How Technology Enhances or Impedes Sustainable Agriculture for Black Limited Resource Farmers in the Southeast Black Belt Region

The proposed project will follow basic impact research methods by using quantitative and qualitative data collection.  To measure the impact of the project, there are several approaches and methods that will be used for data collection. The proposed project’s approach and methods for data collection will focus primarily on location, demographics, and farmers' knowledge. Some of the approach and methods used will include but are not limited to the following: surveys,  interviews (with proper social distancing), training sessions, peer to peer (with proper social distancing), mailings, telephone conferences, bringing USDA/NRCS and USDA/FSA to farmers, questionnaires, observations, case study on the number of people applying based on resources from USDA and Fort Valley State University Extension, field experience and demonstrations with farmers cooperators, pre- and post-assessment, evaluations and self -certification.

Our research, in partnership with Fort Valley State University, will focus on methods of information transmission, instruments used for reception, methods to respond to information, and inquiries on how user-friendly it is for small, limited resource farmers. Critical to this research is discovering what digital disparities exist for limited-resource farmers. Technology access and usage supports a holistic farming approach. For example, farmers can respond to requests from institutions, such as Land Grant Colleges and State Departments of Agriculture, in real time. They can also apply in a timely manner for loans and enroll in commodity and conservation programs and communicate with extension specialists and farm suppliers regarding farm production. 

Objective 1) Research, develop and implement methods to identify black limited-resource farmers’ technology software and hardware capacity.

A questionnaire will be implemented that will help to identify the technological resources available and those needed for expanding sustainability efforts for black farmers.

Collaborators and Project Directors will develop the pre-assessment. The pre-assessment will be designed to be “farmer-friendly,” meaning, Collaborators and farmer advisors will implement the pre-assessment in more of a conversational-type method versus an impersonal, structured, and formal interview. All project Collaborators have been intentional in creating a project implementation plan that focuses on supporting the farmers. Because Project Directors have a history and wealth of experience in working with farmers and farmer groups,  the project team’s approach is to provide the targeted farmers with an experience that is non-intimidating and rigid, but one that is more aligned with coaching and peer-mentoring.

Interviews will serve as the lead approach in obtaining information. Interviews are one on one. Speaking directly with participants through interviews will provide a direct correlation to whether they have access to participation in USDA programs using technology. The number of interviews and locations will be determined using the Census of Agriculture, the existing database, and contacts from universities.  Teleconferences will be used to generate conversations with a group of participants.

• Telephone interviews
• face-to-face interviews
• focus groups (with masks/social distancing as necessary)

In addition to questionnaires, assessment of farmer current technology resources, as well as their gain in technical knowledge, skills, and abilities, will also occur through the use of pre- and post-assessments administered to target farmers. Tools such as the Fort Valley State University mobile unit can be used to take technology to the farmers and their hands-on abilities can be assessed before and after training.  The mobile unit is a tractor compartment with 20 computer stations that can be set up and used at any rural location.

The information obtained from the survey and pre-assessments will be used to develop educational events. Results from both the pre- and post-assessments will be shared with all cooperators and project participants.

. Objective 2 – Develop a platform and outreach programs to address gaps in the agricultural technology capacity of black limited resources farmers through training by peers, USDA partners, and university partners.

Due to changing times, innovation and up-to-date technology are becoming necessary. Various segments of the agricultural-based entities, including co-ops, USDA partners, and Fort Valley State University are operated by individuals with varying knowledge bases. 

For example, when person meetings are not possible, conversations can occur through conference calls and zoom calls which should stimulate participants to realize the value of the use of technology in their farming operations. Participating in the conference calls and workshops will be USDA officials to provide information that relates to limited-resource farmers and their access to programs using technology

• Peer to peer approach

Regardless, studies have indicated that farmers prefer to receive information via a peer-to-peer approach (i.e. word-of-mouth from others in the business). The success of peer educators has been attributed to identifying with the educator, trainer use of appropriate jargon/teaching styles, and a lack of formal educational training which, in essence, makes the educator more relatable (Chambers, 1997; Hassanien, 1999; Bunch, 1995). This approach allows demonstration techniques that require a paradigm shift from methods currently used in the farm/ranch operation.

