Progress 09/15/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Small Farm Outreach Project staff continued to work closely with project participants with special emphasis on Hispanic/Latino farm families as well as Native American communities in the development of farm and home plans, development of marketing plans, loan applications and group training sessions. The farm and home plans continue to provide project participants with a plan of action similar to a regular business plan. It helps in their decision making during the farm crop year. It provides goals and objectives with inputs and projected outcomes. The overall expected outcome of the 2501 program goal and objectives is an increase in participation by socially disadvantaged and minority farmers in USDA programs. Specific outcomes include an increase in (1) information dissemination, applications and awards for loans for farm ownership, farm operation, equipment, housing, and youth operated businesses; (2) in farm numbers, farm operating capacity; and (3) in farm family income. The farm management specialists and program staff continued to work closely with all program participants in identifying alternative enterprises, developing farm and home plans, farm loan applications, grant applications, housing applications and other non-loan USDA program assistance. The project staff worked with USDA staff in local offices to help facilitate farmer requests for assistance with applications to participate in various farmer programs. The technical training sessions included record keeping, management of income and utilization of credit, marketing, preparation of farm plans and cash flow budgets. Additionally, assistance was rendered in production techniques. This is an area where various scientists within the College of Agricultural, Environmental and Natural Sciences and the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station are working with farmers and ranchers on the farm as part of the University's effort to expand its outreach efforts. Scientists are able to conduct research demonstration projects and provide valuable professional technical support to the farmers at the same time. PROJECT ACTIVITIES for 2009-2010 include: No. of Group Meetings, 23; No. of Farmers/Ranchers Participating, 355; No. of Farm Visits, 209; No. of Meetings with USDA/Agencies/Staff, 78; No. of Brochures, Publications Distributed, 658; No. of Socially Disadvantaged Applicants (SDA) Identified, 67; No. Participating in Comprehensive Training (e.g., Record Keeping, Financial Management, Production Management, etc.), 13; No. of Farm Plans Developed, 63; No. Submitting Applications or Requesting USDA Services, 55; Average Number of Days Between Loan Application Submission and Approval or Rejection, 45. FARM LOAN ACTIVITY for 2009-2010: 3 Farm Ownership loans for $950,000; 11 Production loans for $594,000; 20 Facility and Housing loans for $1,125,500; 10 youth loans for $50,000; 11 cost share, eqip and specialty crop grants for $183,377. TOTAL, 55 loans and grants for $2,902,877. PARTICIPANTS: Robert Zabawa serves as Director of the Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project. Under his leadership, the project has maintained a high level of involvement and performance in the Alabama Black Belt for 15 years. Zabawa is also Research Professor and Coordinator of Social Science Research at the G.W. Carver Agricultural Experiment Station of Tuskegee University and Coordinator of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Masters Degree Program. Miles Robinson serves as the Associate Director for the Project. He also serves as part of the management team for the Rural Business and Economic Development Program. He has the responsibility of coordinating the outreach, training and technical assistance provided to participating small and limited resource farmers. Robinson has an extensive background in working with small and limited-resource farmers and businesses. Ntam Baharanyi serves as co-principal investigator. He has coordinated the project's efforts with those of the Cooperative Extension Program and the Rural Business and Economic Development Program. His specialties include rural and agricultural development and production economics. Bobby England, Bob Mants, and Audrey Zeigler serve as Farm Management Specialists for the Project. As such, they provide assistance and training to farm owners in the project area. Specific activities they have carried out successfully include preparing farm ownership and operational loan applications; providing technical assistance in farm and agricultural record keeping, beef cattle and crop production and budget planning, and small farm vegetable demonstration; and assisting in rural economic development projects. Gwen Harris serves as Financial Management Specialist and Administrative Assistant for the Project. She provides financial assistance and training to farm owners. Specific activities carried out successfully include preparing farm ownership and operational loan applications; providing technical assistance in financial planning/management of farm and agricultural record keeping, and assisting in rural economic development projects. Her administrative duties include day-to-day operational and administrative tasks, budgets, accounting and