Beginning women farmers in Texas take turns explaining their land plan options in experiential exercises.
HMI’s 2015 Beginning Farmers & Ranchers: Women in the NE & Texas program funded by the USDA/NIFA Beginning Farmer/Rancher Development Program, has been going full steam through the winter and spring with some states beginning to wrap up. The Texas program coordinated by HMI’s Program Manager, Peggy Cole, completed all 10 sessions by the end of February. Lead instructor was Holistic Management Certified Educator Peggy Sechrist and mentors for the program were Tracy Litle, Lauri Celella, Kathy Harris, Pam Mitchell, Lauren Bradbury, and Katherine Napper, and CD Pounds. We’ve been busy entering the data and crunching the numbers. Thanks to the USDA/NIFA BFRDP for their support of this program.
Here’s what we’ve learned from our 33 Texas participants who graduated:
Land Planning exercise during Beginning Women Farmer Training
Demographics
Of the 28 participants responding
- 27 are currently farming and all plan to continue farming
- The average years of farming was 4 years (range: 0.2 to 9 years)
- The average acres under production was 89 acres under production (range: 0.5 to 500 acres) with a total of 2569 under production
- The average age was 47 years old (range: 24 to 75 years old)
- The total retail customers of all participants was : 624 and 18 wholesale customers
- 33 participants were trained and 32 graduated for a 97% graduation rate
- Overall satisfaction of the program was an average of 94%
” Beginning women farmers in Texas explore land planning options
Here’s what the participants had to say:
“The network has introduced resources and expertise I may never have encountered.”
“The network has supported me in many ways. With my mentor – my mentor supports me and assists me with such unparalleled generosity and expertise and kindness. She is an invaluable gift. With my mentee team – my fellow mentees are also great supports.”
“I think the relationships I made here have saved my mental health and will greatly enhance my effectiveness as a person for as long as I live.”
“The suggestions from others are invaluable. Seeing what others are doing helps generate ideas.”
“In the BWF network we have teamed up, borrowed equipment, bought/sold equipment & goods/services, exchanged information, troubleshooting, delivered programming, met with 3rd party & mutual friends, been introduced to new clients, etc.”
“My mentor visits are very helpful! Great ideas & knowledge!”
“It helps to know my decisions and goals are shared by others who also struggle to succeed – and some have made it!”
“My mentor will walk the land with me to help me understand our next steps.”
“The relationships w/fellow classmates is incredible.”
“I have made connections that led to borrowing equipment free of charge, volunteer labor and new customer base.”
“I feel like the class provided an inspiring network of other beginning & established farms & ranches with a wealth of knowledge & resource. Learned of new mentors & programs.”
“I know I can turn to many of these women, especially in my management club, with questions or for help in need. To have this support is invaluable.”
Katherine Napper Ottmer reviewing the testing questions during a land planning class.
Results of Surveys
| BWF PARTICIPANT BEHAVIOR CHANGE (completion of plans) | % of participants |
| Holistic Goal/Whole Farm Plan | 97% |
| Financial Plan | 93% |
| Business Plan | 78% |
| Marketing Plan | 81% |
| Land Plan | 100% |
| Biological Monitoring | 90% |
| Grazing Plan (grazers in group) | 95% |
| Forge Relationships That Positively Impacted You | 100% |
Tracy Litle explains concepts of brainstorming options during land planning
| Post-Program Outcome Changes | |
| Topic | % Participants ExperiencingChange |
| Increased satisfaction with Quality of Life | 79% |
| Increased satisfaction with Communication | 86% |
| Increased satisfaction with Time Management | 86% |
| Increased satisfaction with Ability to Determine Needed Profit | 93% |
| Increased satisfaction with Ability to Make Complex Decisions | 97% |
| Post-Session Impacts Achieved | Percent of Participants |
| Human Resource Management | |
| Clearer sense of what you are managing towards | 100% |
| Better Ability to Determine Resources Available to You | 100% |
| More Efficient Use of Resources | 90% |
| Improved Communications on the Farm | 86% |
| Improved Decision Making | 90% |
| New Policies and Systems Implemented | 83% |
| Better Relationships | 79% |
| Financial Resource Management | |
| Increased Farm Profits | 21% |
| Increased Net Worth | 21% |
| Increased Gross Income as result of training | 43% |
| Ability to Identify Business Challenges from Previous Years | 76% |
| Strategies for More Effective Reinvestment in the Business | 83% |
| New or Improved Record Keeping Systems | 76% |
| Enhanced Understanding of Your Farm Finances | 79% |
| Changes in How Your Prioritize Expenses | 83% |
| Reduced Farm Expenses | 38% |
| Improved Ability to Prioritize Land Planning Investments | 86% |
| Improved Ability to Incorporate Social, Environmental, and Financial into Your Land Plan | 86% |
| Improved Ability to Articulate Goals and Objectives of Business to Others | 83% |
