Rural Development State Farm Bureaus Strengthening Rural Communities Across the Country
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Western Region
Introduction
The American Farm Bureau Federation® page
(AFBF) is committed to enhancing the lives of rural Americans and building strong, prosperous agricultural communities. State Farm Bureaus engage in activities that help strengthen rural communities across the country.
Midwest Region
AFBF developed a survey to gain a better understanding of state Farm Bureaus’ rural development activities and needs.
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This report explores 1) activities in which state Farm Bureau staff members are currently engaged and 2) rural development areas in which they would like to receive training from AFBF. This information will help target efforts to serve states’ needs.
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Northeast Region
We also hope this report will help showcase the excellent work taking place across the country through state Farm Bureaus to support rural farm families and their local communities. Sincerely,
Lisa Benson, PhD Director, Rural Development, American Farm Bureau Federation
Robin E. Kinney Director, Membership and Program Development, American Farm Bureau Federation
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Margee Wolff, CAE Executive Director, Organization Department, American Farm Bureau Federation
Executive Summary AFBF emailed an online survey to Farm Bureau staff members who have been involved in rural development activities, whether as part of their job or through attending rural development training and conferences. In addition, the survey was sent to organization directors in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. In total, 86 individuals completed the survey, representing 45 state Farm Bureaus. These 45 states are located across the four Farm Bureau regions, with the highest representation coming from the Southern Region. Respondents were asked their role in their state Farm Bureau. The majority of the respondents were organization
directors, followed by field staff and commodity/public policy staff. The survey results were compiled to explore overall trends across the United States. The top areas in which respondents were engaged were (1) direct markets, (2) civic engagement and (3) rural education. The top three topic areas in which respondents were interested in receiving training or resources were (1) rural entrepreneurship, (2) direct markets and (3) identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities. The results were then calculated for each of the four Farm Bureau regions. (See Table 1 for the results of the
regional analysis.) All of the regions identified direct markets as a topic area in which they were currently engaged. The regions differed in their training priorities. The majority of respondents stated they were engaged in programs and activities focused on direct markets. AFBF staff could provide training and resources on direct markets to enrich the current activities taking place in this topic area. Staff could also develop regional training in local and regional food initiatives targeted for the Northeast Region and training in identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities targeting the Southern Region.
Table 1. Areas of Engagement and Training Priorities for Farm Bureau Regions Region
Top Areas of Engagement
Top Training Priorities
Western
Direct markets
Rural entrepreneurship, direct markets (tie)
Midwest
Direct markets, rural education (tie)
Broadband access in rural areas, rural entrepreneurship (tie)
Northeast
Direct markets
Local and regional food initiatives
Southern
Direct markets
Identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities
Survey Development The AFBF Rural Development Survey investigated current state Farm Bureau rural development activities and areas in which Farm Bureau staff members would like to receive training from AFBF. The online survey included questions concerning a wide range of rural development topic areas. These topic areas were compiled through an exhaustive search of state Farm Bureau websites to identify rural development activities, workshops or program areas taking place across the country. The survey questions were reviewed by the AFBF Organization Department leadership, including the executive director of Organization and the director of membership and program development. In addition, the survey was reviewed by two state Farm Bureau staff members who are working in rural development. Through this evaluation process, the survey questions were refined to enhance readability and clarity.
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Respondents AFBF emailed the online survey to Farm Bureau staff who have been involved in rural development activities, whether as part of their job or through attending rural development training and conferences. In addition, the survey was sent to organization directors in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The survey was sent to 111 individuals. Those individuals were also encouraged to forward the survey to other individuals in their state who may be working on rural development activities. In total, 86 individuals completed the survey, representing 45 state Farm Bureaus. These 45 states are located across the four Farm Bureau regions, with the highest representation coming from the Southern Region (Table 2). Respondents were asked their role in their state Farm Bureau (Figure 1). The majority of the respondents (40 percent) were organization directors, followed by field staff (34 percent) and commodity/ public policy staff (21 percent).
40% Organization Director
5% Program Manager (YF&R, Women’s Leadership, P&E, Safety
34% Field Staff 21% Commodity/ Public Policy Staff Figure 1. Respondents’ Role in Farm Bureau
Results AFBF compiled the survey results to explore overall trends across the United States, as well as trends occurring in each of the four Farm Bureau regions. The data was compiled in two main areas: current areas of engagement and topic areas for training. Nationwide Results Nationwide survey results were compiled to determine the current areas that state Farm Bureaus are engaging in concerning rural development. Respondents were asked which rural development areas they had worked in over the past year (Table 3). The areas included rural entrepreneurship, renewable energy, rural health care, rural education, broadband access in rural areas, direct markets, local and regional food initiatives, civic engagement, transitioning veterans into agriculture, linking retiring farmers to beginning farmers and identifying funding sources for farm operators. Respondents could choose all of the areas that applied.
