Project Overview
Risks associated with organic production are significant.
With institutional and farmer collaborators, AERO organized two, one-day, "Transitioning to Organic" Risk Management workshops and farm tours in Montana in 2005.
The impetus for workshops stems from both; a growing interest from farmers wishing to transition more of their organic acres and for those wishing to start the transition to organic production. The workshops were designed to help dry land crop producers assess their risks and opportunities when considering the transition to organic systems. The training included production, marketing and financial risk assessment information.
Upon completion of the training we expected that participants would: 1) understand the economic and production risks associated with organic production, 2) assess their risks in transitioning to more or new organic crop production on their farms, and 3) have an improved understanding of organic diversification strategies, organic market analysis, and contract production options.
The workshops were designed to be participatory, using farmer trainers and researchers working together to present material in a way that invited questions, comments and discussions. We used group, one-on-one and “in the field” teaching techniques.
We capped the workshop total at 25 participants, but were able to accommodate 37.
Project partners included experienced; organic farmers and marketing experts, staff from The Montana Department of Ag, Montana State University, Cooperative Extension, NRCS and AERO.
Number of Participants: 37
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
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REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
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