| PROJECT SUMMARY |
| This project addresses the need for multidisciplinary vegetable and fruit-risk management professional development training for Extension agents in the Southern region. UT Extension has developed a hands-on, intensive in-service training to bridge the gap between theory and practice. In this project, 50 Extension agents will learn by performing many of the tasks associated with risk management in commercial and organic vegetable and fruit production and marketing. Emphasis will be placed on comparing risk management strategies in conventional and organic production and marketing systems of vegetables and fruits. Additional topics will be community supported agriculture, food safety and source verification. Training will involve classroom teaching, hands-on field applications, and sharing of experiences from producers and marketers. Presenters will be a mix of UT & TSU personnel, independent growers, and organic production specialists from surrounding states. Agents will teach producers to improve their risk management decisions. |
| NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 51 |
| TOPICS COVERED |
| Product and enterprise diversification |
| Marketing strategies, plans and clubs |
| Direct, wholesale, and processing markets |
| Contract production, branded or certified marketing, and value-added enterprises |
| Understanding of economic risks associated with new production technologies |
| Business and strategic planning |
