Assisting Minority Ag Producers to FARM IT (Financial Analysis, Risk Management, and Information Technology) 2011 National Extension Risk Management Education Conference St. Louis, MO presenter Dr. Nelson Daniels Prairie View A&M University co-presenters Dr. Allen Malone Vidal Saenz Texas AgriLife Extension Service Prairie View A&M University

Project Overview Project FARM IT (Financial Analysis, Risk Management and Information Technology) 1. Conduct ongoing training of farm borrowers in the major areas of farm financial management. 2.Conduct training programs for farm borrowers to make them aware of services available through local civic organizations, food trade group and agricultural committees 3. Conduct training programs for farm borrowers to make them aware of services available through federal agencies, state agencies and universities.

Project Overview, continued Project FARM IT (Financial Analysis, Risk Management and Information Technology) 4. Provide technical assistance to improve productivity 5. Assist agricultural producers in the development of marketing tools 6. Train individuals in all areas of risk management education

Project’s Objectives Provide assistance to small scale and limited resource producers in the area of marketing of agricultural products Provide computer Information Technology to small and limited resource producers Provide Financial Assistance to small and limited resource agricultural producers.

Location/Population Served  Black / Hispanic / Asian American (located mainly in Eastern, Southern and Gulf Coast Regions of the state)  Number of Participants – 200 on intensive bases / approximately 750 enrolled.  2,500 on the mailing list

Typical Producers in Program  Most minority (approximately 35% female)  Average Farm Size is 25 – 30 acres  Generally 1 to 2 enterprises  68% own the land they farm (individually or family)

Accomplishments  92% of participants had not used Extension, USDA or state agency prior to program  Completed 111 loan applications requesting $16,210,296.  Assisted with developed of web pages  70% Increased Participation in USDA Programs  40% increase in Participation in FSA Programs  Average income increase of $2,700

Accomplishments, continued  All participants introduced to one or more new markets  Participation in community groups and associations increased by greater than 40 %  90 % increase in farm records being kept  Individuals taking leadership roles in their communities increased approximately 40%  Over 80% of individuals surveyed indicated they had a better understanding of what state and federal agencies had to offer

Lessons Learned/Challenges Language Barriers Internet Access Fear of New Technology Lack of Human the University (more agents and specialist needed)

Information Dissemination Newsletters Radio Local Television Web sites Agricultural Producers (word of mouth)

Types of Operations Gulf Coast Beef and Forage Production Vegetable Production Greenhouse Production Non-Traditional Crops

Types of Operations South Texas Row Crops Vegetables Beef and Forage Production Fruit Production

Types of Operations East Texas Beef and Forage Production Truck Crops Forestry Poultry

Project FARM IT

Project’s Next Steps Leverage funds Increase participants Involve more community groups Develop more user-friendly educational tools

Contact Information Nelson T. Daniels, Ph.D. Agriculture & Natural Resources Specialist Cooperative Extension Program Prairie View A&M University Mail Stop 2001 P.O. Box 519 Prairie View, TX Phone (936) Fax (936) pvcep.pvamu.edu