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Small Farms, Education and Outreach

Extension Education

Sabrina Schirtzinger
Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Educator
The Ohio State University
Mt. Vernon

Abstract

According to Ohio State University Extension bulletin 973, “The United States Department of Agriculture defines a “beginning farmer” as an individual who 
has been farming 10 years or less, regardless of age. Between 2017-2022, Ohio gained about 5,000 new and beginning producers, and just over 900 farmers younger than 35. To meet the needs of these new and beginning farmers, The Ohio State University Extension Small Farm Team offers yearly conferences, colleges, and field days to help answer small farm questions. The focus of the four-week college is to teach farm management skills that will be necessary to run a farm.  To build upon the skills learned at the colleges we then offer day-long conferences and field days that are more enterprise focused.  At the three-day Farm Science Review the Small Farm Team offers a help desk and enterprise speakers followed by question and answering sessions every day. 

Attendees impact statements have shown that after attending the Small Farm educational events that they learned:  

  • How to set realistic goals. 
  • Recordkeeping skills 
  • Licensing and permits 
  • Information to create a business plan. 
  • Farm transition 
  • Creating balance sheets 
  • Is this enterprise right for me?

We used the data from 2,100 attendees’ evaluations to build future conferences, field days and Farm Science Review topics.   

 

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Sabrina Schirtzinger, Carri Jagger, Trevor Corboy , Gregory Meyer
  1. Schirtzinger, S. Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Educator, The Ohio State University , Ohio, 43050-4039
  2. Jagger, C. AgNR Educator , The Ohio State University , Ohio, 43338
  3. Corboy , T. AgNR Educator, The Ohio State University , Ohio, 45121
  4. Meyer, G. AgNR Educator , The Ohio State University , Ohio, 45036