Source: VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INVESTMENT FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS IN VIRGINIA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1029773
Grant No.
2023-70417-39225
Cumulative Award Amt.
$1,562,760.00
Proposal No.
2022-06490
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jan 1, 2023
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2027
Grant Year
2023
Program Code
[ARP]- ARP Technical Assistance Investment Program
Recipient Organization
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
PETERSBURG,VA 23803
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Virginia State University (VSU) proposes to develop a partnership initiative with the USDA -National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) to educate Socially Disadvantaged, and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (SDVFR), New and Beginning along with the Youth in with our "Plants to Profits" program. The overall goal of this project is to equip these underserved groups with the tools and skills needed for them to make informed decisions in owning and operating profitable farm businesses, while increasing their participation in USDA programs, and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) programs. Expected result of the project, is an improved quality of life for SDVFR, their families, and communities.To address these issues, VSU proposes to provide outreach, training, and technical assistance to SDVFR in Virginia and bordering areas of North Carolina, by improving awareness and increasing participation among SDVFR in USDA and SWCD-farm programs and services; by enhancing the knowledge and skills of SDVFR in farm estate, financial, and business planning and management; in using computer and technology as a management and resource tool; 3) by improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of SDVFR to own, retain, and operate sustainable and profitable farm businesses; 4) by increasing profits for SDVFR by identifying new markets, connecting them to existing markets, and assisting them with effective marketing strategies; by encouraging socially disadvantaged youth and SDFR in rural and persistent poverty communities by introducing them to agricultural educational opportunities; and by 6) introducing them to Climate Smart Practices, tools, and resource.
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
30%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
60101993010100%
Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management;

Subject Of Investigation
0199 - Soil and land, general;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics;
Goals / Objectives
The overall goal is to equipunderserved farmers and ranchers with the tools and skills needed for them to make informed decisions in owning and operating profitable farm businesses, while increasing their participation in U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) programs. The supporting objectives are:Improve awareness and increase participation among socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in USDA and SWCD-farm programs and services. To enhance the knowledge and skills of SDVFR in farm estate, financial, and business planning and management; and in using computer technology as a management and resource tool. To improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of SDVFR to own, retain, and operate sustainable and profitable farm businesses.To increase profits for SDVFR by identifying new markets, connecting them to existing markets, and assisting them with effective marketing strategies.To encourage socially disadvantaged youth and socially disadvantaged beginning farmers and ranchers in rural and persistent poverty communities by introducing them to agricultural education.Introduce all participating farmers to Climate Smart Practices that will increase soil health, increase soil organic matter, soil carbon content, increase soil respiration, and expose the farmers to potential carbon markets in the urban and commercial areas.
Project Methods
To deliver a most effective project, VSU will collaborate with all stakeholders such as, extension agents, farmers, The Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe (UMIT), The Tennie Group (TTN), Black Family Land Trust (BFLT), Taters N Green (TNG), USDA agencies (FSA, NRCS, NASS, RD), SWCD's and experienced farm mentors to provide outreach, training and technical assistance to SDVFR in the project area. Additionally, the University will partner with the Minority Veteran Farmers of Piedmont (MVF) - a veteran farmers support group, and Brunswick Farms to Families (BFF) and Brunswick 4H Group - a Community Agriculture Educators for Youths, and the 4H in the supported areas. They will perform specific duties within the scope of this project.Methods and tools to be used in conducting these activities are, but will be not limited to, brochures, factsheets, local news outlets, VSU's Mobile Agricultural Education Unit, outreach meetings, one-on-one farm/home visits, field days, farm and marketing tours, educational workshops and hands-on farm demonstrations.

