COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF SUBSTI-TUTING POULTRY LITTER FOR UREA IN COTTON PRODUCTION IN ALABAMA

Normal, Alabama 35762

The fast growing Alabama poultry industry produces an enormous amount of poultry litter annually that needs to be disposed of in a timely and environmentally safe manner. One method of dealing with this problem is to use the mineralogically rich poultry litter to grow row crops such as cotton. The purpose of this study is to determine whether poultry litter is a cost effective substitute for urea in cotton production in Alabama. Linear programming is used for the analysis and sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the level of stability of the results in the basic models of the scenarios.

The results of this study indicate that cotton fertilized with free fresh litter with a maximum of 100 miles transportation cost and purchased fresh litter with a maximum of 25 miles transportation cost had a higher income above variable cost (IAVC) than urea, hence a profitable substitute for urea in cotton production in Alabama. On the other hand, cotton fertilized with composted poultry litter had a lower IAVC at all levels than urea, hence not a profitable substitute for urea in cotton production. The optimal level of fresh litter, application that maximized the IAVC, is fresh litter providing 80 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

#2

EARLY REARING OF CHANNEL CATFISH FRY IN ABOVE GROUND RACEWAYS AND ITS IMPACT ON FRY SURVIVAL IN THE FARM FINGERLING PRODUCTION IN WEST ALABAMA

Marion, Alabama 36756

Scarcity of groundwater supply prevents most catfish farmers in West Alabama from using the time-honored methods employed by catfish fingerling producers in the Delta regions of Arkansas and Mississippi. Fry were raised from swim-up stage in raceways until 3 to 5 cm size before stocking into rearing ponds on a West Alabama catfish farm and at the Southeastern Fish Cultural Laboratory (SFCL).

Survival of fry raised in this manner was compared with that of swim-up fry stocked directly from the hatchery into rearing ponds. Swim-up fry stocked into raceways at a density of 1,000 fry/cubic foot attained 3 to 5 cm TL within a 24 to 27 day period with an average survival of over 95%. Nearly one million fry were reared on the commercial farm in two 1,000 gallon raceways during the 1996 spawning season. When raceway-reared fry were stocked into ponds at SFCL for further growth, 86.4% survived to 5-inch fingerling size. Other ponds stocked with swim-up fry yielded 82.7% survival. These results indicate that stocking larger fry may help assure higher, more consistent survival from ponds that typically yield poor survival.

THE IMPACT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ON SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURE IN THE ALABAMA BLACK BELT

Andrei M. Cotton and Ntam Baharanyi

Tuskegee University

112 Campbell Hall

Tuskegee, Alabama 36088

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors on sustainability of agriculture in the Alabama Black Belt. The counties under study are: Barbour, Bullock, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Sumter, and Wilcox.

Variables affecting the economic sustainability of limited resource farmers in the Alabama Black Belt were collected through a survey. These variables were then used to develop the following model:

ES = F(ED,AG,VA,SP,OF) where,

ES is the index of economic survivability,

ED is the education level of the operator and his/her immediate family members, AG is the age of the farm operator, VA is the income generated as a result of on-farm processing or product differentiation, SP is the degree to which the farm operator participates in social, civic, and professional organizations, OF is the income received from all sources aside from farm operations.

It is expected that this analysis will show that education, value added enterprises, social participation and off-farm income, have a significant positive effect on sustainability/survival of farming in the Alabama Black Belt while age has a negative effect on sustainability.

Robert Zabawa, and Ntam Baharanyi,

Tuskegee University

112 Campbell Hall

Tuskegee, Alabama 36088

The study was designed to determine the record keeping status of small farmers after their association with Farmers' organizations or technical assistance programs. The population for the study consisted of 791 small farmers in 12 Black Belt Counties of Alabama (n=100). Usable data were collected from 84 farmers.

The findings show that 65 percent of the farmers indicated that they kept various kinds of pre-production and post-production records prior to joining a farmer's organization or becoming a part of a technical assistance project. Seventy-eight percent kept records after their association with farmers' organizations or technical assistance programs.

Regarding the type of record keeping systems used, 21 percent of the farmers reported that they kept their records in a personal notebook; 20.2 percent were using the same type as they did before their association with farmers' organizations or technical assistance projects. The findings also revealed that 76 percent of the farmers were pleased with the type of record keeping system that they were using.

