Florida A&m University Rrea Program

<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:<br/>Rural communities are not keeping up with the convergence of globalization, technological innovations, knowledge-based economies and demographic trends. Rural communities are also characterized by being poorer, older, more isolated geographically, further from markets, more in the old economies than the new economies, have less dynamic economies. These conditions exist for several reasons including: small-scale, low-density settlement patterns make it more costly for communities and businesses to provide critical services; declining jobs and income in the natural resource-based industries that these rural areas depend are forcing workers in those industries to find new ways to make a living; low-skill, low-wage rural manufacturing industries are struggling to find new ways to challenge the increasing number of foreign competitors; distance and
remoteness in some cases impede these rural communities from being connected to the urban centers of economic activity. Additionally, changes in the availability and use of forest and natural resources located in these communities can affect the people who earn a living from those resources, as well as those who derive recreational and other benefits from them. It is estimated that Florida's population will double by the year 2060, resulting in the loss of approximately 7 million acres of rural land, approximately 40% of which is forested. Simultaneously, it is estimated that the number of forest landowners will nearly double by 2050, resulting in a significant decrease in the size of the average forest landholding. The sustainability of forest resources is largely dependent on the actions of forest owners, farmers and land owners and managers. Land loss among limited resource and
minority, landowners has increased dramatically over the past decades. The remaining ownership of limited resource and minority landholdings is concentrated on acreage with small parcels, usually idle land. Lack of educational opportunities and unsustainable resource management practices are significant threats to private forests owned and managed by limited resource landowners. Limited resource landowners also lack opportunities to gain information to make informed decisions to achieve resource management goals, resulting in exploitation of income-yielding natural resources or the sale of land for development. Rural landowners, including small farmers have not traditionally recognized the importance of utilizing forest land and natural resources to generate additional income and sustain ownership of the land. Landowners, as well as rural communities, tend to devalue the importance of
forest and natural resources, resulting in decisions that ignore natural resource-based economic opportunities. Moreover, estate planning and land transformation has not been effectively utilized and are essential to the sustainability of small farms, and reducing land loss. FAMU's RREA five year plan will look at forest/natural resource enterprises as a way to generate additional income for economically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, which will provide additional income to sustain their farms and lands from generation to generation.
<p>APPROACH:<br/>Demonstration sites will be established at the FAMU Research & Education Center to evaluate economic feasibility and showcase forest/natural resource based enterprises appropriate and transferable for limited resource farms and small acreage landholdings. Demonstrations will include: Forest Classroom incorporating outdoor lectures and demonstrations of native forest species, sustainable forest resource management practices and economic alternatives; Forest-based Agrotourism designed to generate income from forest and landholdings; Forest-based food production incorporating production of crops inside and surrounding existing forest and idle land and/or utilizing forest resources. Educational programs will be developed to enhance knowledge and skills in integrating forest-based income generating opportunities, financial and business planning and forest-based
enterprises, and intergeneration land transfer and estate planning and will be conducted quarterly via internet technology, video conferencing and/or group learning activities. Training curricula, materials and other publications will be compiled and/or developed, as well as a web-based information resource for use in training and outreach activities. The program will pursue research-extension partnerships and external collaborations to execute Program activities. Evaluation indicators include the number of educational events conducted on income-generating opportunities, forest related food production, safety & security principles and opportunities, intergenerational land transfer and estate planning; the number of direct and indirect contacts who increased awareness of income-generating opportunities, knowledge of forest related food production, safety& security issues and knowledge of
forest/rangeland intergenerational land transfer and estate planning; number of income-generating businesses created or expanded, and estimated number of dollars earned by income-generating businesses; number of landowners/managers who implemented at least one new forest related food production, safety and/or security practices and food production, safety and security related web-based products and communication tools, prepared plans and/or implemented at least one new practice addressing the threats & opportunities associated with intergeneration; land and intergenerational land transfer related web-based products and communication tools, and; the number of distinct project/program collaborations with research programs, external public & private entities and distance education events. Formative and summative evaluation will be applied, utilizing quantitative and qualitative
