Progress report for SNE21-009-NJ
Project Information
In New Jersey, the agricultural industry is extremely diverse in farm size, farm products, marketing, and business models. Each farm has unique needs from agricultural service providers (ASPs). The problem is knowledge and educational training related to base services for farmers, has been lacking and needs to increase to maximize efficient program delivery. This issue is of particular importance for Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Department members who are written into state legislation or are called upon for regulatory interpretation which often results in the need to network with other agencies and NGOs who serve farmers. Many ANR personnel conduct programming not specifically related to commercial agriculture, leaving a void in some areas of the state for farmer services. However, it is still important for local ANR staff to understand agricultural issues and help identify services offered by other ASPs related to farm regulations, risk management, production agriculture, and marketing services. In the past, networking groups and agriculture-related programs provided opportunities for information sharing amongst ASPs. In the last decade, these programs have been discontinued leaving significant gaps in information sharing between ASPs. Services for the agricultural community are essential for farm viability. ASP programming must be effectively managed regardless of programmatic focus to ensure much needed service delivery to the agricultural community.
To support agricultural service providers a series of training sessions will be conducted to 1) train ASPs on the base services for farmers, 2) offer networking opportunities for extension, agricultural agencies, NGOs and others, and 3) provide in-person and on-farm opportunities for ASPs to demonstrate programs and communicate services that may align with other providers to enhance service efficiencies. This project will provide ASPs the platform to improve their knowledge and share the diverse and numerous resources available to assist farmers.
Twenty-five ASPs will participate in the program and will improve communications with other ASPs working in various agencies to deliver services more efficiently to farmers. ASPs will demonstrate improved professional networks, collaborations, and services for farmers. Fifteen ASPs will provide services to at least 2,000 farmers through this project.
Agricultural Need: The agricultural industry in New Jersey is extremely diverse and constantly evolving. The U.S. Department of Agriculture 2017 Census of Agriculture showed the number of farms in New Jersey had risen by more than 800 since the previous census in 2012. In 2017, NJ was listed as having 9,883 farms. The amount of land in farms had an increase of almost 20,000 acres standing at 734,000 acres. It is anticipated the next census will once again show this trend of increased farm numbers in the State. Many farms are small-scale and are often managed as secondary businesses for landowners with abundant needs from ASPs. In addition, many ASP clients are beginning farmers with entry-level questions, needing guidance to navigate agricultural regulations, risk management issues and services for crop production and marketing. As a result, ASPs must provide multiple services for the producer and/or identify the agency that would best provide the needed service. In the past, inter-agency cooperation occurred through various professional organizations that provided both networking opportunities and the ability for agencies to promote their services and programs. As ASP’s, especially extension personnel, have focused on other issues in the state, traditional agricultural organizations have become less active or non-existent resulting in limited opportunities for information sharing and promotion of services for farmers. The diversity of operations in the state, combined with changing farmer demographics and less ASPs focusing on commercial agriculture programming makes information sharing critical for ASPs to serve farmers effectively and efficiently. ASP focus must once again be aimed at serving the agricultural industry in the State worth over $1.1 Billion annually.
Proposed Solution: To support ASPs, including ANR personnel, agency personnel and NGO facilitators, a series of educational sessions and events will be conducted to 1) train ASPs on the base services for farmers, 2) offer networking opportunities for extension, agricultural agencies, NGOs and others, and 3) provide in-person and on-farm opportunities for ASPs to demonstrate programs and communicate services that may align with other providers to enhance service efficiencies. This program will not only provide agricultural support agencies training but will also serve to cement their knowledge of the diverse and numerous resources available to assist farmers.
Agricultural Service Provider Interest: RCE ANR professionals have expressed an interest in learning more about base-services provided via the cooperative extension system, especially in county extension programs that do not traditionally provide programming for commercial farmers. The diversity and numbers of farms in New Jersey has increased, but the number of ASPs focusing on commercial agriculture programming has decreased. As staff and expertise become limited, service providers have expressed increased interest in shared service models and improved efficiency of services. Eleven agricultural service providers have committed to participating in this project, providing training from technical support agencies like the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, extension professionals with various discipline areas including crop production, fisheries, environmental science, and agricultural lobbying organizations such as NJ Farm Bureau. This project has support from extension administration to facilitate information sharing and improve services between ASPs. More interest is anticipated through recruitment efforts and announcements of training sessions and annual ASP conference events.