bookkeeping, preparation of farm plans, mini-grants and all financial documents needed for reimbursable projects. The Project collaborates with the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Program, the University's arms charged with ensuring that Outreach programs are implemented and where research-based information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural enterprises is provided. There is also collaboration with the Rural Business and Economic Development Program that works closely with County Agents and other Community leaders. Other key collaborative arrangements include those with USDA agencies, the State of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, RC&D Councils, the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Alabama Forestry Commission, local banks, community and group organizations and private entrepreneurs/farmers, and the county programs of the 1862 Extension. TARGET AUDIENCES: The overall target audience is socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and the overall effort is to assist this audience to own and operate farms and ranches; and to provide information on loan application and farmer programs. Specific objective efforts are (1) to develop and implement programs so that eligible farmers and their family members may apply for and acquire farm ownership, farm operating, equipment, housing, and youth loans; (2) to develop and enhance business management and marketing skills for USDA borrowers; (3) to develop the financial documentation of the farm and other applicable rural enterprises to the point where the owner graduates to a commercial lender; (4) to develop a long-range base for self-sustaining farm business analysis services through existing associations and institutions; and (5) to increase service to and participation of other socially disadvantaged and minority farmers and their family members, specifically Native American and Hispanic/Latino farm families. The overall outcome of these efforts is an increase in participation by socially disadvantaged and minority farmers in USDA programs. Specific outcomes will be an increase in information dissemination, applications and awards for loans for farm ownership, farm operation, equipment, housing, and youth-operated businesses, an increase in farm numbers, farm operating capacity, and an increase in farm family income. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Small Farm staff is currently focusing on specific projects designed to strengthen the growth and sustainability of limited resource producers, beginning farmers, African American Co-ops and Latino groups as outlined below. Outreach to Pasture Poultry, Goat, Vegetable and farmers. Outreach for pasture poultry producers focused on marketing as a way for maintaining economic viability. The acquisition of a refrigeration unit at the local farmers market allowed a longer shelf life for the vegetable vendors. The small farm staff is also working with the tilapia and catfish producers. Some of the specific areas of assistance rendered are enhancement of advertisement and marketing, purchase of aeration equipment to increase fish production while maintaining the proper oxygen levels. These producers currently serve as demonstration sites for research and will allow other area farmers to learn about this type of operation as an alternative enterprise. A new addition to this demonstration was the addition of solar panels to run the aeration equipment producing savings for electricity. As a direct result of the assistance the producers expanded their client base to areas outside Alabama including Georgia, Florida and Louisiana. The aeration systems acquired with the assistance of Tuskegee University was instrumental in this accomplishment. Farm staff continue working with Latino migrant farm workers farm laborers and has assisted them by referring them to the Department of Human Resources for food and other assistance for which they might be eligible, suggesting that they grow some, if not all, the vegetables they eat, referring them to the Labor Relations Board for information relative to migrant and other labor laws, referring them to church and charitable groups with food and clothing and other outreach programs. The staff continues to locate work opportunities for them on weekends and/or when they are not working. The Staff is working with the "Cottage House" which represents a large group of Hispanic individuals and businesses. The Cottage House and area farmers were assisted with the acquisition of refrigeration units as well as bean/pea shelling equipment to improve their productivity as well as profitability. The Cottage House received a top honor and will receive the 2nd place Nationwide USDA NRCS Lloyd Wright Award December 2008. The Tuskegee University Staff is working with three Latino-owned stores who want to purchase locally grown produce from Hispanic and other small farmers to sell to the local as well as growing Latino population. The Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative has approximately 75 active community members. Tuskegee University was instrumental in assisting the Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative in obtaining new refrigeration equipment, pea/bean shelling equipment as well as a shed to help improve the profitability of their farm operation. Finally, the staff provided workshops for landowners in the area estate planning as a farm development tool and as a means to avoid heir property.