The overall purpose of this study was to provide a case study analysis of the implementation process of the Small Farmers Outreach Training and Technical Assistance (2501) Program with implications for African American farmers. The 2501 Program is an agricultural educational program that was designed to reverse or slow the decline of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. In 1994, twenty-seven small farm projects were established as a result of the 2501 Program. Institutions including South Carolina State University, Fort Valley State University, Tuskegee University, Alcorn State University, Lincoln University, and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund received five-year grants to provide technical and outreach assistance to African American farmers. These six small farm projects were the focus of this study. The experiences of the participating six small farm projects were used to provide evidence in assisting the researcher to: realistically capture the internal dynamics of the 2501 Program at the project level, (2) examine the implementation process of the 2501 Program and identify obstacles that impeded the successful implementation of the 2501 Program, and (3) determine if the 2501 Program has achieved its overall objective. The data for this study were collected using the case study qualitative methodological approach. Interviews, participant observations, and document analysis were used to collect the data. The findings of this study revealed that the 2501 Program; in particular the six participating small farm projects, were effective in ensuring the long-term sustainability of African American farmers. However, there were several factors that severely restricted the successful implementation of the overall 2501 Program. Specifically, the main factor identified was the provision of guaranteed and timely funding to the small farm projects working at the grassroots level. Funding at the national level to the small farm projects was sporadic and uncertain which affected the ability of the small farm projects to successfully implement their programs. In addition, the findings also revealed that the six participating projects were actively engaged in recruiting participants, disseminating information, assisting farmers in obtaining loans, establishing cooperatives, and introducing farmers to alternative enterprises.

Grassroots Engagement and Social Justice through Cooperative Extension grows out of a commitment to the belief that Cooperative Extension professionals can and should be deeply engaged with the communities they work in to improve life—individually and collectively. Rooted in an understanding of the history and development of Extension, the authors focus on contemporary efforts to address systemic inequities. They offer an alternative to the “expert” model that would have Extension educators provide information detached from the difficult and sometimes contentious issues that shape community work. These essays highlight Extension’s role in and responsibility for culturally relevant community education that is rooted in democratic practices and social justice. The ultimate aim of this book is to offer a vision for the future of Extension as its practitioners continue to reach for cultural competence necessary to address issues of systemic injustice in the communities they serve and of which they are a part.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the small farmer outreach training and technical assistance programs as related to farmers of color. The items to be evaluated included financial considerations, educational effectiveness, access and acquisition of farm loans, participation in Extension sponsored events and involvement in community activities. The sample population for this study was small scale agricultural producers representing two ethnic groups, African Americans and Hispanics, located in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties and enrolled in the Small Farmer Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program (N=68) between October 1, 2001, and September 30, 2004. Descriptive statistics were used for reporting personal characteristics of the participants, as well as to determine knowledge gained and effectiveness of the Small Farmer Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® (SPSS) was used to calculate frequencies, percentages and variability of the variables. The major findings of the study were as follows: 1. The Small Farmer Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program is an effective educational program in teaching farm management techniques and assisting with the acquisition of financial resources. 2. Farm size was relatively small with over half of the farms being fewer than 50 acres. 3. The ethnic identity of participants was more likely to be Hispanic than African American. 4. Total household income for a majority of the participants was less than $50,000. 5. The majority of the participants were part-time farmers. 6. The majority of the participants had a farm plan. 7. A majority of the participants had at least a high school education. 8. Program participants were likely to be approved for a loan through the United States Department of Agriculture.