INNOVATIVE APPROACHES INNOVATIVE APPROACHES FOR MEETING THE NEEDS FOR MEETING THE NEEDS
OF UNDERSERVED OF UNDERSERVED FARMERS IN MARYLANDFARMERS IN MARYLAND
2009 National Extension Risk Management Educational Conference
Presented by: Okarsamaa B. White, UMCP
Berran Rogers, UMES
Equal Opportunity Employer Equal Access Programs
ObjectivesObjectivesIntroduce Maryland audience not
vested in traditional extension service
Discuss innovative methods used to effectively reach underserved audience
Present collaborative efforts among the Land Grant Institutions and partners.
Project Overview
Small Farm Outreach Initiative goal is...
To improve the economic and social well-being of small-scale, limited resource farmers, including socially disadvantaged farmers, by providing educational programs that enhance their farm management skills and increase their access to and participation in USDA farm programs.
Target Audiences
Limited-Resource (Small-scale)
Socially Disadvantaged◦Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc...
Female Producers
New Immigrant Entrepreneurs◦NIFI Definition
Immigrants and refugees who aspire to have a farm business or are currently farming for the social and economic benefit of their family and the community
◦Immigrant Farmers’ Needs Basic and additional agricultural training Introduction to the U.S. culture and institutions Inputs and output knowledge Network and collaborative strategy
Farm LandownersNiche Farmers
Target Audiences (New)
Underserved Population StatisticsSDA Operators by
RaceAg Census
(1997)Ag Census
(2002)% Increase/Decrease
Black or African American 201 247 22.8%
Hispanic/Latino 85 148 74.1%American Indian or Native 20 66 230.0%Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander or Asian* 18* 45 150.0%
MD Total 324 506
Virginia Counties (Accomack, Northampton)All SDA Groups 39 66 69.2%
Overall Total 363 572 58%
Project Area Project Area
Core Areas MD:Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, Howard, Montgomery , St. Mary’s, Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester
Fringe Area VA:Accomack, Northampton
Fringe AreasMD: Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Kent
Agriculture ProductionAgriculture Production
Southern Maryland:Vegetables, Small Ruminants, Ethnic Vegetables, Some tobacco,
Mid-Shore:Small Grains, Pastures, Hay, Some livestock, poultry
Lower Shore (MD & VA)Vegetable Crops, Poultry,Seafood,
Reaching Underserved Reaching Underserved Audiences can be difficult Audiences can be difficult because….because….
Existing database(s) out-of-dateHarder to reachDisengaged from mainstream
servicesRequire more time and investment
to build trust and confidence in the service
Barriers and stigmas need to be broken down or changed
Strategies In Reaching and Meeting Needs of Underserved Audiences :Establish working relationships with
key persons/organizations in identifying clients
Conduct needs assessment to accurately identify farm issues
Understanding their daily strugglesDesign programs centered around
their schedule (be flexible)Approach their needs from a holistic
consideration
Traditional Methods◦Direct Mailing (leaflets, newsletters,
etc…)◦Farm Visits and Phone Calls◦Informational Brochures◦Local Newspapers, radio, and other media◦Exhibit Displays at local venues (Ag fairs,
community events, etc..)◦Informational materials at public facilities,
Ag businesses◦Informational Meetings◦Churches and Civic organizations
Outreach Approaches.....Outreach Approaches.....Getting the Word OutGetting the Word Out
Innovative approaches…◦Farmer Focus Groups◦Cross Interdisciplinary ◦Community Leader Involvement◦Hands-on, Demonstrations and
Seminars◦Field Tours and Field Day◦Website / Internet◦Email◦Churches and civic organizations
Outreach Approaches.....Outreach Approaches.....Getting the Word OutGetting the Word Out
Most Effective Outreach Most Effective Outreach Methods?Methods?
