Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2014), Missouri’s agriculture encompasses many small farms with a high diversity of cultural and ethnic groups. Differences in the production methods used and in the perceptions of the sources of information considered valuable by such a diverse group of producers, including limited resource farmers, create distinct challenges for Extension personnel. The main objectives of this 2501 project were to assist Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFs) in Missouri in growing specialty crops including vegetables, small fruits and flowers, raising small ruminants, or producing value-added agricultural products for local markets to increase their income. Another project goal was to enhance their participation in available and appropriate USDA programs and services, such as various grants, loans, and cost-shares offered by Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. Over the course of five years, this project successfully reached over 12,816 farmers (direct contacts: 7,410; indirect contacts: 5,406). Of the 7,410 direct contacts that were made, about 2,380 were SDFs. African American, Hispanic, and Hmong were the main minority groups that benefited from the multiple educational activities that were implemented in Missouri using funds provided by USDA. We were able to document, for selected case-studies, increases in income, new access to grant opportunities provided by USDA and partner agencies. The target audience also received information on sustainable agricultural practices and appropriate Federal and State programs, especially USDA programs, which were delivered to them face-to-face by means of on-farm visits, workshops, demonstrations, and field days. This project closely matched the mission of Lincoln University, an 1890 land-grant University. In accordance with the mission of the 1890 Land Grant Extension System, the ultimate goal of Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE) is “to help diverse audiences with limited resources improve their quality of life through the application of educational and research-based information focused on critical issues and needs.” Because limited-resource and minority clients are the number one priority for LUCE, then delivering appropriate research-based information that addresses the current needs of Missouri’s small, limited-resource farmers is critical to LUCE’s ability to fulfill its mission and deliver high-quality services. Thus, Lincoln University was uniquely qualified to execute this project especially because while we work with all Missouri’s residents, we give special attention to under-represented, limited-resource and minority producers. Our delivery methods are varied, and reflect the varying needs of our clientele. For example, Amish farmers were reached through workshops that do not rely on power point presentations but rather on printed information and hands-on activities, printed newsletters and educational information. Hmong farmers were reached in locations as close as possible to their farming operations using translators; educational materials on basic concepts such as sustainable agriculture. Hispanic farmers were reached through one-to-one interactions and trough workshops in Spanish with printed information in English and/or Spanish. For farmers who utilize online information delivery, we provided support via e-mail, links to resources, fact sheets, and news articles. The above highlights the importance of providing underserved audiences with relevant culturally sensitive Extension programming through traditional delivery systems, such as newsletters, publications, small group workshops, one-one-one interactions, and field days. Most of our outreach activities were conducted using these delivery tools. Changes/Problems: The most relevant challenged faced was the departure of Dr. Sanjun Gu, former PD of this project, from Lincoln University in January of 2013. Dr. Jaime Piñero, Assistant Professor and State Integrated Pest Management Specialist, had been closely working with the PD of this project, Dr. Sanjun Gu, and with the departure of Dr. Gu from Lincoln University, Dr. Piñero agreed to serve as the PD of this project to bring it to successful completion. As a result of this situation, a no-cost extension was submitted by Dr. Piñero and approved by the Awards Management Division National Institute of Food and Agriculture/USDA until 08.31.2014. Under this new leadership, a comprehensive plan was prepared to finish all objectives as planned. Owing to this high level of commitment, the PD and project participants and partners successfully finished this project and provided assistance to many Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers to increase farm income and to increase participation in federal services and programs. Overall, no salary support was requested for PD, Program Assistants, Small Farm Specialists or Farmer Outreach Workers that helped accomplish activities contemplated for the extension period. In addition, some travel budget of the PD and some of the travel budget of the PA, Small Farm Specialists, and Farmer Outreach Workers was supported by LUCE, thus showing excellent leveraging of funds. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Faculty and staff involved in this project have received multiple professional development opportunities. For example, each of the program members attended In-Service Education workshops on relevant topics of agriculture organized by Lincoln University in partnership with the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE). Additional trainings involved participation at regional workshops and conferences such as the Great Plains Growers conference (held annually in St. Joseph, MO), and the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) conference, held every year in LaCrosse, WI. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The delivery methods used by Lincoln University Cooperative Extension are varied, and reflect the varying needs of our clientele. Some farmers were reached through workshops that do not rely on power point presentations but rather on printed information and hands-on activities, printed newsletters and educational information. Hmong farmers are reached in locations as close as possible to their farming operations using translators; educational materials on sustainable agriculture and other relevant topics were provided. Hispanic farmers are reached through one-to-one interactions and trough workshops in Spanish with printed information in English and/or Spanish. For farmers who prefer online information delivery, we provide support via e-mail, links to resources, fact sheets, and news articles. A recent publication by Piñero et al. (Journal of Extension; in press) emphasizes the importance of providing under-served producers with relevant culturally-sensitive Extension programming through traditional delivery systems, such as newsletters, publications, small group workshops, and field days. The production costs of traditional outreach materials provided at no cost to Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers can be justified, as exemplified by Missouri’s two land-grant universities working in partnership to serve underserved audiences in Missouri. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Over the course of five years, this project reached more than 12,816 farmers and ranchers (direct contacts: 7,410; indirect contacts: 5,406) through farm visits, farm tours, field days, one-on-one interactions, and workshops. Of the 7,410 contacts, at least 2,380 were in the socially disadvantaged group, which included minority farmers along with Amish and Mennonite farmers. In all, over 325 farm visits, 104 workshops that focused on relevant topics, 14 field days, and numerous one-on-one interactions took place as a result of the educational activities that were implemented. Most of our activities documented short-term impacts and the pre- and post-event evaluations reflected increases in knowledge and awareness by farmer participants. Farmers also indicated in the surveys that they would apply this gained knowledge and skills in their farm production, especially for the production of specialty crops. The project generated multiple impacts. Selected examples of direct benefits that this project provided to farmers are listed below. Success Stories from Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program (formerly the 2501 Program) Success Story: Nhia Xiong—Owner/Operator of Xiong Farms Nhia Xiong is a vegetable farmer in the small rural town of Anderson, Missouri. He has become a key connection between the Hmong culture and LU’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program (OASDFR) in Southwest Missouri. Nhia first contacted OASDFR in June 2010. At first, he farmed three acres of vegetables. Nhia had one 20’ x 40’ greenhouse. It was used to start most of his vegetable transplants. But he needed better irrigation, equipment, and storage. Based on advice from the OASDFR program staff, this Hmong farmer now has a working well for irrigation. He owns a raised bed/plastic mulch-laying tool; this allows him to grow on plastic, which saves labor. Nhia built a CoolBot™ storage room. In it, he can store his produce safely; it also helps the produce retain nutrients for a longer time. Nhia qualified for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)-Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) High Tunnel Initiative. This grant gave funds to build a high tunnel. Nhia’s tunnel was finished in the spring of 2013; it was supervised by OASDFR. Nhia agreed to open his farm for the high tunnel construction. At that time, Lincoln university cooperative Extension (LUCE) was able to sponsor a high tunnel workshop for Hmong growers in the region. Nhia made $5,000 more in sales during the 2012-2013 year. This was due in part to aid from LU’s OASDFR program. Nhia’s future plans are to expand by growing small fruit. He also would like to have more acreage to grow horticultural crops. Emergency Assistance for Hmong Farmers in Southwest Missouri 2011 has been etched into farmers’ memories as one of the driest and warmest summers on record. But 2012 was in many ways worse for small farmers in Southwest Missouri. A second hot and dry summer posed problems for farmers; this was hard on those raising ruminant animals and commercial-scale poultry. However, on July 23, 2012, Governor Jay Nixon signed two Executive Orders: 12-07 and 12-08. This provided rapid help with water for crops and/or livestock. And as a result of the quick work of Shon Bishop, OASDFR program assistant, four families got funds to aid in drilling wells. These wells are now being used on their farms. The grants totaled $10,000 each. They were the direct result of contact between the OASDFR program and these famers. All