INNOVATIVE APPROACHES INNOVATIVE APPROACHES FOR MEETING THE NEEDS FOR MEETING THE NEEDS

OF UNDERSERVED OF UNDERSERVED FARMERS IN MARYLANDFARMERS IN MARYLAND

2009 National Extension Risk Management Educational Conference

Presented by: Okarsamaa B. White, UMCP

Berran Rogers, UMES

Equal Opportunity Employer Equal Access Programs

ObjectivesObjectivesIntroduce Maryland audience not

vested in traditional extension service

Discuss innovative methods used to effectively reach underserved audience

Present collaborative efforts among the Land Grant Institutions and partners.

Project Overview

Small Farm Outreach Initiative goal is...

To improve the economic and social well-being of small-scale, limited resource farmers, including socially disadvantaged farmers, by providing educational programs that enhance their farm management skills and increase their access to and participation in USDA farm programs.

Target Audiences

Limited-Resource (Small-scale)

Socially Disadvantaged◦Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc...

Female Producers

New Immigrant Entrepreneurs◦NIFI Definition

Immigrants and refugees who aspire to have a farm business or are currently farming for the social and economic benefit of their family and the community

◦Immigrant Farmers’ Needs Basic and additional agricultural training Introduction to the U.S. culture and institutions Inputs and output knowledge Network and collaborative strategy

Farm LandownersNiche Farmers

Target Audiences (New)

Underserved Population StatisticsSDA Operators by

RaceAg Census

(1997)Ag Census

(2002)% Increase/Decrease

Black or African American 201 247 22.8%

Hispanic/Latino 85 148 74.1%American Indian or Native 20 66 230.0%Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander or Asian* 18* 45 150.0%

MD Total 324 506  

Virginia Counties (Accomack, Northampton)All SDA Groups 39 66 69.2%

Overall Total 363 572 58% 

Project Area Project Area

Core Areas MD:Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, Howard, Montgomery , St. Mary’s, Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester

Fringe Area VA:Accomack, Northampton

Fringe AreasMD: Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Kent

Agriculture ProductionAgriculture Production

Southern Maryland:Vegetables, Small Ruminants, Ethnic Vegetables, Some tobacco,

Mid-Shore:Small Grains, Pastures, Hay, Some livestock, poultry

Lower Shore (MD & VA)Vegetable Crops, Poultry,Seafood,

Reaching Underserved Reaching Underserved Audiences can be difficult Audiences can be difficult because….because….

Existing database(s) out-of-dateHarder to reachDisengaged from mainstream

servicesRequire more time and investment

to build trust and confidence in the service

Barriers and stigmas need to be broken down or changed

Strategies In Reaching and Meeting Needs of Underserved Audiences :Establish working relationships with

key persons/organizations in identifying clients

Conduct needs assessment to accurately identify farm issues

Understanding their daily strugglesDesign programs centered around

their schedule (be flexible)Approach their needs from a holistic

consideration

Traditional Methods◦Direct Mailing (leaflets, newsletters,

etc…)◦Farm Visits and Phone Calls◦Informational Brochures◦Local Newspapers, radio, and other media◦Exhibit Displays at local venues (Ag fairs,

community events, etc..)◦Informational materials at public facilities,

Ag businesses◦Informational Meetings◦Churches and Civic organizations

Outreach Approaches.....Outreach Approaches.....Getting the Word OutGetting the Word Out

Innovative approaches…◦Farmer Focus Groups◦Cross Interdisciplinary ◦Community Leader Involvement◦Hands-on, Demonstrations and

Seminars◦Field Tours and Field Day◦Website / Internet◦Email◦Churches and civic organizations

Outreach Approaches.....Outreach Approaches.....Getting the Word OutGetting the Word Out

Most Effective Outreach Most Effective Outreach Methods?Methods?

