Berran Rogers Jr. has spent the past 12 years with the UMES Extension Program as coordinator of its Small Farm Program. In this capacity, he provides leadership in developing and implementing educational and outreach programs focused on small farm planning, management and marketing on the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland.
Rogers lends his expertise to programs addressing general farm business and marketing, risk management education, and sustainable agriculture education. As the principal investigator or co-PI, he has secured over $1.5 million in funding from several USDA agencies including: Risk Management Agency (RMA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Rural Development (RD) and Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
For over eight years, Rogers has served as project director for one such grant aimed at “helping limited-resource and socially-disadvantaged farmers become successful agriculture entrepreneurs through education, training and outreach.” To this end, he planned and implemented over 50 educational programs in alternative crop production, farm business management, direct marketing, sustainable farming practices, conservation awareness and participation in USDA farm programs.
Helping new and underserved farmers “increase farm profitability, promote sustainability and achieve their dream of farm ownership” is the goal of the Small Farm Conference held at UMES annually and chaired by Rogers.
“The event has attracted over 600 farmer participants over the past five years and has become one of Delmarva’s premier agricultural events,” Rogers said.
Rogers has not only educated farmers, but has developed educational opportunities for agricultural service providers for eight years when he served as the Maryland State SARE coordinator. He helped members become familiar with agribusiness principles and production systems to better assist farmers make informed decisions about adopting sustainable practices. Rogers is also a member of the Maryland Association of County Agriculture Agents.
“Berran Rogers has contributed to local and national recognition of UMES Extension among farmers, ranchers and peers because of his motivation and dedication to the survival of the small family farms in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia,” said Dr. Nelson Escobar, interim associate administrator for UMES Extension.
UMES is Rogers’ alma mater where he earned a master’s degree in food and agricultural science with an emphasis in agriculture and extension education. He holds a bachelor’s in agriculture from Virginia State University where he served as an agriculture management agent and small farm project field coordinator prior to coming to UMES.
