Planning and Programming the 2021 National Farm Viability Conference in Oregon

Project Overview

PDP20-019
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2020: $73,119.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2021
Host Institution Award ID: G251-21-W7903
Grant Recipient: Oregon Tilth
Region: Western
State: Oregon
Principal Investigator:
Chris Schreiner
Oregon Tilth

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: mentoring, networking, workshop, facilitating peer-to-peer learning for farm viability professionals

    Abstract:

    Oregon Tilth sought WSARE funds to support planning and program expenses associated with the 2021 National Farm Viability Conference (NFVC). Because of the COVID pandemic the conference was held in a fully virtual format in October 2021. Oregon Tilth co-hosted the conference with Oregon State University. The conference is focused on the professional development of agricultural service providers working on dimensions of farm viability such as business development, financial management, agricultural financing, farmland conservation, succession/transition strategies, market development, value-added enterprise, food hubs, and farm incubators. Attendees learn about new program and service models, network with other professionals, tour farms and facilities, and gather ideas and models they can use in their viability work. We expanded the impact of the 2021 conference by collaborating with the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project’s 10th annual FIELD School which offers professional development for service providers who operate incubator farm and apprenticeship training programs for beginning farmers and ranchers. 

    NFVC has been held five times since 2008. It is intended to move around the country to highlight regional issues and initiatives. The 2021 conference would have been the first in the western region. The programming for the 2021 conference was adapted for the virtual format. WSARE funds covered conference planning, speaker honorariums, attendee scholarships. Other expenses were covered through sponsorship dollars and registration fees. Past hosts and organizers were involved in planning the conference via three different planing committees.  

    The NFVC's history, continuity, and collaborative approach, along with co-hosts' networks and expertise in educational conference programming helped to contribute to the project's success. This unique event directly aligns with SARE priorities on farmers' quality of life, rural livelihoods, and sustainable, diversified agriculture. The event built capacity of a diverse cadre of professionals supporting thriving small farms, farmers, farm families, local food systems, and rural economies.

    Project objectives:

    The goal of the NFVC is to strengthen farm sustainability, build more resilient local food systems, and support the long-term profitability of farming and agri-entrepreneurs from start-ups to generational businesses. The event aimed to strengthen the individual and collective ability of diverse professionals to advance this goal. We attracted over 400 attendees to the 2021 conference due to its increasing exposure. The virtual format allowed for participation from more regions of the country than in the past, including strong participation from farm viability-focused professionals in the western region. 

    Our objectives include:

    1) To increase attendees’ knowledge in domains such as farm and food business development, financial planning and management, agricultural financing, market development, succession planning, and other areas of farm viability.

    2) To increase and/or strengthen attendees’ relationships and networks expected to support and/or improve their farm viability work and increase its value to farmers. 

    3) To increase and/or strengthen attendees’ intentions to advance and/or expand their viability work by developing, implementing, and/or improving viability programming, services, and/or resources for farmers.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.