Overall, 538 producers participated in the project. Over 70 percent (355) of the participants received either financial or marketing risk training. Less than 1% (12) received Crop Insurance training alone. Level of knowledge under the risk types (Production, Financial, and marketing) were evaluated at each event (either in-person or virtual workshop, conference, seminar and or field day) settings.
Production Risk:
A total of ten (10) events were held as follows:
- Multiple Peril Crop Insurance: The average level of knowledge before training was 2, and 5 after training on the scale of 1- 6. That’s a 150% increase.
- Whole Farm was 1 before training, and 4 after training; a 300% increase.
- Pasture Rangeland was the same: 1 before training, and 4 after training.
- Apiculture: Apiculture was 2 before training, and 4 after training. A 100% increase in knowledge.
- Hurricane Insurance was 3 before training, and 5 after training.
- Eligibility Requirements, Tax Planning and Preparations, Entity Structure, and Agricultural/Farm Accounting saw the biggest jump in knowledge acquired (all from 1 to 5).
Financial Risks:
- Tax Planning and Preparations; and Farm Recordkeeping’ all were 2 before training, and 5 after training while Farm Accounting jumped from 1 to 5. Three workshops were held under this risk type.
Marketing Risk:
Four events were held under this risk type.
Farm Record keeping, Direct Marketing Strategies, and Direct Marketing Strategies for Small Producers, all scored at 2 before training, and 5, after training while Cooperative marketing jumped from 1 before training, and 4 after training.
In conclusion, all the 16 workshops, seminars, forums, and field day events held saw an increased knowledge reported by participants. This is an indication that producers who are going to adopt the materials are likely to have the knowledge to implement them.