SUSTAINABLE AND DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE TOURS PROVIDE EDUCATION ON LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS AND VALUE-ADDED ENTERPRISES IN NEBRASKA
Proposed by: Gary W.Lesoing
Presenters: Lesoing, G. W., Extension Educator, University Of Nebraska-LincolnExtension, Auburn, NE 68305
Chichester, L.M., Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Falls City, NE 68355
Hammond, V.E., Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-LIncoln Extension, Nebraska City, NE 68410
Jones, J.G., Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Tecumseh, NE 68450
In recent years there has been a great deal of interest in local foods and also in diversified agricultural opportunities, particularly in the rural areas of Nebraska. The Nebraska SARE Program sponsored sustainable ag tours in 2010 and 2011 for ag educators to learn about local food systems in Nebraska. For 6 years, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension has sponsored a Diversified Ag Tour in southeastern Nebraska for farmers, entrepreneurs and educators to view value-added enterprises.
In 2010, on the SARE tour, 31 people visited farms and other components of the local food system in and around the urban/rural interface of eastern Nebraska. In 2011, 22 people traveled to rural Nebraska and visited several diverse farms that represented a cross section of suppliers to the local food system in Nebraska. In evaluations following these tours, on a scale of 1-5, 90% of ag educators indicated a moderate to significant increase (>3) in knowledge gained in local food systems, growing and marketing vegetables and in growing and marketing naturally raised meat. Participants will use knowledge gained from these tours for classroom instruction and working with prospective entrepreneurs in food production systems.
Beginning in 2006, 124 people have participated in the diversified ag tours in southeast Nebraska. Seventy-five percent saw new ideas they could use. Over 70 percent of tour participants believe they will improve their farm sustainability, expand their markets for locally grown food and incorporate diversified ag opportunities into their farming operations by attending these tours.