Educational Approach
Education Plan
Recruitment
A multi-faceted recruitment strategy will be conducted at the beginning of the project in October-December 2021. Additional ASPs who wish to participate after the recruitment period will be welcome into the program. Project leaders will recruit using person-to person discussions, email groups, online promotional materials, and reaching out to ASP administrators. RCE administration, agency leaders and NGO facilitators will assist in identifying ASPs for recruitment to participate in the program.
Education
To support agricultural service providers, a series of training sessions will be conducted to 1) train ASPs on the many base services for farmers, 2) offer networking opportunities for extension, agricultural agencies, NGOs and others, and 3) provide in person and on-farm opportunities for ASPs to demonstrate programs and communicate services that may align with other providers to enhance service efficiencies. These trainings will be delivered online as synchronous webinar trainings and recorded and posted on the Rutgers SARE website to maximize outreach and potential participation. Sixteen, one-hour sessions will be conducted and delivered by Rutgers Extension faculty and other participating agricultural service providers. These programs will include an overview of the agency's' duties, as well as a detailed explanation of the services provided by that organization. In addition, an online "Agricultural Agency Directory" will be developed and maintained on the Rutgers SARE website to serve as a resource for both agricultural service providers and agricultural producers. In addition to the webinars, three, one-day annual ASP conferences will be conducted as on-farm events to allow ASPs to promote their services and to facilitate networking between agencies. During these events, specific ASP programs will be highlighted through lightning sessions and in-field demonstrations.
Overview of Networking Opportunities
The goal of this project is not only to share information between ASP’s, but also to facilitate relationships between agencies, producers and others involved in agriculture. To facilitate this, the proposed online educational webinars will consist of 1) an informational program hosted by an ASP, to explain the services provided and how these services assist farmers in New Jersey, 2) a question and answer session designed to promote interaction between groups and to focus on how groups may interact or enhance the services provided by the ASP, and 3) an optional break-out room for groups that provide similar services or have common goals or interests. To further enhance communication between individual ASP groups and program participants, the leadership team will request a short overview of each ASP be provided prior to the program. These overviews will be hosted on the appropriate Rutgers SARE web-page and will be updated annually.
Verification
A series of surveys will be conducted to quantify the effectiveness of programs delivered. A Pre-Post survey will be conducted to quantify levels of knowledge participants have about the services provided by various participating agencies. At the conclusion of this project, a follow-up survey will be conducted to 1) evaluate the program's effectiveness,
2) determine if the program resulted in improved agency programmatic delivery, and 3) quantify the number of producers reached by individual participants in this program.
Overview of Survey Methodology
Initial knowledge: The objective of the initial knowledge survey is to quantify the understanding each ASP has related to other groups participating in the program. The team will ask that respondents relay their understanding of the other ASP programs, mainly as a Likert-scale type response (1=no knowledge, 5=very knowledgeable). These surveys will also determine if individual groups typically partner with one another or direct producers to other groups for service.
Follow-up surveys: Participants will be asked to complete surveys to quantify their level of knowledge gain. These surveys will be used to determine if individual participants learned any new information about an ASP and to quantify their intent to promote an ASP, or partner with them in the future. These mid-program surveys will determine if more programs should be added to foster ASP interaction, to partner on specific issues or projects, or to invite additional partner groups or advisory group participants to enhance programmatic efficiencies. These surveys will ask specific questions to find core programmatic areas, common funding pools and to isolate any deficiencies in delivery that may be mitigated through partnership.
Final Survey: A final survey will be conducted to determine how participation in the program impacted programmatic delivery. Using the initial survey for pre-program assessment, the final survey will ask specific questions to quantify if partnerships were developed, if Asp's directed clientele to reach out with another ASP and to obtain participants assessment of the program. To obtain accurate data, participants will be asked to tally these responses following the initial program and will be asked a series of questions to design their level of interaction and understanding “before” participating in the program and “after” participation.
Milestones
Milestone 1:
October-December 2021: Recruit 25 ASP participants for program. Develop and disseminate promotional materials including promotional flyers, electronic communications, in-person promotion via extension department meetings and other agency events such as State Board of Agriculture meetings.
