Breakout Session Slides Community Outreach Through Nontraditional Ag Farmer to Farmer Coffee Talks – Sharon Autry will discuss Nontraditional Ag Farmer to Farmer Coffee Talks, which cover topics that are relevant to small/medium scale producers and offer an opportunity to build community and collaboration. Monday, February 12 3:05 - 3:30 p.m.

1. Community Outreach Through
N O N T R A D I T I O N A L A G
F A R M E R T O F A R M E R
C O F F E E T A L K S

2. RURAL
PERI-URBAN
URBAN
PRODUCER LANDSCAPE
Area served by Paola, KS USDA Field Office

3. Small Scale and Urban
Producer Focus Group
2023 Study by Kansas Association of Conservation Districts
& Kansas State University
Educational opportunities
Producers are eager for
Cultivate KC
Networking with other producers
Consistency
Minimal time commitment

4. Our PARTNERS
Mike & Christine Hursey of
Casa Somerset Bed & Breakfast
Brian McCauley /Miami County Republic
The Hurseys are dedicated supporters of
sustainable agriculture and advocates for a strong
local and regional food system.

6. Farmer
To
Farmer
Coffee Talk
Topics
Attendees
Presenters
Covers conservation, ag and
food system topics relevant to
urban and non traditional
poducers.
Specialty crop growers, ranchers
and professionals in ag ed or local
food system development.
Farmers, community members,
or ag and food systems
professionals.

7. Farmer
to
Farmer
Resources
Technical
Assistance
Educational
Programing
Cost Share
Request assistance from
Conservation District, NRCS, and
one another.
Specify beneficial and relevant
educational topics needed for
success.
Access information on
Conservation District and NRCS
cost share and other available
funding.

10. Farmer
To
Farmer
Connect,
Collaborate,
Build Community

11. The diversity of the
speakers, from college
professors talking about
how to build your
business, food safety
specialists and regular
farmers talking about
there experiences.
What Motivates You
to attend Farmer to Farmer Coffee Talks?
A small venue where my
questions can be
addressed .
Learning from others and
sharing community.
I learn so much from
other farmers’
experiences!
Learn information on a
topic that requires just a
short time commitment
from me.

12. What Is Most Helpful
about Farmer to Farmer Coffee Talks?
Talking with like-minded folks is so helpful.
The continued connection from a wide variety of perspectives both urban and
rural. Making connections have help me feel like I can succeed at farming. It
can be a very solitude job going off on your own so having both peers and
mentors in similar operations can be very uplifting and life affirming.
The useful topics, good speakers and relaxed atmosphere where we as
attendees feel comfortable sharing our questions and gained knowledge.
I love that I know about them - receive the appropriate amount of
information about them and reminders of events

13. I was a presenter at one
of the talks and I am
always gratified by
hearing that I have
helped others. There's
so much to learn and
know about farming.
We can't do it alone!
What Personal Impact
has Farmer to Farmer Coffee Talks had?
One aspect of the talks is
informing attendees of
upcoming events and
activities related to
farming/growing. I learned
of an upcoming High
Tunnel Construction class
at one of the meetings...
Was able to take what I
learned and my wife and I
built the trusses for a
30’x70’ High Tunnel in
less than 6 hours.
...Being able to attend
theses Farmer to Farmer
meetings has provided
information that I will be
able to use - how to use
social media for
advertising, pest control,
organic versus non-
organic. These are
informational talks and I
am allowed to make my
own decisions.

14. What Could Be Improved
about Farmer to Farmer Coffee Talks?
My only suggestion would be to alter the time in the Summer, during the
hotter months from morning to the afternoon. It would be a relief to be
indoors in the afternoon not in the morning when we, as farmers are out in
the fields working to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
Bacon.
The useful topics, good speakers and relaxed atmosphere where we as
Weekly rather than monthly meetings.
Extend the talks to 1 1/2 hours. One hour is hardly enough time for the Talk
topics, let alone give farmers time to network and learn from each other.

15. Building Community
with Farmer to Farmer Coffee Talks
Setting The Tone
Communication
Connection
Consistency

16. Sharon Autry
Urban Ag Specialist
Thank you!
MCCD, Paola, Kansas
sharon @miamicountycd.com