| PROJECT SUMMARY |
While many agricultural producers in the Western United States must seek out specialty/alternative enterprises to remain economically viable, these ventures present substantial risks along with their potential rewards. This project will develop an organized method to assist producers in systematically evaluating new enterprises. The materials will be presented in workshops and will also be available as an interactive, self-guided web-based tutorial.
The target audience in the three participating states (California, Hawaii, and Oregon) will consist of small-scale or ethnically diverse growers who do not presently have the contacts, skills and/or resources to analyze new opportunities. At least 4000 producers in the three states will be made aware of the decision guide either through mailouts or electronic means. We anticipate that 400 (10%) will participate in workshops and complete the decision tutorial, 200 (5%) will state intentions, and (by June 2005) 100 will use the guide to make new crop or enterprise decisions.
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| 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 |
