Progress 08/15/11 to 08/14/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Past performance is based on educational activities beginning August 1, 2011 through May 30, 2014. Currently 600 BFRs participate and/or are enrolled in the program in Nevada under the USDA beginning farmer and rancher definition. Many BFR’s have attended more than one training program. Table 1 lists the name of the training program, number of trainings held, and the number of BFR who attended over the project period. Business planning and action learning tools were integrated into all training programs. Table 1. Training Program Attendance for Current BFR Project. Training Program Name Number of Trainings BFR Attending So You want to Be a Produce Farmer 17 141 Processing and Selling Locally Grown Meat 12 91 Field Crops Considering Drought 15 150 Wolf Pack Meats Certification Program 11 104 Introduction to Food Safety and Horticulture 5 25 Artificial Insemination 1 12 Beyond the Hub: Tribal Programs 8 102 Business Planning 34 121 Cattlemen’s Update 9 493 Great Ideas from Growers 16 291 Total 128 1,530 Note: Number of trainings includes Interactive Television Video sites. Changes/Problems: We have been refunded for another 3-year project. We will revise our evaluation design and expand the program under our new scope of work. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Table 1 lists the name of the training program, number of trainings held, and the number of BFR who attended. Business planning and action learning tools were integrated into all training programs. Table 1. Training Program Attendance for Current BFR Project. Training Program Name Number of Trainings BFR Attending So You want to Be a Produce Farmer 17 141 Processing and Selling Locally Grown Meat 12 91 Field Crops Considering Drought 15 150 Wolf Pack Meats Certification Program 11 104 Introduction to Food Safety and Horticulture 5 25 Artificial Insemination 1 12 Beyond the Hub: Tribal Programs 8 102 Business Planning 34 121 Cattlemen’s Update 9 493 Great Ideas from Growers 16 291 Total 128 1,530 Note: Number of trainings includes Interactive Television Video sites. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Program results have been used to reapply for the BFR national grant program, and will be utilized to enhance and improve projectdelivery methods and programs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Nevada BFR project (Herds and Harvest) evaluation design employed a multi-method, multi-year approach, consisting of questionnaires and retrospective surveys. Data obtained from assessments were analyzed using statistical analysis software for quantitative data (SPSS, Version 19.0) and descriptive and thematic analyses were used (interrelation development) for qualitative data. Impact data collected provided important information about the most effective methods utilized to educate BFRs. Prior to program involvement, BFR participants are asked to complete an assessment in order for educators to obtain baseline data. The assessment included question items to help gage current BFR use of written business plans, awareness of USDA financial assistance, income from agriculture, size of operation, skill level, definition of success, and demographic information. Following each workshop, participants were asked to complete a retrospective assessment designed to measure immediate knowledge gains as a result of attending trainings. In addition, BFR participants and project educators who engaged in mentoring activities completed an evaluation form designed to provide feedback on frequency, duration and outcome of the mentoring session(s). A Cronbach’s Alpha test determined the reliability of the evaluation instruments used and the University of Nevada, Reno Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved all evaluation activities. Below are the outputs and impacts for year one and two. Analysis of Year three outputs (in progress) and impacts will be completed and reported by the required due date (August 15, 2014). However, a summative to date BFR program evaluation was implemented in May 2014. Approximately 37% of respondents reported that their operations was 5 acres or less, and 26% reported sharing the information that they learned through trainings with others. Table 2 illustrates program information shared following trainings. Table 3 reflects the most useful part of the BFR program based on summative evaluation results. Table 2. Percentage of BFR participants sharing program information after trainings. Shared information with… Percent Spouse or partner .54 Children .23 Employees .29 Neighbors .52 Note: Respondents could choose more than one answer within the question. Table 3. Most useful part of the Herds and Harvest. Most useful part of the Herds and Harvests program… Percent Formal presentations and trainings .87 Producer Networking .61 Mentoring: Enterprise Budgets .47 Great Ideas for Growers .67 Mentoring: Agriculture Production .59 Wolf Pack Meats Certification Program .37 Hoop Houses and Season Extension Tools .59 Note: Respondents could choose more than one answer to the question. While BFR evaluation respondents rated enterprise budgets and the Wolf Pack certification program seemingly low as compared with other topics, comments indicated that enterprise budgets were essential to business planning and that the Wolf Pack Meats certification program should be expanded. Table 4 illustrates BFR actions taken, as a result of after attending Herds and Harvest trainings since 2011. Table 4. Percentage of BFR actions taken following Herds and Harvest trainings. Actions taken as a result of the mentoring and training program… Percent Production practices .52 Marketing practices .51 Food safety practices .61 Improved long-term farm sustainability .54 Service as a professional development opportunity .78 Professional development opportunity for my employees .33 Overall, 75% of BFR program participants reported that the program information and assistance benefited their operation, and 89% states the program was a reliable source of information. Fifty-seven percent reported that the program had helped improve profit in their business, and 83% reported that the information is usually relevant to their interests.
