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Small Farms, Beginning and New

Extension Education

Sabrina Schirtzinger
Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Educator
The Ohio State University
Mt. Vernon

Abstract

NACAA (National Association of County Agricultural Agents) – 2023 Extension Education Poster 

Small Farm Programs for Beginning and Small Farms 

Jagger, C. *1; Schirtzinger, S. *2; Corboy, T. *3; Zoller, C. *4 

1 Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, Mt. Gilead, OH, 43338 

2 Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, Mt. Vernon, OH, 43050 

3 Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, Georgetown, OH, 45121 

4 Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, New Philadelphia, OH, 44663 

 

According to Ohio State University Extension bulletin 973, “The United States Department of Agriculture defines a “beginning farmer” as an individual who 
has been farming 10 years or less, regardless of age. In 2017, 24% of Ohio farmers were considered beginning farmers.” To meet the needs of these new and beginning farmers. The Ohio State University Extension Small Farm Team offers yearly conferences, colleges, and field days to help answer small farm questions. The focus of the four-week college is to teach farm management skills that will be necessary to run a farm.  To build upon the skills learned at the colleges we then offer day-long conferences and field days that are more enterprise focused.  At the three-day Farm Science Review the Small Farm Team offers a help desk and enterprise speakers followed by question and answering sessions every day. 

Attendees impact statements have shown that after attending the Small Farm educational events that they learned:  

  • How to set realistic goals 

  • Bookkeeping skills 

  • Licensing and Permits 

  • Information to create business plan 

  • Farm transition 

  • Creating balance sheets 

  • This enterprise might not be right for me 

We used the data from 2,100 attendees’ evaluations to build future conferences, field days and Farm Science Review topics.  

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: Carri Jagger, Sabrina Schirtzinger, Trevor Corboy , Chris Zoller
  1. Jagger, C. AgNR Educator, , Ohio, 43338-1088
  2. Schirtzinger, S. AgNR Educator , The Ohio State University , Ohio, 43050
  3. Corboy , T. AgNR Educator, The Ohio State University , Ohio, 45121
  4. Zoller , C. AgNR Educator, The Ohio State University , Ohio, 44663