Expanding the Marketing Opportunities for Minority and Limited Resource Farmers in Louisiana and Mississippi

2005 Annual Report for LS05-180

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2005: $15,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2006
Region: Southern
State: Louisiana
Principal Investigator:
Anna Kleiner
Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

Expanding the Marketing Opportunities for Minority and Limited Resource Farmers in Louisiana and Mississippi

Accomplishments/Milestones

Community-Based Focus Group Research Progress

Utilizing a community-based action research framework as an integral part of this project, the focus group research with minority and limited resource producers and other residents of rural communities continues. Two focus group meetings involving a total of 28 individuals have been completed in Mississippi. Two (2) more focus groups are scheduled for April in Louisiana and Mississippi. Additional meetings are planned for May.

The focus group participants, to date, have included 18 farmers, 17 gardeners, and 4 individuals who are not active in farming or gardening. Of those involved with either farming and/or gardening, the acreage devoted to agricultural production ranges from 1/2 acre to 1800 acres. Participants have discussed local marketing opportunities and challenges, as well as the potential for more sustainable production in the region. Participants have also completed individual surveys as a means of documenting existing and potential food outlets in their communities, their personal involvement with agriculture, and their basic socio-economic characteristics. Combining this information from all focus group participants will help the project partners identify courses of action for expanding local markets in the two-state region, which producers may be willing to participate in these activities and the appropriate sources of funding for implementation.

Collaborators:

Emily King

emily.king@heifer.org
Louisiana Field Coordinator
Heifer Project International
9666 Ferry Road
New Roads, LA 70760
Office Phone: 2256189100
Website: www.heifer.org
Harper Armstrong

President
Morehouse Parish Black Farmers and Land Owners
8008 Williard Road
Bastrop, LA 71220
Office Phone: 3182831189
Elvadus Fields

efields@suagcenter.com
Regional Farm Mgt. Specialist - Southern Univ.
Northeast Louisiana Black Farmers and Land Owners
P.O. Box 348
St. Joseph, LA 71366
Office Phone: 3187663222
John Green

jgreen@deltastate.edu
Project Partner
Delta State University
Division of Social Sciences
Box 3264
Cleveland, MS 38733
Office Phone: 6628464069
Melbah Smith

mscenter@mindspring.com
Director
Mississippi Association of Cooperatives
P.O. Box 22786
Jackson, MS 39225
Office Phone: 6013542750