Completed Project Report


Training Underserved Specialty Crop Producers to Mitigate Production Risk through Farmland Assessment and Soil Health Practices

  • Award Amount: $99,960
  • Regional Center: Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2021 Producers Underserved by Crop Insurance

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Project Overview

Training Underserved Specialty Crop Producers to Mitigate Production Risk through Farmland Assessment and Soil Health Practices Project (14622).

Beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers face increasing crop production risks due to climate change. With the Training Underserved Specialty Crop Producers to Mitigate Production Risk through Farmland Assessment and Soil Health Practices Project (14622), educational programs trained 507 producers on soil health, water conservation, and agroecology principles to mitigate production risks and support producers to address legal risks through assessing available farmland and securing long-term leases or farmland purchase.

Through 1-1 technical assistance, farmland advising, field demonstrations, web-based presentations, producer learning networks, and field days/farm tours, we conducted two half-day soil health workshops; two webinars on water conservation, soil health, and agroecology/regenerative agriculture principles; two farm tours showcasing conservation production practices; four presentations on farmland search and leasing tools; two farmland mixers; and updated a farmland resource guide. Risk management curriculum was incorporated into existing farm business planning and crop production courses.

Our target audience were Northeast Massachusetts beginning and socially disadvantaged specialty crop farmers underexposed to risk management and crop insurance options.

The results: participants gained knowledge/understanding of soil quality indicators; created conservation and soil health plans; improved their knowledge of farmland assessment and leasing tools; improved record keeping; and implemented risk mitigating crop production practices. 507 producers attend workshops (132), webinars (195), classes/mixers (30), tours (130), and individual farmland advising sessions (20). 367 – 2,500 additional individuals accessed additional online resources, subscribed to our YouTube channel, and actively accessed New Entry’s monthly newsletter featuring outreach about resources developed through this project.

Number of Participants: 507

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

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REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

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DELIVERY AREA

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