An Overview of Risk Management Workshops for Small and Underserved Farmers in Southeastern North Carolina
Extension Education
Nelson Brownlee
Area Small Farms Agent
NC Cooperative Extension
Lumberton
Abstract
Producers need the ability to deal with risks that come with new attractive farming opportunities. To assist small farmers with this challenge, North Carolina Cooperative Extension in partnership with National Crop Insurance Services and Digital Extension Risk Management Education conducted series of Risk Management Workshops in 2014, 2017, and 2022. The goal of each workshop was to assist small and underserved farmers in Southeastern North Carolina respond to risk by developing their own personal risk management and marketing plans. Applied education consisting of sequential workshops supplemented by homework assignments and individualized counseling was delivered via a partnership of subject matter experts and local educators to farmers in Southeastern North Carolina. Project outcomes show that 156 producers attended at least one of the series of workshops and acquired the risk management and market analysis skills and understanding of their own operations to set a goal, delineate three implementation actions for each goal, for each of the five areas of risk and five key marketing mix variables. Interviews were conducted with participants six months after the end of each series of workshops showed that 117 of the 156 producers had completed at least half of their actions in their personal risk management plans which included: adding high tunnel greenhouses, installing irrigation systems, receiving financial assistance, and developing personal webpage and social media pages. Follow-up evaluations were completed in March 2024, detailing the amount of income each participant earned or saved by participating in the workshops. A total of 81 participants completed the evaluations. They reported a total amount of $608,300 earned or saved by participating in the workshops and completing the actions in their personal risk management and marketing plans. Farmers now have the confidence they need to deal with future risks.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
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Authors: Nelson Brownlee, James Hartsfield
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Brownlee, N. Area Small Farms Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 28359
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Hartsfield, J. Extension Agent - Small Farms , North Carolina Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 28328