INCREASING PRODUCTION KNOWLEDGE & PROFITABILITY OF URBAN, SMALL & DIVERSIFYING FARMERS
Crystal WeberCommunity Development SpecialistUniversity of Missouri Extension
The Kansas City metro offers a growing number of outlets for fresh, locally grown produce, value-added foods and meats. Individual, retail and institutional buyers seek access to new growers and producers and local products to diversify production lines. Specialty crop growers, experienced farmers, small landowners and urban dwellers are seeking to diversify earnings potential or being second careers lack access to relevant, research-based educational programs.
KANSAS CITY METRO AREA
GROWTH OF LOCAL AND DIRECT MARKETING
US Growth in Farmers Markets
2004 3,706 2008 4,685 2012 7,864
Nationally that is an increase of nearly 9.6%*
*USDA-AMS data collection from 1994-2012
KC Metro Growth in Farmers Markets
2004 27 2008 34 2012 49
KC Metro increase of nearly 44%*
*MU Extension data collection from 2004-2012
GROWTH OF LOCAL AND DIRECT MARKETING
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs
5 CSAs in 2004Marketing as ‘Certified Organic’ or using ‘Organic growing methods’
13 in 2012Range from ‘Certified Organic’ to Grocer/Retail CSAs
GROWTH OF LOCAL AND DIRECT MARKETING
GROWTH OF LOCAL AND DIRECT MARKETING
University and non-profit support is bolstering the local purchasing efforts of: Hospitals Restaurants School Food Service Grocery/Wholesalers
This project will allow participants to experience two hands-on workshop series that will increase production and business development knowledge and abilities.
Grow Your Farm Growing Growers
PROJECT TEAM Crystal Weber
Community Development Specialist, University of Missouri Extension Metropolitan Food Systems Team
Grow Your Farm Marlin Bates
Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension Metropolitan Food Systems Team
Growing Growers
PROJECT COLLABORATORS-GROWING GROWERS
Kansas State University Research & Extension
Lincoln University (MO) Extension Additional G.G. project support partners Area direct-marketing agricultural
producers
PROJECT COLLABORATORS-GROW YOUR FARM
Local USDA-NRCS Local Small Business, Technology and
Development Center Independent Social Media Contractor Independence Economic Development
Council Ennovation Center
Area direct-marketing agricultural producers
AUDIENCE EMPHASIS-FOR BOTH PROGRAMS Small farm & ranches Women producers Retiring/transitioning
producers Socially
disadvantaged producers
Limited resource producers
Immigrant producers Specialty crop
producers Sustainable producers Value-added producers Producers converting
production & marketing systems
Metropolitan producers
MARKETING EFFORTS Extension newsletters, list-serves and client
consultations Local grower list-serves Facebook Missouri Farmers Market Association Missouri Sustainable Agriculture, Research and
Education program Local and state USDA offices 1890 Land-Grant University Local Congressional field offices City Council member offices
KANSAS CITY METRO AREA*
AcreagePop.KCMO 319 480K
KC Metro 7952 2.085K
US Rank 1630
*US Census
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM SERIES Growing Growers
A production-focused, year-long series aimed at:
Increase existing farm productivity
Increasing the # of new farms in the metro
A project of MU Extension, KSU Research & Extension, Cultivate KC and Lincoln University (MO)
Grow Your Farm An agri-business
development series aimed at:
Increasing existing and new agri-businesses in developing the skillset to plan for and manage their business
A University of Missouri Extension curriculum
REASONS FOR PARTICIPATION
GROWING GROWERS
A seasonal approach to offering educational and hands-on learning to market growers, utilizing university
research & extension, a broad range of firsthand experiences from seasoned farmers and allowing participants to
explore this knowledge throughout an entire year.
GROWING GROWERS Plant Propagation &
Production Planning
Basics of planning field maps, scheduling plantings, transplant production options and basic seed starting. Host farm review their production planning methods.