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 09/15/07 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The overall expected outcome of the 2501 program goal and objectives is an increase in participation by socially disadvantaged and minority farmers in USDA programs. Specific outcomes include an increase in (1) information dissemination, applications and awards for loans for farm ownership, farm operation, equipment, housing, and youth operated businesses; (2) in farm numbers, farm operating capacity; and (3) in farm family income. This year Tuskegee University began a partnership with Wal-Mart and C. H. Robbins to have small-scale and limited resource farmers produce vegetables for sale in Wal-Mart. This initial year included farmer organizations throughout the service area particularly the Selma-Dallas County Farmers Organization, Macon County Farmers Organization, Autauga-Chilton County Farmers Organization and the Green County Farmers Organization. The focus of this effort was the coordination of the production, storage, supply and transportation of produce including watermelons, purple-hull peas, and greens. Because of the uniqueness of this partnership, intensive trainings were scheduled with the farmers concerning farm production methods for quantity, quality, and continuity; farm sanitation methods for the handling of vegetables at harvest; farm cooperative methods so that a group of farmers could fulfill a produce order that individual farmers could not; as well as record keeping and purchasing requirements. The project staff coordinated the transportation of the Greens from the farmer fields to the packing sheds. The project staff worked with USDA staff in local offices to help facilitate farmer requests for assistance with applications to participate in various farmer programs. The technical training sessions included record keeping, management of income and utilization of credit, marketing, preparation of farm plans and cash flow budgets. Various scientists within the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences and the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station are working with farmers and ranchers on the farm as part of the University's effort to expand its outreach efforts. Scientists are able to conduct research demonstration projects and provide valuable professional technical support to the farmers at the same time. PROJECT ACTIVITIES for 2010-2011 include: No. of Group Meetings, 18; No. of Farmers/Ranchers Participating, 375; No. of Farm Visits, 311; No. of Meetings with USDA/Agencies/Staff, 72; No. of Brochures, Publications Distributed, 576; No. of Socially Disadvantaged Applicants (SDA) Identified, 72; No. Participating in Comprehensive Training (e.g., Record Keeping, Financial Management, Production Management, etc.), 27; No. of Farm Plans Developed, 70; No. Submitting Applications or Requesting USDA Services, 46; Average Number of Days Between Loan Application Submission and Approval or Rejection, 45. FARM LOAN ACTIVITY for 2010-2011: 8 Production loans for $425,000; 3 equipment loans for $55,000; 16 Facility and Housing loans for $867,000; 3 youth loans for $15,000; 8 cost share, EQIP and specialty crop grants for $143,500. TOTAL, 38 loans and grants for $1,505,500. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Small Farm staff is currently focusing on strengthening the relationship with Wal-Mart and C. H. Robbins. Because of this relationship, participating Black Belt farmers sold 388 tons of watermelons, 21 tons of purple-hull peas, and 17 tons of greens, mostly collards. Due to the first year success of this relationship, Wal-Mart has increased its contract with participating farmers to almost double last year's commitment. On the farmers' side, to fulfill this anticipated order, current activities include: (1) recruiting more farmers; (2) providing more technical assistance in the areas of food safety procedures at harvest; (3) providing coordination of staggered planting for a consistent and continuous product flow during the season; (4) helping expand production of greens to include mustards, turnips and kale, along with collards; and (5) developing means of financial support, including grants, to support irrigation systems to protect the produce-suppliers from drought. This opportunity continued to be the best opportunity for farmers to focus on production and harvest and not about where there products will be sold.