Progress 11/15/12 to 11/14/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Our competitive grants program focuses on delivering risk management education results to producers through public and private educatorsfunding activities that educate farmers. Our mission is to empower producers to manage risk on their farms. SRMEC also engaged in directed efforts in farm bill education, crop insurance symposium, and local foods systems throughout the region with targeted engagement with regional educators and industry partners across the south. The targeted engaements sought to build capacity to understand risk issues and to effectively raise awareness and use of available resources. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? A core team of Land Grant faculty from across the Southern Land Grant programs gathered May 22-23, 2013 to identify research and extension priorities for local foods systems efforts in the South (LFS). The Southern Risk Management Education Center coordinated twelve hours of interactive facilitated sessions to arrive at the top ten LFS opportunities, as identified by the state representatives sent by 1862 and 1890 Land Grant Universities to attend the workshop. Also present were representatives of USDA, SARE and SSAWG, as well as Eric Young, representing the Southern Directors. The intent is to systematically compile local food system development activities across the southern region with a focus on comprehensive program development and delivery with a specific emphasis on the various marketing components central to successful local food systems. The team seeks to identify research and extension priorities to guide opportunities for future program needs and collaboration. Establishing a credible, respected, and usable "local foods system programming" priority slate requires such a broad-based input. The top 10 issues identified in order of priority: 1) Market and Supply Chain Logistics; 2) Financial and Risk Management; 3) Economic, Social and Environmental Outcomes; 4) Consumer Demand; 5) Food Safety; 6) three topics were tied: Food Security and Access, Food System Policy and Strategic Planning; 9) Human Capital Development and 10) Youth, Family and Community Engagement. The result thus far is 5 peer reviewed publications, Local Food Systems in the South, Choices 4th Quarter 2013, http://srmec.uark.edu/Publications.html Crop Insurance Initiative: SRMEC and National Crop Insurance Service were co-sponsors of the event entitled “Crop Insurance and The Farm Bill: A New Paradigm in U.S. Agricultural Policy”, a one and a half day symposium. The event features four plenary speakers and 24 presentations by leading research and extension economists in six concurrent sessions. Over 70 participants from academia and industry were in attendance. Success of the event prompted The Agricultural & Applied Economic Association to approve a second installment of the symposium for October 8-9, 2014 in Louisville, KY. Importantly, with a 2014 Farm Bill and no government shutdown, the value of the program will increase and the number of participants should grow dramatically. Papers and presentations from the 2013 Crop Insurance Symposium are found at http://srmec.uark.edu/Whatsnew.html. SRMEC also provided leadership planning and hosting the 2013 National Value Added Conference in Rogers, Arkansas. The conference theme, "Local Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship", featured academic and industry experts detailing programs and resources to assist farmers in capturing the market opportunities that are emerging from the "local" brand. 104 participants from 23 states, Canada, and the West Indies attended the event. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? SRMEC maintains a website that promotes programmatic efforts and funding opportunities. As part of the Extension Risk Management Education program, all of our concluded projects have final project reports uploaded to the Extension RME website. This website allows users to query funded projects by risk management area, issue addressed and area the program was delivered.. SRMES also establised a monthly e-newsletter featuring results from recently completed projects and resources developed from our funded projects. SRMEC also has presented presentations and staffed booths at theHorticultural Industry Show, Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual meeting, Southern Extension Farm Management Committee, American Agricultural Economics Annual meeting, Southern Sustainable Agricultural Working Group (SSAWG) Conference, Food Distribution Research Society, and National Value Added Conference. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The Southern Risk Management Education Center (SRMEC) at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service's mission is to empower the strengths and skills of individuals in the Southern region who are involved in the management of agricultural production, marketing, financial, legal, and human risks. The primary focus of the SRMEC activities will continue to be award and administration of grants as announced in the ERME Requests for Application each November and evaluation of grant results. SRMEC has major activities that focus on providing grant Project Directors (PD) the capacity to improve the quality of their project outcomes through a two-day PD training. SRMEC uses a monthly e-newsletter featuring results from recently completed projects and resources from these projects. SRMEC wil also seek to enhance resource development, understanding, and capacity within the region to manage risk on agricultural enterprises. We engage out Southern Extension Economist and link with both the 1862 and 1890 institutions as well as non-profit groups to conduct outreach activities to aid growers in protecting their investments and growing their businesses. We are planning to lead the development of a crop insurance and local food system symposium. We also plan targeted engagements highlighting resources to undersand the new farm bill, if new legislationis passed during the coming year.