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DEVELOPING THE FARM MANAGEMENT SKILLS OF NORTHEAST OHIO SMALL & NEW FARMERS

Agricultural Economics & Community Development

David Marrison
Professor
The Ohio State University
Coshocton

Abstract

In many counties across Ohio, there are an increasing number of residents who are purchasing small acreage. There is also a growing trend for the direct marketing of locally grown food products. As the demand for local food products increases, so does the interest in growing and producing a variety of agricultural products for these markets. Throughout the past five years, Extension Educators in northeast Ohio have received numerous requests for consultations from small land owners on how they can raise agricultural commodities to capitalize on the local foods movement. To help new and existing farmers find ways to diversify their agricultural production, the OSU Extension offices in Northeast Ohio collaborated to develop the Northeast Ohio New & Small Farm College. This presentation will describe the Educators’ efforts in developing this program. The team designed curriculum and taught six small farmer colleges to help farm families increase their profits from their small acreage. Course topics included business planning, enterprise selection, marketing and agricultural resources. Two-hundred-six individuals owning 5,736 acres participated in the colleges and 235 participated in two targeted one-day production schools. Only 26% of the attendees in the colleges reported they currently direct market agricultural products. Of the respondents who do not currently direct market products, 80% indicated they planned to in the future. Sixty-three percent indicated they had a plan in mind for their farm business. Forty-three percent had not previously enrolled in an OSU Extension program and 100% indicated they would enroll in future Extension programs. Authors: Marrison, D. L., Draper, E., Ober, L.
  1. Marrison, D. L. Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 44047
  2. Draper, E. Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 44021
  3. Ober, L. OSU Program Assistant, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 44021