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The top areas in which respondents were engaged included (1) direct markets, (2) civic engagement and (3) rural education. Respondents were then asked in which topic areas they would like to receive training from AFBF staff (Table 4). The same areas listed above were given as options, but an additional option of “identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities” was provided. The respondents were asked to rate their level of interest in each topic area based on a four-point Likert scale ranging from 1, not at all interested, to 4, extremely interested. The level of interest was then calculated to provide a single score for each topic area. The respondents’ answers for each topic area for
Rural Development & State Farm Bureaus
training were aggregated by scale category (i.e., 1 to 4) and then multiplied by the scale category weight. Category weights were as follows: not at all interested was weighted as 0 because respondents stated they had no interest, somewhat interested was weighted as 2, moderately interested was weighted as 3 and extremely interested was weighted as 4. The totals for each scale category in each topic area for training were combined, which became the Level of Interest score. The top three topic areas in which respondents were interested in receiving training or resources were (1) rural entrepreneurship, (2) direct markets and (3) identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities.
Table 2. States Represented by Survey Respondents Region
% of the Region Responding
# of States Represented*
Southern 92.9%
13/14
Western 92.3%
12/13
Midwest 91.7%
11/12
Northeast 75.0%
9/12
TOTAL 88.2%
45/51
* The following states did not respond: (1) the Southern Region is missing Puerto Rico; (2) the Midwest Region is missing South Dakota; (3) the Northeast Region is missing Delaware, Maine and West Virginia; and (4) the Western Region is missing Hawaii.
Table 3. Top Three Current Areas of Engagement Across the United States Current Areas of Engagement*
Percent
Responses
1. Direct markets
62.8%
49
2. Civic engagement
50.0%
39
3. Rural education
47.4%
37
* Current areas of engagement are program areas in which Farm Bureau staff members have engaged during the past 12 months. Note: Respondents could choose all program areas that applied.
Table 4. Top Three Topic Areas for Training Topic Areas for Training
Level of Interest*
1. Rural entrepreneurship
187
2. Direct markets
186
3. Identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities 184
Finally, AFBF asked respondents in which topic areas should Farm Bureau be involved (Table 5). Respondents were given 12 statements and asked to rate their level of agreement using a four-point Likert scale (1, strongly disagree, to 4, strongly agree). The Level of Agreement score was calculated for each statement by summing up the number of times respondents chose each category and then multiplying that number by the scale category weight. Category weights were as follows: strongly disagree was weighted as -2, disagree was weighted as -1, agree was weighted as 1 and strongly agree was weighted as 2. Respondents stated that they were most in agreement with the following statements: (1) “State Farm Bureaus should be involved in programs that help farm families become more engaged in their local community,” (2) “It is important that state Farm Bureaus work on projects that enhance rural education” and (3) “State Farm Bureaus should link retiring farmers to beginning farmers.”
* See the Results section on page 1 for calculations used to determine the Level of Interest score.
Table 5. Top Three Topic Areas in Which State Farm Bureaus Should Engage Topic Areas State Farm Bureaus Should Engage In
Level of Agreement*
1. Civic engagement
73
2. Rural education
72
3. Linking retiring farmers to beginning farmers
61
* See the Results section on page 1 for calculations used to determine the Level of Agreement score.
RESULTS BY FARM BUREAU REGION The results were explored for each of the four Farm Bureau regions. We explored the current areas of engagement and the topic areas for training for those regions, Western, Midwest, Northeast and Southern.
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Western Region
Map 1. States Represented in Western Region* * All states responded except Hawaii.
In the Western Region, the states responding included Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Respondents were asked to indicate the rural development activities in which they were currently engaged (Table 6). Respondents rated programs related to direct markets as the topic area they were involved in the most. This was followed by a number of program areas that tied for second place, including civic engagement, rural entrepreneurship, broadband access in rural areas and identifying funding sources for farm operators. Respondents were then asked in which topic areas they would like to receive training or resources from AFBF staff (Table 7). Rural entrepreneurship and direct markets tied as the highest-rated topic area for training. They were followed by local and regional food initiatives for second place. TABLES
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Current Areas of Engagement* % of Respondents Engaged
Responses
Table 7. Top Three Areas for Training in Western Region (n=12) Topic Areas for Training
Level of Interest*
1. Direct markets
41.7%
5
1. Rural entrepreneurship
28
2. Civic engagement
25.0%
3
1. Direct markets
28
2. Rural entrepreneurship
25.0%
3
27
2. Broadband access in rural areas
25.0%
3
2. Local and regional food initiatives
2. Identifying funding sources for farm operators
25.0%
3
* Respondents could choose all program areas that applied.