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Since the fall of 2009, SRMEC has funded 62 grant projects totaling approximately $2.5M across the region. Our program is open to organizations that have a demonstrated capacity at delivering education to producers. Since 2009, SRMEC has awarded projects to project directors as follows: eleven from non-government organizations (NGO), three from 1890 institutions, and forty-nine from 1862 institutions. By the end of FY2013, 25 final project reports had been approved; an additional 16 are in the approval process. Beginning Fall 2009, of these SRMEC finalized projects, 9,374 different producers have received risk management training through our funded projects. These producers have reported impacts of the outreach programs on their operations through evaluations that reflect 15,466 separate producer action decisions. Action decisions are considered to be: understanding, deciding, developing, implementing and evaluating, with the level of producer engagement increasing from understanding to evaluating. Importantly, of the 15,466 producer actions, 3,565 were either developing or implementing strategic plans for producers’ farming operations. Different groups of producers respond to risk in different ways. Between 2010-2013, a series of risk colloquia were conducted to identify perceptions and behaviors of six special emphasis producer groups that represent Southern agriculture’s diversity. Risk colloquia participants were recruited from agriculture leaders of Native American, Young and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in conjunction with state Farm Bureau leaders, Women in Agriculture, Hispanic, African American, and Specialty Crop producers. The one-day colloquia began with an overview of SRMEC programs, a financial issues survey, and an ERME program knowledge survey. The primary activity of the risk colloquia format consisted of sessions that were conducted using a technique referred to as “Bar Camps” and facilitated by trained SRMEC staff. Risk management educators and extension professionals are concerned not only with facts and opinions related to risk management but also with information sources producers use to guide their decision-making. All are aware of the increased role crop consultants, financial planners and tax specialists play in production agriculture. Results of post-session surveys highlight what we believe are emerging and even accelerating trends that strike at the core of Extension’s primary educational charge – provision of information. The primary source of information for participants in the risk colloquia, selected as representative agricultural leaders, were as follows: 1) Financial Issues - Other producers, bankers, Tribal personnel and websites; 2) Production Decisions - Other producers, Extension Fact Sheets and websites; 3) Risk Management – Other producers, Farm Bureau and Women in Ag and 4) Government Programs – NRCS and websites.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rainey, Ronald and H.L Goodwin Jr. Southern Risk Management Education Center 2013 Risk Education Publication Series. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. December 2013.
Goodwin, H.L. Developing Local Food Systems in the South. Choices. 4th Quarter 2013; 28(4). Special Issues, Pages 1-24. Electronic. http://www.choicesmagazine.org/magazine/pdf/cmstheme_342.pdf
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Progress 11/15/11 to 11/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The report highlights activities with the Center's competitive grants program, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, and risk colloquia/outreach efforts. SRMEC has successfully administered its competitive grants program since 2009. A total of 27 projects are delivering producer result to our region's growers. As of June 1, funded projects had produced the following results: 450 producers increased understanding of marketing plans; 240 producers had developed marketing plans; 59 program participants developed wills, trusts, and/or began development of a farm transition plan. In 2011, SRMEC received 45 pre-proposals as part of our competitive funding program.program. Our advisory council selected 23 proposals to review. The Advisory Council recommended 17 proposals for funding. SRMEC completed the Hispanic Risk Colloquium in 2011 in addition to the three (Native American, Young and Beginning Farmer and Rancher and Women) risk colloquia in the previous reporting period; one additional colloquium, African American producers, is scheduled for September in conjunction with the Small Farms Conference in Memphis. SRMEC partnered with target audience stakeholders to nominate participants and