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Assisting Minority AgProducers to FARM IT
(Financial Analysis, Risk Management, and Information Technology)
2011 National Extension Risk
Management Education ConferenceSt. Louis, MO
presenter
Dr. Nelson DanielsPrairie View A&M University
co-presenters
Dr. Allen Malone Vidal SaenzTexas AgriLife Extension Service Prairie View A&M
University
Project OverviewProject FARM IT
(Financial Analysis, Risk Management and Information Technology)
1. Conduct ongoing training of farm borrowers in the major areas of farm financial management.
2. Conduct training programs for farm borrowers to make them aware of services available through local civic organizations, food trade group and agricultural committees
3. Conduct training programs for farm borrowers to make them aware of services available through federal agencies, state agencies and universities.
Project Overview, continuedProject FARM IT
(Financial Analysis, Risk Management and Information Technology)
4. Provide technical assistance to improve productivity
5. Assist agricultural producers in the development of marketing tools
6. Train individuals in all areas of risk management education
Project’s Objectives
• Provide assistance to small scale and limited resource producers in the area of marketing of agricultural products
• Provide computer Information Technology to small and limited resource producers
• Provide Financial Assistance to small and limited resource agricultural producers.
Location/Population Served
Black / Hispanic / Asian American(located mainly in Eastern, Southern and Gulf Coast Regions of the state)
Number of Participants – 200 on intensive bases / approximately 750 enrolled.
2,500 on the mailing list
Typical Producers in Program
Most minority (approximately 35% female)
Average Farm Size is 25 – 30 acres
Generally 1 to 2 enterprises
68% own the land they farm (individually or family)
Accomplishments
92% of participants had not used Extension, USDA or state agency prior to program
Completed 111 loan applications requesting $16,210,296.
Assisted with developed of web pages 70% Increased Participation in USDA
Programs 40% increase in Participation in FSA
Programs Average income increase of $2,700
Accomplishments, continued All participants introduced to one or more new
markets Participation in community groups and
associations increased by greater than 40 % 90 % increase in farm records being kept Individuals taking leadership roles in their
communities increased approximately 40% Over 80% of individuals surveyed indicated
they had a better understanding of what state and federal agencies had to offer
Lessons Learned/Challenges• Language Barriers
• Internet Access
• Fear of New Technology
• Lack of Human Resources @ the University (more agents and specialist needed)
Information Dissemination
• Newsletters
• Radio
• Local Television
• Web sites
• Agricultural Producers (word of mouth)
Types of Operations Gulf Coast
Beef and Forage Production Vegetable Production Greenhouse Production Non-Traditional Crops
Types of Operations
South Texas
Row Crops Vegetables Beef and Forage Production Fruit Production
Types of Operations East Texas
Beef and Forage Production Truck Crops Forestry Poultry
Project FARM IT
Project FARM IT
Project FARM IT
Project FARM IT
Project FARM IT
Project FARM IT
Project’s Next Steps
• Leverage funds
• Increase participants
• Involve more community groups
• Develop more user-friendly educational tools
Contact Information
Nelson T. Daniels, Ph.D.
Agriculture & Natural Resources Specialist
Cooperative Extension Program
Prairie View A&M University
Mail Stop 2001
P.O. Box 519
Prairie View, TX 77446
Phone (936) 261-5112
Fax (936) 261-5141
pvcep.pvamu.edu
