Completed Project Report


Improving New Mexico Small Farm Sustainability through FarmersĀ“ Markets

  • Award Amount: $33,641
  • Regional Center: Western Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2009 Competitive Grant Program
  • Project Director: Michael Patrick
  • Email: jmpat@nmsu.edu
  • Organization: New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service

Extension RME Regional Centers
Extension Risk Management Education Region Map

Project Overview

As the result of the project, 218 participants increased their knowledge of risk management tools; and, 137 have reduced their financial risks by implementing one or more risk management tool.

The project reduced producer financial risk (and low returns) at farmers markets through workshops focused on crop diverification, season extension, high value crop production and resource requirements, financial management, market assessments, marketing strategies, and business planning.

Six initial regional workshops were held on to increase participant knowledge and use of risk management tools; six additional regional workshops were held, five on the construction and use of hoop houses for seasonal extension and one on the construction and use of chicken tractors (mobile range-based chicken coops) to create value-added "naturally" produced eggs.

Following the workshops, project team members are providing direct assistance to participants requesting help with enterprise feasibility studies, marketing plans, business plans and specific crop production and marketing
issues.

Number of Participants: 218

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

There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.

DELIVERY AREA

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INDIVIDUAL STORIES / EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS / QUOTES