Conferences
Assessing Effectiveness of Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship Project in Puerto Rico
Gladys González, Elsie Zayas, Alexandra Gregory, and Sally Gonzalez-Miranda
Summary
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a nonformal education program designed to strengthen farmers’ entrepreneurial capacities and promote sustainable agricultural practices in Puerto Rico. A two-semester course was implemented at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) to support local farmers through weekly, three-hour, face-to-face training workshops. Participants represented a diverse range of backgrounds in gender, experience, agribusiness type, and other demographic variables, presenting a distinct pedagogical challenge.
The curriculum focused on two core areas: agribusiness management and sustainable agricultural practices. Instruction on Best Management Practices (BMPs) included business plan development, marketing strategies, alternative legal organizational structures, and the identification of state and federal programs available to producers. Modules on resource conservation and sustainability emphasized the economic viability of adopting environmentally responsible practices.
To evaluate program effectiveness, a pre-tested questionnaire was distributed electronically to all participants. Respondents indicated that the course was highly beneficial for establishing new agribusinesses and strengthening existing operations, reflected in a 40% response rate after the initial distribution. Preliminary findings suggest strong perceived value among participants, indicating that the program effectively enhanced both managerial and sustainability competencies. Participants also recommended increasing hands-on activities related to conservation and integrating distance learning components. These findings will inform future offerings of the program, particularly in expanding hands-on conservation activities and incorporating distance learning components.
Details
| Conference | 2026 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference |
| Presentation Type | Poster |