Final
Approximately
350 individuals participated in this program. The first objective was to provide
farm business planning for participants. Ten farm business workshops were conducted, and 500 attended.
After
attending the business workshops, 40 % of participants developed annual business
plans. Thirty or 22% of these participants submitted USDA Loan applications and
received $2,153,000 in loan funds. Also, after learning about the liability associated
with business structures, 45 participants, or 12% of participants, changed
their business structure from sole proprietor to a Limited Liability Company
LLC.
The
second objective was designed to help BPs use the Cooperative Extension Service
(CES) to obtain maximum yields and to use the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) to improve their land. Approximately 20 educational sessions on CES and NRCS Programs were conducted, and
400 site visits were made. Approximately
800 individuals participated in the sessions.
After
learning about the NRCS Programs and the need for a USDA Farm Number to
participate in the programs, 100 participants, or 30%, obtained Farm Numbers. Afterward, 70 participants submitted
conservation applications and received $1,785,000 to install conservation
practices.
After
learning about the importance of using CES recommendations for maximum yields,
participants changed their behavior and started using CES production
recommendations. This included 40% taking soil tests, 26% developing resistant
weed control plans, and 30% using recommended varieties.
The
third objective was to help BPs market fresh vegetables. This was accomplished by having
vegetable vendors in the marketing workshops. As a result, 47 BPs sold their
vegetables to workshop vendors.
The
fourth objective was to conduct a BFs Class. Approximately 105 individuals completed the class and
received a certificate of completion and credit for one year of managerial
experience, which is required for a USDA operating loan. Also, two class
members purchased a farm.