CS05-033 Women Farmers Building a Healthy Community and Economy in the High Country Institutional markets such as schools and hospitals can play a vital role in sustaining local agricultural producers and local economies. However, overcoming barriers to these markets such as, production methods, insurance requirements, distribution channels, and quantities needed to supply an institution can seem daunting to individual producers. In addition, women farmers are facing unique challenges in finding necessary resources and access points for establishing profitable and marketable farms. Although a strong and growing force in agriculture, women have long been undervalued, underserved and underestimated. Opening new, sustainable markets such as institutions will assist women farmers to advance toward agricultural sustainability, improve their family's economic status as well as the community's economic status, and battle against social inequalities. This project will organize women farmers to take the lead in creating a sustainable community based food system through the efforts of BRWIA. Shelly Connor Why did we pick it? Reviewers commented on the strength of the proposal's cooperators such as Heifer International and The Center for Appalachian Studies, both with a long track record in the region, and the young but very active grassroots organization Blue Ridge Women In Agriculture ( BRWIA).They also pointed out the long term potential of linking farms with institutional markets. Clear objectives, a reasonable time line and broad outreach plan were also noted.
CS05-034 Rural Women as Agriculture Leaders The purpose of this project is to assist and enable groups of rural black women that are small scale producers in southwest Georgia, to develop viable businesses based on vegetables, herbs and other agricultural products. Currently, these women, who live in six counties in the southwest corner of Georgia, include some with expertise and training in various aspects of small scale agricultural production and processing. They have access to small plots of land and little equipment. Virtually every county in the area has a high rate of poverty, especially among the ethnic minority population. The project will help these women, who are or see to be limited resource farmers, apply information and education available to them so as to develop their businesses and communities. Why did we pick it? This project was described by reviewers as excellent for tying agricultural development into a well-established rural community development network and for partnerships that bring a wealth of experience and capabilities for everything from business development, goal setting, agricultural production and food processing to marketing and recruitment of new participants. The budget was also given high marks from being devoted entirely to expenses that will directly benefit participants through program activities.
CS05-035 Assessing and Meeting the Growing Needs of Arkansas ' Women in Agriculture The number of women in agricultural production, processing, marketing and other agribusiness activities is growing. Nationwide, since 1992, the number of full time male farm operators has decreased from roughly 1,000,000 to 792,000 in 2002 while the number of female full time farm operators increased from roughly 165,000 to 236,000. In Arkansas, there are nearly 20,000 women operators and roughly 25% of them hold full responsibility for their agricultural activities (USDA NASS, 1994, 1999, 2004). The increase in women all agriculturally related activities is due to a number of factors. Some are gaining control through family inheritance, divorce, death or because the spouse works off-farm. Others are changing careers to engage in agriculture that involves local marketing or alternative products (organics, value added). More women are taking advantage of educational and training opportunities in agriculture processing, marketing, and retailing. As women gain more responsibility and ownership control, they face new challenges. In all arenas, women are in need of education tailored to the roles they play in the business, in the family and in their communities. The purpose of this project is to help prepare Arkansas' women to meet the challenges of an ever-changing agricultural marketplace and rural landscape. In particular we will help prepare women by offering: 1) production/business skills, 2) development of an agricultural women's network, 3) ways to balance personal/professional demands, and 4) ways to improve circumstances of Arkansas women and rural communities. This program will represent the first of its kind in Arkansas and only the third in all of the Southern Region states. This project consists of six objectives: 1) Develop and convene the 2006 Arkansas Women in Agriculture conference consisting of roughly 30 sessions covering topics related to sustainable production, financial, marketing, legal, family and community development issues. Additionally, up to 50 vendors will offer further educational opportunities and to provide examples of value added production; 2) Develop and conduct a two tiered (high school and college level) writing contest that enables young men and women to learn more about the roles women hold in agriculture and agricultural related careers; 3) Design and administer a survey of Arkansas women in agriculture to assess and understand the roles women hold in agriculture and in the community and factors that influence their success in agriculture/community, such as access to credit, information, and availability of time; 4) Analyze and distribute survey results to researchers, extension personnel, community leaders, policy makers and Arkansas women in agriculture; 5) Conduct subsequent information sessions/focus groups to gather more in-depth information related to survey responses; and 6) Devise a long-term education and outreach program for Arkansas women in agriculture that promotes sustainable agriculture and community development. By bringing unique educational opportunities to women we anticipate stronger connections between and among rural and agricultural women around the state and stronger connections between these women and community leaders. Stronger connections mean an increase in the human capital of agriculture and rural communities. Jennie Popp Why did we pick it? Collecting input from participants about their places in agriculture and community through surveys and focus groups was considered by reviewers to be a practical starting point for advancing women's roles. The conference consisting of 30 sessions and 50 vendors was viewed as an efficient concentration of educational opportunities in one place, especially since it is building on the successful 2005 conference that attracted 300 participants. They remarked that the list of wide-ranging specialists being used as presenters was impressive, mainly women who are successful producers, entrepreneurs or researchers. The proposal also received high marks for the detailed methodology and a thorough framework for outreach and information dissemination. A strong connection between community development and sustainable agriculture was clearly defined and presented in a thought-provoking manner.