wells were built by September 30, 2012. They will help these farmers greatly in future growing seasons. These positive impacts are the products of work by LUCE’s OASDFR program. In addition, three ‘Missouri Minority and Limited-Resource Farmers' Conferences were organized (in 2012, 2013, and 2014), with support provided by this project. Over 315 minority, limited-resource, and other socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers attended these state-wide conferences. The main goal of the conferences was to disseminate relevant USDA programs, provide marketing and technical information on sustainable agriculture, empower farmers with practical information on Estate Planning and Liability Insurance and other topics, and serve as a network platform for SDF. Partner agencies were USDA agencies such as NRCS, FSA, and RD, as well as Univ. of Missouri Extension, Missouri Department of Agriculture, For each of the three conferences participants indicated they benefited a lot (in terms of knowledge / information gained). Twenty-two percent of the attendees indicated that they had attended each of the three (2012, 2013, 2014) conferences; 22% that that had attended one before (either, the 2012 or the 2013 conference), and 56% of the participants indicated that the 2014 conference was the first one form them. For example, for the 2014 conference 65.4% of the participants indicated a great deal of agreement with this statement and 28.4% indicated that they benefited ‘quite a bit’. The evaluations tools implemented indicated that the different tracks (general session, livestock, horticulture, aquaculture, etc.) were excellent.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Pinero, J.C., quinn, J., Byers, P., Miller, P, Baker, T., and Trinklein, D. Knowledge and Use of Integrated Pest Management by Underserved Producers in Missouri and the Role of Extension. Journal of Extension (in press).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Pi�ero, J.C. 2013. Research and Extension Highlights of the New Integrated Pest Management Program at Lincoln University, pp. 240-244. In: Proceedings of the 6th National Small Farm Conference: Promoting the Successes of Small Farmers and Ranchers, September 18 - 20, 2012, Memphis, TN, Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Gu, S., Bishop, N., and Becker, S. 2013. Outreach and Assistance to Hmong Farmers in Southwest Missouri., pp. 225-228. In: Proceedings of the 6th National Small Farm Conference: Promoting the Successes of Small Farmers and Ranchers, September 18 ? 20, 2012, Memphis, TN, Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: African American, Hispanic and Asian farmers (Hmong) or ranchers whose land ownership has been challenged by deficient revenues from farming or ranching. Most of them are also unaware of USDA and State programs and services available for their benefit. To increase their income and improve their quality of life, information of sustainable agricultural practices and appropriate Federal and State programs, especially USDA programs, have been delivered to them face-to-face by means of on-farm visits, workshops, demonstrations, and field days. The main objectives of this 2501 project are to assist Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFs) in Missouri in growing specialty crops including vegetables, small fruits and flowers, raising small ruminants, or producing value-added agricultural products for local markets to increase their income; and to enhance their participation in available and appropriate USDA programs and services, such as various grants, loans, and cost-shares offered by Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. Changes/Problems: The OASDFR program helps socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. It has had great success in Southwest Missouri. This success is due in part to LUCE’s ability to collaborate with other groups. One of the major challenges is our ability to support SDFs with a focus on Southwest Missouri with only one Program Assistant. This prevented us from adequately reaching the Central and Southeast areas of Missouri; focus has been on the Southwest region of Missouri. Lincoln University Cooperative Extension and the PD of this projecthave been able to overcome the challenge of having limited personnel in the field in Southwest Missouri by engaging in truly collaborative work with university of Missouri Extension, and with private institutions such as the Webb City Farmers Market. Below is an example of such partherships: LU’s OASDFR program partnered with the Webb City Farmers’ Market. LU staff applied for funds from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The funds received were used to teach farmers in Southwest Missouri about season-extension (four-season) farming. Rationale for this type of work was that recently there has been a huge growth in the number of local farmers’ markets in Missouri. During the winter, it has been hard for farmers to grow enough produce. For instance, there is a high demand for micro greens and winter vegetables; it cannot yet be met by the current quantities of sustainable, locally grown food. The grant was used to fund a two-day conference in Webb City, Missouri, on February 4-5, 2013. Experts in the field of season extension shared their experience on a many topics. They also talked about the problems faced by farmers. The meeting had more than 150 attendees. Feedback was very positive. Over the two-day period, a separate track was offered for only the Hmong farmers who had worked with the OASDFR program. The speaker for the Hmong track was Pov Huns. Pov owns and operates Hun’s Gardens in Kansas City, Kansas. Hun’s Gardens grows cut flowers and vegetables that are sold at the City Market in Kansas City, Missouri. Over the two days, Pov talked about his successes and failures; he urged the Hmong farmers of Southwest Missouri to diversify and remain flexible. