Final report for WPDP21-012
Project Information
It’s difficult under normal circumstances for producers to have economically viable operations, and recent events have made it even more difficult. The agriculture sector was impacted significantly by COVID-19 due to market disruptions. Restrictions on sales at farmers markets and other channels, as well as meat processing plant closures, required producers to switch to or consider diversifying their markets, including direct to consumer markets, online sales, etc. For example, many ranchers sold their cows directly to consumers, overcrowding local meat processing facilities. To compound these issues, the US West is facing a significant drought this year. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 87% of Utah is currently in extreme or exceptional drought. These unusual times have exacerbated the need for producers to assess the economic viability/potential profitability of the decisions they face (new markets, new crops/products, drought management strategies, selling or holding livestock, etc.). Timely and useful information and assistance is needed.
At the same time, heavy retirements in the university Extension system have led to the hiring of many county and regional Extension faculty with little experience in dealing with the issues producers are facing. Most of the county Extension faculty do not have a background in farm management, agricultural economics or finance, and thus, do not have the skills to adequately assist farmers with such financial decisions.
This project will provide professional development through webinars, workshops, and online courses in economic viability assessment to Extension personnel in five Western states. With increased knowledge and skills, Extension personnel will be able to work one-on-one with producers to assess their economically viable options. The ability to access this expertise at the county level will improve producer ability to make educated decisions in a timely manner.
The overall objective for this project is to improve the quality of life and economic viability of agriculture enterprises in the US West. This will be accomplished by expanding the capacity of Extension personnel through improvements in knowledge and skills with regards to economic viability assessment. The project will target Extension personal across five states with the expectation that they will assist producers at the local level, through programming and one-on-one assistance, in assessing the potential economic viability and impacts of the management decisions they face, including but not limited to adding new crops or products, diversification strategies, new market development.
The specific objectives for this project are to:
- Increase Extension professional’s awareness of the importance of including economic viability in production and marketing decisions
- Increase Extension professionals’ knowledge and skills in economic feasibility assessment
- Increase Extension professional’s knowledge of and ability to create business and marketing plans
- Increase Extension professionals’ awareness of USDA programs which may enhance enterprise viability and/or sustainability
- Increase Extension professional awareness and use of the data available to producers when assessing economic feasibility
- Provide materials, tools, and best practices for incorporating economic feasibility assessment into county Extension programming for producers
- Motivate Extension professionals to incorporate economic feasibility assessment into their programming with producers
- Assumptions – To be sustainable, producers must evaluate the impacts of management options on their operation. While Extension specialists at the regional and state level, have expertise in farm management, finance, and economics, most local Extension agents do not. We understand that producers have a lot of interest in analyzing new ideas related to products, marketing, diversification, etc. However, they often don’t know where to start or obtain assistance. Extension agents live and work locally, they can work directly with producers in assessing economic viability and also provide assistance through the implementation stage.
- Resources - The resources and investments provided will include the time of project personnel and Extension and producer collaborators in curriculum development and testing; time to adapt existing materials and develop new materials as needed; copies for in-person workshops. Current university buildings, computers, software, and workshop and webinar technology will be used. All program materials will be available online. The Online course will be hosted by USU Extension and available on an ongoing basis.
- Methodology - A needs assessment with Extension personnel in participating states will be conducted to determine preferred topics, timing, etc. We will work with agriculture producer collaborators to develop examples and case studies to best illustrate each topic. We will compile and develop all curriculum in year 1. The webinar series and in-person pilot workshop will be held in year 1. Additional programming will be done in year 2 with updated material, including an online course delivered to four cohorts, and one in-person workshop.
Year 1:
- Conduct needs assessment with county Extension personnel
- Develop a final list of topics
- Evaluate existing materials and outline curriculum
- Adapt existing and create new materials for each webinar (10)
- PowerPoint, handouts, examples, case study, evaluation questions, worksheets
- Finalize project evaluation plan, obtain IRB approval if necessary
- Schedule webinars and in-person pilot workshop
- Deliver monthly webinars (10) and workshop
- Conduct retrospective evaluations
- Complete annual report
Year 2:
- Conduct 6-month follow-up evaluations - year 1 participants
- Update materials for online course
- Technical edit, graphic design and formatting, video editing, etc.
