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Small Farmer Outreach, Training, and Technical Assistance Program
Program Objective
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The goal of the project is to encourage and assist limited-resource and socially-disadvantaged producers and ranchers to own, maintain and operate farms and ranches independently, to participate in agricultural programs and improve their overall farm management skills. The Small Farm Outreach Program provides a wide range of outreach and assistance activities in production management, financial management, marketing, available USDA farm programs, and other areas to increase farm profitability and promote sustainability.
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Participation
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| Participation in the program is voluntary. Educational programs are offered free of charge, and are open to all farmers and families who are interested in receiving outreach and technical assistance. Farmers are recruited through referrals from FSA, community leaders, other farmers, phone calls, home/farm visits, direct mailing of brochures, and farm- related meetings. |
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Educational Programs Offered
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Farm Business Management: Training and technical assistance are provided in all areas of business management which include: record keeping and analysis, farm planning, enterprise budgeting, financial management, marketing, and economics of alternative enterprises.
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Agriculture Risk Management: Educational programming is used to teach farmers effective management strategies that will reduce or prevent some of the many risks they face. the farm operation. Risk Management Education and training covering the five major areas of risk (production, marketing, financial, legal and human resources) are provided via workshops, group meetings, one-on-one farm visits, newsletters, fact sheets and field days.
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Loan Application Assistance: The program assists farmers in preparing applications for FSA direct and guaranteed loans. Assistance is also provided to beginning and minority farmers in preparing applications for obtaining farm ownership and operating loans.
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Outreach: Another important aspect of the program is outreach. Through outreach efforts, farmers are provided information and technical assistance to ensure that they have access to all services available through USDA programs. Virginia State University collaborates with USDA agencies to achieve this goal. Predominantly minority community organizations, including religious organizations and key community leaders, are also utilized to reach socially disadvantaged farmers.
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Project Area
Currently, the program provides educational programming in approximately 25 Virginia counties. These selected counties have the highest concentrations of limited-resource and socially-disadvantaged farmers in the state.
Contact:
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(open), Project Director
Phone: (804) 524-5871
Fax: (804) 524-5049
Email: agsuite@vsu.edu
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(open), Field Coordinator
Phone: (804) 524-5960
Fax: (804)-524-5714
Email: agsuite@vsu.edu
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