Project Overview
We planned to deliver applied education consisting of
sequential virtual workshops, supplemented by homework assignments and
individualized counseling, to two groups: 1) shellfish growers, and 2)
specialty crop producers, in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. A minimum of 50 producers from each group (100 total) were expected
to participate acquiring risk management and market analysis skills, and
understanding their own operations sufficiently, to develop and implement
detailed personal risk management plans and marketing strategies addressing
five areas of risk and five key marketing mix variables.
Twelve 2 ½ hours long (30 hours total) virtual workshops were
conducted for each group, with the same producers attending all twelve
workshops for their group. Homework assignments requiring a minimum of 10 hours
(80 hours total) to complete were assigned following eight of the workshops. Each participant was surveyed at the end of
the project, documenting actions implemented and their economic impacts.
We were able to reach 68 unique individuals (14 shellfish
growers and 54 vegetable, small fruit, and specialty crop growers). The
sessions were recorded allowing those who could not participate in the live
sessions to receive the training at a more convenient time. Participation
numbers were lower for shellfish growers than we had hoped.
Surveyed at the project's end, 57 respondents reported that
on average they completed 16.2 hours of homework and accomplished 14.3 of their
30 implementation strategies. This sums to
923.4 total hours of homework and 815 specific actions taken. Only 13 vegetable growers and 3 shellfish
growers completed at least two actions for each goal they set. Additional actions are expected to be
completed beyond the project’s reporting timeframe.
The duration and structure of this concentrated and
iterative program, with sequential workshops, hands-on activities and
individualized accountability provides participants an opportunity to succeed.
Number of Participants: 68
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
There are no educational materials available for this project.
REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.