Source: IN HER SHOES, INCORPORATED submitted to NRP
DELTA VETERANS POULTRY PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1029194
Grant No.
2022-77028-38431
Cumulative Award Amt.
$257,456.00
Proposal No.
2022-06278
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 15, 2022
Project End Date
Sep 14, 2025
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[AGVET]- Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (Ag-Vets) Competitive Grants Program
Recipient Organization
IN HER SHOES, INCORPORATED
4480 RIVER STONE TRL
DOUGLASVILLE,GA 30135
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The Delta Poultry Production and Processing project will equip militray veteran farmers in the Mississippi Delta to enter into the retail market through a comprehensive project that provides education, facilities, technical assistance and access markets. The project will target 10 minority veteran farmers each project year to participate in an immersive production and processing course that will lead to knowledge and certifications to raise broilers for retail sale. The project proposes access to a USDA inspected mobile poultry processing facility (MPPU) which will allow participants to compete in the retail market. The MPPU will also enable the creation for a niche market for locally grown pasture raised broilers which does not currently exist due to lack of access to processing facilities in the Delta. This project will have a huge impact on poultry production and sales opportunities in the Delta among veteran producers who will be opening the door for more small poultry producers. A locally grown pasture raised poultry campain will be developed and implemented as a part of the project which will offer marketing and branding for program participants entering the market. The project will increase income and overal farm sustainability among small veteran farmers in the Delta as well as allow our veterans to aid in addressing food shortages and supplychain issues in the Delta.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
0%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
6010001000185%
5020001108115%
Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management; 502 - New and Improved Food Products;

Subject Of Investigation
0001 - Administration;

Field Of Science
0001 - Administration; 1081 - Breeding;
Goals / Objectives
The primary goalof the project is to increase the number of Black veteran poultry farmers competing in the Delta's retail market by providing access to education, facilities and market opportunities. The lack of access to facilities creates a hardship for poultry farmers making it economically unfeasible for minority farmers to produce broilers for retail. Developing broiler producers provides a unique opportunity among our veterans to lead the charge in breaking into Mississippi'sbillion dollar poultry industry, leading the way for other farmers. The project will support increased sustainability among Black veteran operated farms and address food supply chain shortages in the Delta.
Project Methods
The project approach is to maximize program success by identifying veteran farmers that are current poultry producers or veterans with a serious interest in broiler production and providing many of the necessary resources to expand into a successful poultry business with retail market access. The training delivery method includes both virtual and in person classes including an intense hands on processing workshop. The program is designed to take participants from training to production to the retail market during the project period. The small number of participants and the technical assistance is designed and will be adminstered to ensure that once particpants have completed the intensive workshop, they will receive one on one technical assistance in practical application and assistance withtesting and obtaining certification. The PD will implement the marketing startegy which will increase demand for local grownpasture raise broilers, increasing the market demand in the Delta which can be met by our participants.

Progress 09/15/22 to 09/14/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The Delta Poultry Production and Procesing project targeted military veterans inthe North Mississippi Delta counties of Tallahatchie, Coahoma, Desoto Panola, Yalobusha, Sunflower, Bolivar and Leflore Counties. The project prioritized veterans fromsocially disadvantaged groups that were currently farmers looking to expand to broiler production. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project offered the following opportunities: 6 virtual workshops on farm planning and financial management, broiler production (2), poulty production and soil health and marketing startegies for new producers 3 in person workshops anddemonstrations, on biosecurity, nutrient management (feeding) and poultry processing (Alcorn State University Processing Facility. Four site visits were conducted and 11hours of technical assistance in farm safety planning was provided How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next year, we plan to increase on farm production training opportunities to participants. We hope to have the equipment for processing available for more hands on processing training. We also plan to conduct more site visits and provide direct finanacial assistance in expanding production and regulatory compliance among participants.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project engaged 26 interested farmers with 6 veterans participating in the program. The project yielded two new broiler production startups and two farmers integrating broilers into their existing farm plan. The project successully identified local market integration opportunities. These markets include two small independent grocery stores andtwo food banks. The project also yielded a nche marketing strategy to be implemented by participants. A HAACP plan and Policy and Procedures Manual was drafted for the processing activities that will be taking place in the facility. We have also connected with Mississippi Department of Agriculture on guidelines for certifying a facility for USDA compliance.

Publications