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Providing Statewide Risk Management Training to New Farmers Across Alaska using Distance-Delivery

Heidi Rader

Summary

The agriculture industry in Alaska is still nascent. However, there is a growing and widespread interest in starting farms and ranches for improved food security, a desire to eat locally, and for income generation. Most of Alaska’s 369 communities are rural (78%), not connected by road (63%), and tribally affiliated (62%). We taught a 12 week risk management focused course by distance-delivery. We used a several delivery methods including teleconference, an online portal (Blackboard), and a Webinar (Blackboard Collaborate). Thirty-five beginning farmers and ranchers gained the understanding and ability to manage the unique financial, production, and marketing risks they face in Alaska. Offering the course by distance-delivery allowed us to efficiently reach a disperse audience and recruit guest presenters throughout the state and even in the continental U.S. without incurring travel costs.

In addition to describing this project and the delivery methods used, this presentation will discuss the basics of and best practices for delivering a risk management course by distance-delivery. What are the upfront development costs? Which delivery methods should you choose and why? What knowledge and skills are needed to deliver the course by distance-delivery? What technological capacity is necessary from your target audience? How do distance-delivered courses compare with face-to-face courses in terms of outcomes?

Details

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