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Does Extension Work? Impacts of a Program to Assist Limited‐Resource Farmers in Virginia
Author(s) -
Akobundu Ebere,
Alwang Jeffrey,
Essel Albert,
Norton George W.,
Tegene Abebayehu
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
applied economic perspectives and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.4
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 2040-5804
pISSN - 2040-5790
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9353.2004.00185.x
Subject(s) - extension (predicate logic) , work (physics) , resource (disambiguation) , agricultural economics , natural resource economics , economics , computer science , engineering , mechanical engineering , programming language , computer network
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).