assist in organizing these workshops to enhance transparency build relationships across the region. SRMEC program funds were used to pay for travel for the workshop participants to insure a broad spectrum of producers and stakeholders participated in the process. Results of the colloquia will be used by the SRMEC Advisory Board to help set grant priorities for the SRMEC in future years. PARTICIPANTS: Producers from across our region directly benefit from projects delivered as a result of our competitive grants program. Additionally the Center engages in taregeted activitities to enhance producer understanding and awareness of resources to manage risk: a) Risk Colloquium for Women Agricultural Producers - A pre-conference workshop held prior to the 2011 National Risk Management Education Conference in St. Louis, MO in April 2011. The one-day workshop assessed risk factors women in agriculture face. There were 22 participants from seven states. The workshop findings will provide guidance to our advisory council and Center leadership to improve efforts to address the needs of this growing, dynamic segment of agriculture. b) Risk Colloquium for Young and Beginning Farmers, hosted by SRMEC in conjunction with the Young Farmers organization of Farm Bureaus across the South - In conjunction with Farm Bureau, a young farm couple from each state were invited to a two-day colloquium in Memphis. Twenty-one participated representing six states. c) Hispanic Producer Risk Colloquium - Leading Hispanic producers and agricultural representatives from across the South were invited to this colloquium November 14-15, 2011 in San Antonio, TX. SRMEC worked in cooperation with the Texas Mexico Border Coalition to arrange and facilitate this colloquium. Results will be communicated to the SRMEC Advisory Council. d) Risk Colloquium for Specialty Crop Producers. To evaluate specific needs of this sector, SRMEC is currently recruiting growers to participate at this colloquium through the region's 1862 Horticulture Departments and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SAWG). Center works with farmers and fisherman impacted by trade competition. TARGET AUDIENCES: Leading Hispanic producers, women producers, and young and beginning farmers from across the South participated in facilitated listening sessions to prioritize risk isses for the respective producers as well as enhance capacity to understand the risk management education program and other USDA resources. For the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers program the Center worked primarily with catfish farmers and shrimp fishermen. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Outcomes from the SRMEC Risk Colloquia have led the Advisory Council to establish specific areas of emphasis and the Staff to implement program initiatives that focus on key issues within ERME five emphasis areas of risk. These issues are: enterprise management and coordination (Production Risk); marketing alternatives (Market/price Risk); agribusiness and farm financial management (Financial Risk); agricultural labor (Human Resources Risk) and land tenure and succession (Legal Risk). SRMEC continued its competitive grants program in our second year of operation. The SRMEC Advisory Council recommended 17 proposals for funding totaling $706,537. A brief listing of awards including project name, project director, institution, and award amount follows: Addressing Farm Leasing Risk - Jesse Richardson, Virginia Tech, $36,063; Developing Mobile Applications and Utilizing Social Media for the Southeast Cattle Advisor - Lawton Stewart, U of Georgia, $49,964; Direct and Intermediated Marketing of Local Foods to Enhance Profitability of Small Producers - Marco Palma, Texas A&M, $42,011; Education and Outreach on the Risks and Benefits of Leases and Rental Agreements in Farm Transitions - Chris Clark, U of Tennessee, $19,652; Ensuring Continuation of Farm Operations in Alabama through Effective Retirement-Estate and Succession Planning - Thomas Hall, Alabama Cooperative Extension, $50,000; Financial Analysis for Contract poultry Growers - Ross Pruitt, LSU, $26,714; Good Defense - Biosecurity and Traceability at the Farm Level as Essential Elements to Risk Management for Mississippi Producers and Processors - J Byron Williams, Mississippi State, $44,424; Global Growers Farmer Training Project - Susan Pavlin, Refugee Family Services, $50,000; Grape and Winery Contracting and Supply Chain Management - Tim Woods, U of Kentucky, $44,132; Growing Farm Profits: Improving the Business and Marketing Decisions of Horticultural Producers - Jean Mills, Southern SAWG, $39,075; Homefront to Heartland: Empowering Women in Agriculture - Alice Rhea, U of Tennessee, $33,159; Meat Goat Business and Operational Training for Producers in Oklahoma-the Southern Region and the U.S. - James Jones, Oklahoma State, $42,476; Retail Market Readiness Education for North Carolina Small-Scale Farmers - S. Gary Bullen, NC State, $45,107; Risk Management Education for Tennessee Value-Added Beef Producers - Megan Bruch, U of Tennessee, $44,918; Risk Management Education for the Green Industry - Mengmeng Gu, Texas A&M, $49,694; Risk Management Outreach for Small-Scale Poultry Producers in Central Kentucky - Victoria Burke, Kentucky State U, $49,981 and Risk Management Toolkit for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers II - Jay Yates, Texas A&M, $39,167.