Handout MaterialsTelephone Calls

One-on-One VisitsDemonstration Trials

The main reasons why these The main reasons why these outreach approaches are outreach approaches are effective:effective:

They are provided in an informal setting

They encourage and inspire greater participation

Promote and foster good relationships

Outreach workers are able to help customers overcome barriers

Provide a relaxed “non-threatening” atmosphere for learning about USDA Farm Programs and to ask questions

Most Efficient in Reaching Most Efficient in Reaching Larger Groups?Larger Groups?

55thth Annual Small Farm Annual Small Farm ConferenceConferenceUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Exhibits, Informational Booths, etc..

Seminars

Family Finance Workshop

Mass Mailings

Small Farmers SeminarAlternative Market Workshop

Loans and Grant Session Farm Conservation Program, USDA Farm Service Agency

Collaborative EffortsCollaborative Efforts

Strategies Used to Meet Strategies Used to Meet Needs of Underserved Needs of Underserved PopulationsPopulations

Focus/Advisory Group MeetingsCollaboration with Local

Grassroots & Community Organizations

Partnerships with local, state, government agencies

Evaluation and Client Feedback

Forestry and Conservation Forestry and Conservation Tour(s) for Tour(s) for

Underserved LandownersUnderserved Landowners

UMES partnered with USDA-NRCS, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, and other agencies to conduct a Forestry and Conservation Field Tour for minority and limited-resource farmers and landowners to learn about forest management, conservation and cost-share programs available from USDA and state agencies.

Topics Addressing Farmers Topics Addressing Farmers IssuesIssues

Family Finance (Budget Sheet)Value Added Opportunities

PartnershipNRCS - Conservation ProgramYoung and Beginning Farmers

Grant/LoansFSA – Loans/Youth, Conservation

ProgramsAlternative Marketing UpdatesDirect Marketing

Southern Maryland Southern Maryland Small Farmers SeminarSmall Farmers Seminar

State, County and Non-Organizations present to farmers on various program and services available.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

USDA NRCS WorkshopNiche Farmers and Specialty Markets

Leveraging Resources Leveraging Resources Across AgenciesAcross Agencies

Partnerships and cooperation among agencies are “a must” in order to leverage resources

“One stop” funding is not enough to cover all expenses involved when serving limited-resource and minority farmers

“One size fits all” programs are not suitable for audiences with unique needs

UMES, RC&D and NRCS experience

Leveraging Resources Leveraging Resources Across Agencies (Cont.)Across Agencies (Cont.)

UMES, RC&D and NRCS experience◦Started in 2002◦Technical and financial assistance◦USDA farm program opportunities

identified◦Alternative and agri-tourism

opportunities identified◦Information concerning limited and

small farm resources shared◦Additional partnerships created with

government and private small farm interests

Collaborative EffortsMaryland Natural Resources Conservation

Service (NRCS)Maryland Small Farm Initiative for Socially

Disadvantaged Farmers and RanchersUSDA, Resource Conservation and

Development, Inc. (RC&D)USDA, Farm Services Agency (FSA)MARBIDCO, Maryland Agricultural and

Resource Based Industry Development Corp.

Advisory Committee Advisory Committee MeetingsMeetings

In September 2008, University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Small Farm Outreach Project collaborated with representatives from local grassroots and community-based organizations, and county agencies to plan its first advisory group meeting.

ConclusionConclusionUnderserved populations

encounter many obstaclesMeeting their needs requires a

holistic approachLeveraging resources could be

crucial to their survivalInnovative and creative

strategies must be utilizedBetter coordinated effort is

needed for better outcomes

Developed by:Dr. Stephan Tubene, Co-Project DirectorOutreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers ProjectUMES2122 Richard A. Henson Center. Princess Anne, MD 21853410-651-6206 or sltubene@umes.edu

Okarsamaa B. White, M.S., AFCExtension Educator - Finance, Family and Consumer SciencesMaryland Cooperative Extension, Prince George’s County6707 Groveton Drive Clinton, MD 20735(301) 868-9410 or obwhite@umd.edu

Berran Rogers, Small Farm Program Coordinator & Project DirectorOutreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers ProjectUMES2122 Richard A. Henson Center. Princess Anne, MD 21853410-651-6693 or blrogers@umes.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer Equal Access Programs