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Table 6. Top Three Current Areas of Engagement in Western Region (n=12)
Rural Development & State Farm Bureaus
* See the Results section on page 1 for calculations used to determine the Level of Interest score.
Case Study
Arizona Farm Bureau Annie’s Project Annie’s Project is an educational program that helps strengthen the role of women in farm enterprises across the country. Annie’s Project classes have been taught in 34 states across the nation. The Arizona Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) started an Annie’s Project chapter to provide risk management education to farm and ranch women in the state. The WLC held its first Annie’s Project class in the fall of 2013 with 15 women in attendance. Annie’s Project facilitator Sonia Gasho made sure the Annie’s Project schedule and class locations were tailored to accommodate Arizona’s diverse and geographically widespread agriculture community. Adapting the time and location was imperative to the program’s success. Through group sharing and discussion, participants seemed excited to take the information they learned back to their families and neighbors. Gasho believes the class is a powerful way to empower Arizona’s farm and ranch women. The project helps to develop new leaders in agricultural communities. “They [the women] in turn will empower other women in their personal networks to do the same. Families and businesses will benefit in both the shortand long-term,” said Gasho. Future plans include bringing another Annie’s Project class to central Arizona and adding curriculum on succession planning and cattle management.
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Midwest Region
In the Midwest Region, the states responding included Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin. We asked them to select the rural development areas in which they were currently engaged (Table 8). Rural education and direct markets tied for the topic area in which the majority of respondents were engaged. Broadband access in rural areas was the second-highest topic area.
Map 2. States Represented in Midwest Region* * All states responded except South Dakota.
Respondents were then asked in which topic areas they would like to receive training and/or resources from AFBF staff (Table 9). They rated broadband access in rural areas and rural entrepreneurship as the topic areas in which they would be most interested in receiving training. Identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities came in at second place among the topic areas.
TABLES
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Table 8. Top Three Current Areas of Engagement in Midwest Region (n=32) Current Areas of Engagement*
% of Respondents Engaged
Responses
1. Rural education
65.6%
21
1. Direct markets
65.6%
21
2. Broadband access in rural areas
56.3%
18
* Respondents could choose all program areas that applied.
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Table 9. Top Three Areas for Training in Midwest Region (n=32) Topic Areas for Training
Level of Interest*
1. Broadband access in rural areas
79
1. Rural entrepreneurship
79
2. Identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities
78
* See the Results section on page 1 for calculations used to determine the Level of Interest score.
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Rural Development & State Farm Bureaus
Case Study
Iowa Farm Bureau: Renew Rural Iowa The Iowa Farm Bureau has an innovative program to enhance and improve economic growth across the state: Renew Rural Iowa. Renew Rural Iowa is designed to help increase the enterprise value of new and existing businesses in Iowa’s small towns through a program of business education and mentoring. The program also connects rural entrepreneurs to financial resources to help them grow their businesses. Renew Rural Iowa features seminars that bring together seasoned business development experts and critical resources for business owners. With nearly 90 percent of Iowa’s farmers working off-farm for supplemental employment, Iowa Farm Bureau recognizes the need for vibrant rural communities across Iowa. Renew Rural Iowa focuses on activating entrepreneurial start-ups
in the state and creating a high quality of life for Iowa’s many small and mid-sized communities. The program also offers a unique opportunity to help farmers keep farming. Putting the necessary tools in place to foster economic growth in Iowa is a key strategy of the Iowa Farm Bureau. This program aims to develop a new vitality for the state, including community growth through new buildings, new people and more reinvestment within small and midsized Iowa communities. The Renew Rural Iowa program has helped more than 2,500 Iowans successfully own and grow their business since the program launched in 2006. Through the program, more than 35 seminars have been held around the state to connect entrepreneurs, business leader mentors and finance opportunities.
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Northeast Region In the Northeast Region, the states responding included Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Respondents were asked to indicate the areas in which they were currently engaged (Table 10). The topic area that they were involved in the most was direct markets. This was followed by renewable energy, local and regional food initiatives and identifying funding sources for farm operators. Map 3. States Represented in Northeast Region* * All states responded except Delaware, Maine and West Virginia.
TABLES
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Table 10. Top Three Current Areas of Engagement in Northeast Region (n=11)
Current Areas of Engagement*
% of Respondents Responses Engaged
1. Direct markets
45.5%
5
2. Renewable energy
36.4%
4
2. Local and regional food initiatives
36.4%
4
2. Identifying funding sources for farm operators
36.4%
4
* Respondents could choose all program areas that applied.
