Second National Small Farm Conference

Edited by:
Denis Ebodaghe, managing editor USDA-CSREES Washington, D.C.

Co-Editors:
Troy Darden, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension
Nelson Escobarr, USDA-CSREES Langston University
Dave McAllister, USDA-CSREES

Second National Small Farm Conference
October 12 - 15, 1999
Regal Riverfront Hotel
St. Louis, MO

For additional copies of these proceedings, please contact:
Denis Ebodaghe
National Program Leader - Small Farms
USDA-CSREES, Stop 2220
Washington, DC 20250-2220
Phone: (202) 401-4385
Fax: (202) 401-5179
E-mail: DEbodaghe@csrees.usda.gov

PREFACE

In developing its recommendations, the USDA's National Commission on Small Farms appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman in July 1997, described small farms as farms with less than $250,000 gross receipts annually on which day-to-day labor and management are provided by the farmer and/or the farm family that owns the production or owns, or leases the productive assets.

A farm typology developed by the USDA-Economic Research Service categorizes farms into more homogenous groups than classification based on sales volume alone, producing a more effective policy development tool. The typology identifies five groups of small family farms (sales less than $250,000): limited-resource, retirement, residential/lifestyle, farming occupation/lower- sales, and farming occupation/higher-sales. To cover the remaining farms, the typology identifies large family farms, very large family farms, and non family farms.

On October 12-15, 1999, nearly 700 participants from the public and private sectors, including community-based organizations, the land-grant university system, and small and medium-sized family farmers convened in St. Louis, Missouri at the Second National Small Farm Conference.

The purpose of the conference was to strengthen collaboration and partnerships to work more effectively with the small farm community. Participation was a key to the conference's success.

These proceedings capture major issue areas addressed at the conference to include marketing strategies, value-added enterprises, agroforestry, community supported agriculture and food circles, establishment of cooperatives, meeting the research needs of organic farmers, building stronger ties for research and extension to meet small farmers' needs, cooperative marketing for domestic and international markets, getting and managing credits and grants, grant writing, electronic publishing, coping skills, stress, off-farm work, risk management, business and entrepreneurial skills, and farmer-to-farmer and beginning farmer networks.

We hope you will find these proceedings helpful in strengthening collaboration and partnerships to work more effectively in promoting small farm enterprises as viable businesses.

Denis Ebodaghe
National Program Leader for Small Farms
USDA-Cooperative State Research, Education
and Extension Service, Washington, DC 20250

 Luncheon Address October 13, 1999

The Small Farm Revolution   (PDF)
John Ikerd
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO

1. Marketing & Value Added Products

Introduction to Direct marketing: Traditional Approaches and New Directions

Marketing Strategies for Small Farms: Missouri Goats First on Internet Auction  (PDF)
  Emmanuel Ajuzie
  Lincoln University Cooperative Extension
  Jefferson City, MO
The Evolution of Farm Direct Marketing
  Monika Roth
  Cornell Cooperative Extension
  Ithaca, NY

Direct Marketing Activities in USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service   (PDF)
  Eileen Stommes
  Deputy Administrator
  USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service
  Washington, DC

Getting Started in Value-Added Products

Getting Started in Value Added Products from the Farmer's Perspective  (PDF)
  Jennifer Gleason
  Sunflower Sundries
  Mt. Olivet, KY

Community Supported Agriculture and Food Circles: New Ways to Direct Marketing
Community Food Circles: Directly Linking Farmers and Consumers   (PDF)
  Mary Hendrickson
  Food Circles Networking Project
  University of Missouri Outreach and Extension
  Columbia, MO

The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Model Opportunities and Challenges
  David R. Lynch
  Sunrise Farm and CSA Garden
  Loveland, CO

Community Shared Agriculture and Food Circles Small Farm Involvement in the CSREES,USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program: Opportunities through 2002   (PDF)
  Elizabeth Tuckermanthy
  USDA-CSREES
  Washington, DC

