Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: This project identified 35 American Indian beginning farmers/ranchers annually. American Indian beginning farmers and ranchers are often beginning producers. Many of these producers lack the education and/or experience required to succeed in the increasingly competitive agricultural production sector. These problems were more acute for beginning producers because they typically lacked the financial capital to compete with larger producers or cope with adverse price movements and production shocks. These producers greatly benefited from access to successful farm and ranch mentors and the educational opportunities this program offered Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Four hours of education were provided at the Montana Grain Growers Annual Convention on November 29, 2011. The program began with a pre-test, followed by lectures and problem sets related to production risk management, multiple peril combo crop insurance (including yield protection, revenue protection, and revenue protection – harvest price exclusion). This effort was followed by a post-test and seminar evaluation. Four hours of education were provided at the Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention on December 15, 2011. The program began with a pre-test, followed by lectures and problem sets related to production risk management principle, livestock risk protection crop insurance, and pasture, rangeland and forage insurance. This effort was followed by a post-test and seminar evaluation. Six hours of education and workshops were provided as the 2012 Montana Grain Growers Annual Convention on December 4-6, 2012. The program began with a pre-test, followed by lectures and problem sets related to the basics of risk fundamentals, grain price risk management, grain production risk management, and agricultural insurance. Production risk management for both traditional and non-traditional crops was another focus of the workshops. Production risk management principles, options, and tools were presented followed by multiple peril combo insurance issues related to yield protection and trend adjusted yields. Nontraditional organic crop production risk management was also covered. Finally, price risk management through the use of contracting, futures, and options was also thoroughly presented. This effort was followed by a post-test and seminar evaluation. Six hours of education and workshops were provided as the 2012 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention on December 13-14, 2012. The program began with a pre-test, followed by lectures and problem sets related to the basics of risk fundamentals, cattle price risk management, cattle production risk management, and agricultural insurance. Issues related to cattle price variability, price risk management, contracting, commodity futures, and options markets were thoroughly discussed. Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Rainfall Insurance was the focus of one of the workshops. This effort was followed by a post-test and seminar evaluation. Two hours of education and workshops were provided at the Montana Stockgrowers Association 2013 Mid-Year Meeting on June 8, 2013. Topics included advanced price risk management education regarding price variability, price risk management, contracting, futures, and options. Six hours of education were provided at the Montana Grain Growers Annual Convention on December 3-4, 2013. The program began with a pre-test, followed by lectures and problem sets related to financial statements (fundamentals, balance sheets, income statements, ratios, benchmarks), capital budgeting (net present value, amortization schedules, partial budgeting), and income taxes. In addition, discussions also focused on business transfers including family/business systems, transfer processes, and management/income issues. This effort was followed by a post-test and seminar evaluation. Six hours of education were provided at the Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention on December 12-13, 2013. The program began with a pre-test, followed by lectures and problem sets related to financial statements (fundamentals, balance sheets, income statements, ratios, benchmarks), capital budgeting (net present value, amortization schedules, partial budgeting), and income taxes. This effort was followed by a post-test and seminar evaluation. Pre- and post-tests were administered to participants in the financial management workshop to determine how confident they were describing financial management, defining important terms and concepts and understanding how selected processes work. Twenty-two participants completed the pre- and post-tests. Substantial increases in confidence were realized across all of these dimensions. Seventy-three percent of were confident describing financial management in the pre-test, while over 90% were confident in the post-test. Only 26 percent were confident working a simple financial management problem in the pre-test, while over 95% were confident working the problem in the post-test. Less than 30% were confident defining terms associated with financial management in the pre-test, while over 80% were confident in the post-test. And finally, 50% were confident in the understanding of financial management processes in the pre-test, while over 90% were confident in the post-test. Overall confidence rose by 47 percentage points (43% to 90%) from the pre-test to the post-test. An evaluation was conducted to assess the satisfaction of the 39 participants completing the evaluation. The process evaluation was very positive with participants agreeing that the program was well organized (97%), program objectives were clearly