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Table 11. Top Three Areas for Training in Northeast Region (n=11)
Topic Areas for Training
Level of Interest*
1. Local and regional food initiatives
29
2. Renewable energy
26
3. Direct markets
25
* See the Results section on page 1 for calculations used to determine the Level of Interest score.
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Rural Development & State Farm Bureaus
Respondents were then asked in which areas they would like to receive training from AFBF staff (Table 11). They stated that the topic in which they would most like to receive training was local and regional food initiatives. This was followed by training in renewable energy and direct markets.
Case Study
New Jersey Farm Bureau:
VisitNJFarms.org
The New Jersey agricultural community is excited to introduce VisitNJFarms.org. This website is a great resource for consumers and tourists looking to plan their next visit to New Jersey farms. The New Jersey Farm Bureau, New Jersey Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association and Rutgers University worked collaboratively to develop the site. VisitNJFarms.org features farm descriptions, social media, websites, photos, videos and information about upcoming agritourism activities and events. Consumers and tourists can discover what fruits and vegetables are in season and where to find the farms that grow them by county, farm name or keyword search. Directions can be sent via smartphone. “This new website is a great tool for consumers, whether they are looking to plan a day trip in the country or if they just need to stop for some produce on their way home from work,” said Ryck Suydam, president of New Jersey Farm Bureau.
“ We are really excited to connect more people with the great agriculture we have in the state.” — Ryck Suydam
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Southern Region
Map 4. States Represented in Southern Region* * All states responded except Puerto Rico.
In the Southern Region, the states responding included Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. We asked respondents to indicate the areas in which they were currently engaged (Table 12). The majority of respondents said they were involved in direct markets. This was followed by civic engagement, local and regional food initiatives and rural education. Respondents were then asked in which areas they would like to receive training from AFBF staff (Table 13). They stated that the topic in which they would most like to receive training was identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities. This was followed by training in rural entrepreneurship, linking retiring farmers to beginning farmers and identifying funding sources for farm operators.
TABLES
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Table 12. Top Three Current Areas of Engagement in Southern Region (n=31)
Current Areas of Engagement*
% of Respondents Engaged
Responses
1. Direct markets
58.1%
18
2. Civic engagement
54.8%
17
3. Local and regional food initiatives
41.9%
13
3. Rural education
41.9%
13
* Respondents could choose all program areas that applied.
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Table 11. Top Three Areas for Training in Southern Region (n=31)
Topic Areas for Training
Level of Interest*
1. Identifying grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities
64
2. Rural entrepreneurship
62
3. Linking retiring farmers to beginning farmers
59
3. Identifying funding sources for farm operators
59
* See the Results section on page 1 for calculations used to determine the Level of Interest score.
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Case Study
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability (VA FAIRS) is a nonprofit foundation based in Richmond, Virginia, with the mission of assisting rural agricultural enterprises. With major funding from Virginia Farm Bureau and USDA Rural Development’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant program, VA FAIRS provides technical assistance in the form of strategic planning, feasibility studies, business plans and marketing plans for agricultural cooperatives, businesses, associations and individuals. VA FAIRS has assisted hundreds of people with strengthening their business ideas since its start in 2005. The program assists cooperative development in the region by providing educational and advisement services and helps identify funding sources such as loans and grants that are available to further agricultural enterprises and expand capacity. Although based in Virginia, the work of VA FAIRS extends throughout the region because business is not bound by state borders. VA FAIRS staff members work sideby-side with business owners to answer questions and provide handson assistance during their business planning, establishment and growth phases. They believe in independent producers and their ability to transform a community for the better.
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Conclusion Respondents provided key information about current rural development activities taking place and opportunities for AFBF training to support and enhance those activities. The majority of respondents stated that they were involved in activities focused on direct markets (i.e., farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) and farm stands). This trend was echoed in the regional analysis, which showed direct markets as the primary activity for all of the regions. When asked about topics for training, the top topic identified across the United States was rural entrepreneurship. Regional analysis showed this held true in the Western and Midwest regions. In the Northeast Region, respondents were interested in training in local and regional food initiatives. In the Southern Region, respondents were interested in training to identify grants to fund Farm Bureau programs and activities.
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Rural Development & State Farm Bureaus
“ Rural development is important to Farm Bureau because farmers and their communities need each other. Farm families need local customers, good schools for their children, off-farm jobs for their spouse or other family members. Rural communities need the economic activity that is generated by agriculture.� —AFBF President Bob Stallman, 2014 National Summit on Rural Entrepreneurship at Georgetown University
AFBF is committed to enhancing the lives of rural Americans and building strong, prosperous agricultural communities.
600 Maryland Avenue S.W., Suite 1000W | Washington, DC 20024 For more information please contact Lisa Benson at (202) 406-3685 or lisab@fb.org.