Determining Educational Needs: A Focus Group Approach

The first step in planning and delivering a successful program is to identify the needs and interests of the target audience. The North Central Risk Management Education Center, which provides grants for educational programs for producers in the 12 north central states in the US, conducted a series of focus groups with producers. The goals of the focus groups were to: 1) determine the impact of funded programs; 2) assess risk management education needs of producers; 3) assess preferred delivery methods; and 4) determine program characteristics that will enhance participation. The participants had an average age of 45 which is about 12 years younger than the average age of all farmers. With 1,861 acres of owned and rented land, they had slightly larger operations than the average producer. Labor availability and management was the most common educational concern. Marketing of traditional commodities continues to be a high priority. Related priorities were developing value-added businesses and developing niche markets for new products and farm-related services. Associated concerns were liability insurance needs, reliable supply of needed inputs and government regulations involved in new enterprises. In terms of disseminating information on education programs, direct mail delivery is preferred as email may not be checked regularly in busy periods. Mailings should be directed to both husbands and wives. Program fees are not only acceptable but are viewed as an indicator of quality and credible information.focus groups, risk management, education needs, labor, marketing, human risk, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

North Central Risk Management Education Center

The North Central Risk Management Education Center has been providing program leadership and coordination for risk management education in the North Central Region since 2001. This region includes the following states: Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The North Central Center is one of four Risk Management Education Centers in the United States. The other three centers are located at the University of Delaware, Texas A&M University and Washington State University

Women In Agriculture

The nineteenth annual Women In Agriculture Conference was held September 11-12, 2003 in Kearney, Nebraska. This year’s conference hosted 425 women representing 5 states and 79 counties in Nebraska. As in the past, lenders played a large part, 233 of the women who attended were sponsored by their local lender. The conference took on a special format this year as a time of healing and sharing due to the untimely death of Deb Rood, Conference Coordinator

Risk Management Education in the North Central Region

The North Central Risk Management Education Center is beginning its competitive grant programs for 2005-2006. During the past four years the Center has been able to offer approximately $2.5 million in grants for the development of risk management educational programs for producers in the North Central Region. The grant program encourages collaboration and partnering of public and private entities inside and outside of the region

Risk Management Education/Annie’s Project

Since 2001 the North Central Risk Management Education Center has been providing leadership and program coordination in risk management education for twelve states in the North Central Region. These states include: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. “Empowering the strengths and skills of individuals in the North Central Region involved in the management of agricultural production, marketing, financial, legal and human resource risks” is the Center’s mission. The Center is headquartered in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Determining Educational Needs: A Focus Group Approach

The first step in planning and delivering a successful program is to identify the needs and interests of the target audience. The North Central Risk Management Education Center, which provides grants for educational programs for producers in the 12 north central states in the US, conducted a series of focus groups with producers. The goals of the focus groups were to: 1) determine the impact of funded programs; 2) assess risk management education needs of producers; 3) assess preferred delivery methods; and 4) determine program characteristics that will enhance participation. The participants had an average age of 45 which is about 12 years younger than the average age of all farmers. With 1,861 acres of owned and rented land, they had slightly larger operations than the average producer. Labor availability and management was the most common educational concern. Marketing of traditional commodities continues to be a high priority. Related priorities were developing value-added businesses and developing niche markets for new products and farm-related services. Associated concerns were liability insurance needs, reliable supply of needed inputs and government regulations involved in new enterprises. In terms of disseminating information on education programs, direct mail delivery is preferred as email may not be checked regularly in busy periods. Mailings should be directed to both husbands and wives. Program fees are not only acceptable but are viewed as an indicator of quality and credible information