- Create online course to include 10 50-minute modules
- Publish course online and enroll 4 cohorts in year 2
- Hold in-person workshop
- Conduct retrospective evaluations
- Post final materials to USU Extension website
- Conduct 6-month follow-up evaluations - year 2 participants
- Complete final report
Post Project:
- Continue to administer Online course
- Conduct 2-year follow-up evaluations
Cooperators
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- - Producer
- - Producer
- - Producer
Education
This project will provide professional development through webinars, workshops, and online courses in economic viability assessment to Extension, agency, and tribal personnel in five Western states. With increased knowledge and skills, Extension, agency, and tribal personnel will be able to work one-on-one with producers to assess their economically viable options. The ability to access this expertise at the state and county level will improve producer ability to make educated decisions in a timely manner.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Increase Extension professional’s awareness of the importance of including economic viability in agricultural production and marketing decisions and motive them to incorporate economic feasibility assessment into their programming with producers.
Activities included the following:
- Hold a webinar series, 9 webinars in total.
- Set up a website to host all webinar materials, tools, worksheets, etc.
- Hold a one-day workshop.
- Enroll 4 cohorts in the online course.
Short-term:
Post webinar series evaluation results show that 67% of attendees strongly agreed or agreed that they were aware of the importance of incorporating economic viability/profitability assessment into their programming with clients. Additionally, 43% said they would introduce their new knowledge and skills into programming with clients with in three months, another 43% within six months, and 15% within a year. Finally, 67% said they would work one-on-one with clients to evaluate the economic feasibility of management options (new enterprises, products, etc.) within three months and another 33% would do so within a year. Participants rated the usefulness of the webinars a 6.14 out of 7 and 86% would use all or most of the material presented in their job.
Post workshop evaluation results show that 83% of attendees strongly agreed or agreed that they were aware of the importance of incorporating economic viability/profitability assessment into their programming with clients. Additionally, 67% said they would introduce their new knowledge and skills into programming with clients with in three months, and the remaining 33% within six months. Finally, 50% said they would work one-on-one with clients to evaluate the economic feasibility of management options (new enterprises, products, etc.) within three months and another 32% would do so within a year. Participants rated the usefulness of the workshop a 5.5 out of 7 and 82% would use all or most of the material presented in their job.
Post online course evaluation results show that 100% of attendees strongly agreed or agreed that they were aware of the importance of incorporating economic viability/profitability assessment into their programming with clients. Additionally, 100% said they would introduce their new knowledge and skills into programming with clients within six months. Finally, 75% said they would work one-on-one with clients to evaluate the economic feasibility of management options (new enterprises, products, etc.) within a year. Participants rated the usefulness of the workshop a 5 out of 7 and 100% would use all or most of the material presented in their job.
Medium-term:
The six month follow up evaluations conducted with all webinar series and workshop participants show that participants continue to rate the usefulness of the webinar/workshop a 6 out of 7 and 86% used all or most of the material presented in their operation/job. Additionally, 78% said they had introduced their new knowledge and skills into programming with clients, which included working one-on-one with clients to evaluate the economic feasibility of management options (new enterprises, products, etc.). Finally, workshop participants had worked with 3-5 clients on average, reaching approx. 110 producers. The webinar series participants had worked with 2 clients on average, reaching approx. 420 producers. Thus, a total of 530 agricultural producers were reached through participant programming.
Increase Extension professionals’ knowledge and skills in economic feasibility assessment and provide materials, tools, and best practices for incorporating economic feasibility assessment into their programming with producers.
Activities included the following:
- Hold a webinar series, 9 webinars in total.
- Set up a website to host all webinar materials, tools, worksheets, etc.
- Hold a one-day workshop.
- Enroll 4 cohorts in the online course.