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/15/08 to 09/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: PROGRESS: 2008/09 TO 2009/09 OUTPUTS: The Small Farm Outreach Project staff continued to work closely with project participants with special emphasis on Hispanic/Latino farm families as well as Native American communities in the development of farm and home plans, development of marketing plans, loan applications and group training sessions. The farm and home plans continue to provide project participants with a plan of action similar to a regular business plan. It helps in their decision making during the farm crop year. It provides goals and objectives with inputs and projected outcomes. The overall expected outcome of the 2501 program goal and objectives is an increase in participation by socially disadvantaged and minority farmers in USDA programs. Specific outcomes is an increase in (1) information dissemination, applications and awards for loans for farm ownership, farm operation, equipment, housing, and youth operated businesses; (2) in farm numbers, farm operating capacity; and (3) in farm family income. The farm management specialists and program staff continued to work closely with all program participants in identifying alternative enterprises, developing farm and home plans, farm loan applications, grant applications, housing applications and other non-loan USDA program assistance. The project staff worked with USDA staff in local offices to help facilitate farmer requests for assistance with applications to participate in various farmer programs. The technical training sessions included record keeping, management of income and utilization of credit, marketing, preparation of farm plans and cash flow budgets. Additionally, assistance was rendered in production techniques. This is an area where various scientists within the College of Agricultural, Environmental and Natural Sciences and the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station are working with farmers and ranchers on the farm as part of the University's effort to expand its outreach efforts. Scientists are able to conduct research demonstration projects and provide valuable professional technical support to the farmers at the same time. PROJECT ACTIVITIES for 2007-2008 include: No. of Group Meetings, 20; No. of Farmers/Ranchers Participating, 394; No. of Home Visits, 224; No. of Meetings with USDA/Agencies/Staff, 68; No. of Brochures, Publications Distributed, 1,120; No. of Socially Disadvantaged Applicants (SDA) Identified, 60; No. Participating in Comprehensive Training (e.g., Record Keeping, Financial Management, Production Management, etc.), 20; No. of Farm Plans Developed, 54; No. Submitting Applications or Requesting USDA Services, 71; Average Number of Days Between Loan Application Submission and Approval or Rejection, 45. FARM LOAN ACTIVITY for 2008-2009: 8 Farm Ownership loans for $1,277,000; 11 Production loans for $206,000; 8 Equipment loans for $270,000; 11 Facility and Housing loans for $870,000; 4 Livestock loans for $48,000; 5 youth loans for $25,000; 12 cost share, eqip and specialty crop grants for $367,000 TOTAL, 59 loans and grants for $3,063,000. PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS: Robert Zabawa serves as Director of the Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project. Under his leadership, the project has maintained a high level of involvement and performance in the Alabama Black Belt for 15 years. Zabawa is also Research Professor and Coordinator of Social Science Research at the G.W. Carver Agricultural Experiment Station of Tuskegee University. Miles Robinson serves as the Associate Director for the Project. He also serves as part of the management team for the Rural Business and Economic Development Program. He has the responsibility of coordinating the outreach, training and technical assistance provided to participating small and limited resource farmers. Robinson has an extensive background in working with small and limited-resource farmers and businesses. Ntam Baharanyi serves as co-principal investigator. He has coordinated the project's efforts with those of the Cooperative Extension Program, the Rural Business and Economic Development Program, and the Agricultural and Resource Economics Program. His specialties include rural and agricultural development and production economics. Bobby England, Bob Mants, and Audrey Zeigler serve as Farm Management Specialists for the Project. As such, they provide assistance and training to farm owners in the project area. Specific activities they have carried out successfully include preparing farm ownership and operational loan applications; providing technical assistance in farm and agricultural record keeping, beef cattle and crop production and budget planning, and small farm vegetable demonstration; and assisting in rural economic development projects. Gwen Harris serves as Financial Management Specialist and Administrative Assistant for the Project. She provides financial assistance and training to farm owners. Specific activities carried out successfully include preparing farm ownership and operational loan applications; providing technical assistance in financial planning/management of farm and agricultural record keeping, and assisting in rural economic development projects. Her administrative duties include day-to-day operational and administrative tasks, budgets, accounting and bookkeeping, preparation of farm plans, mini-grants and all financial documents needed for reimbursable projects. The Project collaborates with the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Program, the University's arms charged with ensuring that Outreach programs are implemented and where research-based information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural enterprises is provided. There is also collaboration with the Rural Business and Economic Development Program that works closely