Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Case Study Evaluation of an Initiative to Help Small and Limited-Resource Farmers Supply Produce Commercially
Barrett Vaughan, Ph.D.

Abstract
The evaluation of a university-based initiative to assist small and limited-resource farmers to supply produce commercially is presented as a case study that examined sample findings in the areas of research, extension, education and integration, and enterprise, which described the business aspect. The sample findings presented were from research efforts to provide sustainable irrigation, extension efforts to provide integrated pest management training, integrated efforts to provide food safety training and technical assistance, and an economic assessment of the impacts on the household economy. Although it may be validly argued to the contrary, it was concluded that the findings from the various efforts in research, extension, and enterprise were significant and substantial. The examination of all four areas was shown to provide a broader, more comprehensive evaluation of the program.

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