Final Report for FS01-129
Project Information
Developing the management software proved to be a bigger challenge than I expected, however, the experience and results were well worth it. We have successfully developed, as planned, a software program that has multi-herd and/or multi-crop abilities as well as the flexibility needed for today’s ever changing practices of the small farmer.
Mr. Joe Gatti and Mr. Nevin Seifert worked tirelessly with me on the technical end of building this system. It is linked to the Florida Ag web site and will be available to anyone interested at no charge. It can be viewed and downloaded at www.dontlosetrak.com/safari. I have distributed brochures throughout the Florida Extension departments and feed and farm supply stores. I have made presentations to Southern Commercial Rabbit Producers’ Association members and the Archer Farmers’ Network as committed. We have even received some free local press about the development!
Dr. Mickie Swisher cooperated and assisted with the writing of the User’s Manual, as did Dr. Kathleen Colverson in connecting me with the Archer Farmers’ Network. Jean Lane participated in all aspects of proofing for clarity and grammar from the software to this final report. Larry Jones, rabbit producer of 15 years and an experienced American Rabbit Breeders’ Association judge and Cheryl Lamkin and Pam Heath, also of similar experiences and backgrounds also cooperated. Their feedback was as powerful than their encouragement as the development progressed.
All our immediate goals have been reached, yet in doing so, lead to new excitement and ideas of how the program can already be expanded to fill more information needs of the small farmer. We are interested in the future to plan another project that could include information reports on feed mixes (a strong need for southern farmers), an accounting program tailored for small farms and the ability to do automated pedigrees. All of these ideas that bear pursuing are possible with similar database structures.