| Improved Understanding of your Market and How Your Business Fits In | 69% |
| Prioritized investments | 66% |
| Improved ability to determine most effective enterprises | 76% |
| Improved ability to effectively market products | 62% |
| Natural Resource Management | |
| Achievement of Environmental Goals in Your Land Plan | 48% |
| Increased Forage Production | 24% |
| Reduction in Feed Costs | 43% |
| Improved Environmental Conditions | 48% |
| Improved Herd Health | 43% |
| Improved Ability to Manage Animals | 81% |
| Less Stress for Farmers | 52% |
| Less Stress for Animals | 52% |
| Longer Grazing Seasons | 24% |
| Reduction of Overgrazed Plants | 48% |
| Improved Understanding of Your Farm’s Eco-System | 100% |
| Improved Ability to Determine Appropriate Management to Address an Environmental Issue | 86% |
| Implementation of Specific Management Practices to Remediate an Environmental Issue | 79% |
| Improved Understanding of Your Forage Composition | 83% |
| Improved Environmental Conditions on Your Farm | 59% |
| Desired Change in Species Composition | 55% |
| Knowledge Change Summary Per Session | ||
| Course | % Participants Experiencing Knowledge Change | |
| Session One – Goal Setting | ||
| Defining Effective Management Team | 85% | |
| Inventory Farm Resources | 85% | |
| Develop a Whole Farm Goal | 94% | |
| Define What You Are Managing Towards | 85% | |
| Identify Needed Farm Systems and Protocols | 79% | |
| Integrate Social, Economic, and Environmental Factors into Decision-Making | 94% | |
| Session Two – Time Management | ||
| Ability to Make Complex On-Farm Decisions | 97% | |
| Assess How Time is Spent on Farm | 100% | |
| Understanding Seasonal Time Demands/Flows | 88% | |
| Effectively Manage Time on Your Farm | 97% | |
| Session Three – Financial Planning I | ||
| Attitude Toward Financial Planning | 76% | |
| Ability to Develop Balance Sheet | 83% | |
| How to Increase Farm Net Worth | 86% | |
| Determining Viable Profitable Enterprises for Your Farm | 93% | |
| Determining Your Farm’s Projected Revenue | 90% | |
| Identifying Logjams and Adverse Factors on Farm | 97% | |
| Session Four – Financial Planning II | ||
| Skills in Developing Whole Farm Financial Plan | 100% | |
| Getting Profit You Need from Your Farm | 88% | |
| Delineating Farm Expense Categories | 88% | |
| Prioritizing and Cutting Farm Expenses to Guide Reinvestment | 92% | |
| Assessing Farm Cash Flow | 92% | |
| Monitoring Your Financial Plan | 92% | |
| Session Five – Marketing | ||
| Using Whole Farm Goal and Financial Plan to Develop Marketing Plan | 100% | |
| Profitably Price Products and Services | 93% | |
| Effectively Promote Products and Services | 86% | |
| Marketing Outreach Towards Your Whole Farm Goal | 93% | |
| How to Develop a Marketing Plan | 86% | |
| Session Six – Business Planning | ||
| Knowledge of Resources for Developing Strategic Plan for Farm | 93% | |
| Attitudes Towards Value of Having a Business Plan to Guide Farm | 74% | |
| Ability to Develop a Business Plan for Farm | 89% | |
| Ability to Use Holistic Goal to Guide Business Strategic Plan | 96% | |
| Ability to Use Financial Plan to Determine Viable Markets for Farm | 89% | |
| Ability to Implement Systems and Projects to Move Towards Whole Farm Goal | 89% | |
| Session Seven – Leadership and Communication | ||
| Effective Communication Tools for Farm | 85% | |
| Conflict Resolution Skills for Farm | 85% | |
| Incorporating Diverse Learning Styles toward More Effective Leadership and Communication | 85% | |
| Using Whole Farm Goal to Guide Communication on Farm | 85% | |
| Session Eight – Land Planning | ||
| Prioritize Land and Infrastructure Development/Investments | 84% | |
| Design Strategies to Build Resilient, Diversified Farms | 97% | |
| Assess Management Considerations to Guide Land Planning | 87% | |
| How to Incorporate Natural Resource Issues into Land Planning | 87% | |
| How to Incorporate Social/Legal/Contractual into Land Planning | 81% | |
| Session Nine – Grazing | ||
| Value of Grazing Planning | 89% | |
| How to Assess Recovery Periods | 100% | |
| How to Assess Quantity of Forage in Pasture | 96% | |
| How to Improve Land Health with Livestock | 100% | |
| How to Determine Number of Animals Your Pasture Can Support | 93% | |
| How to Determine the Number of Paddocks | 96% | |
| How to Determine Grazing Periods | 100% | |
| Session Ten – Soil Fertility | ||
| Importance of Improving Soil Fertility Sustainably | 71% | |
| Value of Organic Matter in Soils | 79% | |
| Benefits of a Covered Soil | 82% | |
| Benefits of Biodiversity | 79% | |
| Indicators of a Healthy Farm Eco-System | 86% | |
| Ability to Monitor Farm Eco-System Health | 96% | |
| Increased Confidence as a Result of Session | % of participants | |
| Developing Written Whole Farm Goal | 94% | |
| Identifying Systems and Protocols for your Farm | 82% | |
| Manage Your Time on Your Farm | 100% | |
| Make Complex Decisions on Your Farm | 97% | |
| Using Testing Questions for On Farm Analysis | 97% | |
| Determine Your Farm’s Net Worth | 83% | |
| Increase Your Farm’s Net Worth | 69% | |
| Determine Viable Profitable Enterprises | 76% | |
| Getting Profit You Need From Your Farm | 65% | |
| Prioritizing Cutting Farm Expenses to Guide Re-investment | 69% | |
