The Small Farm Outreach Program project team conducted outreach, training and technical assistance to educate producers on risk management tools to educate small producers in Virginia on ways to
mitigate financial, production, marketing and other farming risks. Our project team also assisted participants by assessing and addressing risks on a one-one basis at their farm, and provide guidance on best practices to correct risks in their operation. The project team will continue to provide such assistance and risk management educational services, to meet the project delivery goal.
Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP) successfully completed this risk management project goal of conducting risk management education project, with a goal to equip socially disadvantaged, veteran, and beginning farmers and ranchers (SDBVFR) in Virginia with the tools needed for them to make sound risk management decisions in financial, production, and marketing risks. This was achieved by conducting outreach, training and technical assistance related to the project goals and deliverables. The small farm Program Assistants who work all across the Commonwealth of Virginia also provided one-on-one assistance and follow-ups to ensure participants were utilizing the information gained during the training workshops. Program Assistants (PA) also connected participants with USDA programs and other Agencies that assisted with implementing financial management, crop insurance, production and marketing best practices. Participants also gained knowledge of risks in farming, business set-ups and filing taxes, production and financial risks educated them on the importance of having crop insurance and best practices to manage and eliminate such risks from occurring in their farm business operation.
During the course of this project VSU conducted 28 Financial Management workshops and 94.74% of respondents indicate that they gained knowledge that will help to improve my financial stability. 30 Production workshops were conducted and 97.50% indicated "I plan to utilize the information I have learned and enhance my current or future operation. 12 Marketing workshops and 7 Demonstrations/Tours. 100% indicated that would use the information to improve marketing strategies.
As a result of the education provided in this project, 69 participants survey responses indicated the following: as a result of the education provided, 50.74% of survey respondents indicated, I have improved my time efficiency; 56.52% I have improved soil health; 15.94% of a survey respondents indicated that I have reduced labor costs; 100% indicated I have increased my understanding of business record keeping, farm plans, financial planning and management; 33.33 % indicated, I have improved my marketing skills and adopted new marketing strategies.; and 20.29% indicated I have enrolled in crop insurance program.
Since risk occurs on a continual basis, VSU sees risk management education as an imperative part of its program. As this project comes to an end, VSU will continue to provide Risk Management education to our participants. Our one-on-one approach of providing services and, builds trusting relationships, which fosters successful outcomes, and helps to mitigate risks that could negatively impact participants farm operation.
Thank you, to the Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center (SERME) to allow us to participate in this valuable program funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Also for the many risk management tools and resources that SERME provides to help us impact our targeted audience. With these resources we are happy to have met and exceeded all of our goals in this project, and look forward to continuing our relationship and working with you in the future.