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 11/15/10 to 11/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The report highlights activities with the Center's (SRMEC) competitive grants program, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, and risk colloquia/outreach efforts. RME Competitive Grants: SRMEC received 43 pre-proposals as part of our competitive funding program. Our advisory council selected 27 proposals to review. The Advisory Council recommended 15 proposals for funding. TAA: In June 2010, producers of three commodities were certified by the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service as eligible to apply for benefits under the TAA for Farmers program: 1) catfish, 2) shrimp and 3) Asparagus. In September 2010 (2011 petition), producers of shrimp, lobster, and blueberries were also certified for assistance. The Southern Region is providing national leadership to the catfish and shrimp educational efforts. SRMEC continues to manage program applicants, commodity and curriculum team leaders, educators, and business planning consultants working with 4,197 approved farmers and fishermen throughout the southern region as well as others seeking to benefit from the program trainings. The Trade Adjustment Assistance program is in the last phase of training, developing long-term business plan, for the 2010 and 2011 commodity petitions. The Center assisted in the delivery of over 160 face to face farmer workshops that included 126 initial orientation trainings and 34 intensive training workshops. Risk Colloquia: SRMEC conducted three stakeholder meetings to access participant perceptions of risk management and enhance awareness of the Extension Risk Management Education program. PARTICIPANTS: SRMEC contiues to partner with land-grant institutions, non-profits, non-government organizations, and farmer organizations to deliver risk management education throughout the region. The Center coordinates the delivery of the TAA for Farmers training program and continues collaborating ing with Extension and Sea Grant experts from 12 states in the Southern Region to develop curriculum that has been and will be delivered in traditional workshop formats as well as online. Currently, we are working with a core team of 35 curriculum development and local educators scattered throughout the region. SRMEC has completed three (Native American, Young and Beginning Farmer and Rancher and Women) of the six proposed risk colloquia as of this reporting period; two additional ones (Hispanic and Specialty Crop) will be completed by January 2012. A targeted goal of this engagement is to build on the relationships and history of institutions serving traditionally underserved audiences to enhance delivery of risk management education efforts. SRMEC partnered with target audience stakeholders to nominate participants and assist in organizing these workshops to enhance transparency build relationships across the region. SRMEC program funds were used to pay for travel for the workshop participants to insure a broad spectrum of producers and stakeholders participated in the process. Results of the colloquia will be used by the SRMEC Advisory Board to help set grant priorities for the SRMEC in future years. TARGET AUDIENCES: a) Risk Colloquium for Women Agricultural Producers - A pre-conference workshop held prior to the 2011 National Risk Management Education Conference in St. Louis, MO in April 2011. The one-day workshop assessed risk factors women in agriculture face. There were 22 participants from seven states. The workshop findings will provide guidance to our advisory council and Center leadership to improve efforts to address the needs of this growing, dynamic segment of agriculture. b) Risk Colloquium for Young and Beginning Farmers, hosted by SRMEC in conjunction with the Young Farmers organization of Farm Bureaus across the South - In conjunction with Farm Bureau, a young farm couple from each state were invited to a two-day colloquium in Memphis. Twenty-one participated representing six states. Results will be reported to the RME regional and national leadership as well as the Secretary's Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. c) Risk Council for Native American Agricultural Producers, hosted by the Oklahoma Tribal Conservation Advisory Council - Tribal agricultural producers in the South were invited to participate in the council as well as Extension professionals working with Tribal communities and USDA Native American Working Group members. SRMEC convened a two-day risk council in Shawnee, OK October 12-13, 2010 drawing together 23 agricultural producer leadership from Tribal Nations and Conservation Districts to identify key risk issues for Native American producers. H.L. Goodwin facilitated this council based upon his work with the Native American Indian Farmer and Rancher Cooperative and his strategic planning efforts with the Intertribal Agricultural Council. Results of the Council, along with those of the other two colloquia, have been compiled and will be shared with the Advisory Council at their October 2011 meeting. d) Hispanic Producer Risk Colloquium - Leading Hispanic producers and agricultural representatives from across the South are invited to this colloquium November 14-15, 2011 in San Antonio, TX. Roughly 24 participants are expected. SRMEC is working in cooperation with the Texas