1. Sustainable Agricultural Practices for Small Scale Farmers: Farmer Interviews Folashade Adalumo Advisors: Dr. Robert Zabawa & Dr. Nii O. Tackie Tuesday July 29, 2014

2. Types of Farming Operations Livestock-2 Vegetables and row Crop-1 Livestock and Row Crop-2 Livestock and Vegetables-3 Livestock, Vegetables and row crop-1 Row Crop and Cotton-1

3. Cooperative Memberships Yes-7 –Supply-5 –Sales-2 No-3

4. How to get Information from USDA Newsletters in mail-3 Word of mouth-2 USDA workshops-2 USDA offices-2 Cooperative workshop-2 Email or internet-2 Brochures-1

5. USDA Program Participation NRCS-5 Eqip-5 FSA-3 ASSURE-1 Wells and fencing-1 SARE-1 Beginner farmer and rancher-1 None-1

6. Awareness of Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAPs) Word of mouth-2 Cooperative workshops and meetings-2 USDA workshops-2 Newsletter-1 USDA office-1 Phone and newspaper-1 Email/internet-1 Selfstudy-1

7. SAPs Used Livestock manure-7 Soil testing-7 Manure testing-4 Conservation tillgae-2 Crop rotation-2 Cover crop-1 Rotational grazing-1

8. Chemical Applications Reduced chemicals-3 Chemical free-2

9. Reasons for Non-Adoption of SAPs Past discrimination –Bad experiences –Fear of denial –Impact of Pigford suit Land issues –Fear of losing farm –Heir property issues

10. Reasons for Non-Adoption of SAPs, continued Lack of funding Reluctant to change No access to computer Lack of markets Fear of not qualifying Not aware of programs/Lack of information Lack of records Cost share too high

11. Suggestions to Improve SAP Participation More funding opportunities-4 Word of mouth-3 Newsletter in mail-3 Fieldday demonstration-3 Churches-3 Cooperative workshop-2 Schools-1 Better meeting times/off farm jobs-1 USDA workshops-1

12. Thank You Questions?