Farm Tours with Farm Bureau
- Why the program is important?
With less than 2% of the general population directly involved in agriculture, citizens and policy makers are becoming more out of touch with the importance and benefits of agriculture to our local and state economies.
- What was done to address the issue?
UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Farm Bureau advocate for the citizens of Florida to realize the importance of the second largest industry in Florida, Agriculture. There are numerous counties across the state coordinating farm tours and many partner with Florida Farm Bureau. The Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour and the northwest Florida Legislative Farm Tour are two of many that work with Florida Farm Bureau to highlight agriculture in their regions. Working on these tours also strengthens Extension’s important partnership with Florida Farm Bureau.
The tours are designed to educate the public and policy makers. Generally farms tours focus on showcasing the latest technologies used in agriculture, recognizing outstanding farmers, and highlighting issues and difficulties that farmers are facing. Florida Farm bureau has worked with Extension to help improve the knowledge of agriculture and the awareness of its benefits.
- What was the impact of the program? (i.e., “so what?” or “who cares?”)
Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour
- Since 2012, 657 people have participated on the annual tour. 99% of participants have indicated they are more aware of Ag/Natural Resources value to the community. In 2015, 90% indicated that they will make better informed decisions in the future concerning the sustainability of agriculture/natural resources.
Sumter County Farm-City Event and Tour
- Since 2013 the event has been a collaborative effort between Sumter County Farm Bureau, Sumter County Extension, the Board of County Commissioners, the Cattlemen’s Association, The Sumter County Farmers and Livestock Market, the Chamber of Commerce, and The Villages Entertainment. A committee member representing each of these organizations meets monthly to plan this event that occurs in November. The committee member from Farm Bureau serves as the Chairman of the event. Since 2013, 44 elected officials have participated in the Farm-City tour with 100% reporting knowledge gain and 100% feeling more empowered to make more informed decisions regarding agriculture.
NW Florida Legislative Farm Tour
- Since 2012, 177 legislators and/or their aides have participated in this annual tour. 100% of participants reported increased knowledge of local agriculture. 70% reported an improved opinion of the economic importance of local agriculture.
- Report should include a brief description of the program, evaluation data, and/or impact numbers
- UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Farm Bureau Farm Tour collaboration across the state has allowed for the general public and elected officials to become more appreciative of agriculture production in their region. Survey results from the Santa Rosa County Farm Tour, The Sumter County Farm-City Tour, and The NW Florida Legislative Farm Tour has showed as high as 99% of participants have indicated they are more aware of Ag/Natural Resources value to the community. Also, as high as 90% indicated that they will make better informed decisions in the future concerning the sustainability of agriculture/natural resources. Industrialization and the continual advancement of technology have created a widening gap between the general public and Florida’s agriculture and natural resources (Goodwin, Chiarelli, & Irani, 2011). Less than 2% of the United States workforce is now employed in an agricultural field, less than 5% of the population lives on a farm, and only 20% of the population lives in a rural area (Dimitri, Effland, & Conklin, 2005).Extension has helped increase the agricultural literacy and awareness of Florida residents, decision makers, and visitors by offering educational farm tours in collaboration with Florida Farm Bureau so that these audiences are able to form attitudes and opinions, gain knowledge, make behavior changes, and increase their economic support of Florida agriculture through increased purchases of Florida-grown food.