Publications
|
Progress 08/15/12 to 08/14/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The Nevada Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (BFR) program, Herds and Harvest, focused on educational workshops, creating a certification program, and building mentoring opportunities for Nevada agriculture producers with one-on-one outreach techniques in the second year of the project. Program team members consisted of producers, University faculty, USDA agency personnel and part-time project assistants. The program team decided year-two educational workshops topics should discuss business plans, the importance of enterprise budgets, and production and marketing strategies combined with two different topic areas. The topic areas included: 1) So you want to be a produce farmer; and 2) Artificial Insemination of Livestock. The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension provided distance education throughout the state via an Interactive Television Video (ITV) system, allowing satellite sites to participate upon request in the second year of the project. A total of seven workshops (including satellite sites) reached 86 beginning farmers and ranchers from August 1, 2012 – July 30, 2013. The program was expanded in the second year to create a Slaughter and Processing livestock certification program This certification program collaborated with the University of Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack Meats facility on the UNR Agriculture Experiment station located in Reno, Nevada. The certification program focused on Slaughter Basics I and Meat Cutting Basics I. There were a total of seven different certification classes training 51 Nevada beginning farmers and ranchers in April and June of 2013. Mentoring activities were expanded from encouraging producers to create enterprise budgets for new businesses and/or the diversification of existing ones to actually matching beginning farmers and ranchers with seasoned agriculture producers for specialty crop production experience. There were 20 one-on-one sessions between a mentor and producer discussing an enterprise budget for an agricultural business, and there were 35 one-on-one sessions working on specialty crops production issues with a seasoned agriculture producer. The Great Ideas from Growers mentoring group continued in the second year. This grower discussion forum was created in year one to provide producers from across the many remote locations in Nevada the opportunity to learn from each others’ niche crop experiences, good and bad. The producers are invited to participate through email lists, announcements and posters to meetings held through 11 ITV and teleconference sites across Nevada. The participants ranged widely in their locations, production focus and their years of experience. The majority of participants have less than 5 years of experience which matches the total niche crop farmer population in Nevada. There were 16 mentoring sessions in year two with 120 beginning farmers and ranchers attending. At the end of year two, the Herds and Harvest member database increased from 2,670 producers to 3,018 producers; including 2,592 mailing addresses and 426 email addresses. While team members request electronic mailing addresses, most producers either do not have them, or choose not to provide them at workshops and/or events. Changes/Problems: There have been no significant problems or changes in the program. Project directors continue to learn from producers about what they want and need and how to implement the program. Project directors hope for the opportunity to reapply for another 3 year project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The program has provided professional development to project leaders and the project directors meetings are very useful. Junior faculty have gained signifant knowledge is evaluating short and medium term project impacts. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The project database connects all 3,018 producers to all project activities and results. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The project will continue in its third and final year. Project directors are hoping to be able to reapply for the program. The third year will bring the team together to select hot topics, and the mentoring program will continue to expand.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Herds and Harvest evaluation design employs a multi-method, multi-year approach, consisting of questionnaires, interviews, retrospective and mail-out surveys. Data obtained from assessments is analyzed using statistical analysis software for quantitative data and description and thematic (interrelation development) for qualitative data. Impact data collected will provide important information about methods used to educate producers. Investigators use the data to determine if program education increases ownership and the skill necessary to operate and sustain an agricultural operation. Prior to program involvement, participants are asked to complete a Questionnaire in order for educators to obtain baseline data. The Questionnaire queried the use of written plans, awareness of USDA financial assistance, income from agriculture, size of operation, skill level, definition of success, and demographic information. Following each workshop, participants were asked to complete a retrospective survey designed to measure immediate knowledge gain. While each survey inquired about workshop effectiveness, indicators queried workshop content. In addition, participants and educators who engaged in mentoring activities completed a contact evaluation form designed to provide