| Determining Weak Link in Farm Enterprises | 81% | |
| Identifying Cash Flow Issues on Farm | 73% | |
| Pricing Your Farm Products | 72% | |
| Promoting Your Farm Products | 90% | |
| Developing a Marketing Plan that Meets Your Farm’s Needs and Goals | 83% | |
| Assessing Your Competition to Understand Your Farm’s Strengths | 66% | |
| Developing a Business/Strategic Plan | 89% | |
| Identifying Resources to Assist You in Developing a Business/Strategic Plan | 89% | |
| Implementing Important Strategic Systems and Projects | 89% | |
| Communicating with Decision Makers | 81% | |
| Communicating with Farm Workers | 81% | |
| Providing Leadership on Your Farm | 78% | |
| Ability to Prioritize Land/Infrastructure Improvements on Farm | 94% | |
| Ability to Incorporate Natural Resource Issues into Land Planning | 94% | |
| Ability to Incorporate Social/Legal Considerations into Land Planning | 71% | |
| Ability as a Grazer | 89% | |
| Assessing Recovery Periods | 81% | |
| Assessing Quantity of Forage and Pasture | 81% | |
| Determining the Number of Animals Your Land Can Support for Grazing | 78% | |
| Calculating the Number of Paddocks for your System | 78% | |
| Determining How Long Animals Will Stay in Each Paddock | 74% | |
| Monitoring Your Farm’s Eco-System Health | 100% | |
| Improving Eco-System Health on Your Farm | 89% | |
| Building Organic Matter in Your Soils | 79% | |
Adelene is a resident of Arkansas and loves exploring the state’s natural trails. Her passion for education and technology led her to earn a master’s in learning systems technology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. With her professional experience managing student/client databases and instructional design, Adelene will bring skill and understanding to her role as Office Manager & Instructional Designer at HMI. Her focus on making education more accessible to diverse communities is evident through her volunteer work as an board member for a scholarship program. Adelene is devoted to creating educational opportunities that align with HMI’s mission to promote healthy, resilient lands and thriving communities.
Seth Wilner has been a Holistic Management International Certified Educator since 2005. For 22 years he has worked as an agent educator with University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension where he specializes in farm business management with an emphasis on whole farm planning.
Dana was first introduced to Holistic Management in the 1990s while working in the Texas Hill Country. She strongly believes that Holistic Management can positively impact families that are on the land, the communities they are a part of, and larger landscape resource regeneration efforts.
Sarah Robertson grew up in Taos, New Mexico and has always been passionate about land stewardship, growing things, and nurturing others. After completing a BA in Communication from the University of New Mexico and working with local non-profits, she started her journey as a first-generation farmer. Since 2015, she has been learning and growing alongside her husband on various leased properties in Albuquerque, NM and running a small market farm with goats, chickens, and a CSA. In her role as Programs Assistant at HMI, Sarah brings her enthusiasm for regenerative agriculture, devotion to supporting others, and drive for lifelong learning and growing.
Jozua Lambrecht is from South Africa and divides his time between their home in Somerset West and their family farm in Sutherland, one of the coldest places in South Africa, where they farm with sheep. He is married to his wife Therese and they have two daughters.
Alejandro Carrillo is a fourth-generation rancher, and he is quite familiar with the challenges of running a profitable cattle ranch in the Chihuahuan desert. Because annual precipitation seldom exceeds nine inches, every drop counts when it comes to growing more grasses. Grazing year-round with only sea salt as an input, he is not willing to waste any water in such a brittle environment.
Jared L Talley was born and raised in Southwestern Idaho and now seeks to help rural communities adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. He is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Service at Boise State University, earning his PhD in Philosophy from Michigan State University and his MPA in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management from Boise State University. An environmental philosopher by training and an interdisciplinary scholar in practice, he seeks to better understand how communities relate to the land and how this relationship poses obstacles and opportunities for collaboration and governance. In doing so, he studies the role of science in collaborative policy, the role of place in environmental identity, and the role of the imagination in mediating both. Specifically, he studies grazing management and public land permitting, community-led conservation programs, rural education and entrepreneurship, place-based environmental governance, and the imaginative experience of our natural and built environments — all in the contexts of the intermountain American West.
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