Does Extension Work? Impacts of a Program to Assist Limited-Resource Farmers in Virginia |
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| Authors: | Ebere Akobundu Jeffrey Alwang Albert Essel George W Norton Abebayehu Tegene |
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| Institution: | ?Ebere Akobundu is graduate student, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.; Jeffrey Alwang is professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.; Albert Essel is extension economist and assistant administrator for extension, Virginia State University.; George W. Norton is professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.; Abebayehu Tegene is economist, Food and Rural Economics Division, ERS. |
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| Abstract: | In this article the economic impacts of Virginia State University's Small Farm Outreach, Training, and Technical Assistance Program are assessed. Impacts are measured in terms of program effect on incomes of limited-resource participant farmers compared with their net farm incomes had they not participated. The program appears to significantly increase net farm income, provided there is sufficient intensity of participation. A single visit by an agent had no significant effect on income, suggesting a rationale for deepening participation intensity before broadening it. Aggregate program benefits may approach $5 million per year (for a cost of a few hundred thousand dollars). |
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