Completed Project Report


Strengthening Women and Beginning Farmers Labor Management Skills to Reduce Risks on Livestock and Specialty Crop Farms

  • Award Amount: $49,684
  • Regional Center: Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2021 Education Projects
  • Project Director: Beth Holtzman
  • Email: beth.holtzman@uvm.edu
  • Organization: University of Vermont Extension

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Project Overview

Through this project, 87 farmers and farm managers who operate specialty crop and diversified livestock farms increased knowledge related to managing human resource risks and 59 reported taking steps to incorporate communication, recruitment, supervision and retention practices that will contribute to increased viability and resilience of their operations.

Our outreach efforts, conducted through e-newsletters and social media, reached approximately 1200 women and beginning farmers with risk management and record-keeping information appropriate for the stage and sale of their operations. From that larger group, we recruited 87 farmers, farm managers, crew leaders, to participate more intensive education via a series of small-group workshops, online tools and tutorials, and learning circles. Best practices in adult education, incorporating gendered aspects of learning, guided program development, implementation and evaluation. 

Educational offerings helped farmers development leadership, communication and decision-making skills that are critical to effective labor management. Workshops and tools also addressed intersecting components of financial and legal risk management – e.g., building cash flow projections, managing production costs, employer rules and obligations -- that are needed to help these enterprises become an “employer of choice” – for people seeking work in the ag sector. 

Number of Participants: 87

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

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REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

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DELIVERY AREA

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