USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

Nashville, Tennessee

I am pleased to serve as your reporter for this session. Like some of you, I can relate to both small farms and technology transfer, having been born and raised on a small farm and having spent most of my career with SCS/NRCS, being involved in some form of technology transfer.

We had four presentations with six presenters, a good cross section. We had researchers, academics, government representatives and practitioners. Each gave a unique perspective to the chosen topic.

First Presentation

John is with the New Ground Resource Center at Purdue University and he said that his program is designed to help individuals with disabilities. The program is designed for the entire agricultural community. The AgrAbility program serves 18 states. People are assisted in various ways, from reassigning tasks to using devices, some simple and some complex, to enable the indidvual to do the job needed. Most of the devices involve mobility. Some examples are ramps, modified all terrain vehicles (ATVs), lifts, hand controls, automated gates, swivel seats, and automatic hitches.

Eileen said that one out of five farmers has some type of disability. She is with the Tennessee AgrAbility program which is co-sponsored by the University of Tennessee and the Easter Seal Society. Each farmer is unique in his/her needs. In helping these individuals, simple and low cost methods are explored before high tech and expensive ways.

James discussed the reorganization of the SCS/NRCS and the creation of Regional Offices. He said this was a move to promote technology transfer by moving staff out of Washington and getting them closer to the customer. He pointed out that NRCS has 2500 local offices thereby creating an excellent delivery system and opportunities for partnerships. He pointed out the fact that the new Farm Bill gives NRCS additional responsibilities (Financial Assistance in addition to Technical Assistance).

James emphasized that NRCS is interested in small farmers and that the agency is constantly striving to transfer the needed technology to them to encourage the conservation of their natural resources. He encouraged the use of cost effective and easily installed conservation practices.

Third Presentation

Ron Macher - Selecting the Right Tools and Equipment for Small Farms

Tools selected need to be durable and dependable. Select the right tool for the job. A lot of people getting into small farming these days do not have a farm background, and need help in selection of tools as well as other farm issues. Ron said that innovation is a very important part of the small farm operation. Other important elements are the good old-fashioned principals of make it yourself, wear it out, use it up, and make it do. He said oftentimes that the simpler the better in tools for the small farm. He also believes in direct marketing. He also said that some of the old ways may be better than new ways on small farms.

Bill Tallent and Mike Brown - Putting Research Technology to Work in the Agricultural Community

Bill talked about ARS and its scope and capabilities, with 104 locations. Five of these are on 1890 Land Grant Campuses. The largest facility is in Beltsville with 1,000 employees. He discussed eight specific research projects, selected for discussion for their diversity. There are 81 "Small Farms" projects at 47 locations.

Mike Brown discussed the work that is going on at the South Central Family Farms Research Facility in Boonesville, Arkansas. Mike said that the staff of six scientists were working toward rural development ideas for family farms. Some of the subject areas are agriforestry, agronomy, and animal science. He emphasized the concepts of Value Added and Sustainability in their work.

Words of Wisdom

After the presentation, I asked each of the participants to give me their "Words of Wisdom" concerning their topic or small farming in general. They were asked to do this in one or two sentences.

Dan Lyons - The best technology in the world is useless unless it is used for its intended purpose.

Ralph Otto - Conservation concerns touch all of us and must be addressed regardless of the size of the operation. As USDA and the Nation begin to implement the conservation provisions of the 1996 Farm Bill, I believe small farms can set the standard for the rest of us.

John Schweitzer - Through technology, farmers with disabilities are able to remain in and pursue an occupation in agriculture.

Eileen Griffin - The AgrAbility Program is a shining example of a consumer-driven USDA funded program that helps provide vital education, technical assistance, and support to farmers with disabilities.

James Ford - Consider conservation practices in planning your production just as you would consider seed, fertilizer, fuel labor, and capitol.

Ron Macher - An optimist counts his chicks before they hatch; an agripreneur (small farmer) markets his chicks before they hatch.

Bill Tallent - Research scientists and research organizations need to consider that using research is as important as doing the research in the first place. Results of the most creative and ingenious research are not worth much if not used.

Mike Brown - Technology developed for family farmers needs to be simple and affordable in addition to solving real life problems. However, the best information differs little from the worst unless it is communicated properly to the farmer.

In closing, I chose to observe some commonalities of "common threads" of the presentations concerning small farming in general. They are - use a common sense approach, be innovative, keep overhead down, communciate in an effective manner, and small farms are not miniature big farms, they have unique needs.

I thank you for inviting me to share in this conference with you. If you will allow me to, I want to leave you with this closing thought - This country grew up with the help of small farmers and the majority of the world still depends upon small farmers for their food. This tells me that small farmers have always been important and will always be important.

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