University of Maryland Extension Winter Meeting Data 2022 (FS-2022-0642)

Agriculture and Food Systems educators met to discuss survey questions for the winter meeting season and agreed upon a standard evaluation. The final survey had 15 questions, including multiple-choice and open-ended questions (available upon request from the author), and collected farm and demographic information, production practices, and profitability estimates. The Institutional Review Board approved the survey.

UME educators provided a consent statement to participants before distributing the survey following each in-person or virtual meeting. The consent statement explained the reason for the survey, contained a privacy notice, and offered the ability to opt out. The in-person meetings received a paper survey, and virtual participants received a link to complete the survey online. All data was compiled into one Qualtrics survey for ease of analysis. Qualtrics provided results in percentages, means, and counts in order to analyze the data. No additional statistical analysis was conducted beyond descriptive statistics. A total of 411 participants completed all or part of the survey.

UME educators conducted 22 meetings between November 2021 and March 2022. The meetings are strategically located around the state to reach the intended audience of farmers (Table 1). Eleven of the educational meetings focused on agronomy, four on vegetable production, two on fruit production, three on forage and hay production, and two on urban farming. The team offered a series of virtual meetings to those who could not attend in person.

The 2021-2022 winter meetings held by the University of Maryland Extension drew participants from 20 Maryland counties and from Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These meetings aim to improve yields and profitability by updating farmers and agriculture service providers on relevant regulations and practices. The UME Agriculture and Food Systems team distributed surveys to discover:

1. who attended the meetings,
2. to obtain farm production outcomes due to information received, and
3. to assess impacts on the farm due to information obtained.

Note. Five meetings were offered virtually.

The surveys included a series of questions designed to learn more about the participants and farms, including acreage, years of experience, and demographics. Agronomy and forage participants farmed on average 482 acres while vegetable and fruit participants farm an average of 84 acres. The winter meetings attract long-time farmers, with 64% farming for over 20 years. Additionally, 20% identified as agriculture service providers in attendance to learn and network (Figure 1).

The winter meetings' demographics are strongly aligned with the USDA Agriculture Census for Maryland, with 76% male, 54% between the ages of 55 and 75, and 95% self-identifying as White/not Latino.

Participants were asked to select their most significant farm challenges from a list and could choose as many as they wished. The most commonly selected challenges were input costs (68%), weather (65%), and regulations (55%) (Table 2). Some participants also identified challenges not included in the survey’s list, including limited access to labor, public perception, and supply chain.

Note. Participants could select all that applied from the list of challenges as well as include written comments.

The survey included questions related to farm production practices and how UME winter meetings have affected farms and businesses. Participants chose as many production practices as they wished to represent those they plan to implement because of attendance at the winter meetings. The most selected practices include improved crop production efficiencies (53%), improved pest management practices (42%), increased knowledge of regulations (38%), and enhanced manure and nutrient management practices (37%) (Table 3). When asked how the winter meetings have affected their farms and businesses, most survey participants (91%) expressed that their operations benefited from the meetings.

Note. Participants could select more than one option. Percent equals more than 100%.

The economic impacts from education obtained during both winter meetings and year-round Extension events were evaluated using key metrics including yield per acre and dollars per acre. Winter meeting participants completed survey questions designed to measure the influence of the knowledge and skills they acquired. The assessment’s purpose was to capture the outcomes and economic implications of the educational opportunities provided. By gaining participants' feedback, UME can gain valuable insights into the application of educational offerings, allowing for informed decision-making and an understanding of the economic value generated.

Participants were asked to estimate their increase in yield per acre based on knowledge and skills gained from Extension programming through the year and by selecting from a range of percentages from zero to “More than 30%.” Those taking the survey could select “Unsure” if they were unable to estimate the percentage. Participants estimated a farm increase of yield by 6-12% per acre, with the average estimating an increase of 9% per acre (Figure 2).

Participants also completed survey questions to assess dollars earned per acre. They were asked specifically about the estimated increase in dollars earned per acre resulting from the knowledge and skills acquired through Extension programming. The survey included a monetary range from $0 to “More than $50,” as well as the option to select “Unsure” if they were unable to estimate the dollar per acre amount. Participants estimated a farm increase in dollars earned per acre between $15-$24, with the average estimated at $19 per acre (Figure 3).

Participants could provide additional comments and feedback about the event. Many of the comments were related to the format or facilities of the event. Many others suggested education topics and learning formats. Selected quotes about the day include:

• “Great job of bringing important updates and research results to the vegetable industry”
• “Put together well; very knowledgeable and engaging speakers/topics.”
• “Prefer in-person meetings, extension always provides good content. Thanks!”
• “I prefer the virtual meetings because I can see and hear better than the in-person meetings. I am also more comfortable so I am learning more from the sessions.”

The UME winter meetings serve as critical events to provide education and recertification options to farmers and the industry. The survey results assist UME in understanding the audience of participants, implementation of production practices, and farm economic impacts. Furthermore, UME can utilize the survey results in individual and team reporting.

Participants from Western Maryland to the Lower Eastern Shore attended winter production meetings hosted by UMD Extension during the winter of 2021-2022. The objective is to provide updates on the latest research findings and production practices. There were 22 events from November 2021 to March 2022 reaching 411 farmers. Of those replying to a post-meeting survey, 91% report the ability to use information gained at the meeting on their farm. When asked about production practices that will be implemented due to information received:

• 53% report improved crop production practices,
• 42% report improved pest management practices,
• 38% report increased knowledge of regulations, and
• 37% report improved manure and nutrient management.

Based on knowledge and skills gained from Extension programming throughout the year, participants estimate increasing farm yield by 9% per acre. Participants also estimated $19 per acre as the total value in dollars earned because of Extension programming throughout the year.