Proceedings of the 6th National Small Farm Conference Promoting the Successes of Small Farmers and Ranches Microsoft account MEMPHIS COOK CONVENTION CENTER SEPTEMBER 18 - 20, 2012 MEMPHIS, TN Proceedings of the 6th National Small Farm Conference The 6th National Small Farm Conference, "Promoting the Successes of Small Farmers and Ranchers", was hosted by Tennessee State University, College of Agricultural Human and Natural Sciences and the University of Tennessee. Successes in small farm activities were shared, as well as innovative ideas in research, extension and outreach to strengthen collaboration and partnership among state specialists who work to ensure that small farmers and ranchers not only survive, but also thrive in today’s economy. The conference was also served as a forum to discuss the results of research geared towards addressing challenges facing small farmers and ranchers. Strengthening partnerships created at the five previous National Small Farm Conferences was a priority for the Memphis meeting. This conference was consisted of short courses, oral and poster paper presentations, exhibits, success stories and educational tours within Memphis and vicinity 1 Dear Conference Participants: On behalf of the conference planning committees, our hosts Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, conference sponsors, land grant colleges and universities, community-based organizations, USDA Agencies, small farmers and ranchers, foundations, State Small Farm Program Coordinators, USDA Small Farm Coordinators and others, welcome to the Sixth National Small Farm Conference. The conference’s theme, “Promoting the Successes of Small Farmers and Ranchers,” provides a forum to promote the successes of small farmers and ranchers as well as discuss local, state, regional and national small farm research, extension and outreach issues identified by stakeholders from land grant colleges and universities, community-based organizations, farm communities and others working with small farmers and ranchers. Successful programs and projects will be shared so as to promote and encourage innovative ideas that can be replicated in order to enhance economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for small farmers and ranchers. This Conference builds upon the successes of previous conferences held in Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Greensboro, North Carolina and Springfield, Illinois. This is a train-the-trainer conference consisting of several preconference short courses, and program tracks focusing on: Alternative and Traditional Enterprises; Marketing Opportunities; Outreach to Underserved Communities; Research and Extension Priorities; and Program Planning and Implementation. Tuesday’s opening reception begins with greetings and remarks to set the tone and direction of the conference while providing opportunities for you to network with participants. On Wednesday, the highlights include a keynote followed by farmers’ Panel on Small Farm Opportunities and Challenges, and closing out the afternoon with educational tours. Thursday highlights presentations from series of tracks, networking lunch followed by a closing reception, and drawings. Great thanks to the staff at Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, USDA Agencies, the local Planning Committee and the Conference Planning Committee and others for their hard work over the past two years in planning for the 6th National Small Farm Conference. Sincerely, Denis Ebodaghe, Ph.D. Executive Committee Chair & National Program Leader for Small Farms 2 Committees and Members Educational Tours Committee Organizes and conducts the conference tours; works with Program Committee to include tour schedule in the conference program; Chair: Fitzroy Bullock, Tennessee State University Members: Chris Robbins, Tennessee State University David Lockwood, University of Tennessee Kathy Faust, University of Tennessee Carolyn Banks, Alcorn State University Anthony Reed, Alcorn State University Alvin Wade, Tennessee State University Joshua Idassi, North Carolina A&T State University Success Stories Committee Develops guidelines for the submission of success stories, recruits success stories submissions; works with Linda Buchanan to lay out available exhibit space for success story layout on poster boards as well as input written success stories in conference proceedings. Chair: Alan Galloway, University of Tennessee Members: Savi Horne, Land Loss Prevention Project Cathea Simelton, USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach Dorathy Barker, Operation Spring Plant Charles Smith, USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Karla Martin, USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach Evaluation Committee Develops outcomes and evaluation strategies; develops survey