with County Agents and other Community leaders. Other key collaborative arrangements include those with USDA agencies, the State of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, RC&D Councils, the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Alabama Forestry Commission, local banks, community and group organizations and private entrepreneurs/farmers, and the county programs of the 1862 Extension. TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDIENCES: The overall target audience is socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and the overall effort is to assist this audience to own and operate farms and ranches; and to provide information on loan application and farmer programs. Specific objective efforts are (1) to develop and implement programs so that eligible farmers and their family members may apply for and acquire farm ownership, farm operating, equipment, housing, and youth loans; (2) to develop and enhance business management and marketing skills for USDA borrowers; (3) to develop the financial documentation of the farm and other applicable rural enterprises to the point where the owner graduates to a commercial lender; (4) to develop a long-range base for self-sustaining farm business analysis services through existing associations and institutions; and (5) to increase service to and participation of other socially disadvantaged and minority farmers and their family members, specifically Native American and Hispanic/Latino farm families. The overall outcome of these efforts is an increase in participation by socially disadvantaged and minority farmers in USDA programs. Specific outcomes will be an increase in information dissemination, applications and awards for loans for farm ownership, farm operation, equipment, housing, and youth-operated businesses, an increase in farm numbers, farm operating capacity, and an increase in farm family income. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
IMPACT: 2008/09 TO 2009/09 The Small Farm staff is currently focusing on specific projects designed to strengthen the growth and sustainability of limited resource producers, beginning farmers, African American Co-ops and Latino groups as outlined below. Outreach to Pasture Poultry, Goat, Vegetable and farmers. Outreach for pasture poultry producers focused on marketing as a way for maintaining economic viability. The acquisition of a refrigeration unit at the local farmers market allowed a longer shelf life for the vegetable vendors. The small farm staff is also working with the tilapia and catfish producers. Some of the specific areas of assistance rendered are enhancement of advertisement and marketing, purchase of aeration equipment to increase fish production while maintaining the proper oxygen levels. These producers currently serve as a demonstration sites for research and will allow other area farmers to learn about this type of operation as an alternative enterprise. A new addition to this demonstration was the addition of solar panels to run the aeration equipment producing savings for electricity. As a direct result of the assistance the producers expanded their client base to areas outside Alabama including Georgia, Florida and Louisiana. The aeration systems acquired with the assistance of Tuskegee University was instrumental in this accomplishment. Farm staff continue working with Latino migrant farm workers farm laborers and has assisted them by referring them to the Department of Human Resources for food and other assistance for which they might be eligible, suggesting that they grow some, if not all, the vegetables they eat, referring them to the Labor Relations Board for information relative to migrant and other labor laws, referring them to church and charitable groups with food and clothing and other outreach programs. The staff continues to locate work opportunities for them on weekends and/or when they are not working. The Staff is working with the "Cottage House" which represents a large group of Hispanic individuals and businesses. The Cottage House and area farmers were assisted with the acquisition of refrigeration units as well as bean/pea shelling equipment to improve their productivity as well as profitability. The Cottage House received a top honor and will receive the 2nd place Nationwide USDA NRCS Lloyd Wright Award December 2008. The Tuskegee University Staff is working with three Latino-owned stores who want to purchase locally grown produce from Hispanic and other small farmers to sell to the local as well as growing Latino population. The Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative has approximately 75 active community members. Tuskegee University was instrumental in assisting the Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative in obtaining new refrigeration equipment, pea/bean shelling equipment as well as a shed to help improve the profitability of their farm operation. Finally, the staff provided workshops for landowners in the area estate planning as a farm development tool and as a means to avoid heir property.