Completed Project Report


Supporting Producers to Manage Risks through Online and Novel Software Technology Applications

  • Award Amount: $49,943
  • Regional Center: Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2021 Education Projects

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Project Overview

Producers desired to improve sales, manage customers, track production, increase land access, and improve financial management and record-keeping practices. COVID and climate change have accelerated need and interest in technology solutions.  Technology exists to solve agricultural challenges and manage business
risks, yet barriers to adoption exist and producers want to learn directly from peers. A series of 12 educational workshops across risk management topics was scheduled and offered between November 2021 and February 2022.  Topics covered included: 4 marketing workshops (online sales and customer management
systems), 3 production workshops (field and yield tracking systems), 2 legal workshops (farmland access and tenure tools), and 3 financial workshops (record-keeping,
sales integration, and enterprise analysis software).  Workshops featured software demonstrations by leading technology platforms alongside local farmers providing user testimonials and 1:1 advising on how the technology performed for them.  Technology risk management decision-making worksheets, workshop recordings on YouTube Channel, and a fact sheet series with highlights of the benefits and features of the workshops was posted online.  Over 138 unique producers registered for the virtual/online workshop series, and the workshop recordings have received over 679 views online.  In follow up evaluations, over 80% of respondents completing evaluation surveys gained increased understanding of technology options and evaluating adoption.  Follow up evaluations resulted in respondents considering and being better prepared to implement new technology systems that can result in increased sales, improved production efficiency and record-keeping, tools to access to secure farmland, track financial data, and increase overall economic viability.

Number of Participants: 850

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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