Marketing to Institutions to Build Local and Regional Food Systems

Farmer-Direct Marketing on the Internet: An Emerging Institution?   (PDF)
  J-C. V. Klotz
  USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service
  Washington, DC

Give Agriculture a Human Face: Strategies to Create Win-Win Direct Marketing Mechanisms for Farmers and Consumers
  Richard McCarthy
  Economics Institute
  Loyola University
  New Orleans, LA

Cooperative Marketing for Domestic and International Markets

Steps to Organizing a Cooperative   (PDF)
  Mike Doherty
  USDA-Rural Business and Cooperative Development Specialist
  Washington, DC

Exporting for Small-Scale Cooperatives (the Proven Approach)   (PDF)
  Samuel W. Scott
  Small Farm Development Center
  Alcorn State University
  Lorman, MS

2. Meeting the Needs of Underserved Clients

Fostering Inter-Institutional Collaboration for Improved Technical & Financial Assistance
Financing Young, Beginning, and Small Farmers: The Farm Credit System   (PDF)
  John J. Hays
  Farm Credit Council
  Washington, DC

Encouraging Interagency Cooperation to Assist Small Farmers
  John A. Winder
  The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
  Ardmore, OK

Meeting the Needs of Underserved Clients: The 1994 Experience
Building a Bridge to Economic Independence: Establishing a 1994 Land-Grant Extension Program   (PDF) 
  Marie Campos
I nstitute of American Indian Arts
  Santa Fe, NM

A Brighter Outlook for Tomorrow in Indian Country   (PDF)
  Ronald Reum
  Fort Berthold Community College
  New Town, ND

Meeting the Needs of Underserved Clients: The 1890 Experience
Building Small Farm Partnership Efforts   (PDF)
  Samuel L. Donald
  University of Maryland-Eastern Shore
  Princess Anne, MD

Outreach Programs for Beginning Farmers

Creating Farming Opportunities for the Next Generation   (PDF)
  Marion Bowlan
  Pennsylvania Farm Link
  Manheim, PA

New Hampshire Beginning Farmer Resource Guide     (PDF)
  Bruce A. Marriott
  University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
  Amherst, MA

Meeting the Needs of Small Farmers - An Interagency Perspective
The `New American Farmers': Outreach Challenges and Opportunities     (PDF)
  Juan Marinez
  USDA-CSREES
  Washington, DC and
  Michigan State University
  East Langston, MI

3. Sustainable Ag: Agroforestry & Livestock Alternatives for Small Farms
Sustainable Agriculture: New Approaches for Small Farmers

Opportunities for Combining Small Scale and Sustainability in Farming     (PDF)
  Karl North
  Northland Sheep Dairy
  Marathon, NY

Livestock Alternatives for Small Farms
Alternatives for Small Farms-Beef     (PDF)
  Martha Mewbourne
  Nickelsville, VA

Opportunities in the Evolving Range/Pastured Poultry Industry  
  Steve Muntz
  Heifer Project International
  Mt. Sterling, NY

Environmental Issues Facing Small Farmers
  Problems and Solutions to Pesticides' Availability and Their Safe Use by the Small Farmer   (PDF)
  F.D. Bullock
  University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service
  Nashville, TN

Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) and the Environment     (PDF)
  Ronald A. Harris
  Animal Husbandry and Clean Water Programs Division
  USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service
  Beltsville, MD

Agroforestry Income Opportunities for Small Farm Operations: Forest Farming & Alley Cropping
Agroforestry--A Role on the Small Family Farm     (PDF)
  H.E. `Gene' Garrett
  School of Natural Resources
  University of Missouri
  Columbia, MO

Trees & More: Short Term Income Possibilities     (PDF)
  Shelby G. Jones
  Missouri Department of Conservation
  Jefferson City, MO

Agroforestry- Forestland Grazing: Windbreaks and Shelterbelts: Riparian Zone Management
Silvopasture Management    
  T.R. Clason
  Hill Farm Research Station
  Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station
  Louisiana State University
  Homer, LA

