Improving Agricultural Profitability Through an Income Opportunities for Rural Areas Program

Significant changes in the landscape of the south central region of Pennsylvania have created new challenges and demands for Cooperative Extension and the agricultural community. Extension developed a program to help both experienced and new farmers recognize and implement new value-added and marketing opportunities. The Income Opportunities Program offered conferences, educational workshops, and one-on-one consultation by an Extension educator specifically hired for this program. Results from the formative evaluation indicated that program participants started 154 new enterprises, created 44 new part and full time jobs, increased profitability, and invested almost $1 million back into the local economy