Post webinar evaluation results show that 66% of attendees strongly agree or agree that they understand how to use financial tools and measures to analyze the potential profitability of management options and understand how to use enterprise budgets and basic financial ratios. A lower amount (50%) strongly agree or agree that they understand the components of profitability assessment for farm/ranch management options. All (100%) would add economic feasibility assessment to their production related research. Finally, attendees rated the usefulness of the webinars a 6.14 out of 7.
Post workshop evaluation results show that 67% of attendees strongly agree or agree that they understand how to use financial tools and measures to analyze the potential profitability of management options and understand how to use enterprise budgets and basic financial ratios. A larger amount (83%) strongly agree or agree that they understand the components of profitability assessment for farm/ranch management options. The majority (83%) would add economic feasibility assessment to their production related research. Finally, attendees rated the usefulness of the workshop a 5.5 out of 7.
Post online course evaluation results show that 100% of participants strongly agree or agree that they understand how to use financial tools and measures to analyze the potential profitability of management options and understand how to use enterprise budgets and basic financial ratios. A few less (80%) strongly agree or agree that they understand the components of profitability assessment for farm/ranch management options. The majority (100%) would add economic feasibility assessment to their production related research.
Increase Extension professional’s knowledge of and ability to create business and marketing plans
Activities included the following:
- Hold a webinar series, 9 webinars in total.
- Set up a website to host all webinar materials, tools, worksheets, etc.
- Hold a one-day workshop.
- Enroll 4 cohorts in the online course.
Post webinar evaluation results show that 66% of attendees strongly agree or agree that they understand the components of business and marketing plans.
Post workshop evaluation results show that 83% of attendees strongly agree or agree that they understand the components of business and marketing plans.
Post online course evaluation results show that 100% of participants strongly agree or agree that they understand the components of business and marketing plans.
Increase Extension professionals’ awareness of USDA programs which may enhance enterprise viability and/or sustainability
Activities included the following:
- Hold a webinar series, 9 webinars in total.
- Set up a website to host all webinar materials, tools, worksheets, etc.
- Hold a one-day workshop.
- Enroll 4 cohorts in the online course.
Post webinar evaluation results show that 84% of attendees strongly agree or agree that they understand and know how to access current USDA grant/loan programs available for agricultural and food production.
Post workshop evaluation results show that 83% of attendees strongly agree or agree that they understand and know how to access current USDA grant/loan programs available for agricultural and food production.
Post online course evaluation results show that 80% of participants strongly agree or agree that they understand and know how to access current USDA grant/loan programs available for agricultural and food production.
Increase Extension professional awareness and use of the data available to producers when assessing economic feasibility
Activities included the following:
- Hold a webinar series, 9 webinars in total.
- Set up a website to host all webinar materials, tools, worksheets, etc.
- Hold a one-day workshop.
- Enroll 4 cohorts in the online course.
Post webinar evaluation results show that 67% of attendees strongly agree or agree that they understand where to find and how to use data in profitability analysis.
Post workshop evaluation results show that 50% of attendees strongly agree or agree that they understand where to find and how to use data in profitability analysis.
Post online course evaluation results show that 75% of participants strongly agree or agree that they understand where to find and how to use data in profitability analysis.
Agricultural producers access important economic feasibility information at the county level and make timely and informed management decisions
Activities conducted by program participants included the following:
- Add economic feasibility assessment into outreach programming.
- Work one-on-one with producers to evaluate the economic feasibility of management options.
- Provide resources to producers seeking information.
Medium-term:
The six month follow up evaluations conducted with all webinar series and workshop participants show that 78% had introduced their new knowledge and skills into programming with clients, which included working one-on-one with clients to evaluate the economic feasibility of management options (new enterprises, products, etc.). Additionally, workshop participants had worked with 3-5 clients on average, reaching approx. 110 producers. The webinar series participants had worked with 2 clients on average, reaching approx. 420 producers. Thus, a total of 530 agricultural producers were reached through participant programming.
