Sustainable Agricultural Practices for Small Scale Farmers: Farmer Interviews

Folashade Adalumo

Advisors: Dr. Robert Zabawa & Dr. Nii O. Tackie

Tuesday July 29, 2014

Types of Farming Operations

• Livestock-2• Vegetables and row Crop-1• Livestock and Row Crop-2• Livestock and Vegetables-3• Livestock, Vegetables and row crop-1• Row Crop and Cotton-1

Cooperative Memberships

• Yes-7– Supply-5– Sales-2

• No-3

How to get Information from USDA

• Newsletters in mail-3• Word of mouth-2• USDA workshops-2• USDA offices-2• Cooperative workshop-2• Email or internet-2• Brochures-1

USDA Program Participation

• NRCS-5• Eqip-5• FSA-3• ASSURE-1• Wells and fencing-1• SARE-1• Beginner farmer and rancher-1• None-1

Awareness of Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAPs)

• Word of mouth-2• Cooperative workshops and meetings-2• USDA workshops-2• Newsletter-1• USDA office-1• Phone and newspaper-1• Email/internet-1• Selfstudy-1

SAPs Used

• Livestock manure-7• Soil testing-7• Manure testing-4• Conservation tillgae-2• Crop rotation-2• Cover crop-1• Rotational grazing-1

Chemical Applications

• Reduced chemicals-3• Chemical free-2

Reasons for Non-Adoption of SAPs

• Past discrimination– Bad experiences– Fear of denial– Impact of Pigford suit

• Land issues– Fear of losing farm– Heir property issues

Reasons for Non-Adoption of SAPs,continued

• Lack of funding• Reluctant to change• No access to computer• Lack of markets• Fear of not qualifying• Not aware of programs/Lack of information• Lack of records• Cost share too high

Suggestions to Improve SAP Participation

• More funding opportunities-4• Word of mouth-3• Newsletter in mail-3• Fieldday demonstration-3• Churches-3• Cooperative workshop-2• Schools-1• Better meeting times/off farm jobs-1• USDA workshops-1

Thank You

Questions?