feedback on frequency, duration and outcome of the session(s). A Cronbach’s Alpha test was run to determine the reliability of the evaluation instruments used. Retrospective surveys administered immediately following the workshops reported statistically significant increases (p<.05) in knowledge in all workshops. The So you want to be a producer farmer workshops revealed statistically significant increases in knowledge for all 17 indicators; and the top indicators being enterprise budget development and marketing agriculture products for sustainable farming. The Artificial Insemination of Livestock workshop revealed increases in knowledge of 14 out of 21 indicators; and the top two indicators being what equipment is needed for artificial insemination to be successful, and how to properly care for a semen tank. The slaughter and processing certification classes revealed increases in knowledge in all 15 indicators; and the top two indicators being identifying different cuts of meat, and the number of cuts of meat from different livestock carcasses. A mid-program telephone survey was conducted from May 2013 through June 2013 with participating Herds and Harvest participants. Fifty-seven percent of Herds and Harvest participants reached reported that they had taken actions to make changes to their existing agriculture operation based on the increase in knowledge they received from a workshop attended. Participants reported planting new types of crops (43%), investigating new methods for weed control (24%), and planting crops that use less water (33%). There were 29% of participants that revealed they had contacted other federal agencies after participating in a workshop and 24% had taken action to develop an enterprise budget. Specialty crop producers (30%) and livestock producers (30%) also reported taking actions to change their production practices after attending workshops. Producers overall reported that they liked the diversity of topics and the individual knowledge the program offers. The program is a way to discover new concepts and good networking with producers. The focus on economics is appreciated and the information is valued. Producers also reported that they would like to see more information on drought resistance crops, soil management and rotational practices. They need more expertise in the operational aspects of an agricultural business and more information on making agricultural connections and current agricultural trends.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Emm,S., Bishop, C. and Powell, P. 2013. Implementing the Nevada beginning farmer and rancher project. Journal of the National Association of County Agriculture Agents. 6(1): ISSN 2158-9429.
|
Progress 08/15/11 to 08/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Nevada Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (BFR) program was renamed in September 2011 to "Herds and Harvest" due to agricultural producer input. This integrated standard project focused on educational workshops and mentoring opportunities, with one-on-one outreach techniques. Program team members consisted of producers, University faculty, USDA agency personnel and part-time project assistants. The program team decided year-one educational workshop topics should discuss business plans, the importance of enterprise budgets, and production and marketing strategies combined with three different topic areas. The topic areas included: 1) Field Crops: Old vs. New; 2) Processing and Selling Locally Grown Meat; and 3) So You Want To Be A Produce Farmer. The kick-off to the Herds and Harvest program was at the January 2012 Cattlemen's Update to a statewide audience reaching 475 producers. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension provides distance education throughout the state via an Interactive Television Video (ITV) system, allowing satellite sites to participate. For example, the "So You Want To Be A Producer Farmer" originated in Las Vegas was made available via ITV in Elko, Winnemucca, Yerington and Fallon, Nevada. Educational materials were provided to all sites prior to the start of the workshops. Certain workshops were videotaped allowing absent producers to obtain materials post workshop. A total of 32 workshops (including satellite sites) reached 212 beginning farmers and ranchers. There were 66 participants at the So You Want to be a Producer Farmer; 91 participants at the Processing and Selling Locally Grown Meat; and 56 participants at the Field Crops: Old vs. new. At the end of Year One, the Herds and Harvest member database included 2,670 producers; 2,384 mailing addresses, and 286 email addresses. While team members request electronic mailing addresses, most producers either do not have them, or choose not to provide them at workshops and/or events. Mentoring activities were designed to encourage producers to create enterprise budgets for new businesses and/or the diversification of existing ones. There were 28 one-on-one sessions between a mentor and producer discussing an enterprise budget for a new agricultural business in the first year. Five sessions were held in Northern Nevada and 23 sessions were held in Southern Nevada. A mentoring group was created under the Herds & Harvest program called "Great Ideas from Growers." This grower discussion forum was created to provide producers from across the many remote locations in Nevada the opportunity to learn from each others' niche crop experiences, good and bad. The producers are invited to participate through email lists, announcements and posters to meetings held through 11 ITV and teleconference sites across Nevada. The participants ranged widely