ASSISTANCE TO SMALL FARMERS: THE TUSKEGEE SMALL FARMER OUTREACH TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

Miles D. Robinson, Bob Mants, Bobby England, Jeffrey Moore, Nii Tackie, Robert Zabawa, and Ntam Baharanyi

Tuskegee University

112 Campbell Hall

Tuskegee, Alabama 36088

Since the publication of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission Report, "The Decline of Black Farming in America," USDA has placed increased emphasis on the delivery of technical assistance and information to limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers. The goal of this project is to train and deliver technical assistance to socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers and outreach to potential borrowers.

The following are addressed based on one-on-one approach to information dissemination and technical assistance:

• Preparation of farm ownership loan and operating loan applications

• Financial management, budgeting, and record keeping

• Marketing

• Business management skills

• Assistance with production techniques

• Development of alternative enterprises

The SFOTTAP at Tuskegee University is an example of a federal program involving an agency-1890 Land grant partnership achieving its goals, and at the same time exceeding them for the benefit of the clients the program is charged to serve.

DEVELOPING AQUACULTURE BUSINESSES AMONG UNDER REPRESENTED GROUPS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Aquaculture/Fisheries Center

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Box 4912

Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601

The Mississippi Delta region is characterized by a high percentage of socially disadvantaged, limited-resource farmers. With small plots of land and little capital, there is a lack of viable agricultural business alternatives for these farmers. Research and demonstration have shown that direct retail marketing can bring the farmer a higher price than sales to processors. Operating a small-scale aquaculture business profitability requires production and niche marketing efforts to be carefully integrated into one comprehensive management strategy. To accomplish this, however, requires a level of management of both production and marketing phases that is not commonly held by limited-resource farmers.

We are implementing an Extension education program designed specifically to overcome financial and informational constraints to participation in catfish production on the part of socially disadvantaged limited-resource farmers.

The first phase in providing management assistance was to locate or develop program resources. A series of small-scale catfish production fact sheets were developed. The second phase began with workshops on alternative small farm aquaculture enterprises. The third phase is to demonstrate small-scale production and marketing operations.

#7

SPECIALTY CROPS DEVELOP-MENT FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA

University of California Cooperative

Extension, Ag. Building, County Civic Center

Visalia, CA 93291

Small scale farmers must be innovative and flexible to meet the marketing challenges that will allow them not only to survive but thrive within the most competitive world market ever. Due to the nature of "economy of scale", small scale farmers have found that it is impractical to grow traditional crops competitively with large scale farmers. Therefore, it is essential that they identify niche markets. The niche may be a non-traditional (specialty crop) or it may be a traditional crop harvested out of season, or developed into an added value product.

An example of on-going crop research is the evaluation of annual artichoke production in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Historically, artichoke has been grown in the central coast of California where the climate is cool and moist. Attempts to grow artichokes in the central San Joaquin Valley had always failed because of the extreme dry hot weather. The innovative work to grow artichokes in desert conditions by farm advisors, Wayne Schader and Keith Mayberry of San Diego and Imperial counties respectively, opened the door for small scale farmers in Tulare county.

Farm advisors Manuel Jimenez and Richard Molinar have successfully grown the annual artichoke in the valley and have introduced the crop to growers. The first commercial planting of annual artichokes were planted in 1995.

#8

DEMONSTRATION OF POLACRY-LAMIDE (PAM) TO REDUCE EROSION ON ONIONS IN THE ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY OF COLORADO

Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067

Soil loss due to erosion can be high when onions are furrow-irrigated from 7 to 15 times during the growing season in the Arkansas River Valley of Colorado. Polyacrylamide (PAM) treated irrigation water was applied to onions on three dates in 1995 to reduce soil loss and improve quality of return flow to the river. On the first date, soil loss was reduced by 83%, from 477 pounds per acre on the untreated areas to 80 pounds per acre on the PAM-treated areas. This reduction in soil loss was obtained even though the flow rate was increased from 16.5 GPM per furrow on the untreated areas to 29.0 GPM per furrow on PAM-treated areas. On the two other dates, applying 16.5 GPM per furrow on all areas , PAM reduced soil loss 29% and 77%, respectively. Reduction in soil loss on the 1,400 foot long field of silty clay loam soil averaged 58.5% on five irrigations indicating a carryover effect of PAM when untreated irrigation water was used on all areas.

Total runoff was reduced from 3.7 on the untreated areas to 2.5 inches per acre on the PAM-treated areas indicating a greater lateral movement and/or a higher infiltration rate due to the PAM. Similar onion yields of 628 and 611 sacks (50 pounds) per acre were produced on the untreated and PAM-treated areas.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FOR SMALL AND MODERATE SIZED FARMS

Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

Douglas County, Colorado is located in the "Front Range" of Colorado. Its borders are within thirty minutes of Denver to the North and twenty-five minutes from Colorado Springs to the South. The current population of Douglas County is 100,000 which includes approximately 2,130 Agricultural properties of which 1,500-2,000 are individually-owned. According to USA Today, Douglas County, Colorado is the fastest growing county in the nation and has experienced the highest percentage gain in population the last five years.

The influx of population to Douglas County is bringing with it a segment who desire to combine the best of two worlds into their new home, that is, proximity to urban life and country living. The way many people do this is by living on small acreage or "ranchettes" ranging in size from five to thirty-five acres.

The small acreage is subject to the same climate and environmental attributes and challenges as the large ranches. The key to successful management is knowledge. The Small Acreage Management Seminar has targeted educational talks/programs to cover such topics as weed control, pesticide safety and use, soil erosion, fencing, water management, livestock production and other pertinent topics.

LIVING ON A FEW ACRES IN THE WEST

Pueblo, Colorado 81003

Recent population movements into western states has resulted in the development and sales of many homes on small acreage from five to forty acres. The fragile nature of the environment in conjunction with immigrants' unfamiliarity to the area has created some adverse results on these homesteads.

To address the need for environmental quality management, responsible land use planning, and better understanding of management practices by new residents, the Cooperative Extension Service has developed and distributed to residents in several states similar to "Living On a Few Acres in Wyoming", "Small Farm and Ranch Management in Montana", and a publication currently under development in Colorado.

These publications which address water management, soil management, livestock health, homestead planning, weed management, wildlife management, grazing, restrictions, references for inform-ation such as utilities, wells and fencing are written for some public audiences with no formal training.

The goal of the program(s) is to provide information which will allow landowners address certain agricultural problems as they arise.

#11

AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE NEEDS OF SMALL FULL-TIME FARMS

Robert Dismukes, Joy Harwood, and Robert A. Hoppe, USDA-Economic Research Service

1301 New York Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Room 832

Washington, DC 20005

This poster presents characteristics of small farms related to risk management and agricultural insurance programs. For example, small farms are more likely than all farms to obtain most of their farm sales from livestock, not crops, and are less likely to harvest cash grains.

The contribution of farm income to household income varies greatly across small farm households. Although many have substantial off-farm income, some small farm households have low off-farm income, as well as low farm income and farm asset values.

Small farms account for large shares of farms operated by socially disadvantaged farmers (women, blacks, American Indians, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics). For example, about 80 percent of farms operated by females, blacks, and American Indians have less than $25,000 in agricultural sales.

Differences between small farms and all U.S. farms suggest the need for different extension methods and risk management products. One-on-one assistance and outreach may be especially useful. Expansion of crop insurance to include more fruit and vegetable crops and to include whole-farm revenue insurance, covering both livestock and crop revenue, would provide products suited to the enterprise mix on many small farms.

BUSINESS AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FARMS WITH SALES LESS THAN $20,000

USDA-Economic Research Service

1301 New York Avenue, NW Room 937, Washington, DC 20005

We examine attitudes of farmers operating small farms to determine their management styles, the use of technology and information, decision-making process and subjective measurements of success. Almost three-quarters of all farms, 1.l5 million, are small, non-commercial farms with gross sales under $50,000.

Characteristics of small farms and their operators are very different from those of commercial-sized farms. Operators of small farms tend to be older, and fewer have attended college. Farming is not their major occupation, and on the average, they lose money farming. These farmers tend to say they have the same or more conservative management styles as other farmers, and they are the most likely to say they have no particular management style at all.

In contrast to commercial farmers who share decision making with a variety of equity-providers, small farm operators tend to make all the farm management decisions themselves. They measure success by ways other than financial, and almost two-thirds indicate that the rural life-style is very important. Only 14 percent wanted to increase their acreage. About half thought it was important that the farm survive adverse market or weather conditions and less than that wanted to increase gross sales. In contrast, almost 90 percent of commercial farmers wanted their farms to succeed financially and three-quarters wanted to expand. We conclude that many small farms are small because they fit the expectations and goals of the operators.

Washington, DC 20250

The Cooperative Extension System in partnership with USDA-Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, other public and private sectors, delivers programs and services to small farm families throughout the United States and the territories. All the land grant schools do not have programs specifically targeted at small scale farms, however, these schools do have a wide range of programs and services that benefit small farms.

At the State, county, and local levels, State Program Leaders, Researchers, Extension Educators, Scientists, and para-professionals provide leadership for small farm activities. Continued support of this program will assist the small farmer in meeting major needs in areas such as recordkeeping, farm management, and marketing strategies. Although the viability and survival of small farms is a rural issue in most states, there is still substantial disagreement on the definition of a small farm.

USDA's working definition of a small farm as found in the 1981 Farm Bill (Public Law 97-98) is as follows: "Small farm means any farm: (1) producing family net income from all sources (farm and non-farm) below the median non-metropolitan income of the State; (2) operated by a family dependent on farming for a significant though not necessarily a majority of its income; (3) on which family members provide most of the labor and management."

Gainesville, Florida 32611

Effects of organic and conventional farm management regimes on soils were studied on two Florida farms during a two-year period. There are two goals of the project: (1) to determine the effects of different farm management systems on soil quality and (2) to relate the ratio of product output and and energy input to the efficiency of the management systems. The two farms were selected because each has Typic Quartzipsamments and a cropping regime of watermelons and peanuts.

Long term cover crop of bahia grass was utilized for its high lignin content, slow decomposition rate, and for control of annual weed populations. this cover cropping system equally affects soils of both the organic and conventional farms.

Physical, chemical, and biological properties were used to quantify soil quality. Respectfully, these properties were represented by moisture holding capacity, organic carbon content, and microbial carbon. In the short term, improvement of soil properties with conventional practices were indicated by the results. The question of sustainability of soil quality and farm production is addressed through energy analysis of each farming system in terms of output product to energy input. In conclusion, the quality and quantity of agricultural inputs used to sustain Florida soil quality are suggested.

Quincy, Florida 32351

Despite differences in regulatory status, exotic meats (and other relatively unknown specialty products) share a need for a particular strategy or approach to marketing and market development. Several stages or steps must be taken in order to complete the strategy. Patience is needed and the time required for each step varies by individual marketer as well as product.

In order to exploit market opportunities, markets must be identified and some pre market entry activities conducted. Some of the pre market entry activities, such as evaluation of the farm’s resource base, are oriented towards the business, while others, such as an evaluation of general price trends, are oriented towards outside factors. Market entry strategies that directly address potential clients and consumers should be performed upon completion of the pre market activities. After markets are entered, the markets must be penetrated and finally the markets must be maintained. Pricing strategies and customer service come into play here. The producer must give the customer more than he or she expects and look beyond consumer preferences in order to successfully maintain markets.

Quality of service and product are the primary ways to more than meet expectations while innovation is the way to effectively look beyond consumer preferences. Despite differences in regulatory status, exotic meats (and other relatively unknown specialty products) share a need for a particular strategy or approach to marketing and market development. Several stages or steps must be taken in order to complete the strategy.

#16

AN ALTERNATIVE SUSTAINABLE CROP FOR THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES

Tallahassee, Florida 32307

The pigeon pea is an important grain legume crop in many parts of the world including India, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean including Latin America. Migrants from these regions who reside in the United States, still favor this pulse in their diet. Except for Hawaii and Puerto Rico, the pigeon pea is not commercially grown in the USA. Although a tropical crop, growth of adapted pigeon pea is possible in the lower regions of the United States. The pigeon pea is cold susceptible and will be killed by the onset of freezing temperatures in the fall each year. Three of the more promising lines: 76W, 99W and DO, were selected for regional (within Florida) evaluation. At the University of Florida, dried grain yields of the lines ranged from 336 kg ha^-1 to 3,360 kg ha^-1.

In November 1993, the grains produced by all three accessions were damaged by an early killing frost, just before making mature green stage. Consequently, yield data was not obtained. In 1994, grain yield of the accessions when harvested at the mature green and dried stages, were 76W, 3,219 and 1,180 kg ha ^-1, 99W, 2,643 and 1,471 kg ha^-1 and DO, 2,270 and 1,039 kg ha^-1, respectively. Further studies are being continued in order to select additional pigeon pea lines as well as determine management practices for specific locations.

#17

AN ALTERNATIVE ENTERPRISE FOR SMALL FARMERS

Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service,

19490 Oliver Street

Brooksville, Florida 34601

A majority of farmers in Hernando County, Florida are classified as small farm operators. These farmers need to identify alternative agricultural enterprises to increase farm income. Rabbit production was singled out as an alternative because of the relatively small capital investment and land requirement of a rabbitry.

The Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service developed a comprehensive rabbit related educational program during FY 95-96. This poster paper will highlght the following major activities:

• A 12-minute video entitled: "Rabbit Production - A Possible Money Making Idea for Small Farmers."

• A Rabbit Production Conference which provided 179 participants wth up-to-date production and marketing information.

• Fact sheets written on a variety of topics:

–Example Fryer Rabbit Budget

–Obtaining A Farm Loan

–Raising Rabbits

-- An Alternative Enterprise

• A booklet listing 12 easy and quick rabbit recipes

• Efforts to organize area rabbit producers into a growers' association to facilitate the marketing of your fryers

ON-FARM FARMER-CONDUCTED RESEARCH: SOUTHERN REGION SARE PRODUCER GRANT FUNDED PROJECTS

Griffin, Georgia 30223

American farmers are faced with the dual challenges of making a living from the land and also protecting the ecosystems of which their farms are a part of, and are dependent upon. The Southern Region Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education/Agriculture in Concert with the Environment (SARE/ACE) Producer Grant program is designed to help reconcile these conflicting challenges.

Producer Grants help farmers or farm organizations who want to solve on-farm problems by conducting their own research or by developing technologies in sustainable agriculture. Producer Grant funded projects are developed, coordinated and conducted by farmers or farm organizations. Furthermore, farmers put together project teams of people whose skills complement their own. These people can be extension agents, or other farmers, and they can help with experimental design, marketing, and dissemination of results, etc.

On-farm farmer-designed research is more likely to provide the types of information that farmers are looking for, than will conventional researcher-designed research. This is because farmers tend to design their research to solve problems that include biological, edaphic, economic, and sometimes cultural components all in one project. The funding of on-farm research: (1) encourages farmer innovation, (2) facilitates on-farm problem solving, and (3) demonstrates the utility of on-farm research results to other farmers.

Lewiston, Idaho 83501

Club concept brings farmers together to address long-term sustainable agriculture problems. One farm test addressed the issue of "Nutrient Return and Wheat Response of Plowed vs. Spray Killed Green Manure."

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) can be used as a green manure crop in sustainable farming systems. Plowing or herbicide are treatment options for killing green manure prior to the next crop that were evaluated in an on-farm near Culdesac, Idaho. Red clover green manure established in 1992 with a spring barley crop produced 300kg ha^-1 dry matter before being killed in June 1993 by plowing or three glyphosate + 2,4-D applications. Both treatments were tilled for weed control later in the summer. Soil N level in the fall of 1993 was 235 kg ha^-1 higher with plowing than with chemical kill. Water infiltration was four times greater with plowing. Winter wheat was established for evaluation of crop response to green manure management. Spring soil sampling in the wheat crop showed 47 kg ha^-1 more N following plowing than after chemical kill. On-farm testing of green manure management allows evaluation under practical conditions that can be adopted directly by growers.

#20

Carbondale, Illinois 62901

Aquaculture is positioned to expand in the northern Mississippi Delta region due to such factors as abundance of water resources, prevalence of clay soils ideal for pond construction, availability of large tracts of land at relatively reasonable prices, proximity to large markets, and local presence of university research, demonstration and outreach programs.

The goal of the program is to promote and facilitate the retention and expansion of the aquaculture industry in the northern Mississippi Delta region.

The objectives of the program are to assess the status of existing aquaculture business, develop strategies to increase profitability, determine financial implications of species and/or technology diversification, and provide technical and business support for individuals considering aquaculture as a business. Sensitivity analyses of price and production factors will determine which factors affect profits the most, and summarize their effects on profit potential. To provide technical and business support for individuals considering aquaculture as a new business, a curriculum will be developed and a workshop presented on "Starting an Aquaculture Business."

THE USE OF U.S. BUREAU OF THE CENSUS DATA AS A MARKETING STRATEGY TO TARGET CONSUMERS FOR AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS,

Carbondale, Illinois 62901

Marketing skills and strategies are essential for success in the aquaculture industry. Many aquaculturists, particularly small-scale producers, start with expertise in production but either lack expertise in marketing or cannot afford a marketing staff. Marketing involves research on what the changing consumer desires, not just what aquaculturists can or want to produce. The changing demographic characteristics of the U.S. population, particularly lifestyles and economic factors, have important implications for the food industry. People from different cultural backgrounds and demographics often express their differences through the food they eat. Collecting market research data on consumer lifestyles and economic factors is crucial, but can be expensive.

An affordable way to keep up-to-date on the consumer is to access the data base of the U.S. Census Bureau. These data can be used to target where people live by age, race, sex, income, living conditions, and many other population characteristics to develop marketing strategies. The Bureau of the Census maintains 12 regional offices in the U.S. and numerous state locations to access these data, which are available for state, counties, municipalities, etc.

Lexington, Kentucky 40546

Organic production of vegetable and fruit crops in Kentucky is gaining ground. Acreage and grower numbers are increasing. Health concerns and certain economic advantages for the grower are the impetus for use in organic production. There is a need to collate cultural practice information and present it in a usable form for Kentucky. Work is being done to consolidate information on cultural practices, current research, and marketing opportunities. To address these concerns, older Extension horticultural publications are being amended as well as new bulletins being written. To accomplish this, grower meetings, farm visits, scouting for problems in crops, conducting research, and literature searches, are some of the steps being taken.

The greater implementation of cultural practices such as rotations, cover crops, green manures, living mulches, and minimum tillage are replacing dependance on chemical sprays, chemical fertilizers, and soil destroying practices. Through this liaison, we are bringing together a new group of agricultural producers with interdepartmental specialists within the university and new insights and partnerships are being forged.

#23

HOW TO REACH THE HARD-TO-REACH AUDIENCES

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

The Kentucky State University (KSU) Cooperative Extension Program's Small Farmer Outreach and Technical Assistance Project is designed to provide assistance to small and limited resource farmers via frequent one-on-one farm visits by trained agents and paraprofessionals.

The steps to reaching the hard-to-reach farm audiences must include the following: Listening, Leadership, Training, and Caring.

Step 1 - The educator must first be a good listener when working with the hard-to-reach farm audience. This allows time to to assess the farmer's situation.

Step 2 - Then, the educator must prepare leadership to the farmer. For example, the educator makes recommendations to the farmer during face-to-face communication through farm visits.

Step 3 - The educator encourages the farmer to attend Extension educational programs, field days, and other farm demonstrations in the community.

Step 4 - In conjunction with one-on-one farm visits, the educator calls the farmer on the phone to check on his/her progress. This shows the farmer that the educator cares about his/her situation.

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Large scale use of technology, farm consolidation, and economic constraints have been responsible for significant reductions in farm numbers during the past several decades. Circumstances facing farmers are further complicated by increasing demands for U.S. agriculture to compete on a global scale. The decreased market for traditional agricultural products has prompted interest in finding new uses for traditional crops and expanding the variety of existing crops grown for an increasingly diverse and health oriented U.S. population. Farmers are searching for new and better ways to produce and utilize agricultural commodities, with the aim of becoming more diverse producers of food, fuels, medicines, and industrial products for the future.

The implimentation of alternative production measures is an important factor in the continued survival of the farm sector. Although crops for food consumption are a basic use of agricultural products, nontraditional use of crops represent new and innovative options. One of the most promising new uses for agriculture is converting crops and waste materials into biofuels.Advances in conversion technology has increased the economic feasibility of replacing gasoline and diesel fuel with biofuels from corn and soybeans.

#37

FARM RECORD KEEPING

Introduction: Athens County is a rural county in the Appalachian foothills of Southeast Ohio. The 1992 population was 60,061. This included the population of Ohio University with student enrollment of over 17,000 students. The poverty rate for Athens County for 1992 was 32% (Crawford & Bentley, 1994). With a high poverty rate and 530 farms (Ohio Agricultural Statistics, 1994) averaging 162.3 acres, there is a tremendous opportunity for local residents to utilize and develop markets at the local and regional levels.

The Agricultural Extension Agent conducted a literature search via the internet, and identified several management strategies to the grower. One technique, intercropping with harbinger strand medic (Medicago litoralis), had been tested in Sweden with mixed results. In collaboration, the Agent and the grower designed a randomized complete block experiment with four replications and three planting dates. In 1995, the intercrop reduced non-marketable carrot yields by 50 percent, 45 percent, and 20 percent at the three planting dates, respectively.

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