Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience: The Farm Management Educational Program for New, Beginning Farmers and Rancher in Mississippi target audience consist of new, beginning farmers and ranchers; small farm and limited resource producers; retired and disabled military veterans; socially-disadvantage producers who are African-American; and women producers.In year one,we proposed that 300 participants would learn the fundamentals of farming. However, we exceeded our goal by 58% and serviced 513 participants who learned valuable farm fundamentals in the 5 risk management areas of production, financial, marketing, human resource and legal risks. The Alcorn State Univeristy Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center's unit designed a comprehensive plan for online recruitment, registration, and course delivery. A five-week online course was offered through ASU's CANVAS Learning Management Platform from June 1 - July 3, 2020. One hundred New, and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers successfully completed the course with a 23% increase in content knowledge. This period/year two, approximately 50% (150) total participants from year 1 and year 2 will develop farm plans for their prospective enterprises. Changes/Problems:The recruitment for 100 new applicants culminated, over 200 individuals inquired about the program, and 154 new registrations applications were received. Of course, along with success came some disappointments. The Farm Management Educational Program (FMEP) records showed a noticeable decline in participation from Cohort 1 (Year 1) participants. To date there is no indication of whether this decline in participation is because of the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus Pandemic or lack/loss of project interest. In year 1 we developed sign in sheets for our participants and some of the hand writing was not legible, therefore, it was hard to reach the participants. However in Year 2 we used an online registration system that captured the contact information for the participatns. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Farm Management Educational Program (FMEP) provided provided research-based education to Cohort 1 and Cohort II participants on the following modules: • Farm Fundamentals of Livestock/Vegetable Production; • Financial Management; • Marketing; • Food Safety; • available USDA programs and services The delivery method was through Alcorn State Univeristy's CANVAS Learning Managment System/Platform and Zoom meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The Farm Management Educational Program for New, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Mississippiresults/findings are being delivered through published articles, newsletters and email blasts to stakeholders. Reporting will also go through general outreach (radio, social media, magazines, newspapers and websites), training modules, fact sheets and resource materials developed and disseminated to producers. The findings are also distributed to the Alcorn State University School of Agriculture and Applied Science Agricultue Newsletter. The following media outlets were contacted to place promotional/recruitment flyer in their local newspapers/magazines: The Mississippi Link; The Northside Sun; Mississippi Business Journal; Delta Democrat-Times; The Clarion-Ledger; Mississippi Market Bulletin The Fayette Chronicle; The Port Gibson Reveille; The PineBelt News; The Natchez Democrat; The Hattiesburg American; and Alcorn State University Media Relation. A follow up press/news release will be featured in these media outlets. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next reporting period will be September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2020 Goal 2, Goal 3 and Objectives Goal 2. To assist BFRs in the development of a viable farm business plan in vegetable and/or meat goat production. Objective #1. To provide an online educational training on farm fundamentals for new participants. The expected outcome: 100 new participants will sign-up in the second year and at least 75% of new recruits will pass the modules successfully. Objective #2. To provide an online educational training in farm plan development focusing on the mission, goals and objectives. At least 60% of core participants and new participants will gain knowledge and develop the mission, goals and objectives for the farm business plan. Objective #3. To provide face-to-face educational training in farm plan development focusing on the production, marketing, financial, and food safety and legal risks components of the business plan. At least 60% of past participants and new participants will gain knowledge and develop the risk management components of the farm business plan. Goal 3. To assist BFRs in the implementation of a viable farm business plan in vegetable and meat goat production. Objective #1. To provide follow-up visits and technical assistance with farm business plan implementation. At least 60% of participants will implement written farm plans. The FMEP will serve 300 BFRs. In the first year, at least 160 BFRs will attain knowledge of farm fundamentals. At least 30% of 160 BFRs will improve production practices. The resulting expected resulting impacts of knowledge gained will foster opportunities to enter new markets. In year two, at least 60% of the BFRs will have utilized resources to develop a farm plan that encompass realistic goals and objectives, establish production, marketing and financial plans, and strategies for risk mitigation. In year three, at least 60% of the BFRs will implement a viable farm plan, starting or improving new or existing enterprises. At least 51% of the BFRs will improve their production practices and marketing strategies, and have established