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

ndaniels@ag.tamu.edu

pvcep.pvamu.edu