Farmer Ca Phase 3: A Case Study
A farmer’s biggest tool is his or her budget, this is an important tool used to analyze and measure profits and how the monies will be allocated for continued growth. The choice to purchase new equipment or sell off crops or livestock is not an easy decision, farmers need to think in short and long terms (how this will affect the business and how long it will last) and weigh the financial impact. Food and fiber industry budgets should be prepared with a specific objective. Receipts and costs are difficult to estimate in budget preparation because they are numerous and variable. Therefore, farmers are encouraged to prepare a sample budget, based on acreage for crops and animal units for livestock, as an approximate and make adjustments according to the production situations (Harper et al). When the budget is set, the farmer
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can then allocate funds to buying or leasing equipment, water irrigation systems and seeding. Factors for alternative farming includes preserving water, decreasing water waste, thus, increase crop yields, a methods used to maximize water without wasting is a drip irrigation reducing waste by 50%. Advantages include: o Lowering operation pressure means reduced energy use and cost for pumping. o Labor and operating cost are lowered and extensive automation is possible o Water application is made directly to the plant root zone, less water is made on non-production areas – resulting in better weed control o Fertilizers can be applied through drip control o Irrigation can be done under a wide range of field conditions reducing soil erosion and nutrient leaching (Harper et al). Water used to drip irrigate can come from ponds, well, rivers, and municipal suppliers.
Phase III: Marketing and networking for increased sales Working closely with other farmers during the implementation process will assist reaching your target audience and using a variety of promotional methods should be utilized to ensure you reach a large customer base.
Networking and product placement through fresh farm market days or setting up at your local market for face to face interaction, both methods allows the consumers a chance to get to know the producer (farmer) and the opportunity to learn more about how the produce was grown. Another great way to promote alternative grown produce in the beginning stages can be to market to your neighbors, family, church functions, roadside sales, and restaurants. Starting small, using word of mouth for the first year and as sales increase using more advanced methods. Creative Marketing, the four P’s of marketing – product, price, place and promotion Product/Services: know your consumer, your product, what do they want? Price: Is the price competitive? Will the price attract consumer and yield a profit. Place: location, location, location, is your product/service easily
accessible? Promotion: is your message hitting your target audience? Promotion methods to use flyers, radio, newspaper, word of mouth, internet, popular social media, and/or develop a webpage.
Phase IV:
Evaluation process Constant evaluation of this new alternative farming industry will involve measuring the soil health before and after, checking for soil erosion and soil organic carbon (this plays a key role in the carbon cycle and global climate model), fresh water consumption and quality, have we lowered our intake and increased our rainwater reserve, and how does this affect the soil quality. Another measuring method is by viewing nature in its own habitat, are we disturbing the wildlife habitat or ecosystem.
Conclusion There is a growing concern about the effects of greenhouse gas emission caused by the current methods for farming. The human population is not slowing down and neither is the demand for food, so the need for a sustainable, lower cost, and less labor farming. The attempt is to influence farmer to produce crops that are heat resistant through conventional and transgenic breeding. Along with implementing new innovative ideas we will also need to train our personnel. To ensure stakeholders are engaged and happy.
can then allocate funds to buying or leasing equipment, water irrigation systems and seeding. Factors for alternative farming includes preserving water, decreasing water waste, thus, increase crop yields, a methods used to maximize water without wasting is a drip irrigation reducing waste by 50%. Advantages include: o Lowering operation pressure means reduced energy use and cost for pumping. o Labor and operating cost are lowered and extensive automation is possible o Water application is made directly to the plant root zone, less water is made on non-production areas – resulting in better weed control o Fertilizers can be applied through drip control o Irrigation can be done under a wide range of field conditions reducing soil erosion and nutrient leaching (Harper et al). Water used to drip irrigate can come from ponds, well, rivers, and municipal suppliers.
Phase III: Marketing and networking for increased sales Working closely with other farmers during the implementation process will assist reaching your target audience and using a variety of promotional methods should be utilized to ensure you reach a large customer base.
Networking and product placement through fresh farm market days or setting up at your local market for face to face interaction, both methods allows the consumers a chance to get to know the producer (farmer) and the opportunity to learn more about how the produce was grown. Another great way to promote alternative grown produce in the beginning stages can be to market to your neighbors, family, church functions, roadside sales, and restaurants. Starting small, using word of mouth for the first year and as sales increase using more advanced methods. Creative Marketing, the four P’s of marketing – product, price, place and promotion Product/Services: know your consumer, your product, what do they want? Price: Is the price competitive? Will the price attract consumer and yield a profit. Place: location, location, location, is your product/service easily
accessible? Promotion: is your message hitting your target audience? Promotion methods to use flyers, radio, newspaper, word of mouth, internet, popular social media, and/or develop a webpage.
Phase IV:
Evaluation process Constant evaluation of this new alternative farming industry will involve measuring the soil health before and after, checking for soil erosion and soil organic carbon (this plays a key role in the carbon cycle and global climate model), fresh water consumption and quality, have we lowered our intake and increased our rainwater reserve, and how does this affect the soil quality. Another measuring method is by viewing nature in its own habitat, are we disturbing the wildlife habitat or ecosystem.
Conclusion There is a growing concern about the effects of greenhouse gas emission caused by the current methods for farming. The human population is not slowing down and neither is the demand for food, so the need for a sustainable, lower cost, and less labor farming. The attempt is to influence farmer to produce crops that are heat resistant through conventional and transgenic breeding. Along with implementing new innovative ideas we will also need to train our personnel. To ensure stakeholders are engaged and happy.