farm records to generate financial statements. BFRs profiles, tests and evaluation results will be documented to show the impact of the FMEP to the success of their operations. The information is instrumental in serving as a model to adapt FMEP to other regions, communities, and/or agricultural systems. To assist BFRs in the development of a viable farm business plan in vegetable and/or meat goat production. In year two, we are providingan online educational training on farm fundamentals for new participants. Recruting campaign was lauched: social media, local newspapers and Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center's website:The expected outcome: 100 new participants will sign-up in the second year and at least 75% of new recruits will pass the modules successfully. We have exceeded our goal of 100 new participants. To date, 155 new particpants have enrolled in the project. The participantsare currently completing the modules successfully through the online tool Canvas. We have launched the recruiting strategy for returning participants, approximately 50% (150) of the participants from (Cohort 1) year 1 and (Cohort 2) year 2 will develop farm plans for their prospective enterprises. The participants will complete their farm business plans and begin implementation.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The overall goal of the proposed Farm Management Educational Program (FMEP) is to empower BFRs to have successful and sustainable farm enterprises, primarily in vegetable and meat goat production. The goal and objectives are listed below. Goal 1 and Goal 2 The Farm Management Educational Program (FMEP) for New, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Mississippi recruited, trained and equipped BFRs with the tools and resources necessary to generate a viable farm plan.The Farm Management Educational Program (FMEP) for New, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Mississippi started its training modules on Friday, March 29, 2019 and ended on September 28, 2019 with twenty-three (23) trainings completed reaching 513 participants. Profile/demographics have been completed and the contact database is increasing. Evaluations were administered during each session and data entry is complete and analyzed. Sign in sheets have been recorded for each training. Mississippi has received an overwhelming response to FMEP. All five farm fundamentalmodules (production, financial, marketing, food safety and family policy):sustainable farm enterprises, primarily in vegetable and meat goat production were completed. Accomplishment 1. The expected outcomes are: at least 51% BFRs will improve their production practices, thereby increasing farm production thoughout the grant period.Estimated Number: 300,Actual Number: 159 Accomplishment 2. The expected outcomes are: at least 51% BFRs will have gain knowledge and experience in making sound decisions, organizing financial records, creating enterprise budgets, preparing and analyzing data from financial statements to measure profitability.Estimated Number: 300,Actual Number: 513 Accomplishment 3. The expected outcomes are: at least 51% BFRs will have access to resources on marketing opportunities and enhance their knowledge of the requirements to enter markets.Estimated Number: 300,Actual Number: 513 Accomplishment4. The expected outcomes are: at least 51% BFRs will increase their knowledge and understanding of food safety and increase the number of new and beginning farmers and ranchers with GAP/GHP certification, and awareness of biosecurity issues in crop and livestock production.Estimated Number: 300,Actual Number: 513 Accomplishment 5. The expected outcomes are: at least 51% BFRs will acquire an awareness of the current farm bill programs and services, and the requirements and guidelines to access USDA Programsand the Policy Center's services.Estimated Number: 300,Actual Number: 513 Trainings for Cohort I: Year 1 Since last reporting period 9/7/2019: (Host NGO:National Center for Appropriate Technology)Collins, MS -- Participants: 38 9/21/2019: (Host NGO:Mississippi Meat Goat Producers Cooperative)Okolona, MS -- Participants:10 9/28/2019: (HostNGO:Mileston Cooperative)Tchula, MS -- Participants: 24 October 2019 - November 2019 The Farm Management Educational Program (FMEP) Evaluations were being analyzed and planning for the End of the Year Wrap Up that was held on November 20, 2020 at Alcorn State University. December 2019 Evaluation results were available for Year 1 of the project. January 2020 - May 2020 The unit designed a comprehensive plan for online recruitment, registration, and course delivery for Cohort II. A five-week online course was offered through Alcorn State University's CANVAS Learning Management System/Platform from June 1 - July 3, 2020. One hundred New, and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers successfully completed the course with a 23% increase in content knowledge. Simultaneously recruitment efforts were being conducted to bring back Cohort I members to begin virtual Zoom Meetings using the resource tool AgPlan for Farm Plan Development. Below you will find the virtual training schedule for the Farm Management Educational Program (FMEP) for Cohort 1 and Cohort 2. Event, Start Date, End Date, Delivery Method FMEP Year 2 Online Review of Farm Fundamentals - Module 1 (Production) June 1-7, 2020 CANVAS Learning System FMEP Year 2 Online Review of Farm Fundamentals - Module 2 (Financial Management) June 8-14, 2020 CANVAS Learning System FMEP Year 2 Online Review of Farm Fundamentals - Module 3 (Marketing) June 15-21, 2020 CANVAS Learning System FMEP Year 2 Online Review of Farm Fundamentals - Module 4 (Food Safety) June 22-28, 2020 CANVAS Learning System FMEP Year 2 Online Review of Farm Fundamentals - Module 5 (USDA Programs and Services) June 29-July 3, 2020 CANVAS Learning System FMEP Year2- Farm Plan Development Introduction & Modules 1-5 July 23-November 27, 2020 Online Platform Delivery - AgPlan & ZOOM Video Conferencing.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
