In the News - May 2009
Homespun advice from a veteran county agent
Adapting to a changing world
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - A degree of empathy will always manifest itself in
visiting with any of the growing number of small-acreage owners. Conversations
often include the availability, or the lack of services and supplies such as
equipment, land preparation/seeding, lime/fertilization applications,
fence/facility construction or repair and herbicide selection and use.
The 2007 Census of Agriculture is somewhat deceiving since it reports that,
in our corner of the state, only 8 percent of all farmers manage an operation of
less than 10 acres. The deception is that many small acreage owners aren’t
included in the ag census simply because they don’t consider themselves farmers.
However, you can bet that our farm supply businesses have them on the radar as
present or potential customers.
As an extension agent, I always enjoy working with small acreage owners since
their learning curve is usually set to follow an upward pattern. The aggravation
begins when the discussion centers on the actual implementation of a practice.
It’s at that point when the availability of certain services or supplies becomes
problematic.
A lot of the frustration has to deal with the mechanics of working within the
confines presented by small acreage situations.
Most agricultural practices, to be effective, must be accomplished in a
timely manner and some homework has to be handled well in advance. Small acreage
owners may spend their work week within the confines of the urban business world
where services and supplies are at beck and call.
To assume a service or supply item is immediately available in the
agriculture community, simply because you need it, is a sure path to failure.
The adage, that there’s a silver lining behind every cloud, seems appropriate
for this situation. No doubt many farm supply businesses continue to adjust to
the needs of small acreage owners. As the demographics of agriculture continue
to change, adapting services, supplies, and educational needs simply makes good
sense. Til’ next week!
For more on agriculture in your corner of the state, contact your county
extension office or visit www.uaex.edu and select
Agriculture. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of
Agriculture.
May 15, 2009
By: Robert Seay
Benton County Extension Agent Staff Chair
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187
ljames@uaex.edu
Related Link
Request an Interview
|