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 09/15/07 to 09/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Small Farm Outreach Project staff continued to work closely with project participants with special emphasis on Hispanic/Latino farm families as well as Native American communities in the development of farm and home plans, development of marketing plans, loan applications and group training sessions. The farm and home plans continue to provide project participants with a plan of action similar to a regular business plan. It helps in their decision making during the farm crop year. It provides goals and objectives with inputs and projected outcomes. The overall expected outcome of the 2501 program goal and objectives is an increase in participation by socially disadvantaged and minority farmers in USDA programs. Specific outcomes is an increase in (1) information dissemination, applications and awards for loans for farm ownership, farm operation, equipment, housing, and youth operated businesses; (2) in farm numbers, farm operating capacity; and (3) in farm family income. The farm management specialists and program staff continued to work closely with all program participants in identifying alternative enterprises, developing farm and home plans, farm loan applications, grant applications, housing applications and other non-loan USDA program assistance. The project staff worked with USDA staff in local offices to help facilitate farmer requests for assistance with applications to participate in various farmer programs. The technical training sessions included record keeping, management of income and utilization of credit, marketing, preparation of farm plans and cash flow budgets. Additionally, assistance was rendered in production techniques. This is an area where various scientists within the College of Agricultural, Environmental and Natural Sciences and the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station are working with farmers and ranchers on the farm as part of the University's effort to expand its outreach efforts. Scientists are able to conduct research demonstration projects and provide valuable professional technical support to the farmers at the same time. PROJECT ACTIVITIES for 2007-2008 include: No. of Group Meetings, 18; No. of Farmers/Ranchers Participating, 190; No. of Home Visits, 201; No. of Meetings with USDA/Agencies/Staff, 59; No. of Brochures, Publications Distributed, 846; No. of Socially Disadvantaged Applicants (SDA) Identified, 85; No. Participating in Comprehensive Training (e.g., Record Keeping, Financial Management, Production Management, etc.), 9; No. Submitting Applications for USDA Loans, 32; No. of Farm Plans Developed, 76; No. Submitting Applications or Requesting USDA Services, 64; Average Number of Days Between Loan Application Submission and Approval or Rejection, 45. FARM LOAN ACTIVITY for 2007-2008 3 Farm Ownership loans for $331,000; 8 Production loans for $314,000; 9 Equipment loans for $97,000; 5 Facility and Housing loans for $53,000; 6 Livestock loans for $52,000; TOTAL, 31 loans for $847,000. PARTICIPANTS: Robert Zabawa serves as Director of the Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project. Under his leadership, the project has maintained a high level of involvement and performance in the Alabama Black Belt for 15 years. Zabawa is also Research Professor and Coordinator of Social Science Research at the G.W. Carver Agricultural Experiment Station of Tuskegee University. Miles Robinson serves as the Associate Director for the Project. He also serves as part of the management team for the Rural Business and Economic Development Program. He has the responsibility of coordinating the outreach, training and technical assistance provided to participating small and limited resource farmers. Robinson has an extensive background in working with small and limited-resource farmers and businesses. Ntam Baharanyi serves as co-principal investigator. He has coordinated the project's efforts with those of the Cooperative Extension Program, the Rural Business and Economic Development Program, and the Agricultural and Resource Economics Program. His specialties include rural and agricultural development and production economics. Bobby England, Bob Mants, and Audrey Zeigler serve as Farm Management Specialists for the Project. As such, they provide assistance and training to farm owners in the project area. Specific activities they have carried out successfully include preparing farm ownership and operational loan applications; providing technical assistance in farm and agricultural record keeping, beef cattle and crop production and budget planning, and small farm vegetable demonstration; and assisting in rural economic development projects. Gwen Harris serves as Financial Management Specialist and Administrative Assistant for the Project. She provides financial assistance and training to farm owners. Specific activities carried out successfully include preparing farm ownership and operational loan applications; providing technical assistance in financial planning/management of farm and agricultural record keeping, and assisting in rural economic development projects. Her administrative duties include day-to-day operational and administrative tasks, budgets, accounting and bookkeeping, preparation of farm plans, mini-grants and all financial documents needed for reimbursable projects. The Project collaborates with the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Program, the University's arms