www.alcorn.edu/mssmallfarm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Promotional/Recruitment Flyers were developed for this period of the project. The following NGOs used the promotional/recruitment flyer: Mississippi Meat Goat Producers, Mid South Progressive Agricultural Group, Mileston Cooperative Association, National Center for Appropriate Technology to promote the Farm Management Educational Program for New, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Mississippi in their respective areas throughout the state. The following media outlets were contacted to place promotional/recruitment flyer in their local newspapers/magazines: The Mississippi Link; The Northside Sun; Mississippi Business Journal;
Delta Democrat-Times; The Clarion-Ledger; Mississippi Market Bulletin
The Fayette Chronicle; The Port Gibson Reveille; The PineBelt News; The Natchez Democrat; The Hattiesburg American; and Alcorn State University Media Relation
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The Farm Management Educational Program for New, Beginning Farmers and Rancher in Mississippi target audience consist of new, beginning farmers and ranchers; small farm and limited resource producers; retired and disabled military veterans; socially-disadvantage producers who are African-American; and women producers. Changes/Problems:The Farm Management Educational Program for New, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Mississippi major changes/problems were delays in establishing budgets and account numbers internally, administration and staff changes (Dr. Gregory Reed retired and Mr. Ricky Johnson retired), developing and obtaining signatures for 5 external contracts and 2 consultants contracts; and hiring of Project Assistant. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?MODULE 1 Farm Management Educational Program for New, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Mississippi (Module 1 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS 127) SMALL FARMERS CONFERENCE TOTAL PARTICIPANTS 28 MODULE 1 WAS COMPLETED WITH 5 TRAININGS WITH 127 PARTICIPANTS: March 29, 2019 Mid South Progressive Agricultural Group (host) at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS (Total participants 21) April 6, 2019 Mileston Cooperative Association (host) at Mileston School in Tchula, MS(Total participants 29) April 20, 2019 National Center for Appropriate Technology (host) at 34th Street Wholistic Gardens and Education Center in Gulfport, MS(Total participants 23) April 26, 2019 Alliance of Sustainable Farms (host) at Mississipi State University Beaumont Horticulture Unit in Beaumont, MS. (Total participants 24) April 27, 2019 Mississippi Meat Goat Cooperative (host) at North Mississippi Agribusiness Center and Farmers Market in Okolona, MS(Total participants 30) ************************************************************************************************ MODULE 2WAS COMPLETED WITH 5 TRAININGS WITH 128PARTICIPANTS: May 3,2019 Mid South Progressive Agricultural Group (host) at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS (Total participants 20) May 10, 2019 National Center for Appropriate Technology (host) at Galloway Family Farm in Madison, MS(Total participants 22) May 11, 2019 Mileston Cooperative Association (host) at Mileston School in Tchula, MS(Total participants 25) May 17, 2019 Alliance of Sustainable Farms (host) at Ole Brooke Organics Farm in Brookhaven, MS(Total participants 29) May 18, 2019 Mississippi Meat Goat Cooperative (host) at North Mississippi Agribusiness Center and Farmers Market in Okolona, MS(Total participants 39) ************************************************************************************************** MODULE 3WAS COMPLETED WITH 5 TRAININGS WITH 78PARTICIPANTS: May 31,2019 Mid South Progressive Agricultural Group (host) at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS (Total participants 15) June 8, 2019 Mileston Cooperative Association (host) at Mileston School in Tchula, MS(Total participants 9) June 14, 2019 National Center for Appropriate Technology (host) at Colemans Family Farmsin Madison, MS(Total participants 6) June 14, 2019 Mileston Cooperative Association (host) at Mileston School in Tchula, MS(Total participants 25) June 21, 2019 Alliance of Sustainable Farms (host) at High Hope Farmsin Cedar Bluff, MS(Total participants 6) July 13, 2019 Mississippi Meat Goat Cooperative (host) at North Mississippi Agribusiness Center and Farmers Market in Okolona, MS(Total participants 25) **************************************************************************************************** MODULE 4WAS COMPLETED WITH 4TRAININGS WITH 90PARTICIPANTS: July 12,2019 Mid South Progressive Agricultural Group (host) at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS (Total participants 22) July 19, 2019 Alliance of Sustainable Farms (host) at Mississippi State Universiy Crop Experiment Station in Crystal Springs, MS. (Total participants 18) August 10, 2019 National Center for Appropriate Technology and Mississippi Meat Goat Cooperative (hosts) at North Mississippi Agribusiness Center and Farmers Market in Okolona, MS(Total participants 35) ************************************************************************************************** ADDITIONAL TRAININGS 4-H EXTENSION AWARENESS DAY IN PORT GIBSON, MS ON JUNE 7, 2019 -22 PARTICIPANTS DELTA COMMUNITY FARMS IN OAKLAND, MS ON JUNE 29, 2019 - 37 PARTICIPANTS WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE IN TUPELO MS ON JULY 28-30, 