Organic Systems Training for Western Technical Service Providers and Extension Specialists

Commodities

Practices

• Education and Training: extension, technical assistance
• Production Systems: organic agriculture

The "Organic Systems Training for Western Technical Service Providers and Extension Specialists" project addresses the critical gap in expertise among Technical Service Providers (TSPs) and Extension specialists in the Western United States, which hinders the support available to organic farmers. A recent assessment revealed that a significant percentage of organic farmers express concerns about the lack of knowledgeable professionals who can assist them with unique challenges related to weed management, soil health, and organic certification (Snyder et al., 2022). This project aims to enhance the capacity of TSPs and Extension specialists to meet these needs through targeted training and resource development.

The project employs a multifaceted approach that includes the creation of comprehensive train-the-trainer resources, such as factsheets and webinars, alongside hands-on learning opportunities like field days. By engaging farmer advisors and leveraging the expertise of experienced organic farmers, the project will ensure that the training is relevant and tailored to organic producers' specific challenges.

The primary objectives of the project are threefold: first, to equip TSPs with the latest knowledge on organic practices and federal programs; second, to foster a deeper understanding of organic systems through direct interactions with experienced farmers; and third, to evaluate the current support needs of TSPs to tailor educational offerings effectively. By achieving these objectives, the project aims to create a knowledgeable network of service providers who can effectively support organic farmers, ultimately promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing the resilience of the organic farming community in the Western region.

This project will enhance the capacity of Technical Service Providers (TSPs) within NRCS, Cooperative Extension, and other agencies in the Western SARE region to effectively meet the technical assistance needs of organic producers.

The project has four core objectives:

1. Equip TSPs with resources on Organic Agriculture: The primary objective is to develop comprehensive train-the-trainer resources focused on organic practices and standards. By equipping TSPs with current and relevant knowledge, we empower them to provide high-quality technical assistance to organic producers. This, in turn, will enhance the community's overall capacity to adopt sustainable practices, improve soil health, and increase the resilience of organic farming systems in the Western region.
2. Foster Understanding of Organic Systems: During this project, TSPs will have the chance to explore various aspects of organic farming, including soil health management, pest and weed control strategies, and sustainable practices. By facilitating direct interactions between TSPs and experienced organic farmers, we create a collaborative learning environment where knowledge is shared and best practices are highlighted.
3. Enhance Technical Capacity: OFRF will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of TSP's current support needs to tailor our educational offerings by identifying gaps in knowledge, resources, and training. The evaluation will gather qualitative and quantitative data through surveys, interviews, and focus groups with TSPs, Extension specialists, and organic farmer advisors. We can tailor our educational offerings to address these needs by identifying gaps in knowledge, resources, and training.
4. Increase Institutional Knowledge: We aim to increase the institutional knowledge of TSPs and Extension personnel by recruiting 3-4 organic farmer advisors in the Western SARE region who will review topical content to help ensure the program represents region-specific priorities of organic producers and the challenges they face. The farmer advisors will be compensated for their time.