Mexico Border Coalition to arrange and facilitate this colloquium. Results will be communicated to the SRMEC Advisory Council. e) Risk Colloquium for Specialty Crop Producers. To evaluate specific needs of this sector, a pre-conference workshop will be held prior to the Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Conference in January 5-6, 2012. The Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference is the premiere specialty crop conference in the southern region held annually in Savannah, GA (serving NC, SC, GA, and FL growers primarily). SRMEC is currently recruiting growers to participate at this colloquium through the region's 1862 Horticulture Departments and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SAWG). F) Risk Colloquium for African American Agricultural Producers will be held in Atlanta, GA. Because of low participation with the earlier effort, SRMEC will reconvene this group and partner with an industry stakeholder group in addition to the 1890 institutions to enhance representation and participation from this diverse stakeholder group. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The SRMEC Advisory Council recommended 15 proposals for funding totaling $610,261 during the year. A brief listing of awards including project name, project director, institution, and award amount follows: Adding Value: Risk Management Education for Farm Entrepreneurs, Scott Marlow, Rural Advancement Foundation International - USA (RAFI-USA), $50,000; Environmental Regulatory Risk Management for Small and Beginning Livestock Producers in Georgia, Robert Adam Speir, University of Georgia,$45,504; Flexible Cash Leases: Reducing Price Risk, Greg Halich, University of Kentucky, $12,903; Growing Farm Profits, Jean Mills, Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group,$39,021; Innovative composting and rainwater harvesting education for managing Production costs and marketing risks associated with sustainable and organic production, Kefyalew Desta, Oklahoma State University- Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, $48,895; Integrating ACRE and Crop Insurance: A Comprehensive Risk Management Strategy, Cory Walters, University of Kentucky, $13,018; Managing Legal Liability in Agritourism and Direct Marketing, Martha Walker, Virginia Cooperative Extension, $35,860; Managing Legal Risk for Alternative Uses of Forestland, Rusty Rumley, National Agricultural Law Center, $48,250; Managing Risk in the Environmental Horticulture Industry, Marco Palma, Texas A&M University, $48,311; Mineral Rights Leases: Understanding Farmer Risks and Rewards , Scott Marlow, Rural Advancement Foundation International - USA (RAFI-USA), $48,000; Minimizing Production, Marketing and Legal Risks Associated with Adopting Alternative Technologies for Locally Grown Produce, Kimberly Morgan, MS State University, $50,605; Risk Management Education for Small- Medium and Limited-Resource Livestock and Forage Producers in Georgia, R. Curt Lacy, University of Georgia, $36,924; Risk Management Toolkit for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Jay Yates, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, $40,446; Training Producers to Manage Alternative Energy Risks, Leif Kindberg, National Center for Appropriate Technology, $45,795; Wind Leasing: Understanding and Limiting Legal Liability, Shannon Ferrell, Oklahoma State University, $46,679. SRMEC also conducted three risk colloquia this year, one each for Young and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Women Producers and Hispanic Producers. As of August 2011 an estimated ten thousand applicants were approved for the TAA program nationally with 9,764 of these applicants successfully completing the initial orientation/training requirement. Within the Southern Region, 4,197 applicants have completed their Intensive Training requirement and 4,010 have submitted an initial business plan that SRMEC approved. SRMEC is also working with 70 business planning consultants who will guide the applicants through the development of their business plan. SRMEC manages the consultants working within the region and has assigned 3,390 applicants to date with 375 applicants having completed the Long-Term Business Plan component.
Publications
- 1. Flanders, Archie. Agricultural Production Issues for 2012 in the Southern Region. SRMEC White Paper Series 01-2011. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 23, 2011. 2. Ahrendsen, Bruce L. Key Financial Risks for Southern Producers. SRMEC White Paper Series 02-2011. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 23, 2011. 3. Miller, Wayne. Human Resources Risk Management. SRMEC White Paper Series 03-2011. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 23, 2011. 4. McKenzie, Andrew M. Price and Marketing Risks for Southern Agricultural Producers. SRMEC White Paper Series 04-2011. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 23, 2011. 5. Pittman, Harrison M. Legal Risk Issues in Southern Agriculture. SRMEC White Paper Series 05-2011. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 23, 2011. 6. Goodwin, H.L. Jr., Sandra Martini, Ron Rainey and Paul Goeringer. Summary Results of the SRMEC Native American Producers, Young and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers and Women Producers Risk Colloquia. SRMEC White Paper Series 06-2011. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 30, 2011.