25
37
December 31, 2021
Completed
November 28, 2022
Flier New Jersey Agricultural Service Provider Training (002)
Participants were recruited by email announcement. Each week, a separate e-mail announcement was shared with Extension faculty and staff and other ASP's in New Jersey. Participants were asked to share the announcement with anyone who may have interactions with the agricultural community. Each program speaker was selected by a member of the SARE program team. Although speakers were selected in advance, there were instances when a speaker either cancelled, a topic was changed, or a meeting was postponed. In these situations, participants were notified, and the program schedule was adjusted accordingly. As a result, additional programs will be conducted in 2024.
Milestone 2:
October-December 2021. Introduction of the training series to agricultural service providers and extension personnel. Confirm training session speakers and schedule.
25
37
December 31, 2021
Completed
November 28, 2022
A total of 4 webinars and one in-person full-day workshops were conducted during year one of the project. During these meetings a total of 111 people, representing various Extension programs, non-profit groups, and other agricultural service providers participated. Thirty-seven unique participants were represented.
Milestone 3:
Summer 2022, 2023, 2024 Determine locations, dates, presenters for annual in person, on-farm, day long ASP conferences (specific dates TBD)
25
August 31, 2024
In Progress
Summer in person programs are described below in Milestone 4.
Milestone 4:
January 2022 to July 2024. Conduct synchronous webinar training sessions every other month.
Schedule:
January 2022 Training Session 1. Overview of base services for farmers presented by project team.
March 2022 Training Session 2. Farm Vehicle Regulations in NJ, presented by NJ Farm Bureau specialist.
May 2022 Training Session 3. NJ Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Division services, speaker TBD.
July 2022 Training Session 4. NJ Farm Bureau membership and the relationship with county boards of agriculture/stakeholder groups. Speaker TBD.
September 2022 Training Session 5. Fostering leadership in agricultural organizations and keeping the organization viable. Speaker Michelle Infante-Casella.
November 2022 Training Session 6. NJ Department of Environmental Protection Agency, Agricultural Water Allocations Program. Speaker TBD.
January 2023 Training Session 7. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service farmer assistance programs. Speaker Fran DeFiccio, NRCS-NJ.
March 2023 Training Session 8. USDA Farm Service Agency farmer assistance programs. Speaker TBD.
May 2023 Training Session 9. NJ Department of Environmental Protection Agency, Pesticide Control Program pesticide applicator requirements and inspections. Speaker TBD.
July 2023 Training Session 10. Rutgers soil testing services and interpreting soil test reports. Speaker Stephanie Murphy.
September 2023 Training Session 11. NJ State Agricultural Development Board, roles and responsibilities of the SADC, County Agricultural Development Boards and Agricultural Agents. Speaker Susan Payne.
November 2023 Training Session 12. Soil Conservation Districts in NJ and their roles in agriculture. Speaker TBD.
January 2024 Training Session 13. USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and the benefits of accurately reporting information. Speaker Bruce Eklund.
March 2024 Training Session 14. Working with agricultural commodity organizations. Speaker TBD
May 2024 Training Session 15. County Agricultural Agent roles when working with other county departments. Speaker Michelle Infante-Casella.
July 2024 Training Session 16. NJ Fish and Wildlife farmer depredation and hunting permit programs. Speaker TBD.
25
July 31, 2024
In Progress
A total of 4 webinars and one in-person full-day workshops were conducted during year one of the project (2022). During these meetings a total of 111 people, representing various Extension programs, non-profit groups, and other agricultural service providers participated. Thirty-seven unique participants were represented.
A series of 3 webinars were conducted including; 1) NRCS Programs, Kaitlin Fabrotnik, Soil Agronomist. Kaitlin discussed the various NRCS programs, explained how farmers apply and shared specific contact information for USDA service centers around NJ to participating ASP's; 2) New Jersey State Ag Development Committee representatives, Susan Payne, and David Kimmel. Presenters from NJSADC discussed the importance of SADC programs including the NJ Special Events rules, how farmers can learn more and who ASP's should direct farmer inquiries to; 3) Michaela Kramer and Craig Christo, USDA Farm Service Agency, NJ. Representatives from USDA/FSA explained the Farm Bill programs, provided regional Center information and shared specific contact information with ASP's.