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 2501 Program staff has received multiple opportunities for professional development. Examples includeMother Earth News Fair in Lawrence, Kansas, the Great Plains Growers Conference helad every year (in January) in St. Joseph, Missouri. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? As indicated above, numerous and varied outreach activities such as one-one-one interactions (farm visits), workshops, field days, demonstrations, booths at farmers markets providing advice on gardening / commercial vegetable production, at the same time as trying to identify new SFDs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? While the 2501 program has made huge strides from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013, there are areas of improvement which can be divided into two distinct categories, both of which can be accomplished with the additional extension of this grant. The first area of improvement has to do with production. Additional work with farmers to diversify production by installing native plants and pollinators, as well as small ruminant integration will take center stage as we progress into the growing season for 2013 and can be accomplished by hosting workshops covering these specific topics the following winter season. Diversity on small farms has become a reality for economic success. While each of the farmers and their families that we currently work with have received extensive training on horticultural crops, events have not been as forth coming in the areas mentioned above. Diversification will ensure a greater retention of land ownership; and a more economically stable operation will increase the quality of life for the entire family unit. The southwest area of Missouri is also home to a large population of Hispanic, Hmong, and American Indian farmers (Gilbert et. al., 2002). While the 2501 program has been successful at identifying and working with Hmong producers, however a large influx of Hispanic and American Indian farmers have not been identified, contacted, assisted nor educated. The potential cliental within these two demographics will potentially triple the number of families utilizing the 2501 program in southwest Missouri with the continued funding.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Many of the activities and workshops listed below would not have been possible without the help, and support, of University of Missouri faculty and staff, several area farmers markets, and faculty and staff from Lincoln University Cooperative Extension. Dr. Sanjun Gu, originally served as PD for this project. Upon his departure from Lincoln University in January 2013, Dr. Jaime C. Pinero, Assistant Professor / State Integrated Pest Management Specialist, agreed on serving as PD and provided critical support to bring this project to successful completion. A no-cost extension has been requested and approved until August 31, 2014. A final report with extensive documentation of short- and mid-term impact of this project on the lives of underserved / socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in Missouri will be provided. Please note at the end of this report three success stories that were put together to highlight specific examples of the impact of the 2501 program in Missouri, led by Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, the only 1890 University in the North Central region. Part I: Farm Visits The time and effort put into these farm visits have been paramount in establishing relationships with the farmers here in southwest Missouri. As time progresses and I become more familiar, the advice given by to farmers slowly begins to weave its way into a particular farmer’s day to day practice. When on site, we provide farmers with research based information and provide any information on current funding opportunities so that they (the farmer’s) are able to make more informed decisions that will ultimately make the farm more profitable. Below is a rough list of farm visits made over the 2013 growing season. The list below is meant to provide a quick look into the farms visited and the reason for visiting. Quick Stats: Over 50 farm visits made from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013. About 74% of the visits conducted where centered on SDF farmers. These numbers include female head of household, Amish, and Asian producers located in southwest Missouri. Overview Farm Visits: Over the course of the growing season, we as program assistants spend the majority of our time on site with farmers. Visits begin early in the season, to stress the importance of rotational planting and a clean disease free environment to start seeds. SPACE CONSTRAINS IN THIS REPORTING SYSTEM PREVENTED THE PI (DR. PINERO) FROM PROVIDING A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED PER MONTH. Part II: Workshops Workshops address a variety of problems that we as program educators run across