GROW LOUISIANA: EMPOWERING LOUISIANA’S NEW AND BEGINNING SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURE FARMERS
Extension Education
Maria Bampasidou
Assistant Professor, Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness
LSU AgCenter
Baton Rouge
Abstract
Grow Louisiana is an educational program focusing on whole-farm planning, business skills development, and sustainable horticulture production for new and beginning farmers in the southeast region of Louisiana. The program brought together expertise from LSU AgCenter faculty and extension educators, non-profit organizations focused on food system development, and experienced farmers to provide a strategic mixed method approach to farmer training. The educational curriculum was complemented with a trip to a regional sustainable agriculture conference and local field days that served as mentoring, and networking events. The program held its inaugural year in New Orleans (2019) and its second in Lafayette (2020), where 18 participants participated in the program. The areas were selected based on the emerging local food system interest in the area, the number of interested new and beginning farmers, existing urban farming activities, and synergies with local organizations focused on food system development. This poster documents the program, its objectives, and the educational model upon which the program is built. A pre- and post-needs assessment was conducted to gauge participants’ changes in perception, knowledge and understanding of farm and business planning. Results documented statistically significant changes in knowledge on how to make a farm plan and its importance as well as the need to have a business plan particularly for the New Orleans group. Upon completion of the 2019 program 12 out of 18 of participants have completed a business plan whereas only two had prior to the program. Similarly for 2020, the end of program had 9 people completing the business plan compared to one person having one prior to the program. Field days were instrumental in participants’ technical knowledge of farming (86% felt more competent with farming; 82% improved their technical knowledge) and farm planning (73% identified resources to improve their farm business). Considering that Grow Louisiana is the first program of its kind for new and beginning horticulture farmers in Louisiana, we hope it will serve as a guide and provide useful information for future extension education programs in the state.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Maria Bampasidou, Marcus Coleman, Carl Motsenbocker
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Bampasidou, M. Assistant Professor, Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Louisiana, 70803
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Coleman, M. Grow Louisiana Director, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Louisiana, 70803
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Motsenbocker, C. Professor, School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Louisiana, 70803