CS05-036 The Farmer as Entrepreneur In the heart of South Central Louisiana's "Cajun Country" lies Iberia Parish, the state's largest producer of sugar cane. The parish, with a population of less than 75,000, is highly dependant on its agriculture base where generations of families have lived the farming lifestyle passing on the knowledge, love of the land, and physical infrastructure from generation to generation. Over 97% of the existing businesses in the parish have 20 or fewer employees with many counting on the farming community to purchase their goods and services. Mike Tarantino Why did we pick it? Reviewers commented on the broad scope of the proposal linking a conventional commodity crop to alternatives and rural economic development. They also liked using an established small business development organization to help farmers learn to take advantage of business opportunities that non-farm businesses usually know about. They pointed out the strong partnerships and community networking as being inclusive.
This project seeks to foster a group of new and current agribusiness/agritourism entrepreneurs to capitalize on the expanding markets in East Central Alabama. It is an innovative, regional coordination of the rural- and urban-based services of three primary entities-Tuskegee University, the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center/Visitors Center, and the Montgomery Area Center for Entrepreneurial Development-to train, assist, and provide a marketing center for the entrepreneurs. The project will also involve the cooperation of state and local government, extension, and financial institutions. The training of a select group of community members will take place at the Montgomery Area Center for Entrepreneurial Development in their 12-week NX Level Entrepreneurial University, and will be supported by tutoring by Tuskegee University students. These entrepreneurs will be assisted by the Tuskegee University Rural Business and Economic Development Program with bi-weekly workshops and individual consulting and referrals. A centralized marketplace, real and virtual, will be established in the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center/Visitors Center for the products of the entrepreneurs, and technology resources will be made available there for their use. The potential impact and expected results will be a strong group of community business leaders who will positively influence agricultural and community sustainability in the Eastern Alabama Black Belt. Barrett Vaughan Why did we pick it? Reviewers termed this an "outstanding proposal--clear, concise, well focused." The teaching program was commended for being well planned and well connected to existing resources with a track record for success such as the curriculum designed by the University of Colorado and the entrepreneurial training of the Tuskegeee University Rural Business and Economic Development program. The budget was commended for going directly to participant course costs and travel for carpools of participants, recognizing that transportation in rural areas can be a barrier to education.
CS05-038 Puerto Rico PIG Project In recent years pork production has been disappearing from Puerto Rico due to cheap imports from the multi national producers. The pork producers in Puerto Rico are interested to exploit the potential opportunity of selling directly to the lechon (roast suckling pig) restaurants. A market survey has been completed by the pork producers cooperating with the University of Puerto Rico which surveyed 30 restaurants. The data has been collected, but still needs additional statistical analysis and translation. This study has shown that these restaurants commonly need smaller pigs than those imported, would prefer a fresh pig that they do not need to thaw, and they require delivery. The restaurant owners frequently stated that they are willing to pay more for this product and services. This combination of requirements would lend itself well to a branded product. This project would also address food safety and quality issues from the lechon restaurants serving from the same pig for multiple days and problems with properly thawing the pig which are typically hung outside. The lechon restaurants are a common "cottage industry" in Puerto Rico and are typically an extension of the home. There are an estimated 400 lechon restaurants on the island. For the farmers to be able to do this they need a farmer-owned slaughter (and possibly processing) facility and refrigerated delivery trucks. The producer group has many questions about the feasibility of this venture, how to set up, and how to operate a farmer-owned processing business. The farmers are also interested in exploring new pork products such as southern style "pulled pork" which is not known on the island and would have market potential with the thousands of outdoor lunch stands. The project will be sponsored by the Municipality (similar to a county) of Jayuya and the Pork Producers Nucleus (similar to a cooperative under PU law) with technical support from El Atlantico Resource Conservation & Development. Project participants will be Rebecca Perez, Agricultural Coordinator for the Municipality of Jayuya. Farmer cooperators are Jose A. Sosa and Orlando Medina, both are officers of the local Pork Producers Nucleus Steven L. Welker Why did we pick it? Reviewers commented on the clear linkage between the pork producers, the restaurants and the local economy. The two Puerto Rican partner agencies have worked successfully in the past with the University of Missouri so there is a track record and clearly defined roles consistent with the objectives.
CS05-039 Partnerships for Sustainable Communities The proposed project is centered on sustainable development activities for a set of Southern Black agricultural communities that were created during the Great Depression, initially under the direction of the Resettlement Administration and subsequently under the Farm Security Administration. These and related agencies provided an opportunity for landless sharecroppers and tenants to own land. This opportunity allowed the "settlers" to become small independent farmers (a Jeffersonian ideal) and form independent agricultural communities (a Booker T. Washington ideal). Thirteen such all-Black communities were established, about half of which remain as viable communities--although they are "at risk." The others have faded, although both archival records and original residents remain to tell their story. Using six of these communities (Tillery, NC; Prairie Farms, AL, Mileston, MS; Flint River Farms; GA; Allendale Farms, SC; and Aberdeen Gardens, VA) a sustainable economic development strategy and training meeting will be convened. Community participation will ensure that this training will lead to site-specific community development plans and activities. Results of the training will be based on the activities initiated by the participating communities. Planned activities include submission of grant applications, community meetings, organizing and community-based activities. In addition, results may be presented at professional meetings and symposia and published in local media and professional journals. The principal cooperators are selected representatives of the participating communities and the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station at Tuskegee University. The proposed project will take approximately one year. Robert Zabawa Why did we pick it? Reviewers commented on the potential for combined impact from economic development and civic engagement as participants from these endangered communities learn together and plan strategies. The conference will build on work started at a similar conference in 2004. Communities will be responsible for engaging in their own assement of local resources and working with experts to develop their own plan for accessing those resources, making the entire process more inclusive. |
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