charged with ensuring that Outreach programs are implemented and where research-based information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural enterprises is provided. There is also collaboration with the Rural Business and Economic Development Program that works closely with County Agents and other Community leaders. Other key collaborative arrangements include those with USDA agencies, the State of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, RC&D Councils, the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Alabama Forestry Commission, local banks, community and group organizations and private entrepreneurs/farmers, and the county programs of the 1862 Extension. TARGET AUDIENCES: The overall target audience are socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and the overall effort is to assist this audience to own and operate farms and ranches; and to provide information on loan application and farmer programs. Specific objective efforts are (1) to develop and implement programs so that eligible farmers and their family members may apply for and acquire farm ownership, farm operating, equipment, housing, and youth loans; (2) to develop and enhance business management and marketing skills for USDA borrowers; (3) to develop the financial documentation of the farm and other applicable rural enterprises to the point where the owner graduates to a commercial lender; (4) to develop a long-range base for self-sustaining farm business analysis services through existing associations and institutions; and (5) to increase service to and participation of other socially disadvantaged and minority farmers and their family members, specifically Native American and Hispanic/Latino farm families. The overall outcome of these efforts is an increase in participation by socially disadvantaged and minority farmers in USDA programs. Specific outcomes will be an increase in information dissemination, applications and awards for loans for farm ownership, farm operation, equipment, housing, and youth-operated businesses, an increase in farm numbers, farm operating capacity, and an increase in farm family income. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Small Farm staff is currently focusing on specific projects designed to strengthen the growth and sustainability of limited resource producers, beginning farmers, African American Co-ops and Latino groups as outlined below. Outreach to Pasture Poultry, Goat, Vegetable and farmers. Outreach for pasture poultry producers showed how moving the pens decreased bird mortality to almost zero over a three-to-four week period. Research on deworming goats showed that using caster oil was just as effective as commercial dewormers, thus saving the farmer money. The acquisition of a refrigeration unit at the local farmers market allowed a longer shelf life for the vegetable vendors. The small farm staff is also working with the tilapia and catfish producers. Some of the specific areas of assistance rendered are enhancement of advertisement and marketing, purchase of aeration equipment to increase fish production while maintaining the proper oxygen levels. These producers currently serve as a demonstration sites for research and will allow other area farmers to learn about this type of operation as an alternative enterprise. As a direct result of the assistance the producers expanded their client base to areas outside Alabama including Georgia, Florida and Louisiana. The aeration systems acquired with the assistance of Tuskegee University was instrumental in this accomplishment. Working with Latino migrant farm workers the staff has worked with a group of seasonal workers and farm laborers and has assisted them by referring them to the Department of Human Resources for food and other assistance for which they might be eligible, suggesting that they grow some, if not all, the vegetables they eat, referring them to the Labor Relations Board for information relative to migrant and other labor laws, referring them to church and charitable groups with food and clothing and other outreach programs. The staff continues to locate work opportunities for them on weekends and/or when they are not working. The Staff is working with the "Cottage House" which represents a large group of Hispanic individuals and businesses. The Cottage House and area farmers were assisted with the acquisition of refrigeration units as well as bean/pea shelling equipment to improve their productivity as well as profitability. The Cottage House received a top honor and will receive the 2nd place Nationwide USDA NRCS Lloyd Wright Award December 2008. The Tuskegee University Staff is working with three Latino-owned stores who want to purchase locally grown produce from Hispanic and other small farmers to sell to the local as well as growing Latino population. The Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative has approximately 75 active community members. Tuskegee University was instrumental in assisting the Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative in obtaining new refrigeration equipment, pea/bean shelling equipment as well as a shed to help improve the profitability of their farm operation.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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