Progress 12/15/14 to 12/14/17
Outputs
Target Audience: Audience Emphasis · African American · Limited resource producers · Military veterans · Small farms · Specialty crop producers Participants Served Record the total number of unique participants who participated in your program: Total Number of Participants: 2,550 Enter the actual cumulative number of participants who as a result of your program: Started farming: Target - 300, Actual - 450 Helped prepare to start farming: Target - 800, Actual - 984 Improved farming success: Target - 8500, Actual - 1434 Audience Emphasis African American Limited resource producers Military veterans Small farms Specialty crop producers Participants Served Record the total number of unique participants who participated in your program: Total Number of Participants: 2,550 Enter the actual cumulative number of participants who as a result of your program: Started farming: Target - 300, Actual - 450 Helped prepare to start farming: Target - 800, Actual - 984 Improved farming success: Target - 8500, Actual - 1434 Total Number of Participants: 2,550 Changes/Problems:Final Report What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Total Meetings: 73 Total Meeting Participants: 2624 Total Webinars: 0 Total Webinar Participants: 0 Total Website Visits: 0 Total Online Course Participants: 0 Meetings 9/24/2015: Nacogdoches, TX -- Number of Attendees 100 4/24/2015: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 350 9/11/2015: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 75 1/27/2016: Nacogdoches, TX -- Number of Attendees 4 1/18/2016: Nacogdoches, TX -- Number of Attendees 11 2/3/2016: Nacogdoches, TX -- Number of Attendees 52 2/4/2016: Nacogdoches, TX -- Number of Attendees 52 2/5/2016: Nacogdoches, TX -- Number of Attendees 52 2/15/2016: Beaumont, TX -- Number of Attendees 18 3/9/2016: Crockett, TX -- Number of Attendees 19 3/15/2016: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 8 3/21/2016: Jefferson, Liberty County, TX -- Number of Attendees 23 3/29/2016: Deweyvlle, Newton, and Orange, TX -- Number of Attendees 38 4/7/2016: Crockett, TX -- Number of Attendees 28 4/21/2016: Crockett, TX -- Number of Attendees 28 5/15/2016: Jefferson, TX -- Number of Attendees 26 5/18/2016: Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 16 5/24/2016: Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 16 6/8/2016: Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 16 6/14/2016: Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 16 6/29/2016: Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 16 6/30/2016: Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 16 5/24/2016: Waco, TX -- Number of Attendees 12 6/21/2016: San Antonio, TX -- Number of Attendees 30 6/22/2016: San Antonio, TX -- Number of Attendees 30 6/23/2016: San Antonio, TX -- Number of Attendees 30 6/24/2016: San Antonio, TX -- Number of Attendees 30 7/24/2016: Waller, TX -- Number of Attendees 14 8/9/2016: Jefferson, TX -- Number of Attendees 42 8/10/2016: Jefferson, TX -- Number of Attendees 42 8/11/2016: Jefferson, TX -- Number of Attendees 42 9/18/2016: Tyler, TX -- Number of Attendees 17 10/15/2016: North Knightsforest, TX -- Number of Attendees 13 10/16/2016: Beaumont, TX -- Number of Attendees 19 10/26/2016: Port Arthur, TX -- Number of Attendees 17 11/3/2016: Fort Bend, Harris, Waller & Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 12 11/4/2016: Waller & Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 12 11/5/2016: Waller & Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 12 11/6/2016: Waller & Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 12 11/18/2016: Jefferson, TX -- Number of Attendees 8 11/19/2016: Crockett, TX -- Number of Attendees 52 12/1/2016: Rye, TX -- Number of Attendees 8 12/5/2016: Fort Bend, Harris, Waller & Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 8 12/12/2016: Fort Bend, Harris, Waller & Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 8 12/19/2016: Fort Bend, Harris, Waller & Liberty, TX -- Number of Attendees 8 8/27/2015: College Station, TX -- Number of Attendees 30 7/10/2015: Waller County, TX -- Number of Attendees 37 8/6/2015: Leon County, TX -- Number of Attendees 38 7/30/2015: Smith County, TX -- Number of Attendees 37 8/13/2015: Liberty County, TX -- Number of Attendees 38 6/26/2015: Walker County, TX -- Number of Attendees 36 8/30/2015: Brazos County, TX -- Number of Attendees 39 4/16/2016: Raywood, TX -- Number of Attendees 110 6/4/2016: Crockett, TX -- Number of Attendees 100 6/22/2016: Kerrville, TX -- Number of Attendees 20 8/1/2016: College Station, TX -- Number of Attendees 20 10/15/2016: College Station, TX -- Number of Attendees 35 11/12/2016: Louisiana, TX -- Number of Attendees 123 12/5/2016: Conroe, TX -- Number of Attendees 35 1/9/2017: Crockett, TX -- Number of Attendees 30 1/6/2017: College Station, TX -- Number of Attendees 30 7/27/2017: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 30 9/21/2017: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 10 11/18/2017: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 53 4/29/2016: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 54 4/28/2017: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 75 8/13/2016: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 30 3/5/2016: Angleton, TX -- Number of Attendees 20 9/7/2017: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 21 9/7/2017: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 15 9/16/2017: Prairie View, TX -- Number of Attendees 40 9/11/2017: Crockett, TX -- Number of Attendees 32 9/12/2017: Crockett, TX -- Number of Attendees 28 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Agriculture Field Day 2015 The Agriculture Field Day is