In addition, 2 in-person sessions were conducted including; 1)9/15/23 Base Services Training at RCE of Ocean Co.Topic: SARE Grant Categories, SARE Farmer Grants and Roles for Technical Advisors. Stephen Komar and Michelle Casella led a discussion and conducted a presentation related to SARE programs and affiliated ASP's, 2) NJ Agricultural Agents Annual Retreat and Meeting. Stephen Komar led a discussion with Agriculture and Natural Resource Department members and guests to determine the effectiveness of the SARE funded programs, to determine additional trainings needed and to reinforce the importance of sharing information between ASP's.
Due to scheduling conflicts, the presentations varied from the planned agenda. In addition, one critical topic, "Special Occasion Events," was presented in response to a recent change to Farmland Preservation rules. To assist local ASP's, this topic was addressed to notify as many support staff as possible how to address these calls. This SARE project provided the infrastructure and communication to provide this information to Extension staff as well as other ASP's in a timely and efficient manner.
New Jersey "Special Occasion Events": training on new allowance for preserved farmland
Additional sessions will be conducted to address the scheduling changes and to fulfill the proposed schedule of topics during 2024.
Survey Results
A preliminary survey consisting of 4 questions was delivered to Rutgers Extension faculty and staff 0n 9/21/2023 to determine the potential impacts of the SARE funded program. Among respondents (n=12) 25% indicated that the base services training was important to the effective operation of their office, while 66% reported that it was very important. when asked if the program improves staffs understanding of ASP services to farmers, 66% said "yes" while 33% did not know. In addition, 100% of respondents reported that they learned something from the program. Additional program deliverables have been generated in response to open-ended survey responses including a "mandated services for Extension" document. This initial survey will serve as the basis for the final project survey to be conducted in 2024.
|
Session |
Topic |
participants |
|
2/27/23 Kaitlin Farbotnik, Soil Agronomist, NRCS |
NRCS Programs |
18 |
|
5/22/23 Susan Payne, NJ State Agricultural Development Committee |
SADC Programs, Special Occasion Programs |
17 |
|
6/26/23 Michaela Kramer and Craig Christo, USDA Farm Service Agency, NJ
|
Farm Service Agency Program Overview |
14 |
|
9/15/23, Michelle Casella, Stephen Komar, SARE PDP Coordinators |
SARE Grant Categories, SARE Farmer Grants and Roles for Technical Advisors
|
32 |
|
9/21/23, Stephen Komar, SARE PDP Coordinators |
Base Services Training at 4-H Camp, Diversity of SARE Program Recipients |
21 |
|
ASP Program Effectiveness Survey |
ASP Program Effectiveness |
12 respondents |
Milestone 5:
July to September 2024 Final project evaluation and participant surveys.
25
85
September 30, 2024
In Progress
Milestone Activities and Participation Summary
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Survey respondents (n=11) reported that learning about base-service providers was important to their effective operations, supervisors (n=8) reported that the trainings improved staff understanding of base services and supervisor's ASP's (n=11) reported learning something new about a partnering ASP/agency. A more in-depth survey will be developed at the conclusion of the project targeting all program participants.
Performance Target Outcomes
Performance Target Outcomes - Service Providers
Target #1
Twenty-five ASPs will participate in the program and will improve communications with other ASPs working in various agencies to deliver services more efficiently to farmers. ASPs will demonstrate improved professional networks, collaborations, and services for farmers. Fifteen ASPs will provide services to at least 2,000 farmers through this project.
| Activity | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curricula, factsheets and other educational tools | 2 | 2 | ||
| Study circles / focus groups | 1 | 1 | ||
| Webinars, talks and presentations | 3 | 3 |
3 webinars and two in-person workshop were conducted during year 2of the project. A total of 111 ASP's participated (37 unique participants) representing various Extension, agency and non-profit groups.
SARE Outreach
SARE grant opportunities and information are shared with farmers, ag service providers and students in New Jersey via e-mail, personal communication, web-sites and electronic alerts and other social media outlets. SARE information is also shared at 2 statewide meetings via tabletop displays and handouts. When possible, SARE coordinators are present to ask specific questions and to share information.
Search Results for “sare” — Plant & Pest Advisory (rutgers.edu)
Recieved information about SARE grant programs and information resouces:
| Audience | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service providers | 75 | 0 | 0 | 75 |
| Farmers | 3500 | 0 | 0 | 3500 |