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INVESTIGATOR: Shingler, R.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
GEORGIA ORGANIC PEANUT ASSOCIATION INC
30 S SCOTT ST
CAMILLA, GEORGIA 317301706

DEVELOPING A FARMER-LED TRAINING PROGRAM FOR BEGINNING ORGANIC PEANUT PRODUCERS IN GEORGIA

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The Georgia Organic Peanut Association (GOPA) proposes a simplified BFRDP project to expand the production knowledge and marketing opportunities of beginning farmers who produce Certified Organic peanuts. The project consists of a yearlong educational program of production workshops, field days, and a pilot mentoring program. The 2017 Census of Agriculture reported that Georgia had over 22,700 new and beginning farmers, and many of these are younger operators on the 4500 family peanut farms in Georgia. With declining commodity prices, many of these beginning farmers have contacted the association about moving to Certified Organic production. But successful peanut production in the Southeast requires specific equipment and careful mechanical cultivation to control weeds, a technique that has been practiced exclusively over the past decade by the organic producers that make up GOPA. This project will transfer vital agricultural knowledge between these sets of practiced and beginning producers. Three farmers from the association will mentor six beginning farmers, who will achieve two significant outcomes: (1) expanding their ability to produce peanuts beyond the conventional production toolbox and (2) potentially increasing their profitability by selling through new value-added markets. Lessons learned during this project will lead in the future to a larger mentoring program for beginning producers, with broader partnerships across the state and the region.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this project is to enhance the economic and agronomic resilience of beginning peanut farmers.1. As a primary objective, six beginning peanut farmers will receive direct mentoring on Certified Organic production practices from three mentor farmers. This activity will lead directly to improved production practices and enable these beginning farmers to reach new, profitable markets for peanuts.2. A secondary objective of this project is to equip beginning peanut farmers with the knowledge and skills to reduce herbicide use, manage production risk more efficiently, and develop cultural practices to control herbicide-resistance weeds.3. Lastly, the project will develop a pilot mentoring program that can be extended to additional producers and commodities, in partnership with other agricultural organizations, in the future.

APPROACH: The project will utitize the following methods to achieve its expected outcomes:Mentoring -- no fewer than 3 farmers will mentor 6 new and beginning producers, employing in-person meetings and remote consultationTwo Organic Production Workshops, held in two different locations in Georgia and partnering with USDA NRCS, Rural Development, RMA, and FSA, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, and organic commodity buyersOne field-day demontrating effective cultivation tools and practices for Certified Organic productionThese efforts will be evaluated in the following ways:Mentors and mentees each will submit pre- and post-project evaluations that assess their respective knowledge, skills, and abilities as farmers; their understanding of alternative production practices and risk managment strategies; the financial health of their operations; and their expected outcomes from participating in a novel mentoring program.Attendees will complete evaluations using a Likert scale (1-5) measuring their change in knowledge, awareness, and intent regarding production practices, marketing strategies, risk management, and enrollment in USDA programs. It is expected that 40 total producers will attend, and the rating of the overall quality and effectiveness of the workshop will average no less than 4 out of 5.Attendees will complete evaluations using a Likert scale (1-5) measuring their change in knowledge and awareness of Certified Organic regulations and acceptable production practices, cultivation tools and strategies, and alternative marketing opportunities. It is expected that 15 total producers will attend, and the rating of the overall quality and effectiveness of the workshop will average no less than 4 out of 5.