1890 Land-grant Institutions Strengthening Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability of Small-Scale Farms

At Lincoln University, the Innovative Small Farm Outreach Program (ISFOP) was established to help Missouri’s small farmers and ranchers, especially those who are socially disadvantaged and underserved. This program helps farmers to improve farm efficiency and to sustain soil and natural resources. 

In 2022, ISFOP staff reached their core clients — 210 families of diverse racial, ethnic and farming experience backgrounds. As a result of this training, 19 collaborating farm families reported a combined gross farm income of $194,700 during the year, averaging $10,247 per farm. In addition, 14 farmers received a total of $149,080 from various U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. 

Plasticulture production can increase yield and extend the growing season. Small farm owners in North Carolina could benefit from this production method to increase yield and profit; however, plasticulture equipment is expensive and beyond the reach of many. To make plasticulture production more accessible, North Carolina A&T State University Extension created the Plasticulture Rental/Cash Back Program, providing equipment to farmers for rent for $25 per day. Extension agents offer technical assistance on the equipment to small farmers in their counties to enhance plasticulture operations. 

Agents assisted 151 small farmers in 2021 and 113 in 2022. The educational and technical interventions provided by small farm agents in Duplin and Sampson counties helped six limited-resource small farmers avoid $17,767 of debt. The farmers increased their yield and earned a combined gross income of $45,290 by growing specialty crops on 6 acres of black plastic. 

In 2022, the Southern University and A&M College Small Farmer Academy held its first two cohorts, educating nontraditional students about farm processes. Participants were small farmers with limited resources who were guided through the process of becoming more successful agricultural entrepreneurs. 

These cohorts were given unique forms of training that enabled them to make better decisions for their farm or agricultural operations while also equipping them with the necessary skills and expertise to assume positions of leadership in the agricultural community. More than 60% of the participants in the program identified as female and were over the age of 50. Slightly less than 40% of the participants identified as male and were over the age of 55. As a result of the program, participants maintain a successful harvest from the local garden project at the Scotlandville CDC Garden, harvesting produce such as collard greens, green onions and chives. 

Most small-scale cow calf beef producers in Black Belt and surrounding counties are having a difficult time producing quality beef cattle for market. Twice yearly, Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program and the School of Veterinary Medicine provide a series of hands-on small-scale beef cattle herd health management demonstrations.  

As a result, 18 livestock producers established or renovated approximately 300 acres of forages. Three beef producers purchased performance tested bulls to improve herd genetics and market calf’s quality. In addition, performance tested bulls helped beef producers improve calf crop percentages, weaning and market weights. Calf crop percentages improved on average from 82% to 91% and weaning weights improved by 160 pounds; markets improved by 30 pounds on average. These results include producers from neighboring states (Georgia and Mississippi) and Mexico with participation by Extension professionals from Fort Valley State University and Alcorn State University.  

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension’s Supporting Small Minority Growers program empowered 67 limited-resource and socially disadvantaged producers, mostly Asian Americans in Maryland, through urban gardening and community orchards. The producers increased their technical and economic efficiency substantially. They lowered production costs and mitigated production, financial and marketing risks by harvesting rainwater, making compost, introducing a two-tier vegetable production system, increasing crop biodiversity and marketing fresh specialty and ethnic products.  

As a result, 90% reported a 20% increase in intake of fresh daily meals and a $14,200 economic benefit. Of the growers, 35 planted a dwarf variety of apple trees in their backyards in Delmarva, and eight small-scale community orchards were established in three Lower Shore counties. Also, an acre high-density orchard in Crisfield serves as a peer-to-peer learning site for beginning apple growers.  

Through a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Virginia State University researchers designed and built a Mobile Processing Unit (MPU) to enhance marketing opportunities for Virginia’s small ruminant producers. In 2021, VSU’s MPU certification program was launched with the model of training producers to be their butchers. As certified butchers, farmers can apply for a grant of inspection and lease the MPU from VSU. In 2022, 23 additional participants were trained for a total of 43 MPU-certified graduates. Five more graduates also started the process of obtaining individual grants of inspection, and four MPU-certified participants came together to lease the unit and process the animals from two farms. In total, 18 animals were processed under USDA inspection on the MPU in 2022, while an additional 50 were processed under custom slaughter.  

Producers utilizing the MPU in 2022 estimated that they saved between $2,501-$5,000 each in processing costs ($5,002-$10,000 in total savings). Also, 85% of those participants planning to lease the MPU in 2023 estimate that they will save between $2,501-$5,000, while 15% estimate saving $5,001-$10,000 annually by processing their animals.