Assessing Leadership Development and Social Network Needs of Small-Scale Farmers in Florida.

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Commodities

Practices

• Education and Training: focus group, networking
• Farm Business Management: cooperatives, labor/employment
• Sustainable Communities: leadership development, quality of life, social capital, social networks

Farming, and agriculture work in general, is a volatile profession, dealing with climate change, harsh conditions, market fluctuations, inflation, and other challenges which require leaders to be adaptable and able to build and maintain networks and learning communities to succeed. Literature indicates farmers may be able to lead others, though targeted leadership programming is necessary to address identified areas of need among farmers. Recent research found that small-scale farmers view themselves as leaders and desire leadership development education. These farmers also indicated an interest in networking with other small-scale farmers, whom they can learn from and collaborate with. To explore these needs, researchers will conduct a needs assessment to identify and prioritize leadership development and social network needs of small-scale farmers in Florida. The findings will inform the design and delivery of a leadership development program for small-scale farmers in Florida. The researchers will utilize a mixed-methods approach for data collection, including surveys and focus groups. This project will directly support the Southern SARE long-term quality of life goal which is to promote the resilience and well-being of producers, their families and society.

Objective 1: Develop and validate a survey instrument to identify needs of small-scale farmers in Florida. 

Funding from the grant will be used to develop the survey instrument and ensure its validity before distribution. This will also allow the study to be replicated, and the instrument to be used by other researchers in different states.

Objective 2: Identify leadership development needs of small-scale farmers in Florida. 

Little research has been conducted to understand what leadership development needs small-operation farmers have. To develop a successful and sustainable program that meets the needs of small-scale farmers, their needs will be explored and identified.

Objective 3: Explore current and desired network of small-scale farmers in Florida. 

Strong social support and active social and professional relationships can help improve farmers quality of life and well-being. To address this and support sustainable farming practices, social network needs will be explored.