Alternative Production Systems for Farmers

with Disabilities

Local Food and Beyond

Learning Objectives

1. Learn about small scale and alternative ag production methods

2. See examples of small scale and alternative production methods used in Kansas

3. Discuss possibilities for your states and identify resources

Why this topic at this time?

• United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA ERS) Report– January 2013– Food Insecurity Among Households With

Working-Age Adults With Disabilities• There is a strong association between disability and

food insecurity• 33.5% of households with an adult who is not in the

workforce because of disability are food insecure

Why this topic at this time?

• Veterans– Gulf Wars I and II have resulted in 1.6 million veterans who

fought for America and survived.– Approximately 10% of post-9/11 veterans are officially

classified as disabled.– About 45% of veterans are seeking disability benefits from the

Veterans Affairs (VA) Department.– 3.5 million = total number of veterans with a service-

connected disability– The unemployment rate for Gulf War I and II veterans hovers

around 9%; some sources put it closer to 20%

Total population of veterans is >21.5 million; 1.6 million of whom are female.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

We Need More Farmers!

• Local Food Movement– Consumer driven– Opens new market opportunities for farmers– Increases demand for new farmers

• Self Employment can be an excellent opportunity for people with disabilities

In Kansas we don’t have enough produce to meet the consumer demand at our largest farmer’s

markets.

Small Scale Ag & Alternative Crops

• The Worldwatch Institute*: A move from industrial farming towards local food projects is our healthiest, most sustainable choice.

• Food waste – another reason for more local growers– Prepared and not eaten– Damaged in transport– Spoilage– Unsold fresh produce in stores

*State of the World Report 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet

We Need More Growers!

• Can we (AgrAbility) help bridge the gaps between:– Americans with disabilities and food security– AgrAbility customers and increased local food supply

?

YES, WE CAN

In fact, we’ve already started.

So let’s look at some types of alternative food production and niche markets that can

and do work for people with disabilities.

Because small-scale farming is an excellent self employment option!

Small Scale/Alternative Options

• Traditional Fruits – Tree fruits (apples, peaches, pears, cherries)– Bramble fruits (blackberries, raspberries)– Small fruits (blueberries, strawberries)

• Specialty Fruits– Figs (growing zones 6-9)– Elderberries (growing zones 4-8)– Currents (growing zones 3-7)– Kiwi (growing zones 5-8)

• Herbs – culinary and medicinal

Small Scale/Alternative Options

• Traditional Vegetables– Tomatoes– Peppers– Squash

• Specialty Vegetables– Miniature and/or colored anything

• Yellow or purple carrots; 8-ball zucchini; yellow beets

– Ethnic vegetables – varies by location and local ethnic population• Bok Choy and other Choys• Chinese cabbage

Source: USDA, Alternative Crops & Enterprises for Small Farm Diversification

Small Scale/Alternative Options

• Animals (protein)– Game-related – buffalo, deer, fish bait,

pheasant, quail– Minor Breeds – goats, sheep, rabbits– Poultry – chickens, ducks, pigeons– Aquaculture – tilapia, shrimp

Conventional OR Organic?It’s up to the producer and the consumer

Source: USDA, Alternative Crops & Enterprises for Small Farm Diversification

Examples – Niche Markets

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples – Niche Markets

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples – Niche Markets

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

Examples

Source: Kansas AgrAbility Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1mL8G0iRWc&feature=youtu.be

ResourcesUnited States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – www.usda.gov– Alternative Farming Systems Information

Center, http://afsic.nal.usda.gov– National Agricultural Library

• Alternative Crops & Enterprises for Small Farm Diversification, http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/altlist.shtml

– Start2Farm, http://start2farm.gov/– Farm Service Agency, http://www.fsa.usda.gov

ResourcesFor Veterans

– Information for Veterans• http://www.outreach.usda.gov/veterans.htm

– Farmer Veteran Coalition, http://www.farmvetco.org/• Veteran Careers in Agriculture: A Resource Guide,

AgrAbility featured on Page 31– Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots, http://ncta.unl.edu/

• Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Curtis, NE– 100 Beef Cow Advantage Program– 100 Acre Farm Advantage Program

Resources• ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture

Information Center– https://attra.ncat.org/

• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)– http://www.sare.org/

• eXtension (virtual Extension office)– http://www.extension.org/

Local Resources• USDA County Offices– Farm Service Agency (FSA)– Rural Development (RD)– Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

• County/Area Extension Offices– Master Gardener Programs– Community Garden Program– Farmers Market Information

Local Resources• State Department of Agriculture• State SARE Coordinator• State Commission/Department of Veterans

Affairs• Small Business Development Centers• State Farm Organizations– Farmers Union– Small / Sustainable Farmers Associations

Kerri EbertKansas AgrAbility

Projectkebert@k-state.edu

http://agrability.bae.ksu.edu