Completed Project Report


Developing Risk Management and Marketing Plans for Shellfish Growers, Women, and Beginning Farmers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

  • Award Amount: $99,765
  • Regional Center: Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2020 Producers Underserved by Crop Insurance
  • Project Director: Laurence Crane
  • Email: laurencec@ag-risk.org
  • Organization: National Crop Insurance Services, Inc.

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Project Overview

Applied education consisting of sequential workshops, supplemented by personal assignments and individualized counseling, was delivered virtually to three distinct groups: a) women, b) shellfish, and c) vegetable and small fruit growers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  Six three hour-long zoom sessions were conducted for each group.  Homework assignments requiring a minimum of 10 hours to complete were assigned following each workshop.

A total of 183 producers registered and 123 actively participated by either attending all live sessions or listening to the recording. Ninety-six individuals acquired the risk management and market analysis skills and understanding their own operations sufficiently to set a goal and three implementation actions for each of the five areas of risk and five key marketing mix variables. Surveyed at the project's end, 43 respondents reported that on average they completed 17.5 hours of homework and accomplished 7 of their 30 implementation strategies. Additional actions are expected to be completed beyond the project’s reporting time-frame.
 
This program with sequential workshops, hands-on activities and individualized on-farm follow-up, ensures accountability and provides participants an opportunity to succeed. This approach typically leads to long-term behavioral change, consistent with experience that behavior changes are more likely with sustained personal support and accountability.

Number of Participants: 221

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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