stated (95%), presenters had adequate knowledge of the subject (100%), the educational activity was important (97%), and they would recommend the program to other beginning farmers and ranchers (100%). Substantial increases in confidence were realized across all of these dimensions for participants at the MSGA Convention. Thirty-four participants completed the pre- and post-tests. Less than 50% of were confident describing financial management in the pre-test, while over 90% were confident in the post-test. Only 26 percent were confident working a simple financial management problem in the pre-test, while over 88% were confident working the problem in the post-test. Less than 26% were confident defining terms associated with financial management in the pre-test, while nearly 80% were confident in the post-test. And finally, 49% were confident in the understanding of financial management processes in the pre-test, while over 90% were confident in the post-test. Overall confidence rose by 49 percentage points (37% to 86%) from the pre-test to the post-test. An introductory web-based course on risk management (10 sessions) has been completed. The sessions have been developed for our specific audience. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? This project provided participants with access to education, mentoring, and networking opportunities long after this project will have ended.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This project educated beginning producers in financial management practices and lending/credit access, record keeping, financial analysis, and entrepreneurship; developed their commodity marketing skills; and, increased their knowledge of federal disaster aid, commodity farm programs, crop insurance, and other financial/risk management programs. Participants implemented financial and physical record keeping practices, provided high quality financial statements to lenders, demonstrated an ability to interpret financial statements, conduct financial analyses, and use sound risk management and marketing strategies in their operation. In the end, American Indian beginning farmers and ranchers increased the likelihood of survival and success. Most importantly, this project developed long-term resources and strong linkages through agricultural producer organizations to 35 American Indian Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Montana annually or 105 during the life of the project The combination of these activities improved the likelihood that American Indian beginning farmers and ranchers will be able to financially sustain successful farms and ranches. Most American Indian participants will become long-term members of, and contributors to, mainstream agricultural producer organizations.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: This project has identified 35 American Indian beginning farmers/ranchers in the first year of the project. This project will appeal to producers who annually generate more than $10,000 of gross revenue from farming or ranching educators, Tribal Colleges, nongovernmental organizations, and a public agricultural lender provides unique synergies for recruiting participants and achieving the project’s goals. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? FPCC’s Agriculture Department is the only entity offering outreach and farm management services to American Indian producers within the boundaries of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. As a result, FPCC and its Agriculture Extension personnel are viewed as highly credible by American Indian farmers and ranchers, tribal councils, and affiliated American Indian organizations.USDA’s Farm Service Agency requires financial management training for limited-resource borrowers seeking to renew operating loans. In general, two training sources are available. One is a correspondence course offered through an east coast land grant university. The second is an on-line set of courses offered through a private company. One of our partners (Montana State University) successfully provides an alternative to these two approaches in Montana with in-person and distance education training opportunitiesLastly, this project provides 35 American Indian beginning farmers/ranchers with three-year memberships to one of two mainstream agricultural producer organizations in Montana (either the Montana Grain Growers Association or the Montana Stockgrowers Association). Most importantly, project activities have created an opportunity for American Indian producers to network with successful agricultural producers by providing organization memberships for three years. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? This project has developed curricula that addresses the educational needs of American Indian and limited-resource beginning farmers and ranchers. The project team has extensive experience in working with American Indian producers; hence, the curricula will be socially and economically relevant and culturally appropriate. The senior associates are delivering in-person workshops to American Indian participants, and use distance delivery techniques to reach other limited-resource producers. Local mentors also meet with the participants on a quarterly basis. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Fort Peck Community College will continue to coordinate and plan workshops (in person and web delivery) to fulfill the third and final year of this project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Participants in the program are developing and improve their long-term financial management and marketing skills. They will understand the opportunities and obstacles of credit access, develop their abilities to maintain financial records, create income statements, and understand balance sheets. This will enable each to better manage the financial, tax, and risk aspects of their operations. In addition, participants will learn about marketing strategies that reduce price risk by studying the mechanics of futures and options markets, forward contracting, and other sales methods. The combination of these activities will improve the likelihood that American Indian beginning farmers and ranchers will be able to financially sustain successful farms and ranches. Most American Indian participants will become long-term members of, and contributors to, mainstream agricultural producer organizations.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project is developing and delivering three workshops, Accessing Agricultural Credit, Crop and Livestock leasing, Entreprenuring in Farming and Ranching Financial Management Training, and presented through distance technologies to FSA limited-resource borrowers as part of their continuing education requirements. In addition, the program offered Production Risk and Marketing Strategies that consisted of eight hours of educational training and will be delivered during the annual Montana Grain Growers and Montana Stockgrowers Association meeting. The curricula is specifically designed to meet the needs of American Indian beginning farmers and ranchers. The level of these educational efforts will be appropriate for the intended audiences. Webinars will be sponsored by FSA to facilitate educational efforts for limited-resource borrowers. This technology allows for widespread participant access and has been a successful delivery medium. The courseware materials that are developed as part of this educational effort will be available to other producers and high school educators. The modules will be evaluated for educational effectiveness by a distance education specialist. In addition, the courseware will be analyzed by a vocational agriculture education expert (Dr. Martin Frick, Montana State University) to ensure appropriate levels of rigor. All materials will be available on CD that will be mailed prior to webinar delivery, and published on the FPCC website as well as the MSU BFR program website. Three day-long workshops for American Indian grain producers will immediately precede the annual meeting of the Montana Grain Growers Association in each of three consecutive years. The workshops will also be presented for American Indian livestock participants immediately preceding the annual meeting of the Montana Stockgrowers Association in each year of the project period. PARTICIPANTS: Fort Peck Community College and Montana State University have a long history of successful collaborative programs. This project will strengthen that relationship. The inclusion of two nongovernmental organizations (the Montana Grain Growers and Montana Stockgrowers Association) and their joint educational program will cement collaborative relationships with Montana's primary producer groups. The MGGA's goal is to improve educational opportunities for American Indian producers. The MSGA has a similar goal given its commitment to its standing Reservation Relations Committee. FPCC is utilizing existing partnerships to recruit beginning farmer and rancher participation in a three-year financial/marketing workshop program. American Indian beginning farmer and rancher audiences have been identified and recruited by FPPC throughout Montana. FPCC's contacts and partnerships are the product of extensive outreach education efforts which represent part of the mission of Tribal Colleges. Collaboration with Montana's Farm Service Agency is the primary approach to identifying and coordinating other limitedresource beginning farmers and ranchers TARGET AUDIENCES: This project will identify 35 American Indian beginning farmers/ranchers in the first year of the project. This project will appeal to producers who annually generate more than $10,000 of gross revenue from farming or ranching educators, Tribal Colleges, nongovernmental organizations, and a public agricultural lender provides unique synergies for recruiting participants and achieving the project's goals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
This project is providing financial, credit access, business management, and marketing education workshops and mentorship by experienced producers to 35 American Indian beginning farmers and ranchers as a means for increasing the likelihood of their survival and success. The target audience consists of beginning American Indian farmers and ranchers in Montana. Fort Peck Community College and its partners will provide culturally-relevant education, training, and mentoring programs for the target audience. Participants in the program are developing and improve their long-term financial management and marketing skills. They will understand the opportunities and obstacles of credit access, develop their abilities to maintain financial records, create income statements, and understand balance sheets. This will enable each to better manage the financial, tax, and risk aspects of their operations. In addition, participants will learn about marketing strategies that reduce price risk by studying the mechanics of futures and options markets, forward contracting, and other sales methods. The combination of these activities will improve the likelihood that American Indian beginning farmers and ranchers will be able to financially sustain successful farms and ranches. Most American Indian participants will become long-term members of, and contributors to, mainstream agricultural producer organizations.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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