a major annual event that originated from the "Goat Field Day". The program was expanded to include all units in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. The program focuses on providing information that will help both urban and rural families improve their living condition in a sustainable manner./ Diverse audiences; veterans and their family members. Agroforesty Workshop: Profitable Forest and Woodlands to assist a diverse audience of Socially Disadvantaged Landowners in maximizing the value received from renewable resources on their land. Programs will assist and encourage landowners to manage their properties in a more holistic manner. The program focuses on soil, water, livestock, wildlife and recreation stewardship as they relate to forest and rangeland management./Limited Resource and Socially Disadvantaged Landowners were our primary audience, but a diverse audience of landowners and managers were served by this program. Small Farm Outreach Workshop To be the number one provider of educational and technical services to Limited Resource /Socially Disadvantage Farmers and Ranchers in the U.S. Improving Soil Health By Proper Soil Testing To teach the basic soil science, walk through correct soil sampling procedure, and explain how to complete a Soil Test Submittal Form. Also to teach to make a proper application of nutrients to ensure healthy crops as well as maximum yields and profits for the land manager. Agricultural Field Day 2016 The Agriculture Field Day is a major annual event that include all the units in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. The program focuses on providing information that will help both urban and rural families improve their living condition in a sustainable manner/Diverse audiences; Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, veterans and their family members. Watermelon Production Workshops Series of workshops were conducted to educate New and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers on new watermelon production techniques. This workshop will cover equipment selection and setup, row and plant spacing, the use of plasticulture and drip tape, soil preparation, and inter row cover cropping. Farm Equipment Workshop The purpose was to conduct a hand-on educational training and repairs focusing on small engine repair and maintenance of farm equipment. Review and demonstration of the use of weed trimmers, tillers, and other small engines and training of proper use of various types of small engine in the farm. The educational training sessions was open to faculty, staff, students and the general public. Urban Gardening and Farmers Market Training The purpose of this workshop was to educate small farmers on the business of farming. Topics included, developing business plans, micro loans and other services of USDA agencies. Urban Farming Business Workshop The purpose of this workshop was to educate small farmers on the business of farming. Topics included, developing business plans, micro loans and other services of USDA agencies. Small Farm Business Workshop The purpose of this workshop was to educate small farmers on the business of farming. Topics included, developing business plans, micro loans and other services of USDA agencies. Grafted Vegetables Workshop (1st) The purpose of this series was to introduce small farmers on the new concept of grafted vegetables to improve their productivity. Grafted Vegetable Workshops (2nd) The purpose of this series was to introduce small farmers on the new concept of grafted vegetables to improve their productivity. Small Ruminant Workshop Series The purpose of this workshop series was to provide education on the two major areas of concern for small ruminant producers in the state of the Texas. Improving their herd through artificial insemination and controlling parasites. Land Loss Prevention Workshop The 1 ½ day workshop, hosted by the Cooperative Extension Program (CEP)-AgNR, and supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Renewable Resource Extension Act Grant, targeted rural communities with histories of land loss. The goal of the workshop was to provide tools to help stabilize land ownership across generations and to enhance family wealth by increasing income and land asset value through sustainable forestry. Total 33 Small landowners participated in this workshop. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) The purpose was to provide training on the on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rules and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) titled "Food Safety Rules and GAPs Training for Producers". After completion of the course participations received a GAPs certificate which assist them in selling agricultural products to retail stores. The audience was small farmers. Agricultural Field Day 2017 The Agriculture Field Day is a major annual event that include all the units in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. The program focuses on providing information that will help both urban and rural families improve their living condition in a sustainable manner/Diverse audiences; Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, veterans and their family members. Feral Hog Management Workshop This workshop is designed to address the concern of feral hogs on small land owners in Texas. It also addressed ways of controlling feral hog on your property. Small Farm Outreach Program This workshop provided hands-on demonstration on how to build livestock fences. It also addressed USDA programs such as NRCS, Cross fencing, Equip Program as well as FSA Farm Storage Facility Loan Program. Extending your Growing Season: Crop Production in High Tunnel Workshop The workshop's main objective was to educate small producers about how to extend their growing season by producing crops in a high tunnel during the Fall season. Battleground to Breaking Ground Farm Tour and Workshop The purpose of this program is to assist military veterans interested in transitioning into Ag production as new and beginning farmers.? