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INVESTIGATOR: Richardson, V.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32307

REACHING A NEW GENERATION OF AGRO-ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH ENHANCED PROGRAM DELIVERY STRATEGIES

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The economic future of agriculture depends on the ability of new and beginning farmers to start and successfully operate agricultural enterprises. While farm entry has never been easy, it has not been as challenging as it is today. Traditional methods of farm entry are no longer sufficient to assure success, and supports and services are not adequate to meet the specific needs of the next generation of farmers. The barriers faced by new and emerging farmers are vastly different from previous generations. New farmers today must make detailed business plans, aggressively pursue marketing opportunities, and make difficult financial decisions relating to insurance, contracting, capital investment, value-added production, and expansion. Land and labor can no longer produce a livable return on investment for young people in rural communities, and several key factors are responsible for decreasing the value associated with this: 1) recent innovations in agricultural practices, 2) an aging population, 3) increases in competition, 4) barriers to business financing or credit worthiness, 5) changes in federal farm programs, 6) barriers to computer technology access, and 7) structural changes in agricultural markets. The proposed project seeks to build upon the previously funded program, and is designed to be multi-disciplined and utilize multi-dimensional teaching strategies, on-farm demonstrations, web-based curriculum and business incubation. The project provides an opportunity to build and strengthen collaborative interaction among faculty, staff and students in the area of extension/outreach so that they can work with and provide better solutions to small and limited resource clientele through the use of effective business development, marketing and management strategies. The project will also significantly enhance the working relationship between extension specialists and county agents, and allow for effectively addressing the need for improved farm business development and management practices for new and beginning farmers. The project also enhances Florida A&M University's role in the development of new agribusinesses, adding value to the agricultural industrial pool of north Florida, as well as providing new experiential learning opportunities for students, extension agents and researchers.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the project is to provide educational opportunities and technical assistance that improves the likelihood of success for the next generation of small farmers. The project objectives include: Enhance existing online training delivery mechanisms; Establish on-station and on-farm demonstration sites to conduct training seminars, workshops and field day activities; Provide training and support for county extension agents and other agricultural professionals in information development and dissemination. The project will enhance Extension program delivery efforts to equip new and beginning farmers in Florida with relevant and measurable, knowledge, skills and tools to make informed decisions that lead to successful agricultural operations. Anticipated long-term outcomes are the development of sustainable educational networks and best practice strategies for farm entry for the next generation of agro-entrepreneurs. Training curricula and educational materials in agribusiness development, management and marketing will be developed for use in training activities and for dissemination. A web-based resource will be developed to reach a considerable number of new and beginning farmers both within and beyond the north Florida area. A Farm Business Incubator and Demonstration training sites will be established for small groups of project participants (youth and adults) to engage in hands-on, intensive training and assistance. Educational concepts to be taught will include self-assessment, business enterprise assessment and business growth skills. The proposed project will also utilize established relationships with other public and private entities and sales/distribution channels to open new opportunities for increasing sales and expand markets for agricultural products. Project activities will also provide for the development of a database of small-scale farmers, including minority and new, beginning farmers. This database will serve as a clearinghouse for farmer profiles, directing correspondence and outreach to clientele and stakeholder input. Data will be collected from training activities, and will be subjected to statistical analysis for troubleshooting purposes as well as to make conclusive and persuasive arguments about the success of the project. Results from the analysis will be disseminated through publications, seminars and conferences and web-based sources.