Handout MaterialsTelephone Calls
One-on-One VisitsDemonstration Trials
The main reasons why these The main reasons why these outreach approaches are outreach approaches are effective:effective:
They are provided in an informal setting
They encourage and inspire greater participation
Promote and foster good relationships
Outreach workers are able to help customers overcome barriers
Provide a relaxed “non-threatening” atmosphere for learning about USDA Farm Programs and to ask questions
Most Efficient in Reaching Most Efficient in Reaching Larger Groups?Larger Groups?
55thth Annual Small Farm Annual Small Farm ConferenceConferenceUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Exhibits, Informational Booths, etc..
Seminars
Family Finance Workshop
Mass Mailings
Small Farmers SeminarAlternative Market Workshop
Loans and Grant Session Farm Conservation Program, USDA Farm Service Agency
Collaborative EffortsCollaborative Efforts
Strategies Used to Meet Strategies Used to Meet Needs of Underserved Needs of Underserved PopulationsPopulations
Focus/Advisory Group MeetingsCollaboration with Local
Grassroots & Community Organizations
Partnerships with local, state, government agencies
Evaluation and Client Feedback
Forestry and Conservation Forestry and Conservation Tour(s) for Tour(s) for
Underserved LandownersUnderserved Landowners
UMES partnered with USDA-NRCS, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, and other agencies to conduct a Forestry and Conservation Field Tour for minority and limited-resource farmers and landowners to learn about forest management, conservation and cost-share programs available from USDA and state agencies.
Topics Addressing Farmers Topics Addressing Farmers IssuesIssues
Family Finance (Budget Sheet)Value Added Opportunities
PartnershipNRCS - Conservation ProgramYoung and Beginning Farmers
Grant/LoansFSA – Loans/Youth, Conservation
ProgramsAlternative Marketing UpdatesDirect Marketing
Southern Maryland Southern Maryland Small Farmers SeminarSmall Farmers Seminar
State, County and Non-Organizations present to farmers on various program and services available.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
USDA NRCS WorkshopNiche Farmers and Specialty Markets
Leveraging Resources Leveraging Resources Across AgenciesAcross Agencies
Partnerships and cooperation among agencies are “a must” in order to leverage resources
“One stop” funding is not enough to cover all expenses involved when serving limited-resource and minority farmers
“One size fits all” programs are not suitable for audiences with unique needs
UMES, RC&D and NRCS experience
Leveraging Resources Leveraging Resources Across Agencies (Cont.)Across Agencies (Cont.)
UMES, RC&D and NRCS experience◦Started in 2002◦Technical and financial assistance◦USDA farm program opportunities
identified◦Alternative and agri-tourism
opportunities identified◦Information concerning limited and
small farm resources shared◦Additional partnerships created with
government and private small farm interests
Collaborative EffortsMaryland Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS)Maryland Small Farm Initiative for Socially
Disadvantaged Farmers and RanchersUSDA, Resource Conservation and
Development, Inc. (RC&D)USDA, Farm Services Agency (FSA)MARBIDCO, Maryland Agricultural and
Resource Based Industry Development Corp.
Advisory Committee Advisory Committee MeetingsMeetings
In September 2008, University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Small Farm Outreach Project collaborated with representatives from local grassroots and community-based organizations, and county agencies to plan its first advisory group meeting.
ConclusionConclusionUnderserved populations
encounter many obstaclesMeeting their needs requires a
holistic approachLeveraging resources could be
crucial to their survivalInnovative and creative
strategies must be utilizedBetter coordinated effort is
needed for better outcomes
Developed by:Dr. Stephan Tubene, Co-Project DirectorOutreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers ProjectUMES2122 Richard A. Henson Center. Princess Anne, MD 21853410-651-6206 or [email protected]
Okarsamaa B. White, M.S., AFCExtension Educator - Finance, Family and Consumer SciencesMaryland Cooperative Extension, Prince George’s County6707 Groveton Drive Clinton, MD 20735(301) 868-9410 or [email protected]
Berran Rogers, Small Farm Program Coordinator & Project DirectorOutreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers ProjectUMES2122 Richard A. Henson Center. Princess Anne, MD 21853410-651-6693 or [email protected]
Equal Opportunity Employer Equal Access Programs
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