INCREASING PRODUCTION KNOWLEDGE & PROFITABILITY OF URBAN, SMALL & DIVERSIFYING FARMERS

Crystal WeberCommunity Development SpecialistUniversity of Missouri Extension

The Kansas City metro offers a growing number of outlets for fresh, locally grown produce, value-added foods and meats. Individual, retail and institutional buyers seek access to new growers and producers and local products to diversify production lines. Specialty crop growers, experienced farmers, small landowners and urban dwellers are seeking to diversify earnings potential or being second careers lack access to relevant, research-based educational programs.

KANSAS CITY METRO AREA

GROWTH OF LOCAL AND DIRECT MARKETING

US Growth in Farmers Markets

2004 3,706 2008 4,685 2012 7,864

Nationally that is an increase of nearly 9.6%*

*USDA-AMS data collection from 1994-2012

KC Metro Growth in Farmers Markets

2004 27 2008 34 2012 49

KC Metro increase of nearly 44%*

*MU Extension data collection from 2004-2012

GROWTH OF LOCAL AND DIRECT MARKETING

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs

5 CSAs in 2004Marketing as ‘Certified Organic’ or using ‘Organic growing

methods’

13 in 2012Range from ‘Certified Organic’ to Grocer/Retail CSAs

GROWTH OF LOCAL AND DIRECT MARKETING

GROWTH OF LOCAL AND DIRECT MARKETING

University and non-profit support is bolstering the local purchasing efforts of: Hospitals Restaurants School Food Service Grocery/Wholesalers

This project will allow participants to experience two hands-on workshop series that will increase production and business development knowledge and abilities.

Grow Your Farm Growing Growers

PROJECT TEAM

Crystal Weber Community Development Specialist,

University of Missouri Extension Metropolitan Food Systems Team

Grow Your Farm Marlin Bates

Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension Metropolitan Food Systems Team

Growing Growers

PROJECT COLLABORATORS-GROWING GROWERS

Kansas State University Research & Extension

Lincoln University (MO) Extension Additional G.G. project support partners Area direct-marketing agricultural

producers

PROJECT COLLABORATORS-GROW YOUR FARM

Local USDA-NRCS Local Small Business, Technology and

Development Center Independent Social Media Contractor Independence Economic Development

Council Ennovation Center

Area direct-marketing agricultural producers

AUDIENCE EMPHASIS-FOR BOTH PROGRAMS

Small farm & ranches

Women producers Retiring/transitioning

producers Socially

disadvantaged producers

Limited resource producers

Immigrant producers Specialty crop

producers Sustainable producers Value-added producers Producers converting

production & marketing systems

Metropolitan producers

MARKETING EFFORTS

Extension newsletters, list-serves and client consultations

Local grower list-serves Facebook Missouri Farmers Market Association Missouri Sustainable Agriculture, Research and

Education program Local and state USDA offices 1890 Land-Grant University Local Congressional field offices City Council member offices

KANSAS CITY METRO AREA*

AcreagePop.KCMO 319 480K

KC Metro 7952 2.085K

US Rank 1630

*US Census

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM SERIES

Growing Growers A production-focused,

year-long series aimed at:

Increase existing farm productivity

Increasing the # of new farms in the metro

A project of MU Extension, KSU Research & Extension, Cultivate KC and Lincoln University (MO)

Grow Your Farm An agri-business

development series aimed at:

Increasing existing and new agri-businesses in developing the skillset to plan for and manage their business

A University of Missouri Extension curriculum

REASONS FOR PARTICIPATION

GROWING GROWERS

A seasonal approach to offering educational and hands-on learning to market growers, utilizing university

research & extension, a broad range of firsthand experiences from seasoned farmers and allowing participants to

explore this knowledge throughout an entire year.

GROWING GROWERS

Plant Propagation & Production Planning

Basics of planning field maps, scheduling plantings, transplant production options and basic seed starting. Host farm review their production planning methods.