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Result 1. Establish model farms at the university research farm and in targeted counties to serve as training sites Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: End of project Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 340 How verified: Personal Evaluation Result 2. Provide scale-appropriate instructional and experiential training in production, business management and marketing Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: End of project Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 2186 How verified: Personal Evaluation Result 3. Develop effective partnerships between BFRs and USDA, State agencies, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other successful farmers to create mentorship opportunities and facilitate information sharing on program and services availableto them Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: End of project Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 1259 How verified: Personal Evaluation Result 4. Develop a BFR database to facilitate targeted information dissemination and outreach. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: End of project Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 1050 How verified: Personal Evaluation Result 1. Establish model farms at the university research farm and in targeted counties to serve as training sites Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: End of project Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 340 How verified: Personal Evaluation Result 2. Provide scale-appropriate instructional and experiential training in production, business management and marketing Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: End of project Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 2186 How verified: Personal Evaluation Result 3. Develop effective partnerships between BFRs and USDA, State agencies, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other successful farmers to create mentorship opportunities and facilitate information sharing on program and services availableto them Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: End of project Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 1259 How verified: Personal Evaluation Result 4. Develop a BFR database to facilitate targeted information dissemination and outreach. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: End of project Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 1050 How verified: Personal Evaluation
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Billy Lawton, Nelson Daniels, Alfred Parks, Kesha Henry, and Angela Moore
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Facebook Page to support BFRDP activities, events, and materials
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Progress 12/15/15 to 12/14/16
Outputs
Target Audience:This project assisted a diverse audiences,emphasis on those who are underserved, hard to reach and have limited social and economic resources to improve their quality of life. This will include: Beginning Farmers/Ranchers Limited Resources Farmers/Ranchers Socially Disadvantaged Farmers/Ranchers Military Veterans Changes/Problems: With the addition of more Agents to our program we hope to engage more BFR into our program. We also plan to work closely with the CBO's to strengthen their evaluation instrument. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Producers enjoyed the hands-on training outside the classroom approach of this project. They also enjoyed the fact that we used other farmers and ranchers as a part of the training, and theyliked the idea of being able to achieve high income from growing produce in a small area such as a high tunnel or 43,560 Initiative . How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This projecthasrecruited and enhanced the sustainability of new and beginning farmers and ranchers in Texas by helping them develop successful farm and ranch operationsusing the "Model Farm Concept". (1) We have established and are in the process of starting additional model farms on our campus farm and in several of the counties that we have agents located.The model farms include High Tunnels for year-round vegetable production, one-acre commercial gardening plots (43,560 Initiative), strawberries, grafted cucumber production, sweet potatoes, and peas production. We have also conducted workshops and field days to expose producers to these production areas and to connect them to mentor farmers/ranchers as well as USDA personnel. (2) We have provided scale-appropriate instructional and experiential training in production, business management, and marketing; via field days, bus tours and workshops. We have engaged producers in hands-on-learning some examples of this have been the Agriculture Field Day, Small Farm Outreach Workshop, Soil Health Series,and Agroforestry Workshop. (3) We have developed effective partnerships between Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (BFRs) and USDA, State agencies, CBOs and other successful farmersby creating mentorship opportunities and facilitating information sharing on programs and services available to them. (4) We have developed a BFR databasein which we delivered targeted program and marketing information as well a disseminated information to our target audience.This has been a joint effort between the Agricultural and Natural Resource (AGNR) unit of our Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) and two prominent CBOs, working closely together. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Develop equipment sharing, equipment repair, and low-tech production not requiring a lot of farm equipment • Developing low deer fencing to protect crops at a reduced cost. • Partnering with University Biology Department to conduct research using Organic Weed Control methods