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Progress 11/15/09 to 11/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The report highlights activities with the Center's competitive grants program, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)program, and risk colloquia/outreach efforts. RME Competitive Grants SRMEC received 66 pre-proposals as part of our competitive funding program. Our advisory council selected 33 proposals to review. In June 2010, producers of three commodities were certified by the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service as eligible to apply for benefits under the TAA for Farmers program: 1) catfish (national), 2) shrimp (8 Gulf Coast and South Atlantic States) and 3) Asparagus (national). National petitions mean that any grower in the US or its territories can apply for the program benefits. The Southern Region is providing leadership to the Catfish and Shrimp educational efforts. The SRMEC coordinates the delivery of the TAA for Farmers training program and is working with Extension and Sea Grant experts from 12 states in the Southern Region to develop curriculum that will be delivered in traditional workshop formats as well as online. Currently, we are working with a core team of 35 curriculum development and local educators scattered throughout the region. SRMEC currently is working with the 4,677 farmers and fishermen (94 percent of TAA applicants) in southern region that qualified in the initial program. SRMEC is coordinating five risk colloquia focused on targeted communities. A targeted goal of this engagement is to build on the relationships and history of institutions serving traditionally underserved audiences to enhance delivery of risk management education efforts. SRMEC will partner with target audience stakeholders to conduct these workshops and in most instances partner with groups to organize and/or conduct the meetings to enhance transparency of delivery and to build relationships across the region. SRMEC targeted some program funds to pay for travel for the workshop participants. The travel support is needed in order to insure a broad spectrum of producers and stakeholders participate in the process. Results of the colloquia will be complied and used by the SRMEC Advisory Board to help set grant priorities for the SRMEC in future years. Because of the Center's newly designated location and our strong desire to build relationships throughout the region, SRMEC engaged in a series of educational workshops/conferences to promote RME throughout the region. The following presentations were made throughout the year: Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC); Southern Sustainable Agricultural Working Group (SSAWG); National Value Added Conference; and the Agriculture and Applied Economics Association Annual meeting's joint luncheon with Committee on Women in Agricultural Economics (CWAE) and the Committee on the Opportunities and Status of Blacks in Agricultural Economics (COSBAE). Our presentations focused on our Center programs/resources as well as our upcoming risk colloquia. PARTICIPANTS: Workshops that are being planned: a) Risk Colloquium for Women Agricultural Producers - A pre-conference workshop will be held prior to the 2011 National Risk Management Education Conference in St. Louis, MO in April. The one-day workshop will assess risk factors women in agriculture face and highlight successful efforts to reach this target audience. The workshop findings will provide guidance to our advisory council and Center leadership to improve efforts to address the needs of this growing, dynamic segment of agriculture. b) Risk Colloquium for Young and Beginning Farmers, hosted by SRMEC in conjunction with the Young Farmers organization of Farm Bureaus across the South - In conjunction with Farm Bureau, a young farm couple from each state or territory would be invited to a two-day colloquium in Memphis and sponsored by the Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers. Results will be reported to the RME regional and national leadership as well as the Secretary's Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. c) Risk Colloquium for Specialty Crop Producers. To evaluate specific needs of this sector, a pre-conference workshop will be held prior to the Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Conference in January 5-6, 2011. The Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference is the premiere specialty crop conference in the southern region held annually in Savannah, GA (serving NC, SC, GA, and FL growers primarily). SRMEC is currently recruiting growers to participate at this colloquia through the region's 1862 Horticulture Departments and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SAWG). TARGET AUDIENCES: Risk Colloquium for African American Agricultural Producers was held in Atlanta, GA. Representatives from each of the 1890 Land Grant Institutions that routinely interface with African American producers along with grower representatives were invited to participate in a two-day risk colloquium to identify factors affecting perception, assessment and management of African American producer risks across the South. The workshop was held prior to the 2010 Southern Outlook Conference in Atlanta, GA on Sept. 27-28, 2010. The agenda for the colloquium was developed in cooperation with a planning committee of diverse participants including Drs. Albert Essel, Delaware State University, Alfred Parks, Prairie View A&M and Deacue Fields, Auburn University and an officer of the Agriculture and Applied Economics Association's Committee on the Status