Agroforestry - Forestland Grazing     (PDF)
  George Owens
  Chipley, FL

Riparian Forest Buffers Are the Right Thing to Do     (PDF)
  Lon Strum
  Roland, IA and
  Richard Shultz
  Iowa State University
  Ames, IA

4. Developing Skills

Grant Writing for Farmers and Non-Governmental Organizations   
  Margaret Krome
  Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
  East Troy, MI and
  Cris Carusi
  Nebraska Sustainable Agricultural Society
  Hartington, Nebraska

Electronic Publishing: How to Put You and Your Programs on the Web
  Susan McCue
  UC-Davis, Small Farm Center
  Davis, CA
  Karl Ottenstein
  Spring Creek Organic Farm
  Sandpoint, ID

Grant Writing for State and County Faculty   Addressing Accountability and Evaluation Concerns     (PDF)
  Robin Shepard
  University of Wisconsin
  Madison, WI

Accessing Information: Traditional and Non-Traditional Sources   
  Calvin King
  Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation
  Brinkley, AR
  Kim Kroll
  USDA-CSREES
  Washington, DC
  Ron Macher
  Small Farm Today Magazine
  Clark, MO
  Teresa Maurer
  Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
  Fayetteville, AR

5. Building Institutional Capacity to Serve Small Farmers
On-farm Research: Incorporating Farmer Innovation into the Research Stream

Guidelines for On-Farm Research     (PDF)
  Dan Anderson
  College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
  Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
  University of Illinois

Lessons from the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE)     (PDF)
  Jill Auburn
  USDA-CSREES
  Washington, D.C.

Meeting Challenges in a Developing Production Area     (PDF)
  Vincent Russo
  South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory
  Lane, OK
  Alternative Crops: Research Needs for Small Farms
An Application of Systems Engineering for Small Potato Production     (PDF)
  William M. Clapham
  Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center
  USDA-Agricultural Research Service
  Beaver, West Virginia

Diversifying with New or Alternative Crops     (PDF)
  Robert L. Myers
  Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute
  Columbia, MO
  Meeting the Research Needs of Organic Farmers
BIOS, BIFS, BASIS-OASIS: Acronyms for Success in Agricultural Research Partnerships     (PDF)
  C.T. Bull
  USDA-Agricultural Research Service
  Salinas, CA

Meeting the Research Needs of Organic Farmers: Learning from Experience     (PDF)
  Kathleen Delate
  Iowa State University
  Ames, IA and
  James Boes
  Heartland Organic Marketing Cooperative
  Greenfield, IA

Meeting the Research Needs of Organic Farmers     (PDF)
  Jane Sooby
  Organic Farming Research Foundation
  Santa Cruz, CA

Evaluation and Accountability: Models for Success
A New Agriculture for the New Millennium     (PDF)
  Desmond Jolly
  University of California
  Davis, CA

Evaluating Small Farm Programming in North Carolina     (PDF)
  John M. O'Sullivan
  North Carolina A&T State University
  Greensboro, NC

Overcoming Program Evaluation Challenges     (PDF)
  Robin Shepard
  University of Wisconsin
  Madison, WI

Building Stronger Ties for Research and Extension to Meet Small Farmers' Needs

University of Missouri's New "Focus Team" Approach to Setting Research and Extension Priorities and Programs  (PDF)
  Joan Benjamin
  University of Missouri
  Columbia, MO

Participatory Relationships: Recipes for Success     (PDF)
  Judith F. Gillian
  New England Small Farm Institute
  Belchertown, MA

Building Support for Small Farms and Sustainable Agriculture: Partnerships Between Community-Based Organizations and Public Institutions     (PDF)
  Bonnie Rice
  Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network
  Bellingham, WA and
  Chris Feise
  Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
  Washington State University
  Pullman, WA

6. Growing the Small Farm Business
Entrepreneurship: A Key to Success in Any Small Business

Entrepreneurial Training for Small Farmers    
  Vaughn Rasar
  USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
  Newport, ME

Farm Financial Risk and Business Planning
  Record Keeping for the Small Farm- a Management Specialist's Perspective   (PDF)
  Miles D. Robinson
  Tuskegee University
  Tuskegee, AL