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal (1):Establish model farms at the university research farm and in targeted counties to serve as training sites •43,560 Initiative:We established a 1-acre model farm site on campus to grow high-value vegetables such as Heirloom Sweet Potatoes, Purple HullPeas, and Greens. The goal of this project was to illustrate to small producers that they can make a sizable profit in a limited growing environment. We conducted training of the 43,560 at our annual field day at the campus. •Sustainable Strawberries:We established a quarter acre strawberry production model on campus using plastic-culture and drip irrigation to serve as a model for other producers to the pattern in the field. We also worked with four producers in the field to establish strawberry production models. We conducted field days at each of these sites. •Grafted Cucumber Production:A one-quarter acre model production field test was established on campus with a goal of showing producers how they could produce an abundant crop by using grafted cucumbers. We also established four production models in the field with producers who had never grown vegetables in the past. We conducted tours at all field locations and this project was highlighted at our annual field day. We developed a cucumber production guide as well as value added recipes for utilizing cucumbers. •Seasonal High Tunnels:High Tunnel Production System has been established on campus as well as Twelve Units in the field. Producers are receiving training on how to properly use high tunnels to produce high-value crops. Goal (2):Provide scale-appropriate instructional and experiential training in production, business management, and marketing •Improving Soil Health by Proper Soil Testing:We partnered with 100 Ranchers, a community-based organization, to conduct a series of six workshops focused on soil health. Producers received training how to take and submit soil samples and how to interpret the results. Soil pH was highlighted as a major limiting factor in crop production and producers were trained on how to use their soil test to mitigate these concerns. •Agroforestry Workshop:Profitable Forest and Woodlands: We provided new and beginning farmers with information on how they can utilize previous unproductive lands in a forest or woodland production system. Training was provided by the Texas forest service as well as Steven F. Austin University on areas such as non-timber production, agroforestry, and timber- related production areas. Goal (3):Develop effective partnerships between BFRs and USDA, State agencies, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other successful farmers to create mentorship opportunities and facilitate information sharing on program and services available to them •Small Farm Outreach:This workshop was conducted to connect New and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers(BFRs) with USDA resources as well as mentoring and networking opportunities with members of several communities based organization: 100 Ranchers Inc., Land Owners Association of Texas, Waller County Farmer, and Rancher Coop. and the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers CBO. Special workshops were conducted to introduce BFRs to new production opportunities such as Hair Sheep Production. •PVAMU Agriculture Field Day:USDA agencies were given an opportunity to set up a booth to dialog with producers on services they offer. Goal (4):Develop a BFR database to facilitate targeted information dissemination and outreach. •Producer Database:Student assistance was utilized to develop a database of producers. This database is being used in a relationship manner whereby producers are expected to communicate back to our program. •360 Degree Marketing Program:Utilizing our producer database, we actively sought to engage producers in our programs by contacting them in a variety of means such as •Email Blast:We utilized the emails to notify them about upcoming programs and events •Direct Mail:Using traditional postal service, producers were sent information about program and events taking place in various countries or on campus. •Call-Em-All:A direct group call system was used to deliver a phone message about upcoming programs. We used a systematic approach in which the initial call was followed up by reminder calls one month, one week and one day before the event. •Press Releases:A press releases were sent to the major news outlets about the events taking place. We received coverage in major newspapers, on radios and television, and the Morning-Ag-News, a nationwide email news report.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Ampim, A.Y., Lawton, B. C., Wallace, R., & Weerasooriya, A. (2016, September 22). Specialty crop production initiatives with limited resources farmers in Texas. Proceedings of the 7th National Small Farm: Traditional and Alternative Farm Enterprise Development and Practices, Including Protected Agriculture (PA) and Urban Agriculture Opportunities for Small Farmers Conference, Virginia Beach, VA, 19-25.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Facebook Page supporting BFRDP Activities, Events, and Materials.
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