Long-term:
In the six month follow up evaluations conducted with all webinar series and workshop participants, all evaluation respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the following statements: My clients (producers, growers, etc.) are able to access important assistance at the county level; My clients are better able to make timely and informed decisions; Agricultural operations in my area are now more profitable; The economic well-being of my clients has improved due to the increased economic viability of their operation; My clients quality of life has improved due to positive economic and social impacts in our community.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
As of January 15, 2023 the following has been completed:
- Year 1: • Conduct needs assessment with county Extension personnel • Develop a final list of topics • Evaluate existing materials and outline curriculum • Adapt existing and create new materials for each webinar (9) • Finalize project evaluation plan • Schedule webinars and in-person pilot workshop • Deliver monthly webinars (9) and workshop • Conduct retrospective evaluations • Complete annual report
- Year 2: • Conduct 6-month follow-up evaluations - year 1 participants • Update materials for online course • Hold in-person workshop • Conduct retrospective evaluations • Post final materials to USU Extension website
Webinars Results: As of January 15, 2023, nine separate webinars were held. A total of 210 Extension, agency, and tribal personnel attended the webinars. All program materials were posted to the program website. 364 people visited this website in 2021 and 696 in 2022. The evaluation results for the webinars show that participants rated the usefulness of the webinars a 6.14 out of 7 and 86% would use all or most of the material presented in their operation/job.
Workshop Results: A one-day in-person workshop was held in November 2022 with 22 attendees, primarily USU Extension county faculty. The evaluation results for the November in-person workshop show that participants rated the usefulness of the workshop a 5.5 out of 7 and 82% would use all or most of the material presented in their operation/job.
As of February 29, 2024 all project activities have been completed, including:
- Year 1: • Conduct needs assessment with county Extension personnel • Develop a final list of topics • Evaluate existing materials and outline curriculum • Adapt existing and create new materials for each webinar (9) • Finalize project evaluation plan • Schedule webinars and in-person pilot workshop • Deliver monthly webinars (9) and workshop • Conduct retrospective evaluations • Complete annual report
- Year 2: • Conduct 6-month follow-up evaluations - year 1 participants • Update materials for online course • Create online course to include 9 50-minute modules • Publish course online and enroll 4 cohorts in year 2 • Hold in-person workshop • Conduct retrospective evaluations • Post final materials to USU Extension website • Conduct 6-month follow-up evaluations - year 2 participants • Complete final report
Online Course Results: As of February 29, 2024, 36 participants have enrolled and taken the online course. The online course consists of nine modules, each containing a content video and presentation, a case study video and presentation, as well as a skills assessment test. Participants completed a pre and post-course evaluation to measure participant knowledge gain, skills attained, and their intention to use course materials in their work with producers. The evaluation results show that participants rated the usefulness of the course a 5 out of 7 and 100% plan to use all or most of the material presented in their operation/job.
Follow-up Webinar and Workshop Results: The six month follow up evaluations conducted with all webinar series and workshop participants show that participants continue to rate the usefulness of the webinar/workshop a 6 out of 7 and 86% used all or most of the material presented in their operation/job. Additionally, workshop participants had worked with 3-5 clients on average, reaching approx. 110 producers. The webinar series participants had worked with 2 clients on average, reaching approx. 420 producers. Thus, a total of 530 agricultural producers were reached through participant programming. All follow-up evaluation respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the following statements: My clients (producers, growers, etc.) are able to access important assistance at the county level; My clients are better able to make timely and informed decisions; Agricultural operations in my area are now more profitable; The economic well-being of my clients has improved due to the increased economic viability of their operation; My clients quality of life has improved due to positive economic and social impacts in our community.
Information Products
- Program Website
- Webinar 1 Presentation - Intro to Economic Feasibility Assessment
- Webinar 2 Presentation - Market Feasibility Assessment
- Webinar 3 Presentation - Budget and Profit Basics
- Webinar 4 Presentation - Budgets and Financial Statements
- Program Website - January 2023
- Webinar 5 Presentation - Financial Feasibility Assessment - Financial Analysis
- Webinar 6 Presentation - Enterprise Financing - Federal Grant and Loan Programs
- Webinar 7 Presentation - Enterprise Assessment Example – Analyzing Drought Management Strategies
- Webinar 8 Presentation - Conducting Client Needs Assessments
- Webinar 9 Presentation - Evaluating Client Programming
- Workshop Presentations - November 2022 Workshop