Please review the consent form below. Your participation in the NM-FARM benchmarking program is voluntary and governed by NMSU IRB protocol #2401106361.
DETAILED CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH STUDY
If you are: 1) over 18 years old; 2) a farm or ranch operator, then you are being invited to participate in the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Management Program (NM-FARM Program).
Researcher(s):
The people conducting this study are: Frannie Miller, Madhav Regmi, Jay Lillywhite, Susann Mikkelson, and Preston Mitchell.
What Is the Purpose and Procedure of This Study?
The purpose of the study is to provide financial benchmarking for New Mexico farm producers to help them make better financial decisions.
As a participant, you can expect to enroll into the program, participate in workshop and training, and receive information useful for making farming decisions.
Why Are We Asking You to Participate?
You are being asked to participate in this study because it will provide useful farm financial information for your farm management. The project will allow you to benchmark your farm considering the performance of other farms with similar production profiles.
What Is the Duration?
Your participation in this research will take approximately one hour for the first meeting. As a participant, you will receive additional reports and informational materials. Ideally, you will continue to participate on an annual basis.
At a later date, you might be invited to review the farm benchmarking reports which may take one hour.
Benefits, Risks, Costs, and Compensations
Benefits — The expected benefits of participating are you can benchmark your performance with peer producers facing similar production, policy, and marketing challenges.
Risks — There are no anticipated risks of participating in this study. If you believe you are hurt, distressed, or if you get sick because of something that is due to the study, you should immediately contact the Researcher(s) and/or the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance at New Mexico State University 575-646-7177 ovpr@nmsu.edu.
Costs — There are no costs associated with taking part in this study. The benchmarking service participation in the first years of operation is supported by the USDA NIFA grant. In some states, farmers pay approximately $2,000 for the information they receive. In subsequent years, a fee may be charged, but if a fee is added you will have the option to continue to participate or not.
Compensations — You will receive benchmarking reports to guide your financial management decisions.
Confidentiality
The Researchers will keep your name and other identifying information private. Your farm data will only be identified with a numeric code. Once anonymous data is submitted to USDA, only aggregated information is available through the USDA FINBIN database.
Aggregated farm information will be available through the USDA FINBIN website. This data will also support research works and extension activities at NMSU.
Where Will Information Be Stored and for How Long?
The information will be stored within the USDA FINBIN database and NMSU system.
If You Have Questions, Concerns, or Want to Withdraw
Participation in this study is strictly voluntary. You may withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
The Researchers at New Mexico State University, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business in charge of this study are Frannie Miller who may be reached at franniem@nmsu.edu and Madhav Regmi who may be reached at mregmi@nmsu.edu.
If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns about your rights as a participant in this research study, contact the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance at New Mexico State University 575-646-7177, or ric_admin@nmsu.edu.
You will receive a copy of this form after it has been signed.
