To better equip beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers
who are engaging in or exploring intermediated and wholesale market channels this
project focused on measuring and mitigating production risks associated with
crop diversity and food safety; marketing risks associated with different
marketing channels; and legal risks involved with contracting and insurance.
We accomplished these objectives through 1-1 technical
assistance with farmers, a video production of recorded interviews with key
service providers, an asynchronous online course on navigating risk associated
with wholesale and intermediated markets, a networking event for buyers and
growers of local produce, a farm tour featuring four beginning farmers, and
risk management curriculum integrated into business planning and crop
production courses.
Beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers under-exposed
to risk management and crop insurance options, primarily in Northeast
Massachusetts, gained knowledge of available resources, enhanced their ability
to create risk management marketing plans; improved knowledge of food safety
requirements, and implemented risk mitigating production practices.
The number of producers served include 97 individuals
enrolled in the open-access online course, 46 of whom attended our virtual
networking event, 31 participants in the Crop Production Course, 69
participants across three Farm Business Planning Courses, and 17 farmers from
our incubator program.