Beef Quality Assurance Trainings for Minority Producers
Extension Education
Carole Knight
Extension 4-H Specialist
University of Georgia
Athens
Abstract
Georgia has the fifth highest number of African-American farmers in the country. This group is traditionally under-served and underrepresented in Georgia Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) numbers. The AgriUnity Cooperative is an African-American member driven group whose goal is to enhance members’ skill sets and knowledge through workshops and seminars. The mission of the AgriUnity Cooperative is to build sustainable economic empowerment among historically marginalized farmers so that they may leave legacies for their families, communities and culture.
Collaborating with the AgriUnity Cooperative and Fort Valley State University (FVSU) allowed the Georgia BQA team to reach an under-served community that traditionally does not participate in UGA Extension or Georgia Cattlemen’s Association functions or educational events. Historical data and studies have shown that African-American farmers’ relationship with public agencies that provide agricultural assistance is marred by a legacy of racial inequities, which makes it difficult for well-meaning projects to establish legitimacy in this community.
Objectives of this program are to provide an opportunity for minority beef cattle producers involved in farming to receive an advanced training through a hands-on experiential learning workshop and receive a BQA certification and to conduct a train the trainer opportunity for FVSU faculty.
Georgia BQA coordinators applied for and received a $2,700 State Project Grant from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to fund these minority specific trainings. Two full-day BQA certification trainings and live demonstrations were held in 2021. Locations: Fort Valley State University and Handy Kennedy Farm in Cobbtown, GA. A third training is scheduled for Green Oak Farm in Albany, GA. A train-the-trainer session was conducted for Fort Valley State University Extension faculty to assist with the programs and conduct future BQA certification. Participants each received a soft-sided cooler and a sampling of syringes and needles for vaccine administration.
Program participants totaled 53, representing three states. To measure program impact and engagement, a pre and post-test was completed by participants. Based on the paired sample t-tests, the average mean of correct answers improved by 2.73 points. The significant improvement (P<0.01) in participant test score demonstrates improved understanding and retention.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted only for display at AM/PIC. Poster is not to be judged, but the abstract will be published in the proceedings.
Click to view Poster
Authors: Carole Knight, Jason Duggin, Lee Jones
-
Knight, C. County Extension Coordinator, University of Georgia Extension, Georgia, 30633
-
Duggin, J. Beef Cattle Specialist, University of Georgia Animal and Dairy Science, Georgia, 30701
-
Jones, L. Beef Systems Management & Field Services Veterinarian, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Georgia, 31793