during the typical growing season. These workshops provide research-based information to the attending farmers, as well as the hands-on experience needed to implement specific systems on their own farms. Upon arrival at a specific workshop the attendee was handed a post-evaluation worksheet to be filled out and picked up at a specific time. This has allowed us as program assistants to see what methods of teaching are the most effective in information retention. Statistics for these workshop evaluation sheets can be found below. Quick stats: 11 Workshops 6 of those workshops have Lincoln (2501) acting as Primary Coordinator More than 240 individuals have attended these 11 workshops Of those 240 individuals approximately 60 attendees fall under the socially disadvantaged demographic as defined by the USDA. TOPICS: High Tunnel Installation workshop Winter Vegetable Conference Soil and Soil Fertility GAP Certification workshop MMLRFC Pest Management workshop Workshops for the 2013 seasons focused on “shared problems” that 2501 program educators observed throughout the growing season while on farm visits, or talking to farmers over the phone, at market, etc.SPACE CONSTRAINS IN THIS REPORTING SYSTEM PREVENTED THE PI (DR. PINERO) FROM PROVIDING A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED PER MONTH. Part III: Informational Booths Informational booths are booths held at a variety of venues, and have been a successful endeavor of the 2501 program in Southwest Missouri. A booth held the first Friday of every month at the Webb City Farmers’ Market in Webb City, Missouri, was the primary outreach to Hmong farmers in Southwest Missouri during the establishment of the 2501 program. Our time at the booth permits us to take note of the quality and quantity of produce that Hmong farmers are producing and selling to the general public. This also allows us to assist the farmer on the spot if any problems are apparent as well as set up farm visits if needed. Two extension booths are hosted at the Webb City Farmers Market held on the first Friday of every month and the third at the alternative agricultural field day hosted at Busby farm. This allows valuable face time with the public since many of the Hmong farmers currently working with the 2501 program sell at this market. This ensures monthly contact with our farmers allowing help to be readily available when needed. The impact made both directly and in-directly by this outreach effort is difficult to estimate. Over the course of a season literally 100’s of individuals have approached the extension booth seeking answers to their questions. A good example of indirect contact is featured in the newspaper issue below. The Joplin Globe ran the article which reaches a regular circulation cycle of over 24,000 homes and businesses in southwest Missouri. http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x915998721/Gardening-advice-given-at-Webb-City-Farmers-Market On June 3, 2013, the Southwest and Central Program Assistants participated in the Busby Farm Alternative Agriculture field day by setting up a display booth describing the OASDFR program. About 15 participants engaged in conversation and took booth materials. Other educational booths over the 2013 year have included: Lincoln University’s first Organic Field day at Busby Farm National Small Farm Trade Show National Small Farm Conference Missouri Farmers Market Association annual meeting Cost-Share Programs Part IV: Miscellaneous Relevant Activities High Tunnels: Since 2011, the 2501 program has been assisting SDF farmers and ranchers in the process of applying for cost-share programs offered by various government entities. In 2012, 6 farmers received funding through Natural Resources and Conservation Service. Two farmers have received funding for installing high tunnels. These tunnels will be used to extend the growing season and ensure a wider margin of profit for the vegetable farmers that received them. Four individuals received emergency funding for the implementation of a well into their livestock operations. Each of these individuals received $9,000 to install the well requiring a match of $1,000 coming from the farmer. In summation, between 2012 and 2013 more than $40,000 dollars have been awarded to farmers in southwest Missouri as a direct result of the 2501 programs efforts. Along with cost share programs, outside sources of funding for training have been brought in by the 2501. Webb City Farmers’ Market in association with Lincoln University (2501 Program) and the University of Missouri where awarded an additional $16,000 to coordinate a season extension conference focused on beginning and small producers across southwest Missouri. Within this two day conference a separate track was help specifically for Hmong farmers working with the 2501 program. As a direct result, two of the individuals who attended this conference have built high tunnels on their farms with 2501 assistance. With the additional funding provided by the Missouri Department of Agriculture through the Specialty Crop Block Grant, the sum total of funding brought into southwest Missouri by the 2501 programs efforts exceeds $50,000 dollars.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, 2501 program. The Sustainable Connection Newsletter
