| PROJECT SUMMARY |
The New North Florida Cooperative, along with Florida A&M University, Heifer International and University of Florida, seeks to address promoting the use of strategies for reducing farm risks for minority and limited resource farmers. The purpose of the project is to implement a risk management education program that incorporates traditional training and the application of various risk management strategies into existing farm operations. The project will be participatory and involve group training and "real farm" application/ demonstration activities in areas identified as critical for minority and limited resource farmers.
Actual hands-on training and application approach not only provided opportunities for enhanced knowledge and skills in using risk management strategies, but also created real opportunities for enterprise diversification and alternative market development. Group training activities were provided to participating farmers and groups in familiar surroundings to help eliminate reluctance to participation in open forums and foster a feeling of comfort and belonging.
Farmers and groups participated in training activities at the NNFC training facility, as well as in their own communities. These training activities allowed them opportunity to facilitate school markets by producing alternative crops (leafy greens, peas/beans, sweet potatoes) and having these products value-added. School markets were supplied in FL, GA, AL, and pilot deliveries were conducted in MS and AR.
Project activities were conducted to expose, not only farmers, but also agricultural professionals to various risk management education strategies, tools and program development opportunities. Over 100 minority and limited resource farmers participated in training/outreach activities, including 15 seminar/workshops and a risk management/small farmer conference. Training involved risk management areas: 1. Production - alternative enterprises (leafy greens, peas/beans, meat goats); production practices (irrigation, value-added processing) 2. Marketing - schools and other value-added & specialty markets; cooperative/group development. A risk management education/small farmer conference was held at NNFC with training activities in all areas of risk management. |
| NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 100 |
| TOPICS COVERED |
| Product and enterprise diversification |
| Market analysis and outlook |
| Marketing strategies, plans and clubs |
| Direct, wholesale, and processing markets |
| Contract production, branded or certified marketing, and value-added enterprises |
| Financial records, analysis, and bench-marking |
| Understanding of economic risks associated with new production technologies |
| Business and strategic planning |
