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Improving Record Keeping Skills and Marketing Strategies to Reduce Risks for American Samoa Farmers

Faamaile Frost

Summary

Implementing keeping financial records or developing new marketing strategy, as adopted risk management strategies have been the objectives of this project: "Reducing Risk for American Samoa Farmers". Cooperative Extension Services at American Samoa Community College Division of Community and Natural Resources, has been overwhelmed with the great enthusiasm and interest shown by the local farmers for keeping financial receipts and document transactions done at their farm businesses. These are the more effective risk management strategies on their farms, coupled with Farm Service Agency opportunities. Because the majority of farmers are not too comfortable speaking, reading and writing English, Farm record books have been translated into these two native languages to increase farmers´ understanding and proficiency in record keeping. The American Samoa farmers (Tongan and Samoan) are very thankful for the simplified and translated farm record books distributed to them, (first quarterly terms) until we finalize publishing a permanent annual Farm Record Book.
The farmers´ other main concern to increase marketing of produce has been communicated across to the School Lunch Program, and local Department of Agriculture, through cooperative consultations with the collaborative partners and agencies (FSA, EPA, USDA-NRCS, WBC, SBDC). The proposed project has encouraged local farmers to keep records.

Details

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