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A total of 45 on-site visits were made to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the southeast and southwest regions of Missouri. For each visit, four to eight different farms were covered. During visits, program assistants helped find problems on a farm, answered questions relevant to specialty crops production and small ruminant production, and distributed fact and guide sheets pertinent to USDA program from Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service and Rural Development. Program Assistants in the southwest region conducted monthly information booth at the Webb City Farmers' Market. The booth held on the first Friday of each month was the primary outreach to Hmong farmers in Southwest Missouri. This activity allowed us to take note of the quality and quantity of produce that Hmong Farmers were producing and selling to the general public and to assist the farmer on the spot if any problems were apparent as well as set up farm visits if needed. A total of 26 workshops were conducted with topics covering high tunnel construction, disease and pest identification, how to use Midwest Vegetable Production Guide, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, soil fertility and irrigation, integrated pest management, end of season farmers' forum, USDA NRCS programs, SARE Farmers and Ranchers Grant writing, cover crops, sheep and goat production, and honey bees and native pollinators. Two field days were held to showcase vegetable demonstration plots and cover crops. Program assistants helped organize the first Missouri Minority and Limited Resource Farmers' Conference, disseminated information pertinent to the conference and identified socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to attend the conference. PARTICIPANTS: NahShon Bishop, the new program assistant to replace Sarah Becker, was hired in December, 2011. NahShon attended the 6th National Small Farm Conference as his professional development. Partners included USDA NRCS, FSA and RD, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Organic Association and Missouri Vegetable Growers Association, and Webb City Farmers Market. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences are Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers in Missouri. Focus groups are in the Southwest and Southeast regions. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: A one year no-cost extension was requested and approved. This was due to changes in program assistants.
Impacts
The OASDFR Program has worked with 263 Socially Disadvantaged Farmers in 16 counties which included 47 African American, 36 Asian, six Hispanic, one Native American and 12 women heads of households. Farm visits reached over 270 minority and limited resource farmers. Over 80% farmers visited have made changes to their respective farms because of suggestions and information provided. The obvious changes included installation of high tunnels to extend their growing season, building low cost cold rooms to extend the shelf life of their produce, growing with plastic mulch, diversifying what they grow, the implementation of irrigation, and installing early warning traps for insect pests. The first Minority and Limited Resource Farmers' Conference focused on saving minority farms, sharing relevant details on USDA programs and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Over 130 individuals attended this two-day conference, including 68 limited resource farmers. Evaluation showed that 65 percent of the participants felt their knowledge increased a great deal by attending the conference and 100 percent would attend a similar conference next year. Program assistants of this project played critical Collectively, more than 370 individuals attended the 26 workshops. These workshops were typically small in size (10-30 farmers) and short (2-4 hours), which allowed hands-on, better delivery on information and comprehensive Q&As. Most workshops had a pre- and post-workshop survey, which reflect the short-term impacts. Most participants significantly gained knowledge after workshops. For example, for the End of Season Farmers' Forum, 100% of attendees indicated that they "agree" or "strongly agree" on how important irrigation is in a commercial vegetable farm at the outset of this workshop; 100% of attendees indicated that they "agree" or "strongly agree" when asked if their understanding of IPM (integrated Pest Management) had improved; 100% of attendees indicated that they "agree" or "strongly agree" that they would begin to install irrigation systems on their own farms; 90% of attendees of this workshop had with a better understanding of Lincoln Universities and the 2501 programs goal; and 100% of attendees found this workshop to be helpful to them. Workshops introducing USDA programs have been fruitful. Most participating (>90%) have never participated in USDA programs before. After these workshops, program assistants followed up with participates and helped them prepare needed paper work. As a result, two Hmong farmers, two African American farmers and one limited resource, Caucasian farmer received NRCS High Tunnel EQIP and have erected high tunnels on their farm. The heat and drought in 2012 ultimately resulted in Governor Jay Nixon's approval for the immediate assistance to drought release. Acting quickly, OASDFR Program staff helped four socially disadvantaged farmers received funding (S9,000 each) and have successfully implemented wells on their farms. Three farmers turned in proposals for SARE Farmers and Ranchers' Grant.
