Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute Dawn Mellion - Patin, Ph.D., MBA Extension Specialist Agriculture Project Director
Accomplishments Appointments to Regional Advisory Boards: Southern Region Risk Management Education Advisory Board; Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Advisory Board.
Appointments to state and local Advisory Boards and Taskforces: Florida Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Council of Agriculture, Research, Education and Teaching representative at Alcorn State University Florida Small Farms Planning committee Appointed to University of Florida Extension Advisory Board Member of Prairie View A & M University Extension Advisory Board
Appointments to state and local Advisory Boards and Taskforces: Kentucky State University Small Farm Conference planning committee task force for Hamilton County (Florida) Growth and Development Commission Appointed to serve on the West Baton Rouge Parish (Louisiana ) USDA / Natural Resources Conservation Service Board
Conferences, meetings and other speaking engagements Invited to participate in USDA Partner meeting as a CBO represent Panelist at Women in Agriculture Conference Keynote speaker at North Carolina A & T State University Small Farm Week Program Panelist at NRCS Grazing Workshop
Serving Others Serve as a model farm for farmers in Oklahoma Serve as a model farm in South Carolina and their farm serves as a site for Clemson University College of Agriculture students internships Assist with identifying minority producers for training programs leading to organic certification
Serving Others Distributor of organic seeds for small scale producers One of the key players in starting the Blue Grass Farmers Market. Spearheaded and chaired the first Saving Rural America conference outside Jackson, Mississippi, an outreach activity attended by more 350 people. Farm was featured in an educational training video produced by Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.
Small Farmers of the Year Selected as 2006 Small Farmers of the Year by Langston University North Carolina 2008 Small Farmer of the Year by North Carolina A & T State University 2006 Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Small Farmer of the Year 2009 South Carolina State Association of Cooperatives
What is the Institute? Two year program designed to assist socially disadvantaged, limited resource and / or minority producers become better leaders for the agricultural community.
Goal The overriding goal is to promote the sustainability of small family farms through enhanced business management skills and leadership development.
Objectives Enhance understanding of agricultural infrastructure, state and federal government, agricultural economics, and effects of global agricultural on the U.S. economy. Increase the leadership, decisionmaking and analytical skills of Institute participants.
Objectives cont. Improve Institute participants ability to manage a farm business in a competitive global economy. Develop and enhance the business management and marketing skills of limited resource farmers.
Objectives cont. Introduce producers to how decisions are made at the county, state, regional and national levels Build an understanding of the public policy development process and prepare individuals to participate in the process
Objectives cont. Improve their ability to communicate to both large and small groups, while increasing confidence in working with people. Establish a basis for lifelong learning and development, by stimulating a desire for independent study and learning.
Application Process / Criteria Nomination by Ag professional from an 1890 institution Letter of interest Leadership Aspirations Currently engaged in Agricultural endeavors Strong desire to be a better leader
Demographics Class I Age Range 30-67 By Race / Ethnicity Native American 1 African American 21 Caucasian 3 By Sex Female 10 Males 15
Demographics Class II Age Range 28 72 By Sex Males 16 Females 10 By Race / Ethnicity African Americans 21 Caucasian 3 Hispanic 2
States with Graduates Oklahoma Missouri Alabama N. Carolina S. Carolina Kentucky Georgia Florida Arkansas Mississippi Louisiana Texas Maryland Tennessee
Expected Outcomes More familiarity with the agricultural public policy infrastructure and its effect on the U.S. economy; Agricultural leaders equipped with enhanced decision-making and analytical skills;
Expected Outcomes cont. A greater understanding and appreciation for business management, marketing and how it relates to farm success; Agricultural leaders with a desire to constantly improve their farm situation, the farm situations of those in their communities and an atmosphere for lifelong learning and public service; and
Expected Outcomes cont. Increased net farm income through better farm and business management.
Topics Covered Individual Leadership Development Best Management Practices Community Leadership Development Maintaining Good Credit Financial Management Agricultural Policy Issues Leadership Theory Tax Planning Serving on governing boards USDA programs and services Basic computer applications Identifying Alternative Enterprises for your operation Loan application processes and completion procedures Developing farm and home plans Legal Risk - estate planning, credit worthiness Insuring commodities Self Motivation, Self-esteem Communicating Effectively Conflict resolution & mediation Attributes of a Leader - Leadership styles & assessment Qualifying requirements for various governmental programs
Past & Present Leadership Team Mr. Edoe Agbodgan SCSU Dr. Nelson T. Daniels PVAMU Dr. Michelle Eley NCAT Dr. Henry English UAPB Dr. Tasha Hargrove TU Mrs. Angela M. Jakes FAMU Dr. L. Washington Lyons - AEA Dr. M. Ray McKinnie NCAT
Past & Present Leadership Team Mrs. Christie G. Monroe SUAREC*** Mr. Orlando Phelps USDA / AMS Dr. Gregory Reed ASU Ms. Karen Davis LU*** Mrs. Candace Semien SUAREC Dr. Marion Simon KSU Mr. Frank Taylor WCSHG MS *** *** denotes graduate of Class I
Collaborating Universities Alcorn State University North Carolina A & T State University Prairie View A & M University Kentucky State University Tuskegee University Florida A & M University
Collaborating Universities cont. University of Arkansas Pine Bluff South Carolina State University Lincoln University
Lifelong Learning BS Early Childhood Education and Sociology (Dec. 08) M.S. PLSS (May 08 ) MBA Marketing (Oct. 08) Pursuing B.S. in Agriculture now
You Can Be in the Next Class of the Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute. Visit Booth 35
Funding This project is supported by the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants Program of the Competitive Grants Program of the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA.
Thank you Q & A www.suagcenter.com