Completed Project Report


Assessing Institutional Markets as New Outlets for Maryland Agricultural Products: Risk Management Education for Farmers

  • Award Amount: $32,700
  • Regional Center: Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2009 Special Emphasis Producer
  • Project Director:
  • Email: jhanson@arec.umd.edu
  • Organization: Agricultural & Resource Economics, University of Maryland

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Project Overview

This project addressed risk management education for new or established small and mid-sized Maryland farmers moving into new markets. The research team proposed identifying opportunities and obstacles to farm-to-school sales of Maryland food by surveying 200 Maryland public schools to examine their procurement practices and interviewing 20 key stakeholders/farmers. From these activities, we developed a risk management education program, which included best practice methods for farm-to-school sales and outreach to farmers.

The University of Maryland Cooperative Extension held 4 workshops and meetings with target producers to provide best practices for farm-to-institution sales. Approximately 60 Maryland farmers not currently marketing to institutions (but interested) attended a workshop or meeting. Approximately 8 farmers were interested in making changes in their farm business and marketing plans based on these best practice methods.

Number of Participants: 60

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

There are no promotional materials available for this project.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

There are no educational materials available for this project.

REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

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DELIVERY AREA

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