in their locations, production focus and their years of experience. The majority of participants have less than 5 years of experience which matches the total niche crop farmer population in Nevada. There were 5 mentoring sessions in year one with 82 beginning farmers and ranchers attending. PARTICIPANTS: The following UNR faculty worked on this project with salary offload of five percent: Staci Emm, Principal Investigator - Overall Project lead; Loretta Singletary, Co-PI - Evaluation; Carol Bishop, Co-PI - Enterprise Budget Lead - Southern Nevada; Jay Daviosn, -Co-PI - Programming Lead; Steve Foster, Co-PI - Programming & Enterprise Budgets; Co-PI Gary McCuin is no longer employed with the University. The following personnel have some or all salary paid from project: Jennifer Kintz, Program Assistant; Karen Bogandanvitz, Program Evaluation Assistant; Genia Williams, Program Assistant; and Malieka Landis, Research Analyst, Enterprise Budgets Northern Nevada. We added 3 Co-PI's to the project that are the following: Pamela Powell, Co-PI Evaluation Lead; Steve Lewis, Co-PI - Programming Lead; and Holly Gatske, Co-PI - Programming Lead. Other team members are the following: Rick Lattin, Lattin Farms, Collaborator; Farm Service Agency, Collaborator; Natural Resources Conservation Service, Collaborator; Rural Development, Collaborator; and Nevada Department of Agriculture, Collaborator TARGET AUDIENCES: A total of 32 workshops (including satellite sites) reached 212 beginning farmers and ranchers. There were 66 participants at the So You Want to be a Producer Farmer; 91 participants at the Processing and Selling Locally Grown Meat; and 56 participants at the Field Crops: Old vs. New. At the end of Year One, the Herds and Harvest member database included 2,670 producers; 2,384 mailing addresses, and 286 email addresses. While team members request electronic mailing addresses, most producers either do not have them, or choose not to provide them at workshops and/or events. See output section of report for more program information and target audiences. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: In year one infrastructure had to be build to implement the program. Year two will expand the infrasturcture that was created in year one. There were no significant changes with the exception of dropping one principal investigator and adding 3 additional to the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension team.
Impacts
The Herds and Harvest evaluation design employs a multi-method, multi-year approach, consisting of questionnaires, interviews, retrospective and mail-out surveys. Data obtained from assessments is analyzed using statistical analysis software for quantitative data and description and thematic (interrelation development) for qualitative data. Impact data collected will provide important information about methods used to educate producers. Investigators will use the data to determine if program education increases ownership and the skill necessary to operate and sustain an agricultural operation. Prior to program involvement, participants are asked to complete a Questionnaire in order for educators to obtain baseline data. The Questionnaire queried the use of written plans, awareness of USDA financial assistance, income from agriculture, size of operation, skill level, definition of success, and demographic information. Following each workshop, participants were asked to complete a retrospective survey designed to measure immediate knowledge gain. While each survey inquired about workshop effectiveness, 21 indicators queried workshop content. In addition, participants and educators who engaged in mentoring activities completed a contact evaluation form designed to provide feedback on frequency, duration and outcome of the session(s). A Cronbach's Alpha test was run to determine the reliability of the evaluation instruments used. The Cronbach's Alpha test for the Herds and Harvest workshops received reliability scores of .924, .839, .957, .944, and .964, respectively, indicating that the evaluation surveys were consistently measuring what they were designed to do. Retrospective surveys administered immediately following the workshops revealed statistically significant increases (p<.05) in knowledge and skill acquisition for almost all (19 of 21; 19 of 21; 17 of 21; 20 of 21; and 20 of 21) of the topics queried, based upon a paired t-test comparison of mean pre-test and post-test scores. The top indicator in each of the workshops were 1) How to decide if Tef is a potential alternative crop, 2) What production practices are required to sell meat to Whole Foods Markets, 3) How to use plants and farming practices for insect control, 4) What criteria/regulations are needed to sell meat to Whole Foods Markets, and 5) How to decide if cellulosic biomass is a potential alternative crop. When producers were asked about what they liked best about the workshops, they indicated individualized responses to questions, the detailed information provided, the ability to network with other producers, farm tours, and the availability of help in developing enterprise budgets. Over 65% of the participants reported they would make changes or take actions in agricultural business based upon the knowledge gained in the workshops. Herds and Harvest educators met one-on-one to mentor 28 producers, complete 7 enterprise budgets, and create general cow-calf budgets and small farm budgets for educational purposes. One farmer reported that due to education regarding fertilization for grass/alfalfa mix, yields on his large field have almost doubled.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|