Progress 01/01/24 to 12/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The targeted audiences areSocially Disadvantaged, and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (SDVFR), New and Beginning along withYouths Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project team attended New Agent Training, Whole Farm Planning, Civil Rights and English Language Proficiency training, Risk Management, and USDA Information Training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results will be disseminated via our online resources such as via email, college of Ag Extension site, on the Small Farms Online Resource Center site, Facebook, etc. This information will also be shared in out Quarterly newsletter which is mailed and distributed by our Small Farm Program Assistants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project team has ameeting scheduled with partners to go over compliance and project timelines and delivery efforts.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The VSU project team and its partners continue to provide outreach, training and technical assistance to participants during this quarter. The VSU Project team conducted 131 efforts educating and attendance of over 3100 participants about this VSU Plants to Profit project and bring about awareness of USDA Programs and services that could benefit their operation. Our educational efforts provided ag related education to 668 participants. Six workshops educated 133 participants on production practices, financial management and marketing. Three marketing and production tours were conducted providing 230 participants with an opportunity to see what other practices successful farm operations are doing. Two outreach events were conducted allowing 305 of our targeted audiences to connect directly with our USDA partners such as Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Services, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Rural Development, etc. The Mobile Education Unit provided awareness to 1806 youths about Agriculture in Virginia, ag related field of work, and about our partners and their roles in influencing the success of our farmers. 23 participants successfully completed the online Agribusiness and Financial Management class. 7 participants gained a Farm Number.18 applied to NRCS for a high tunnel and 13 were awarded.

Publications


    Progress 01/01/23 to 12/31/23

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The targeted Audiences are: Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers in Virginia. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project team received training from our local USDA partners to ensure teh team wa aware of the various services to introduce to participants.Civil rights training were conducted onLimited English Proficiency, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act and will receive Section 504 toensure the project team was aware of current civil rights proctices. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated by means of outreach meetings, one-on-one consultations by VSU- State & National Small Farm Program Assistants, Virginia Cooperative Extension website, VSU online Small Farm Resource Center, and Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP) Quarterly Newsletter, and newsblasts/public annoucements. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The VSU SFOP project team will continue to conduct educational workshops, outreach efforts and provide technical assistance to participants, with a goal of enhancing their farm operationand empowering them to make informed decisions.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? During the reporting periodJanuary 1 -September, 30.2023 the Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach ProgramProject team began by conductingpartner engagement meetings geared towardgettingthepartners on board, and becomingfamiliar with each other and the type of services each one provided. Staffing the project was also done during this period.Theteam discussedthe project implementation and timeline andfocusedon the implementation of the project deliverables. Over 400activities were conductedto assist producers in the development of their farm operation.Activities included trainingWorkshops, Farm Visits, Tours/Demonstrations, follow-up emails and phone calls. 199one-on-one on-on-the-Farm Visits were conducted to providetechnical assistance, and to follow up on implementation of practiceslearnedduring aworkshop. 29workshops were conducted educating 237producers on topics suchFarm Liability, Financial Business Management, One Page Business Plan,Best Management Practices,How to GrowStrawberries, High Tunnel for Seasonal Production, Raising Dexter 101 (Cows), and ControlVarroa Mite.Successful Lambing,Farm Taxes, Specialty Crops and High Tunnel, Emergency Preparedness, Organic Farming, Soil Health and Marketing Tours.. 199One-on-one on-the-farm technical assistance were conducted to assist producers withimplementation of best practices they learned at training workshops. TheSmall FarmProgram Assistants (Agents) provided technical assistance with soil testing/soil health initiatives, assistance with raised beds, planting in hightunnel, and crop and livestock maintenance. Some participants received assistance withcompleting applications as well. 4 Outreach events were conducted educating our limited resourced producersabout USDA programs and services. These outreach efforts were conducted in a mannerthatallowedparticipants to directly connect to their localUSDA representatives, thereby fostering relationship building.Our outreach efforts introduced participants to USDA staff duringworkshops such as the USDA Information Session,SNAP Assistance Program, Farm Service Agency, RuralDevelopment and NRCS programs. To engage youths and others, we utilized the Mobile Ag Education Unitto inform socially disadvantaged farmers and studentabout agriculture in Virginia and where our food come from. This unit travelled to various schools and community functions, providing an interactive experience to all who entered. the unit.Approximately 1600 was theattendance count for the unit this period. Survey results collected at the training workshops indicated the following responses fromparticipants: · 87% of respondents indicated "The information shared in the program was relevant and helpful to me". · 79 % indicated "After completing the program, my knowledge of the topic covered has increased". · 100% indicated "I plan to utilize the information I have learned to improve and enhance my current or future farming operation". · 95% indicated "As a result of the program, I am more able to make informed decisions about my current or future farming enterprise". · 71% indicated "I gained knowledge that will help to improve my financial stability". · 87% indicated "As a result of the program, I know of people I can go to for further support on this topic". · 96 % indicated, "As a result of the program, I know of additional resources I can access on this topic".

    Publications