of Blacks in Agricultural Economics (COSBAE). SRMEC Directors invited summit participants based upon guidance from the planning group which included the following: Dr. Essel, currently serves as Chair of 1890 Extension Administrators Association and attended the sessions presenting on grantsmanship capacity building efforts within the 1890 system; Dr. Alfred Parks, recently served as chair of a special taskforce on participation by students and faculty of 1890 institutions formed by the Southern Agricultural Economics Association; and Dr. Deacue Fields, past president of COSBAE and member of SRMEC Advisory Council. Additionally, Dr. Rainey served last year as Vice-President of COSBAE. The workshop sought a diverse collection of African American growers and 1890 faculty representatives. The workshop had only five faculty and three growers attend the session because of a conflict with a USDA stakeholder session. Because of the low numbers SRMEC is conducting a follow-up survey of the participants as well as other invitees to more accurately access African American perceptions of risk management issues and resources. Risk Council for Native American Agricultural Producers, hosted by the Oklahoma Tribal Conservation Advisory Council - Tribal agricultural producers face unique risk management challenges due in large part to land tenure and ownership issues stemming from the various land systems in place within their nations. Even with these unique challenges, the number of Native American producers doubled between 2002 and 2007 according to the latest Ag Census. Tribal leaders and producers in the South were invited to participate in the council as well as Extension professionals working with Tribal communities and USDA Native American Working Group members. SRMEC convened a two-day risk council in Shawnee, OK October 12-13, 2010 drawing together agricultural producer leadership from Tribal Nations and Conservation Districts to identify key risk issues for Native American producers. H.L. Goodwin facilitated this summit based upon his work with the Native American Indian Farmer and Rancher Cooperative and his strategic planning efforts with the Intertribal Agricultural Council. SRMEC staffs are currently developing the report of issues highlighted by the group. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
SRMEC conducted its competitive grants program in our first year of operation. Grants are selected by our advisory council. The council recommended 12 proposals for funding totaling $506,598. A brief lising of awards including project name, project director, institution, and award amount follows: Annies Project in Florida Project Directors: Nola Wilson UF/IFAS Extension Service Award Amount: $39,121; Commercial Market Readiness Education for Kentucky Farmers and Southeastern States Project Directors: Tim Woods University of Kentucky Award Amount: $47,432; Developing a Master Crop Producer Risk Management Program for South Carolina Project Directors: Larry McKenzie Pro-Ag, Inc. Award Amount: $50,000; Estate and Financial Planning Education for Socially Disadvantaged Producers, and Real Estate Owners in Arkansas Project Directors: Henry English and Rita Conley University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Award Amount: $31,273; Experiential Risk Management Education for Young and Socially Disadvantaged Producers Using the Fed Cattle Market Simulator Project Directors: Kellie Raper and Derrell Peel Oklahoma State University Award Amount: $13,214; Introducing Annies Project to Texas Ag. Producers Project Directors: Jason Johnson Texas AgriLife Extension Service Award Amount: $39,372; Management Conferences for Oklahoma Women in Agriculture Project Directors: Damona Doye Oklahoma State University Award Amount: $41,550; Managing Risk in the Green Industry Project Directors: Charlie Hall and Marco Palma Texas A&M University Award Amount: $47,509; Risk Management Training for High School Agriculture Teachers, Students and Farm Families Project Directors: Kim Anderson and Eric DeVuyst Oklahoma State University Award Amount: $50,000; Rural Black Women Agriculture Sustainable Economic Project in the Southeast Project Directors: Heather Gray Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Award Amount: $47,936; Southeastern Beef Cattle Risk Management Education Project Project Directors: Lawton Stewart The University of Georgia Award Amount: $49,960; Using Alternative Enterprises and Recreational Development to Bolster Farm Incomes Project Directors: Shannon Mirus and Adam Tullos National Agricultural Law Center Award Amount: $49,231. SRMEC also conducted two risk colloquia this year, African American colloquium and Native American Risk Council.
Publications
- Ahrendsen, Bruce L. "Key Financial Risks for Southern Producers". SRMEC White Paper Series 02-2010. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 8, 2010.
- Miller, Wayne. "Human Resources Risk Management". SRMEC White Paper Series 03-2010. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 8, 2010.
- McKenzie, Andrew M. "Price and Marketing Risks for Southern Agricultural Producers". SRMEC White Paper Series 04-2010. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 8, 2010.
- Pittman, Harrison M. "Legal Risk Issues in Southern Agriculture". SRMEC White Paper Series 05-2010. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 8, 2010.
- Flanders, Archie. "Agricultural Production Issues for 2011 in the Southern Region". SRMEC White Paper Series 01-2010. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas. September 8, 2010.
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