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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fayetteville, Arkansas » Poultry Production and Product Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #348303
Research Project: Antibiotic Alternatives for Controlling Foodborne Pathogens and Disease in Poultry

Location: Poultry Production and Product Safety Research

Title: Armed to farm: Veteran labeled marketing, education and research strategies to soldier success for military veteran farmers

Author
item WRIGHT, SARAH - University Of Arkansas
item DONOGHUE, DAN - University Of Arkansas
item MANNING, LAUREN - University Of Arkansas
item Donoghue, Ann - Annie
item HALE, MARGO - North Carolina Agricultural And Technical State University
item OWENS, CASEY - University Of Arkansas
item GOLD, MICHAEL - University Of Missouri
item ENGLISH, HENRY - University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Farming opportunities for veterans are a natural fit and capitalize on skills that made them successful in the military. This project is specifically designed to develop comprehensive training and technical assistance programs and enhance market profitability for military veteran farmers. Phone interviews with current military veteran farmers identified the need of a media kit, to help farmers with basic principles of social media and web presence. Needs were also identified to host a webinar series on business plans and money management. The Social Media Tool Kit is currently being produced and will be tested by the initial interview candidates and other beginning farmers. The tool kit will also serve as curriculum for social media and web presence workshops for 2019. A finance and reporting webinar series is in production for Spring 2018.

Technical Abstract: Farming opportunities for veterans are a natural fit and capitalize on skills that made them successful in the military. The project is specifically designed to develop comprehensive training and technical assistance programs and enhance market profitability for military veteran farmers. The project is focused by two main objectives; 1) develop targeted training programs on farm, business and financial practices for small and medium farm enterprises, that will provide intensive training focused on financial planning, business planning, marketing strategies, and farm diversification; and, 2) conduct a comprehensive marketing needs assessment and develop a product based on the needs of farmers to enhance marketing opportunities for veteran farmers in their communities. Twenty military veteran farmers, varying in farming experience, were contacted for phone interviews, five agreed to discuss their farming practices. During the 60 minute interviews, the researcher identified products being grown/made, the current marketing practices, and marketing needs. Interviews identified the need of a media kit, to help farmers with basic principles of social media and web presence. Needs were also identified to host a webinar series on business plans and money management. Following the interviews, a survey was administered to an additional 36 new/beginning military veteran farmers. Survey results showed 89% of participants would benefits from a media kit, 75% of survey participants would like to see programs on financing. The Social Media Tool Kit is currently being produced and will be tested by the initial interview candidates and other beginning farmers. The tool kit will also serve as curriculum for social media and web presence workshops for 2019. A finance and reporting webinar series is in production for Spring 2018. USDA-NIFA-ARFI 2014-05471