GROWING GROWERS Understanding &
Managing Soil
Introduction to soil structure & qualities, building and maintaining soil health and nutrient management. Discuss "at home" and laboratory soil quality tests and host farm discusses use of cover cropping to build and maintain soil quality.
GROWING GROWERS Small Equipment &
Irrigation
Basics of drip irrigation in providing efficient water. Understanding of different options of water sources and systems available to growers. Host farm provides hands-on demonstration of small farm equipment and discuss tractor safety and operation
GROWING GROWERS Introduction to Fruit
Production
Basic production principles for a variety of small fruit including: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and grapes. Look at field trials of fruit at area botanical garden.
GROWING GROWERS Post-Harvest Handling &
Market Prep
Discuss keeping produce fresh and utilizing proper food safety practices to ensure a quality product for market. Discuss GAPs, food safety practices and potential sources of on-farm microbial pathogens. Host restaurant will discuss how to make connections with and prepare produce for wholesale markets.
GROWING GROWERS Insect, Disease & Weed
Management
Explore various, research -based tactics of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for sustainable fruit and vegetable production. Host farm will discuss current, on-farm management strategies.
GROWING GROWERS Farm Business Planning &
Management
Address business planning & management with outline of basic steps for developing and implementing a successful business plan. Host farm will discuss basics of business management as well as their experiences developing their own business.
GROW YOUR FARM
A series approach to introducing participants to business concepts
through instructor-lead presentations, participant homework, group activities and farm visits to individuals putting
their agri-business plans to work.
GROW YOUR FARM Identifying Values &
Creating Goals
Identify personal and family values, begin farm visioning process and begin to develop farm mission statement and goals by utilizing values & vision.
GROW YOUR FARM Walking the Farm
Learn to assess and identify on-farm resources, land and water. Begin an inventory of all farm buildings, equipment, soils, waters, easements, dangers and more.
GROW YOUR FARM Assessing
Opportunities
Understand the importance of market demand, diversification to manage risk and how to match opportunity to market demand.
GROW YOUR FARM Planning Your Farm
Understand the importance of a written business plan, learn the different components and terminology of a farm plan and begin basic outline of your farm plan.
GROW YOUR FARM Keeping Track of
Finances
Understand critical financial terminology, the pros and cons of popular farm recordkeeping tools and begin to utilize these tools on a trial basis to determine best fit.
GROW YOUR FARM Marketing Farm
Products
Understand why marketing is an essential piece of a business plan, learn the three areas of agriculture marketing, increase awareness of alternative marketing options.
GROW YOUR FARM Understanding Legal
Issues
Gain a broad understanding of some of the legal issues agri-businesses face, identify where to find information to assist in understanding legal issues.
GROW YOUR FARM Presenting Plan to
Peers
Incorporate values, marketing & finances into a usable plan. Practice presenting yourself & your business. Get useful feedback from peers.
FINDINGS-GROW YOUR FARM Before series
19 participants taking part with aid from ERME
Nearly ½ have some produce growing experience
Nearly ½ have NO produce growing experience
*Series ends in July 2013
After series* Participants are finishing
up the program with specific market growing experience
Season extension Wholesale/retail
consumer wants Displaying foods Selecting for quality
Food safety measures Desire to remain
connected to other farmers
FINDINGS-GROW YOUR FARM Before series
Seeking to make smart financial decisions
Desire to invest in on-farm processing equipment
Wanting to pass farm to next generation
Seeking to retire from off-farm job and farm full-time
Wants to implement vertical integration techniques into farm operations
After series Be confident in all my farm
decisions Be happy with my
profession Continue to interact and
learn from each other Going to slow down and do
more research/intern on farms
Participants thought the program was well worth the money they paid, but were not willing to pay its true cost.
STILL TO DO An Autumn follow-up survey to both
series participants to better understand how participants did, or did not, implement business principles into their operations and to gain an increased understanding of the long-term knowledge gain that participants have retained.