Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN
1201 W. UNIVERSITY DRIVE
EDINBURG,TX 78539-2999
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The goal of the proposed project is to improve the long-term operational and financialsustainability of Black and Hispanic farmers and ranchers (BHFR) in Texas by increasing theirunderstanding of and equitable participation in the full range of USDA programs. The projectwill accomplish this goal through coordinated provision of a range of enhanced technicalassistance services, delivered by a stong partnership between a Hispanic-Serving University, twocommunity based organizations that serve BHFR, and a BHFR serving non-profit technicalassistance provider. This project will work collaboratively with USDA and other cooperators todevelop and deliver targeted outreach and technical assistance services addressed to meet theneeds of Black and Hispanic agricultural producers in Texas -- the state with the higest numberof both target audiences in the US. Project partners all have demonstrated expertise in evaluatingand serving the needs of BHFR in Texas through technical assistance services. Technicalassistance delivered through this project will be systematic, targeted, customized and will beadapted to the evolving needs of BHFR in Texas. Project technical assistance will assist USDAin addressing longstanding systemic discrimination and will reduce barriers to USDA programdelivery, support producers impacted by COVID and resulting supply chain issues, facilitatecapital and land access, and increase particiapation of Texas' BHFR in USDA programs.Technical assistance services are based on promising and evidence-based approaches, and theproject contains a robust evaluation plan that outlines howhow project outcomes will be measuredthrough both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The goal of the Texas ACCESS project is to improve the long-term operational and financialsustainability of BHFR in Texas and to increase their understanding of and equitable participationin the full range of USDA programs. This goal is supported by the following objectives:Objective 1: Coordinate with and gather feedback from project partners, USDA, andCooperators on curriculum development,enhancements to technical assistance plan,BHFR recruitment, and program evaluation and continued BHFR needs analysis.Objective 2: Build the capacity of BHFR to develop and sustainably grow their agriculturalenterprises--following a progressive Launch, Grow, and Resilience framework that willbetter prepare them for USDA program participation--that helps these underservedagricultural producers to build knowledge and implement new practices related to: climatesmart agricultural production; farm business planning and decision making; financialmanagement, credit readiness, and land access; and market access and cooperative supplychain coordination.Objective 3: Improve BHFR understanding of and ability to plan, prepare, and implementa range USDA programs via culturally-relevant and regionally-specific technicalassistance and enhanced program resource navigation that address common barriers andprogrammatic gaps and improve BHFR participation in and successful implementation ofUSDA programs.Texas ACCESS will achieve these objectives through a systematic technical assistance planthat will be coordinated with USDA and other program Cooperators. The project will serve twotarget audiences located in the Texas ACCESS project service area: (1) Black farmers and rancherslocated in primarily North-East Texas (315 total served, 90% impacted by COVID), and (2)Hispanic farmers and ranchers located primarily in South Texas (384 total served, 90% impactedby COVID).Texas ACCESS technical assistance will help BHFR to develop knowledge and skills;implement enhanced farming and business practices; and open new markets, launch cooperatives, access capital and acquire land, increase revenues and profits, and seek and participate in a rangeof USDA programs.
Project Methods
Texas ACCESS will address the needs of both Black and Hispanic farmers and ranchersthrough delivery of a progressive series of technical assistance services that allow BHFR todevelop the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to participate in USDA programs and growtheir agricultural enterprises (Figures & Tables, No. 4). The Texas ACCESS technical assistanceplan will follow a progressive Launch, Grow, Resilience service framework that is adaptive toclient experience level and helps BHFR to: (1) build capacity to sustainably scale their operations,(2) learn strategies for identifying and addressing operational and financial needs as they develop,(3) understand, prepare for, implement, and manage USDA programs that address these needs.This approach allows BHFR clients to start at the appropriate level and to be assisted through asequence of technical assistance services that build client capacity and knowledge, develop clientskills and assist with implementing those skills, and lead to positive impacts that increase the longtermsustainability and resilience of BHFR operations and USDA program participation by thesegroups.Texas ACCESS will offer culturally- and linguistically-relevant technical assistanceservices via three highly-effective methods to meet the needs of each target audience: (1)Asynchronous, mobile-optimized, on-demand peer-to-peer online training (via TXFED platform);(2) Synchronous peer-to-peer training (in-person and via Zoom) and on-farm field demonstrations;(3) Specialized one-on-one consultations (in-person and remote). Technical assistance will bedeveloped and delivered by members of BHFR communities to address the specific needs of thosecommunities. For all synchronous training events that address members of both target audiences,simultaneous English/Spanish interpretation will be provided via the UTRGV Office ofTranslation & Interpretation, free of cost to the project. Technical assistance tools and curriculumtargeting Spanish-speaking BHFR will be developed in Spanish from the onset by bilingualmembers of the project team and vetted by the UTRGV Office of Translation & Interpretation.Continual needs and impact assessments via the project evaluation plan will provide resultsorientedfeedback to the project management and technical assistance teams in adapting contentand delivery methods--addressing challenges and needs as they emerge--thereby maximizing theimpact for each target audience. The Texas ACCESS technical assistance plan has been developedin collaboration with recognized leaders and organizations that serve and represent Black andHispanic agricultural communities in Texas (see letters of commitment), ensuring that the specificneeds and unique circumstances of each group are addressed.Texas ACCESS will develop culturally- and linguistically-relevant curriculum, tools, andmaterials specific to each target audience to address the particular needs of both Black andHispanic agricultural producer audiences, using evidence-based approaches and key principlesrelated to engagement of the target audiences, including: partnering with BHFR-trustedorganizations and members of BHFR communities to deliver peer-to-peer technical assistance;using needs-based approaches and identifying client experience levels and stage of growth;delivering technical assistance services in both Spanish and English for Hispanic farmers andranchers; providing opportunities for networking, peer-to-peer learning, and highlighting successstories from and within peer groups; using mobile-optimized tools and materials for remotedelivery of technical assistance and promotional activities (NSAC, Cultivating the NextGeneration, 2017; Milken Institute, Best Practices for Technical Assistance, 2018).