2005 Annual Report for LNE05-225
Creating a technical support system for Rhode Island small-scale farms
Summary
SARE funding supports a University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension two-year project to develop and implement a system of technical support for the currently underserved and diverse group of Rhode Island farmers and growers engaged in the production of food, fiber and other non-ornamental agricultural crops and alternative enterprises. Further, we are committed to developing a collaborative, more efficient and cost-effective program delivery model which can realistically be maintained beyond the SARE funding period.
Working with our strategic partners, the Rhode Island Division of Agriculture and Marketing (Div/Ag), and the Rhode Island Center for Agricultural Promotion and Education (RICAPE), we will develop and implement a new model of extension that includes the development of resource partnerships in a case management approach to delivering a broad range of timely information, training, and on-the-ground consulting services and development opportunities to farmers, as well as creating electronic communications channels for client intake, information transfer and networking.
Objectives/Performance Targets
We seek to foster the adoption of new sustainable agricultural practices and/or farm viability and diversification enterprises and improve decision making and problem solving among Rhode Island farms through information gained from an Extension system of technical support and information access and referral to be developed and tested during this project.
Of the 200 farmers/producers accessing information resources through call-in and electronic means, 100 will use the information gained to address immediate production issues and improve farming practices. Of the 50 farms participating in the case management component of our project, we project that 35 will undertake new and substantive sustainable production practices, crop diversification and/or alternative enterprises/marketing or other farm viability improvements.
Accomplishments/Milestones
Search committee and representative program advisory committee formed composed of faculty; state and USDA agricultural service providers, farmers and farmer educators.
Project funding primarily supports a program manager position (URI Research Associate I) which was filled on February 20, 2006.(following an unsuccessful search in the spring of 05 and initial delays in contract USDA/URI contract signing).
Our project is off to a strong and widely publicized start and is being enthusiastically received by the RI agricultural community. The project manager is now receiving farm referrals and is speaking with farm and commodity groups on project services and is scheduled to appear in several statewide forums.
Through interviews with farmers, URI faculty, program advisory committee a detailed work plan is emerging. Priorities include: project launch/promotion and clientele contact, state and regional collaboration including key state and USDA agencies, electronic communication systems development, professional development opportunities, integration of our SARE project with university teaching and research, and project record keeping and accountability.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Search committee and representative program advisory committee formed composed of faculty; state and USDA agricultural service providers, farmers and farmer educators.
A call-in information and referral system has been created and planning for an interactive URI Sustainable Agriculture internet site have been initiated the college web master technicians.
The project manager is now receiving farm referrals and is speaking with farm and commodity groups on project services and is scheduled to appear in several statewide forums through March-April and beyond. Presentations have already been made to the following groups: RI Christmas Tree Growers Assn., Blueberry Growers; RI Agricultural Council, Rumford (Northern RI district) Grange, and at the RI Transferring the Farm workshop
Program announcements have been sent to all key agricultural organizations for distribution to their lists. Direct mailing has been sent to an extensive farmer list.