1. Home
2. Conferences
3. 2011 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference

Assisting Minority Agricultural Producers to FARM IT (Financial Analysis, Risk Management, and Information Technology)

Nelson Daniels

Summary

The Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU)has been working closely with smale-scale minority producers (majority Hispanic in South Texas and African American in East Texas)in the areas of Financial Analysis, Risk Management and the use of Information Technology. This outreach and assistance has helped the targeted agricultural producers to improve and expand their operations. With the assistance of PVAMU, these producers have been able to overcome many of the barriers, including language and education, and begin to participate in USDA activities including NRCS technical assistance and FSA loan programs. The outreach project has also helped producers to take advantage of traditional lending programs through local banks and lending groups. Participant were able to learn new production techniques, learn to keep records, make better use of the computer, minimize agricultural risk and market their goods. A research study has also shown that program participants have increase their participation in leadership activities in their communities, local government, trade associations and cooperatives.

Details

---