methodologies to record and assess the extent to which the program accomplishes objectives, focusing on results. A timeline for data collection will be established to ensure timeliness of tracking logs and questionnaires. Tracking logs, utilized for each activity, will include number of participants, subject taught, activities completed, and number of staff and volunteers involved. All participants will receive a follow-up questionnaire every six months for the duration of the project to assess behavior change/action taken.</p><p>
PROGRESS:<br/>2012/10 TO 2013/09<br/>Target Audience: In FY 2013 educational and outreach activities were provided to 235 farmers, landowners and community residents addressing diversified forestry and natural resource management alternatives to increase income. Training addressed land loss among minority farmers who normally did not see the value or importance of forestry and other natural resources for generating additional income on the farm. We also provided to this particular group of landowners information on estate planning, land transformation and land loss prevention. We also worked with our youth to assess why rural youth in particular have high rates of outmigration from the farm in rural communities. Information was provided to our 4-H youth groups on jobs related agricultural enterprises that could be realized from access to increased income availability from
forestry and natural resources. A pavilion on the University farm has been renovated as a center to conduct educational meetings and tours for youth along with small farmers, ranchers and other community residents to gain updated information on utilization of natural resources to increase income. In addition, adjacent to this facility is a natural resource nature trail in the initial stages of development to serve as an example of a diversified agri-tourism enterprise for small farmers. It is estimated that more than 20 forestry related jobs were identified during this period. In addition, an aggregate of $2,000.00 was realized by participants from their forestry and natural resources enterprises. An estimated 3000 acres of inter-generational land owned by training participants was saved from conversion (forced sales). Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training
and professional development has the project provided? Training and professional development was provided through state-wide and local workshops and onsite private farm demonstrations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Workshops and other media related tools to include extension�s newsletters and website, and Facebook were used to disseminate information to communities of interest. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The planned activities include ongoing construction and expansiion of the forest-based outdoor instruction laboratory and on-site demonstrations. Additionally, ongoing workshops/seminars and consultations will be utilized to create awareness, increase knowledge and change attitudes and behaviors relative to alternative enterprises for the general public, youth and disadvantaged and small
landowners. <br/>
PROGRESS: <br/>2011/10/01 TO 2012/09/30 <br/>Target Audience: Primary audiences were limited resource and minority farmers, small acreage forest landowners, youth and the general public. The ultimate, long-term desired outcome is to increase awareness of forest and natural resource based enterprises that can provide income-generating opportunities for the target audience. It is also intended that project activities help landowners to apply these enterprise alternatives and strategies learned through participation in educational programs. The general public will be better informed as to the importance of coordinated technology transfer and enhanced knowledge and skills of landowners and managers. Two Hundred 225 participants increased awareness and knowledge of forest and range resources, and fish and wildlife generating income opportunities through three state-wide
and 3 local workshops and other media related tools to include extension newsletters and website and Facebook. Onsite private farm resource and management assessments were conducted targeting socially disadvantaged/minority farmers and ranchers to encourage and/or improve their farming/ranching operations. Changes/Problems: The project is being implemented as planned. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The Project conducted the following activities: Two Hundred and twenty-five participants increased awareness and knowledge of forest and range resources, and fish and wildlife generating income opportunities through three state-wide and 3 local workshops and other media related tools to include extension newsletters and website and Facebook. Onsite private farm resource and management assessments were conducted targeting socially
disadvantaged/minority farmers and ranchers to encourage and/or improve their farming/ranching operations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The results were distributed to the communities of interest through email, website, workshops/seminars and one-on-one consultation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The planned activities are to complete construction of the forest-based outdoor instruction laboratory, as well as, on site demonstrations. Additionally ongoing workshops/seminars and consultations will be utilized to create awareness, increase knowledge and change attitudes and behaviors relative to alternative enterprises for the general public, disadvantaged and small landowners.</p>