INNOVATIVE APPROACHES
FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF
UNDERSERVED FARMERS IN
MARYLAND
2009 National Extension Risk Management
Educational Conference
Presented by:
Okarsamaa B. White, UMCP
Berran Rogers, UMES
Equal Opportunity Employer
Equal Access Programs
Objectives

Introduce Maryland audience not vested
in traditional extension service

Discuss innovative methods used to
effectively reach underserved audience

Present collaborative efforts among the
Land Grant Institutions and partners.
Project Overview

Small Farm Outreach Initiative goal is...
To improve the economic and social well-being of
small-scale, limited resource farmers, including
socially disadvantaged farmers, by providing
educational programs that enhance their farm
management skills and increase their access to and
participation in USDA farm programs.
Target Audiences

Limited-Resource (Small-scale)

Socially Disadvantaged
◦ Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc...

Female Producers
Target Audiences (New)

New Immigrant Entrepreneurs
◦ NIFI Definition
 Immigrants and refugees who aspire to have a farm business
or are currently farming for the social and economic benefit of
their family and the community
◦ Immigrant Farmers’ Needs
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Basic and additional agricultural training
Introduction to the U.S. culture and institutions
Inputs and output knowledge
Network and collaborative strategy
Farm Landowners
 Niche Farmers

Underserved Population Statistics
SDA Operators by
Race
Black or African
American
Ag Census
(1997)
Ag Census
(2002)
% Increase/
Decrease
201
247
22.8%
Hispanic/Latino
American Indian or
Native
Native Hawaiian,
Pacific Islander or
Asian*
85
148
74.1%
20
66
230.0%
18*
45
150.0%
MD Total
324
506
Virginia Counties (Accomack, Northampton)
All SDA Groups
39
66
69.2%
Overall Total
58%
363
572
Project Area
Core Areas MD:
Anne Arundel, Calvert,
Charles, Prince George’s,
Howard, Montgomery , St.
Mary’s, Caroline, Dorchester,
Somerset, Wicomico,
Worcester
Fringe Area VA:
Accomack, Northampton
Fringe Areas
MD: Talbot, Queen Anne’s
and Kent
Agriculture Production
Mid-Shore:
Small Grains, Pastures, Hay,
Some livestock, poultry
Southern Maryland:
Vegetables, Small Ruminants,
Ethnic Vegetables, Some
tobacco,
Lower Shore (MD & VA)
Vegetable Crops, Poultry,
Seafood,
Reaching Underserved Audiences
can be difficult because….
Existing database(s) out-of-date
 Harder to reach
 Disengaged from mainstream services
 Require more time and investment to
build trust and confidence in the service
 Barriers and stigmas need to be broken
down or changed

Strategies In Reaching and Meeting Needs
of Underserved Audiences :
Establish working relationships with key
persons/organizations in identifying clients
 Conduct needs assessment to accurately
identify farm issues
 Understanding their daily struggles
 Design programs centered around their
schedule (be flexible)
 Approach their needs from a holistic
consideration

Outreach Approaches.....
Getting the Word Out

Traditional Methods
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Direct Mailing (leaflets, newsletters, etc…)
Farm Visits and Phone Calls
Informational Brochures
Local Newspapers, radio, and other media
Exhibit Displays at local venues (Ag fairs,
community events, etc..)
◦ Informational materials at public facilities, Ag
businesses
◦ Informational Meetings
◦ Churches and Civic organizations
Outreach Approaches.....
Getting the Word Out

Innovative approaches…
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Farmer Focus Groups
Cross Interdisciplinary
Community Leader Involvement
Hands-on, Demonstrations and Seminars
Field Tours and Field Day
Website / Internet
Email
Churches and civic organizations
Most Effective Outreach Methods?
Telephone Calls
Demonstration Trials
Handout Materials
One-on-One Visits
The main reasons why these
outreach approaches are effective:
They are provided in an informal setting
They encourage and inspire greater
participation
 Promote and foster good relationships
 Outreach workers are able to help
customers overcome barriers
 Provide a relaxed “non-threatening”
atmosphere for learning about USDA
Farm Programs and to ask questions


Most Efficient in Reaching
Larger Groups?
5th Annual Small Farm Conference
University of Maryland Eastern Shore,
Princess Anne, MD
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Exhibits, Informational Booths, etc..
Family Finance Workshop
Seminars
Mass Mailings
Small Farmers Seminar
Loans and Grant Session
Alternative Market Workshop
Farm Conservation Program, USDA
Farm Service Agency
Collaborative Efforts
Strategies Used to Meet Needs of
Underserved Populations
Focus/Advisory Group Meetings
 Collaboration with Local Grassroots &
Community Organizations
 Partnerships with local, state, government
agencies
 Evaluation and Client Feedback

Forestry and Conservation Tour(s)
for
Underserved Landowners
UMES partnered with USDA-NRCS, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, and other
agencies to conduct a Forestry and Conservation Field Tour for minority and limitedresource farmers and landowners to learn about forest management, conservation and
cost-share programs available from USDA and state agencies.
Topics Addressing Farmers Issues
Family Finance (Budget Sheet)
 Value Added Opportunities Partnership
 NRCS - Conservation Program
 Young and Beginning Farmers Grant/Loans
 FSA – Loans/Youth, Conservation
Programs
 Alternative Marketing Updates
 Direct Marketing

Southern Maryland
Small Farmers Seminar
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Niche Farmers and Specialty
Markets
USDA NRCS Workshop
State, County and Non-Organizations present to farmers
on various program and services available.
Leveraging Resources Across
Agencies
Partnerships and cooperation among
agencies are “a must” in order to leverage
resources
 “One stop” funding is not enough to
cover all expenses involved when serving
limited-resource and minority farmers
 “One size fits all” programs are not
suitable for audiences with unique needs
 UMES, RC&D and NRCS experience

Leveraging Resources Across
Agencies (Cont.)

UMES, RC&D and NRCS experience
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Started in 2002
Technical and financial assistance
USDA farm program opportunities identified
Alternative and agri-tourism opportunities
identified
◦ Information concerning limited and small farm
resources shared
◦ Additional partnerships created with
government and private small farm interests
Collaborative Efforts
Maryland Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS)
 Maryland Small Farm Initiative for Socially
Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
 USDA, Resource Conservation and
Development, Inc. (RC&D)
 USDA, Farm Services Agency (FSA)
 MARBIDCO, Maryland Agricultural and
Resource Based Industry Development Corp.

Advisory Committee Meetings
In September 2008, University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Small
Farm Outreach Project collaborated with representatives from local
grassroots and community-based organizations, and county
agencies to plan its first advisory group meeting.
Conclusion
Underserved populations encounter many
obstacles
 Meeting their needs requires a holistic
approach
 Leveraging resources could be crucial to
their survival
 Innovative and creative strategies must be
utilized
 Better coordinated effort is needed for
better outcomes

Developed by:
Dr. Stephan Tubene, Co-Project Director
Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Project
UMES
2122 Richard A. Henson Center. Princess Anne, MD 21853
410-651-6206 or sltubene@umes.edu
Okarsamaa B. White, M.S., AFC
Extension Educator - Finance, Family and Consumer Sciences
Maryland Cooperative Extension, Prince George’s County
6707 Groveton Drive Clinton, MD 20735
(301) 868-9410 or obwhite@umd.edu
Berran Rogers, Small Farm Program Coordinator & Project Director
Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Project
UMES
2122 Richard A. Henson Center. Princess Anne, MD 21853
410-651-6693 or blrogers@umes.edu
Equal Opportunity Employer
Equal Access Programs