Issue
Good records are the foundation for starting and growing a business, and are fundamental for participating in most federal farm programs. Good records are also needed for producers to file a Schedule F tax form and qualify for risk management programs like AGR-Lite and many Disaster Assistance programs. Many Navajo, Hualapai, Hopi and Apache livestock producers have adopted new record systems for their operations as a result of past trainings. However, full adoption of any record keeping system by producers requires continued support.
What has been done?
Through a series of hands-on recordkeeping workshops, tribal outreach extension professionals reached over 370 Navajo, Hualapai, Hopi and Apache producers in 2008. Independent of the workshops, a program assessment was developed and administered on the Navajo Nation to determine the effectiveness of the past trainings and workbooks.
Impact
Preliminary results based on a survey of the participants show that of 126 responses received so far, 34 percent of the producers use the recordkeeping workbook to collect/record financial records; 32 percent currently use some aspect of the recordkeeping workbook; 25 percent reported improved knowledge regarding where expenses are going; 19 percent reported improvement in recordkeeping skills; 11 percent reported that using the workbook increased the prices they receive when selling their animals and completed management plans; 9 percent reported that they have received a feed reimbursement; and 3 percent reported receiving a loan since keeping records. More than 90 percent of these producers reported that on average, they shared information learned during the trainings with 4 or more individuals.
Contact
Trent Teegerstrom(520) 621-6245
email: tteegers@ag.arizona.edu