instrument; coordinates collection and summary of evaluation Chair: Mary Peabody, University of Vermont 3 Members: Debi Kelly, University of Missouri Alexandria Wilson, USDA-NIFA Grace Perry, Tennessee State University Tasha Hargrove, Tuskegee University Exhibit Committee Develops guidelines and policy criteria for selection of exhibitors, recruits new exhibitors, updates and circulates announcements; responds to inquiries; works with Linda Buchanan and conference venue to lay out available exhibit space. Chair: Solomon Haile, Tennessee State University Members: Louie Rivers, Kentucky State University Mocile Trotter, USDA Office of Communications Delores Taylor, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Lisa Mason, USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach Loretta Miles, USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach Local Planning Committee Works with Fitzroy Bullock and Linda Buchanan to select the site city, hotels; works with Educational Tours Committee; designs and assembles registration packets; works with Marriott Hotel to determine equipment needs; recruits and coordinates on-site volunteers for moderators, A/V for each session, slide pre-viewing room, registration, etc.; secures food for reception and other meals; works with hotel and Program Committee Chair: Fitzroy Bullock, Tennessee State University Members: Linda Buchanan, Tennessee State University Arvazena Clardy, Tennessee State University Richard Powell, University of Tennessee Alan Galloway, University of Tennessee Cathy Faust, University of Tennessee Alvin Wade, Tennessee State University Solomon Haile, Tennessee State University 4 David Lockwood, University of Tennessee Martin Kool, University of Tennessee David Perril, University of Tennessee Rachel Hendricks, Tennessee State University John Ricketts, Tennessee State University Annette Wszelake, University of Tennessee Poster Presentation Committee Works with the Program Committee to develop the call for posters (includes the criteria for selection); reviews submitted abstracts; works with Program Committee on communications with submitters, poster room layout and time slots; coordinates the poster judging contest (including developing the criteria and the awards) Chair: Arvazena Clardy, Tennessee State University Members: Edoe Agbodjan, South Carolina State University Tasha Hargrove, Tuskegee University Kim Bradford, USDA-NRCS Tracy Jones, USDA-FSA Jimo Ibrahim, North Carolina A&T State University Robin Brumfield, Rutgers University Lavinia Panizo, USDA-Office of Advocacy and Outreach Proceedings Committee Compiles and edits poster and oral paper presentations and keynote session speeches; ensures that final product is forwarded to the Web Site Committee to be linked to small farm Web page Chair: Denis Ebodaghe, USDA–NIFA Co-Editors: Scott Elliott, USDA-NIFA Carolyn Banks, Alcorn State University Nii Tackie, Tuskegee University Beth Nelson, University of Minnesota Solomon Haile, Tennessee State University 5 Publicity Committee Identifies liaisons with key related organizations and media; drafts and executes media plan to publicize event; drafts and circulates announcements; arranges for media participation/coverage during event; promotes conference Chair: Kathryn Hill, USDA Office of Communications Members: Antonio McLaren, Virginia State University Shirley Brown, USDA-Office of the Chief Economist Jo Lynne Seufer, USDA-RMA Horace Hodge, Prairie View A&M University Sharon Hestvik, USDA-RMA Clifton Peters, Alcorn State University Jim Hafer, Chief Dull Knife Community College Willie Pittman, Farmer Debi Kelly, University of Missouri Steering Committee Meets monthly by conference call, increasing to bi-monthly during quarter preceding the event; drafts and meets timeline and budget; oversee committee work; drafts Committee call agendas; runs calls and drafts/circulates follow-up notes Co-Chairs: Denis Ebodaghe, USDA-NIFA and Fitzroy Bullock, Tennessee State University Members: Arvazena Clardy, Tennessee State University Albert Essel, Delaware State University Alan Galloway, University of Tennessee Anusuya Rangarajan, Cornell University Alvin Wade, Tennessee State University Annette Wszelake, University of Tennessee Carl Butler, USDA-Farm Service Agency Carmen Humphrey, USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service 6 Cathy Faust, University of Tennessee Cinda Williams, University of Idaho Deborah Cavanaugh Grant, University of Illinois David Wiggins, USDA-Risk Management Agency Dawn Mellion Patin, Southern University Chongo Mundende, Langston University Fitzroy Bullock, Tennessee State University Garry Stephenson, Oregon State University Geraldine Herring, USDA-Office of the Assistant Secretary for Agriculture Edmund Gomez, New Mexico State University Gladys Gary Vaughn, USDA-Office of the Assistant