Managing Risk for Success
  Randall Schwake
  Security State Bank
  Claremont, MN

Cooperatives: A Must for Small Farmers
  Rural Business and Cooperative Services' Role in Supporting Small and Beginning Farmers     (PDF)
  Jeff Jobe
  Rural Business and Cooperative Services
  Des Moines, IA

Cooperative Marketing of Alternative Meats in the Mid-Atlantic Region     (PDF)
  Jennifer Thorn
  University of Maryland Cooperative Extension
  Mt. Lake Park, MD

Planning Now for Future Generations of Small Farmers   (PDF)
  James L. Gibson
  Wisconsin Agribusiness Council, Inc.
  Madison, WI

Short-Term Initiatives, Paradigm Shifts, and Real-Time Impacts     (PDF)
  Sue Ellen Johnson
  Northeast New Farmer Network
  Belchertown, MA

Land Retention Project    
  Edward (Jerry) Pennick
  Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
  East Point, GA

7. Networks that Bring Together Farmers, Service Providers and Consumers

Farmer-to-Farmer Networks
The Revolution and Evolution of Farmer Research in Montana     (PDF)
  Jan Tusick
  AERO Farm and Ranch Improvement Clubs
  Montana

Building Partnerships with the Organic Community
A Training Series in Organic Farming Systems for Cooperative Extension Service Agents     (PDF)
  Nancy Creamer
  North Carolina State University
  Raleigh, NC

Ten Points to Effective Partnership Between Farmers and Organic Consumers     (PDF)
  Debbie Dunbar Ortman
  Organic Consumers Association
  Duluth, MN

Paraprofessionals: Their Roles in Public and Private Sector Programs
  Nathaniel Keys and Ronald Kelley
  Cooperative Extension Program
  Prairie View A&M University
  Prairie View, TX

Working with New Farmers in Your Community
  Bringing New Farmers to Your Community     (PDF)
  Calvin Graber
  Ag Stewardship Committee of the Salem Mennonite Church
  Freeman, SD

Bringing New Farmers to an Area and Providing Assistance to Them
  Richard Molinar
  University of California Cooperative Extension
  Fresno County, CA

Access to Land: Farm Linking to Help New Farmers     (PDF)
  Kathryn Z. Ruhf
  New England Small Farm Institute
  Belchertown, MA 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Collaboration and partnership among public and private sector organizations including community-based organizations resulted in a successful Second National Small Farm Conference. The cooperation among the committees and the dedication by the committee chairs is greatly appreciated.

Great thanks to the following for sponsoring the conference:
Farm Foundation, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lincoln University- Jefferson City, Missouri, The University of Missouri- Columbia, Missouri, U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Marketing Service, Agricultural Research Service Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Cooperative State Research Education and Extension ServicePlant and Animal Systems and Sustainable Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Forest Service, Farm Service Agency, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Office of Outreach, Rural Development, Risk Management Agency.

Great appreciation to Drs. Edward "Ted" Wilson, Daniel Kugler, and Brad Rein for their administrative and program support.

I would like to thank Ms. Stephanie Olson of USDA-CSREES for program support, and Drs. E. Nelson Escobar and Mickie Swisher for their dedication in chairing the Program Committee.

A thank you is most deserving of the host institutions who were involved in the planning and execution of this conference. Thanks to Ms. Troy Darden, Ms. Gladys Tiffany and Dr. Dyremple Marsh of Lincoln University, Jefferson City; and Ms. Debie Kelly, Naomi Schultz and Dr. David Baker of the University of Missouri, Columbia for hosting an excellent conference.

We wish to acknowledge the assistance of the members of the Steering, Program, and Logistics Committees for their patience and resilience during conference planning, and to the conference sponsors for providing the resources to support the conference.

For their assistance in editing the proceedings, many thanks to Mr. Dave McAllister of USDA-CSREES, Ms. Troy Darden and Dr. E. Nelson Escobar.

Many others provided assistance to the overall success of this conference that we are unable to mention, and to all of you, we express our sincere appreciation.