BUILDING CAPACITY FOR FLORIDA'S SMALL FARM INDUSTRY & EXTENSION WITH A STATEWIDE CONFERENCE
Kluson,* R.A.1; Hochmuth, R.C.2; Kelly, S.A.3; Treadwell, D.T.4; Wilson, N.M.51Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent II, UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension, Sarasota, FL, 34241
2Extension Agent IV, UF/IFAS NFREC, Live Oak, FL, 32060
3Extension Agent II, UF/IFAS Sumter County Exgtension, Bushnell, FL, 33513
4Assistant Professor, UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, Gainesville, FL, 32611
5Extension Agent I, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension, Ocala, FL, 33470
Abstract:
Based on the USDA definition, over 90% of the 47,000 farms in Florida are small farms. They represent most of the 8% increase in farm numbers from 2002 to 2007 and the nation's highest percentage (38%) of beginning farm operators. Their common characteristics include dependence upon family for management and labor, a focus on direct marketing and alternative enterprises, and numerous market and institutional barriers to success. To meet the needs of these small farmers, the UF-IFAS Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Focus Team of over 80 state and county faculty assembled in 2007 a Stakeholder Planning Committee of 30 members to plan the first statewide conference for small farmers. The result was a two-day event that included a broad program of presentations lead by specialists and farmers; a large trade show; a live animal demonstration area, a keynote address, and innovative farmer awards,. Food featuring products from Florida small farms were also coordinated for refreshment breaks and lunches. Additional educational programs included an in-service workshop for extension agents on small farm issues and a public forum on food policy council. The majority of the 800 attendees responded in a post-event evaluation that the networking was as equally valuable as the educational content. Key elements to this success included the two-year planning period, support from IFAS's Office of Conferences and Institutes, and strong partnerships with community-based and institutional organizations. A second statewide conference will be held in July 2010 in order to expand the success of the statewide conference approach.