• Farmers workshops

Farmers value workshops for the dialog and networking with other farmers sharing their experiences in discussion learning (preferred by 87% of farmers in a Franz et al., 2010 survey. In-person training will be provided (with masks and social distancing as necessary) that allow for hands-on training and demonstrations which were among the top methods of learning preferred by farmers (99% and 96% preferred respectively; Franz et al., 2010). At workshops, peer demonstration of technology occurs.  For instance, one farmer contacting another farmer via smartphones by utilizing the transfer of information through texting. Technology has the power to improve limited resource farmers' lives and their livelihood.

• Fort Valley University Mobile Technology Lab

Fort Valley State University Mobile Technology Lab and stationary sites with technological access (i.e. extension offices and universities will be used for training farmers to use hardware and software.   During Field Days, farmers will be introduced to technology that may be beyond current capabilities such as Global Positioning Systems on tractors and drones to reduce pesticide /herbicide use as well as chemical use.

• Virtual Meeting and training

Virtual training can be offered with project staff and extension staff hosting the training for those not comfortable with handling it themselves. Upon seeing the value and ease of this type of training, it is expected that more farmers will utilize these opportunities.

Objective 3 – Evaluate the increase in the number of black limited-resource farmers’ access and participation in USDA programs and services using technology.

• The project will interact with 100 black limited resource farmers.

Engaging farmers is always important, but it is even more crucial to foster this type of relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although face-to-face contact is posing a challenge, communication methods should be executed through online forums, virtual lectures, and support groups.  With ongoing conversation, farmers can feel supported, while still providing peer-to-peer learning to boost sustainability and profitability. 

• The project will assess the number of black limited resource farmers accessing USDA relief programs and services.

Project participants will be administered an evaluation instrument to collect data that is   qualitative to garner the impact of the project on the participants' quality of life and the

diffusion of innovation through their willingness to disseminate information to other   farmers.

• Self-certification is a method that provides self-determination of limited resource farmers' progress and accessibility to different programs using technology.

USDA will not release information regarding the methods used for Limited Resource    farmer's participation in programs. Self-Certification will provide an element to our research that serves as a benchmark to help solidify the information gained through the various approach and methods.

As with the technology and self-certification surveys, the satisfaction evaluation will be developed as a group with Project Directors and collaborators.  The methods of evaluation will include phone, written, and one-on-one interviews.  

Due to the changing times, innovation and up-to-date technology are becoming increasingly necessary as a means of “safe” communication. Various segments of the agricultural-based entities, including co-ops, USDA partners, and Fort Valley State University, should work together to deliver effective training. Minority farm operations are operated by individuals with varying knowledge bases. Studies have indicated that farmers prefer to receive information via a peer-to-peer approach (i.e. word-of-mouth from others in the business). This approach allows demonstration techniques that require a paradigm shift from methods currently used in the farm/ranch operation.  Farmers value workshops primarily for dialog and networking with other farmers sharing their experiences.  For instance, one farmer contacting another farmer via smartphones by utilizing the transfer of information through texting. Technology has the power to improve limited resource farmers' lives and their livelihood.

Interviews will serve as the lead approach in obtaining information.  Interviews are one on one. Speaking directly with participants through interviews will provide a direct correlation to whether they have access to participation in USDA programs using technology. The number of interviews and locations will be determined using the Census of Agriculture existing databases and contacts from universities. Teleconferences will be used to generate conversations with a group of participants. Conversation in a conference should stimulate participants to realize the value of the use of technology in their farming operations. 

Participating in the conference call will be USDA officials to provide information that relates to limited-resource farmers and their access to programs using technology.

Self-certification is a method that provides self-determination of limited resource farmers' progress and accessibility to different programs using technology. USDA will not release information regarding the methods used for Limited Resource farmer's participation in programs. Self-Certification will provide an element to our research that serves as a benchmark to help solidify the information gained through the various approach and methods.

An important method used to evaluate the project will be the use of a pre- and post-assessment that will be administered to targeted farmers.  The results from the pre-assessment will be documented to measure the increase/decrease in project participants' technology knowledge and utilization capacity.  Results from both the pre and post assessments will be shared with all cooperators and project participants. Project participants will also be administered a post-assessment instrument to collect data that is qualitative in order to garner the impact of the project on the participants' quality of life and the diffusion of innovation to disseminate information to other farmers.