An Evaluation of the Ontario Farm Business Management Association Program

Abstract

The Ontario Farm Business Management Association (FBMA) program was initiated to improve the business management skills of Ontario red meat producers. The program has three aims: to increase management skills on the farm to increase management skills in the private sector to help farmers make use of private sector advice. Two methods were used to evaluate the program. First, FBMA members and other red meat producers were surveyed about their farm and personal characteristics as well as use farm records and information sources. Second, focus groups were held with the FBMA field persons. Results indicate that membership in an FBMA increased the collection and use of farm records, but that there was no significant increase in the use of private sector consultants by the producers. Moreover, FBMA members indicated a very low willingness to pay to support their FBMA if government funding were stopped. Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved