Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

On-line learning: Using webinars to teach about succession and enterprise development issues

Project ID: XP2009-02

Abstract

Iowa State University's Beginning Farmer Center and Practical Farmers of Iowa teamed up to broadcast eight webinars to assist current and beginning farmers in devising strategies for successful farm enterprises.

Key Question: Will farmers utilize webinar technology to reduce long drives for face-to-face meetings, breaking their isolation to learn how to make their farms more profitable, and their businesses transfer to the next generation?

Findings: Yes, farmers are enthusiastic about learning from people who are farming successfully, love fthe freedom to access the information from their home whenever they are free, and can log-in live to ask questions that directly impact their businesses and lives.

Lead investigator: Teresa Opheim, Practical Farmers of Iowa

Year of grant completion: 2010

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Cross-Cutting Initiative.

Topics: Human systems, demographics and beginning farmer programs