The Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute has truly been an adventure. What started out as a vision has materialized into a program that has changed lives. At the Southern University Ag Center and at the collaborating universities, we knew going into this project that the current agricultural statistics painted a picture of small and minority
producers who make significant contributions to American agriculture--- in spite of insurmountable challenges. We firmly believed that if these same producers were given the opportunity to participate in agricultural leadership programs like those offered by several agricultural foundations and 1862 institutions then they could experience greater levels of success also. Well,
that is exactly what this Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute has done for twenty-two small farmers.
On Friday, September 22, 2006, the Risk Management Subcommittee of the House Ag Committee held a hearing where Congressman Jerry Moran (R-KS) said, “We've been all across this country, meeting and listening to farmers, and we've discovered that no matter the zip code, a farmer is a farmer. Granted, each may have a different perspective, based on commodity and geography, but they face the same kind of issues, similar challenges, believe hard work is good work, and wish to instill those values in the next generation of farmers. And we need policies that ensure
this continues.”
Whereas this comment was made relative to the Federal Farm Policy, the fact remains—as noted by this esteemed member of the HouseAgricultural Committee—that all farmers have similar concerns. If we believe this, what opportunity do small, socially disadvantaged, limited-resource or minority producers have to combat these challenges and become better farm managers and leaders?
The answer lies in a curriculumbased, agricultural instruction program like the Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute.
Currently, there are thirty-five other agricultural leadership classes being conducted across the United States. Each of these programs are similar in design to the Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute, as it was modeled after them. The most notable difference between this institute and other classes is the participants.We target small, limited-resource, socially disadvantaged or minority agricultural producers who have been traditionally excluded from mainstream agricultural instruction, activities and experiences.
Several factors for this exclusion have been cited over the years, and several initiatives gone forth to correct the disparity. However, as evident in the various leadership programs, the fact remains that larger and wealthier agricultural producers are taking advantage of and feel comfortable in the more established leadership programs while limited-resource and socially
disadvantaged or minority producers are not.
After a deliberate review of Internet photo albums of other agricultural leadership programs offered by 1862 universities, farm foundations and other organizations, we observed that African-Americans, Hispanic and American Indian participation was extremely limited and in most cases non-existent. This finding gave more justification to the development of this institute.
Participating in the Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute has been a learning opportunity for all of us involved. As project director, I’ve had an opportunity to watch participants transform themselves into more thoughtful, expressive farmers with specific opinions and ideas conducive to the growth of their farms. The most dynamic aspect of the Institute is the relationships that have been built. In each session, I sit back and watch the participants interact, assist, and motivate each other as if they have known one another forever. The camaraderie is phenomenal.
Working with a dynamic leadership team, I feel very fortunate that these farmers--who are from all walks of life--have entrusted me to assist them in becoming better leaders as well as better farm managers. Their dedication to the course and to each other has truly been a source of inspiration for all of us involved in conceptualizing, implementing and directing this
experience. On behalf of the entire leadership team, I take my hat off to salute the members of the Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute.
Read Congressman Moran’s statement at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/statements.html. |
