Training for New Food and Farming Ventures: Iowa Café Part II

View the project final report

• 2003 annual report

Commodities

Practices

• Education and Training: extension, networking, workshop
• Farm Business Management: new enterprise development, marketing management
• Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities

Fifty-five extension and other professionals received training to increase their knowledge and skill set in order to help new food and farming ventures develop. Workshop participants and indicated the training led to the development and delivery of eight conferences and/or educational programs within the past six months with over 300 attendees. A total of 300 resource CDs have been distributed to participants and the general public at selected workshops. Participants also aided in the start-up of three new food and/or farming ventures with one venture almost ready to start and more prospective new businesses in the planning process.

The project’s short-term outcomes were:
1. Participant (educator) knowledge on principles of relevant business topics and beginning structure for network of educators. The toolbox will provide the content and information necessary for participants to learn business planning concepts and components integral to a business plan (production plan, marketing plan, etc.). A network of educators will be established throughout the state (10-12 per each of four quadrants) allowing for client support for new business ventures.
2. Participant (educator) skills on toolbox topics and production, marketing, and new business opportunities. The workshop will provide the process enabling educators to help the client determine the viability of his/her business ideas. The process will focus on key concepts, be client-directed, and be interactive with key professionals to stimulate real-world experiences.

The project’s intermediate outcomes were:
1. Participants (educators) provide technical assistance on topics relevant to new business concepts and new markets, alternative production systems, etc. Educators through one-on-one consultations, meetings, will integrate and present basic knowledge and skills learned to help clients make changes to their businesses.
2. Extension and others participate in networks. The interactivity and participation of the various supporting organizations allows participants and organizations to support each other and build on each other’s strengths. The result is a more experienced and trained set of educators providing technical assistance.
3. Extension and others deliver programs to mid-sized and small farms. Mid-sized and small farms are under more economic pressure to make major changes in the way they do business. Major changes are more difficult to make and require a knowledgeable and skilled resource person(s) to help the farmer client implement the change.

The project’s short-term outcomes were:
1. Participant (educator) knowledge on principles of relevant business topics and beginning structure for network of educators. The toolbox will provide the content and information necessary for participants to learn business planning concepts and components integral to a business plan (production plan, marketing plan, etc.). A network of educators will be established throughout the state (10-12 per each of four quadrants) allowing for client support for new business ventures.
2. Participant (educator) skills on toolbox topics and production, marketing, and new business opportunities. The workshop will provide the process enabling educators to help the client determine the viability of his/her business ideas. The process will focus on key concepts, be client-directed, and be interactive with key professionals to stimulate real-world experiences.

The project’s intermediate outcomes were:
1. Participants (educators) provide technical assistance on topics relevant to new business concepts and new markets, alternative production systems, etc. Educators through one-on-one consultations, meetings, etc., integrate and present basic knowledge and skills learned to help clients make changes to their businesses.
2. Extension and others participate in networks. The interactivity and participation of the various supporting organizations allows participants and organizations to support each other and build on each other’s strengths. The result is a more experienced and trained set of educators providing technical assistance.
3. Extension and others deliver programs to mid-sized and small farms. Mid-sized and small farms are under more pressure to economically to make major changes in the way they do business. Major changes are more difficult to make and require a knowledgeable and skilled resource person(s) to help the farmer client implement the change.

The project’s long-term outcomes were:
1. Network of trained agricultural educators (40-48). The activities presented in this proposal will result in a highly trained group of educators capable of helping a large number of clients wishing to make significant changes in their business.
2. New food/farming ventures starting and succeeding. Some of the changes proposed by the client may include new food and farming ventures. The expertise of the network of educators should improve the success rate for new ventures proposed compared to the average success rate for new small and mid-sized businesses.
3. Healthier farms and communities. The ability of mid- and small sized farms to form new ventures and remain economically viable is important to rural communities. Communities with a financially healthy farm economy normally are more economically viable.