Publications
- Sanjun Gu, NahShon Bishop and Catherine Bishop. 2012. The Sustainable Connection. Lincoln University OASDFR program Newsletter. https://bluetigerportal.lincolnu.edu/web/programs-and-projects/oasdfr . Sanjun Gu, NahShon Bishop and Sarah Becker. 2012. Outreach and Assistance to Hmong Farmers in Southwest Missouri. The 6th National Small Farm Conference Program Book,P65. Sanjun Gu, Catherine Bohnert and K.B. Paul. 2012. The Minority and Limited Resource Farmers Conference Promotes USDA Programs and Sustainable Agriculture. The 6th National Small Farm Conference Program Book, P112.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A total of 96 farm visits were made by the two program assistants (PAs) to offer on-site consultation on sustainable agriculture techniques and available USAD programs. The majority of farmers visited are socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (SDFRs) including African American, Hmong, Japanese, Philippines, Hispanic and some Amish and Mennonites. Three small conferences were offered on vegetables, small fruits and small ruminants. Forty-nine (49) workshops covering a variety of areas were offered according to the growers' needs. These workshops included high tunnel installation, soil fertility, integrated pest management, bee keeping, native plants, trip irrigation, good agricultural practices, processing and storage of fresh produce, NRCS programs, FSA programs, conservation practices, and SARE Farmers and Ranchers Grant writing. Three (3) field days were organized to show case specialty crops production. Numerous handouts, guide sheets and fact sheets were handed to the participating SDFRs during these events. PARTICIPANTS: Sanjun Gu, Principal Investigator (PI), oversees the entire project. Nadia Navarrete-Tindall, Co-PI,is responsible for dissemination of USDA programs and production techniques for native plants. Charlotte Clifford-Rathert,Co-PI, is responsible for production techniques of small ruminants. K.B. Paul, project mentor, conducts evaluation. Sarah Becker, is the Program Assistant in the Southwest region of Missouri. Darvin Green, is the Program Assistant in the Southeast region of Missouri. University of Missouri Extension is a program partner. NRCS, FSA, MDA are program partner. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of this project are socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as defined by USDA. This group includes most minority farmers. We also included Amish and Mennonite farmers. Program efforts include conducting one-on-one farm visits, field days, field tours, workshops, and conferences. Phone calls, regular mail, e-mails, fax, extension guide sheets, and fact sheets were also used in helping the target audience. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The program approached 893 farmers and ranchers in 16 counties throughout the Southeast and Southwest Regions of Missouri. Among them, 263 were SDFRs and 630 were Caucasian farmers. These 263 SDFRs represented 132 families of 47 African American, 36 Asian, five (5) Hispanic, one (1) Native American, 12 white (women of head of the household) and 31 Amish and Mennonites. The program also developed a close relationship with 81 USDA or state government agents, which had offered help on dissemination of government programs at various events offered by PAs. The trainings offered in the means of conferences, field days and workshops were based on the survey with SDFRs. The significant knowledge gains by participating SDFRs were apparent and easily reflected by the facts that many of them adapted the learned technology in the production. This is especially true with Hmong farmers who did not have irrigation in vegetable production, had limited experience with pest management and soil fertility management, and did not know how to store fresh produce to prolong shelf-life of fresh vegetables. A good example was Mr. Xiong, who adapted drip irrigation in his vegetable crops and developed a simple cool-storage facility for fresh produce, with the help of the program assistant Sarah Becker. By doing so, he was able to continuously produce fresh vegetables in hot summer, stored them in a walking-in cooler, and