2019 - 21 PARTICIPANTS WINONA LAND SUMMIT IN WINONA, MS ON AUGUST 1-2, 2019 - 19PARTICIPANTS How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Farm Management Educational Program for New, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Mississippi disseminated the results to communities of interest during the Marketing with Myles Radio Show, Facebook and thestaff is in the process of developing a newsletter to highlight the 5 educational workshops with highlights and pictures. The newsletter will highlight partners, locations, participants, and evaluation feedback. We will link newsletter to websites and other forms of social media. A video is being developed to highlight the accomplishments of the 5 trainings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period we will update our accomplished goals that will include Module 5 trainings and other outreach activities.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1. To recruit, train and equip BFRs with the tools and resources necessary to generate a viable farm plan.The following goals were accomplished through introduction level educational workshops using curriculums, powerpoints and hands-on activities: Objective #1.To provide educational training and hands-on demonstration in basic crop and livestock production. The topics are: 1.1) Starting a Farm Enterprise; Objective #2.To provide educational training and hands-on demonstration in financial management and risk mitigation. The topics are: 1.2) Farm Management and Financial Management Decisions - (steps in making sound financial management decisions); Objective #3.To provide educational training and hands-on demonstration in market diversification and risk mitigation. The topics are: 1.3) Market Research - key factors to consider when conducting research; Objective #4. To provide educational training and hand-on demonstration in food safety and biosecurity. The topics are: 1.4) Introduction to Food Safety - an overview of food safety and food borne illnesses in crop and livestock production; and Objective #5.To provide educational training on programs and services for new and beginning farmers and ranchers on the current farm bill. The topics are: 1.5) Overview of the Agricultural Act of 2014 - programs and services available for BFRs as reflected in current farm bill. MODULE 1 Farm Management Educational Program for New, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Mississippi (Module 1 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS 127) SMALL FARMERS CONFERENCE TOTAL PARTICIPANTS 28 MODULE 1 WAS COMPLETED WITH 5 TRAININGS WITH 127 PARTICIPANTS: March 29, 2019 Mid South Progressive Agricultural Group (host) at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS (Total participants 21) April 6, 2019 Mileston Cooperative Association (host) at Mileston School in Tchula, MS (Total participants 29) April 20, 2019 National Center for Appropriate Technology (host) at 34th Street Wholistic Gardens and Education Center in Gulfport, MS (Total participants 23) April 26, 2019 Alliance of Sustainable Farms (host) at Mississipi State University Beaumont Horticulture Unit in Beaumont, MS. (Total participants 24) April 27, 2019 Mississippi Meat Goat Cooperative (host) at North Mississippi Agribusiness Center and Farmers Market in Okolona, MS (Total participants 30) ************************************************************************************************ MODULE 2WAS COMPLETED WITH 5 TRAININGS WITH 128PARTICIPANTS: May 3,2019 Mid South Progressive Agricultural Group (host) at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS (Total participants 20) May 10, 2019 National Center for Appropriate Technology (host) at Galloway Family Farm in Madison, MS(Total participants 22) May 11, 2019 Mileston Cooperative Association (host) at Mileston School in Tchula, MS(Total participants 25) May 17, 2019 Alliance of Sustainable Farms (host) at Ole Brooke Organics Farm in Brookhaven, MS (Total participants 29) May 18, 2019 Mississippi Meat Goat Cooperative (host) at North Mississippi Agribusiness Center and Farmers Market in Okolona, MS(Total participants 39) ************************************************************************************************** MODULE 3WAS COMPLETED WITH 5 TRAININGS WITH 78PARTICIPANTS: May 31,2019 Mid South Progressive Agricultural Group (host) at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS (Total participants 15) June 8, 2019 Mileston Cooperative Association (host) at Mileston School in Tchula, MS(Total participants 9) June 14, 2019 National Center for Appropriate Technology (host) at Colemans Family Farmsin Madison, MS(Total participants 6) June 14, 2019 Mileston Cooperative Association (host) at Mileston School in Tchula, MS(Total participants 25) June 21, 2019 Alliance of Sustainable Farms (host) at High Hope Farmsin Cedar Bluff, MS(Total participants 6) July 13, 2019 Mississippi Meat Goat Cooperative (host) at North Mississippi Agribusiness Center and Farmers Market in Okolona, MS(Total participants 25) **************************************************************************************************** MODULE 4WAS COMPLETED WITH 4TRAININGS WITH 90PARTICIPANTS: July 12,2019 Mid South Progressive Agricultural Group (host) at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS (Total participants 22) July 19, 2019 Alliance of Sustainable Farms (host) at Mississippi State Universiy Crop Experiment Station in Crystal Springs, MS. (Total participants 18) August 10, 2019 National Center for Appropriate Technology and Mississippi Meat Goat Cooperative (hosts) at North Mississippi Agribusiness Center and Farmers Market in Okolona, MS(Total participants 35) **************************************************************************************************
Publications
|