African American Farmers’ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards an Urban Agriculture Certificate Program
Farmers’ training through experiential learning plays a crucial role in the success of their farming businesses. Aspiring farmers seek crucial skill sets, including financial management, marketing strategies, pricing, budgeting, whole-farm planning, and long-term decision-making. The objective of th...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Urban Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/8/4/256 |
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| author | Theoneste Nzaramyimana Kathryn Orvis Nathan Shoaf Sait Sarr Tamara Benjamin |
| author_facet | Theoneste Nzaramyimana Kathryn Orvis Nathan Shoaf Sait Sarr Tamara Benjamin |
| author_sort | Theoneste Nzaramyimana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Farmers’ training through experiential learning plays a crucial role in the success of their farming businesses. Aspiring farmers seek crucial skill sets, including financial management, marketing strategies, pricing, budgeting, whole-farm planning, and long-term decision-making. The objective of this study was to assess African American farmers’ attitudes and perceptions towards an urban agriculture certificate program launched to equip them with farming skills to help them become more successful in an urban setting. A mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) research approach was used to evaluate the impact of this certificate program. Pre- and post-survey questionnaires and interviews were administered to assess farmers’ prior urban farming knowledge and skills and if there were any changes after the certificate program was launched. Eighteen participants (<i>n</i> = 18) who participated and completed the program were surveyed to measure knowledge and skills gained. Results showed that African American farmers participating in the Gary Urban Agriculture Certificate Program significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.03) increased their skill sets and knowledge about farming in comparison to their mean scores from pre- and post-certificate program. When participants were asked to summarize the impact of the course, several mentioned that it helped them develop a comprehensive approach to planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting the produce of their farms. Narratives from interview discussions also support the survey results in which the majority expressed a positive impact of the certificate in helping them learn about the useful farming resources around them and gain skills in running a farm. Key findings support the concept that the urban agriculture certificate program administered by Purdue University impacted participant knowledge and provided a positive attitude towards farming. This study helped us understand the impact of the certificate program. Results provided greater awareness of creating programs to support the development of Gary urban farmers’ ability to become more knowledgeable and successful in their farming endeavors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5d0f58b1a7204b0795bdd47bca26fbd6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2413-8851 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Urban Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-5d0f58b1a7204b0795bdd47bca26fbd62025-08-20T02:57:04ZengMDPI AGUrban Science2413-88512024-12-018425610.3390/urbansci8040256African American Farmers’ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards an Urban Agriculture Certificate ProgramTheoneste Nzaramyimana0Kathryn Orvis1Nathan Shoaf2Sait Sarr3Tamara Benjamin4School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 40601, USADepartment of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USAPurdue University Cooperative Extension Services, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USASchool of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 40601, USAAmerican Farmland Trust, Washington, DC 20006, USAFarmers’ training through experiential learning plays a crucial role in the success of their farming businesses. Aspiring farmers seek crucial skill sets, including financial management, marketing strategies, pricing, budgeting, whole-farm planning, and long-term decision-making. The objective of this study was to assess African American farmers’ attitudes and perceptions towards an urban agriculture certificate program launched to equip them with farming skills to help them become more successful in an urban setting. A mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) research approach was used to evaluate the impact of this certificate program. Pre- and post-survey questionnaires and interviews were administered to assess farmers’ prior urban farming knowledge and skills and if there were any changes after the certificate program was launched. Eighteen participants (<i>n</i> = 18) who participated and completed the program were surveyed to measure knowledge and skills gained. Results showed that African American farmers participating in the Gary Urban Agriculture Certificate Program significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.03) increased their skill sets and knowledge about farming in comparison to their mean scores from pre- and post-certificate program. When participants were asked to summarize the impact of the course, several mentioned that it helped them develop a comprehensive approach to planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting the produce of their farms. Narratives from interview discussions also support the survey results in which the majority expressed a positive impact of the certificate in helping them learn about the useful farming resources around them and gain skills in running a farm. Key findings support the concept that the urban agriculture certificate program administered by Purdue University impacted participant knowledge and provided a positive attitude towards farming. This study helped us understand the impact of the certificate program. Results provided greater awareness of creating programs to support the development of Gary urban farmers’ ability to become more knowledgeable and successful in their farming endeavors.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/8/4/256African Americancertificationfarmingnetworking(beginning) urban farmer |
| spellingShingle | Theoneste Nzaramyimana Kathryn Orvis Nathan Shoaf Sait Sarr Tamara Benjamin African American Farmers’ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards an Urban Agriculture Certificate Program Urban Science African American certification farming networking (beginning) urban farmer |
| title | African American Farmers’ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards an Urban Agriculture Certificate Program |
| title_full | African American Farmers’ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards an Urban Agriculture Certificate Program |
| title_fullStr | African American Farmers’ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards an Urban Agriculture Certificate Program |
| title_full_unstemmed | African American Farmers’ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards an Urban Agriculture Certificate Program |
| title_short | African American Farmers’ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards an Urban Agriculture Certificate Program |
| title_sort | african american farmers attitudes and perceptions towards an urban agriculture certificate program |
| topic | African American certification farming networking (beginning) urban farmer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/8/4/256 |
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