sold them at local Farmers' Market as well as the City Market of Kansas City. This boosted his family income by at least $5,000. The workshops offered to SDFRs on USDA programs were fruitful. Five (5) SARE F&R grant proposals were turned in with one awarded. Many SDFRs got loans from FSA. Two (2) of the four (4) SDFRs who applied for NRCS High Tunnel EQIP, with the help from PAs for gathering required information and filled out appropriated forms, were able to receive funding. Thanks to the training offered, most participating SDFRs understand the concept of Ag-Sustainability and are willing to participate in USDA programs that are appropriate to them.
Publications
- Gu, S.J. 2010. Developing the Leading Vegetable Program at a Historically Black University in the USA. The 28th International Horticultural Congress. Lisbon, Portugal. Abstracts Volume II. p616. Paul, K.B., S.J. Gu, K. Nixon and T. Grim. 2010. Developing an Extension Program for Serving the Underserved Farmers and Ranchers in Missouri: Overcoming the Many Challenges. HortScience 45(8)293.
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: More than sixty farm visits to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs) were conducted in the Southwest and Southeast Regions of Missouri. Four field days and farm tours were conducted focusing on the demonstration of sustainable agricultural practices. Twelve workshops covering the production of specialty crops in watermelon, tomato, flowers, bees, and other vegetable crops, as well as on high tunnels, vegetable grafting, food safety and pesticides applicators training were offered to SDFRs. During the farm visits and some of the workshops, survey forms were distributed to participants to assess their needs and challenges. Integrated pest management, soil fertility and irrigation, marketing, season extension and food safety were identified as focuses of the project. Over 100 copies of SARE and ATTRA publications on specialty crops production were provided to target audiences. PARTICIPANTS: Sanjun Gu, Principal Investigator (PI), oversees the entire project. Nadia Navarrete-Tindall, Co-PI,is responsible for dissemination of USDA programs and production techniques for native plants. Charlotte Clifford-Rathert,Co-PI, is responsible for production techniques of small ruminants. K.B. Paul, project mentor, conducts evaluation. Sarah Becker, is the Program Assistant in the Southwest region of Missouri. Darvin Green, is the Program Assistant in the Southeast region of Missouri. University of Missouri Extension is a program partner. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of this project are socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as defined by USDA. This group includes most minority farmers. We also included Amish and Mennonite farmers. Program efforts include conducting one-on-one farm visits, field days, field tours, workshops, and conferences. Phone calls, regular mail, e-mails, fax, extension guide sheets, and fact sheets were also used in helping the target audience. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Target regions were changed to cover the Southwest, South Central, Southwest, and Central regions of Missouri. This will be more efficient to help the target audience. Two program assistants, instead of 1.5, as originally written in the proposal, were hired thanks to the financial support from the host institution.
Impacts
Over 930 farmers participated in the project through farm visits, farm tours, field days and workshops. Of these, 161 were in the socially disadvantaged group, which included minority farmers along with Amish and Mennonite farmers. For all the workshops and field tours offered, the pre- and post-event evaluations showed that more than 90% of the participants gained knowledge through the training. They also indicated in the survey that they would apply this gained knowledge and skills in their farm production, especially for the production of specialty crops. The mid- and long-term impacts have yet to be evaluated since the two program assistants were hired in May and July, 2010 respectively.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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