GROWING GROWERS

Understanding & Managing Soil

Introduction to soil structure & qualities, building and maintaining soil health and nutrient management. Discuss "at home" and laboratory soil quality tests and host farm discusses use of cover cropping to build and maintain soil quality.

GROWING GROWERS

Small Equipment & Irrigation

Basics of drip irrigation in providing efficient water. Understanding of different options of water sources and systems available to growers. Host farm provides hands-on demonstration of small farm equipment and discuss tractor safety and operation

GROWING GROWERS

Introduction to Fruit Production

Basic production principles for a variety of small fruit including: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and grapes. Look at field trials of fruit at area botanical garden.

GROWING GROWERS

Post-Harvest Handling & Market Prep

Discuss keeping produce fresh and utilizing proper food safety practices to ensure a quality product for market.   Discuss GAPs, food safety practices and potential sources of on-farm microbial pathogens. Host restaurant will discuss how to make connections with and prepare produce for wholesale markets.

GROWING GROWERS

Insect, Disease & Weed Management

Explore various, research -based tactics of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for sustainable fruit and vegetable production. Host farm will discuss current, on-farm management strategies.

GROWING GROWERS

Farm Business Planning & Management

Address business planning & management with outline of basic steps for developing and implementing a successful business plan. Host farm will discuss basics of business management as well as their experiences developing their own business.

GROW YOUR FARM

A series approach to introducing participants to business concepts

through instructor-lead presentations, participant homework, group activities and farm visits to individuals putting

their agri-business plans to work.

GROW YOUR FARM

Identifying Values & Creating Goals

Identify personal and family values, begin farm visioning process and begin to develop farm mission statement and goals by utilizing values & vision.

GROW YOUR FARM

Walking the Farm

Learn to assess and identify on-farm resources, land and water. Begin an inventory of all farm buildings, equipment, soils, waters, easements, dangers and more.

GROW YOUR FARM

Assessing Opportunities

Understand the importance of market demand, diversification to manage risk and how to match opportunity to market demand.

GROW YOUR FARM

Planning Your Farm

Understand the importance of a written business plan, learn the different components and terminology of a farm plan and begin basic outline of your farm plan.

GROW YOUR FARM

Keeping Track of Finances

Understand critical financial terminology, the pros and cons of popular farm recordkeeping tools and begin to utilize these tools on a trial basis to determine best fit.

GROW YOUR FARM

Marketing Farm Products

Understand why marketing is an essential piece of a business plan, learn the three areas of agriculture marketing, increase awareness of alternative marketing options.

GROW YOUR FARM

Understanding Legal Issues

Gain a broad understanding of some of the legal issues agri-businesses face, identify where to find information to assist in understanding legal issues.

GROW YOUR FARM

Presenting Plan to Peers

Incorporate values, marketing & finances into a usable plan. Practice presenting yourself & your business. Get useful feedback from peers.

FINDINGS-GROW YOUR FARM Before series

19 participants taking part with aid from ERME

Nearly ½ have some produce growing experience

Nearly ½ have NO produce growing experience

*Series ends in July 2013

After series* Participants are finishing

up the program with specific market growing experience

Season extension Wholesale/retail consumer

wants Displaying foods Selecting for quality

Food safety measures Desire to remain

connected to other farmers

FINDINGS-GROW YOUR FARM Before series

Seeking to make smart financial decisions

Desire to invest in on-farm processing equipment

Wanting to pass farm to next generation

Seeking to retire from off-farm job and farm full-time

Wants to implement vertical integration techniques into farm operations

After series Be confident in all my farm

decisions Be happy with my

profession Continue to interact and

learn from each other Going to slow down and do

more research/intern on farms

Participants thought the program was well worth the money they paid, but were not willing to pay its true cost.

STILL TO DO

An Autumn follow-up survey to both series participants to better understand how participants did, or did not, implement business principles into their operations and to gain an increased understanding of the long-term knowledge gain that participants have retained.