mississippi Farming Industry with an average loan of $15,000-$30,000. Forty-eight thousand and three hundred ($48,300) was provided from the Alcorn State University (ASU) Mississippi Small Farm Development Center to small limited resource farmers with an average loan of $5,000-$10,000. These loans were used to purchase equipment, additional land, and to diversity their farming operation. Thirty youths between the ages 10-20 years old, gained knowledge of the USDA FSA Youth loan program.
Publications
- Banks, C.L.,Reed, A.B., Coleman, J.W.,and King,K 2012Farming. The Holistic Approach: Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance.
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Progress 08/15/09 to 08/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project staff provided educational training, demonstrations and one on one technical assistance in various counties in Mississippi. Educational trainings and workshops were provided to assist farmers who are facing economic hardships. These trainings and workshops were designed to deal with real world problems. They assist producers become more cost-effective and better equipped for the changing environment. The Risk Management courses are designed to minimize odds of property or farm being loss due to a variety of factors that can be overcome. Six (6) structured training sessions were provided for farmers on Risk Management strategies to address legal issues associated with day to day operation. Farmers were educated on legal issues associated with land ownership, property rights and estate planning. Farmers were educated on risk management strategies to deal with various risk as they may face being a land owner Some of the Risk Management strategies are Personal and property ownership, Contractual arrangements and agreements; Personal and business liabilities and Environmental regulations and legal obligations. Educational works sessions were used to educate individuals on the USDA-FSA loan application process. Practical exercises were given utilizing real world situation. United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA) Farm Service Agency borrowers were provided structured training/workshops to help educated loan borrowers on the Farm and Financial Management using the balance sheets, income statements, Input Cost Analysis, Cash Flow analysis, Record Keeping, Credit, etc. Demonstrations/exhibits were used to educate small farmers and limited resource families, and the general public on the importance of accurate herd management which could minimize medical and vet expenses. Farm Record Keeping was a tool used to educate small farmers on the importance keeping accurate record. The Small Farm Outreach Project was incorporated into the Small Farmers Conference to provide hand on demonstration on the processing of a FSA loan application. To ensure new and innovative small farm enterprises for minimal input cost with higher return. Provided technical assistance in completing USDA-FSA Youth Farm Loan package to individual rural youths who want to apply for loans to establish and operate income-producing projects of modest size. The youths must participate in 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America, and similar organizations. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small Limited Resources and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Thirty-four (34) borrowers received structured training to increase their knowledge and skills needed to complete a balance sheet, income statement and inventory analysis for their farming operations. Borrowers have gained knowledge of current farm practices, minimize farm risks. Borrowers also met their educational requirement according to the USDA-FSA regulation and qualify to receive additional funds from USDA. There were a 100% passing rate. One Hundred seventy-six (176) small farmers now have the knowledge, skills and a formulized record keeping system to keep accurate farm records. Small farmers have gained knowledge of legal issues associated with family farm operations and the risk management strategies There was 95% of Farm Service (FSA) borrowers able to receive an additional loan because of the educational workshops, demonstrations, trainings provided. During the FY 2010 over $806,000 received in loans for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to successfully acquire, own, operate and retain their farm operation.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 08/15/08 to 08/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Provided nine (9) educational work sessions to educate individuals on the USDA-FSA application process. Practical exercises were given utilizing real world circumstances. Provided structured training/workshops to USDA-FSA Loan Borrowers on balance sheets, income statements, Input Cost Analysis, Cash Flow analysis, record keeping, etc. Farmers were trained on the Best Management Practices (BMP) depending on their farm enterprise through a structured training program. Seven (7) structured training sessions were provided to familiarize farmers with the legal issues associated with family farm operations and the risk management strategies that will help them to deal or elevate risk they may face as a land or property owner. Those issues are:1) Personal and property ownership 2) Contractual arrangements and agreements; 3) Personal and business liabilities and 4) Environmental regulations and legal obligations. Provided demonstrations/exhibits to small farmers and limited resource families, and the general public on the importance of accurate herd management which could minimize medical and vet expenses. Provided structured farm record keeping classes in conjunction with USDA NRCS as a collaborative effort entitled Small Farm Initiative for Small Farmers Families and Limited Resources Farmers who are currently participating in governmental programs. Provided Small Farmers Conferences so farmers could have hands on application. To ensure new and innovative small farm enterprises for minimal input cost with higher return. Provided technical assistance in completing USDA-FSA Youth Farm Loan package to individual rural youths who want to get loans to establish and operate income-producing projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America, and similar organizations. Farmers were trained on legal issues associated with land ownership, property rights and estate planning designed to minimizing the likelihood of property or farm being loss due to a variety of factors that can be overcome. PARTICIPANTS: Carolyn Banks Anthony Reed Rockiell Woods TARGET AUDIENCES: Small and limited resource farmers who are experiencing financial difficulities which have led to bankruptcies and forecloures resulting in stressful and emotional conditions. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
One Hundred-two (102) borrowers received structured training to increase their knowledge and skills needed to complete a balance sheet, income statement and inventory analysis for their farming operations. Borrowers have gained knowledge of current farm practices, minimize farm risks. Borrowers also met their educational requirement according to the USDA-FSA regulation and qualify to receive additional funds from USDA and have currently assisted in putting 2.5 million dollars into the Mississippi Economy. There were a 100% passing rate. One Hundred seventy-six (176) small farmers now have the knowledge, skills and a formulized record keeping system to keep accurate farm records. Seventy-two (72) small farmers have gained knowledge of legal issues associated with family farm operations and the risk management strategies. Five Hundred thirty-one (531) small farmers, ranchers and women and business are knowledgeable of new and innovative alternative enterprises that would have a greater return with less startup capital or input cost. Ten (10) youths received these loans develop life skills such as planning, managing, money management, responsibility and operating skills that will be beneficial to throughout their entire life. These ten youth loan application approved totaling $50,000.00. Farmers have increased their knowledge of the importance and accuracy of farm record keeping; farmers have obtained a structured record keeping instrument and qualify for future program and service of USDA. Farmers have met their obligations with USDA-NRCS to receive a yearly stipend for participating in the training and maintaining accurate records. Participants have obtaining knowledge of their rights as a land and property owner that will enable them to make better sound management decisions on the various crops that are sustainable and profitable based on research. The farmers and vendors received hands-on experience with illustrations on marketing practices that improved their overall efficiency in marketing. The limited resource farmers gained skills and modified their existing technologies resulting in marketing their produce/products successfully. The limited resource farmers gained knowledge in documenting their customers/repeat customers, sales receipts, etc. by analyzing the effectiveness of their marketing campaign.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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