Progress 06/15/24 to 06/14/25
Outputs
Target Audience:As a state college, our programs are designed to meet the educational needs of adult learners in our region. The target audience for this project has been aspiring and beginning farmers, many of whom are seeking to establish or expand small-scale agricultural operations. These learners represent a diverse population, including individuals exploring second careers in agriculture, first-generation farmers, and community members interested in sustainable food systems. Our outreach has also attracted individuals from nontraditional educational backgrounds who may not have previously engaged with higher education but are motivated to pursue practical training that can directly improve their livelihoods. The course developed through this grant was designed to address both agricultural production and entrepreneurship. The audience reached often faces significant challenges in accessing affordable land, navigating regulatory systems, and competing in local markets. To address these barriers, we provided instruction that emphasized sustainable, small-scale farming practices as well as the business and marketing skills necessary to succeed in a competitive environment. By intentionally linking ecological stewardship with entrepreneurial training, the program meets the needs of beginning farmers who must balance productivity with financial sustainability. Our students are typically adults between the ages of 20 and 50, though some are older career changers or retirees seeking to begin farming enterprises. Many are balancing work, family responsibilities, and other commitments while pursuing education. This reality shapes their learning needs: they value applied, hands-on instruction and flexible, practical coursework that can be immediately integrated into their farming or business practices. The grant-supported course was designed with these characteristics in mind, offering real-world examples, interactive exercises, and opportunities for students to develop business plans tailored to their specific goals. The program reached students with varying degrees of prior agricultural experience. Some participants had worked in farming or related fields, while others entered the course with little to no background in production but a strong desire to learn. By creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment, we ensured that students at all levels could benefit from the training. The diversity of experiences among participants also fostered peer-to-peer learning, allowing new farmers to gain insights from those with more practical exposure while encouraging experienced individuals to strengthen their entrepreneurial and management skills. Geographically, our target audience is largely based within our state and local region, including both rural and peri-urban communities in Wakulla, Leon, and Gadsden coutnies. Access to local food has become a priority for many of these communities, and our students are responding to that demand by developing enterprises that bring fresh, sustainably grown products to markets, restaurants, and consumers. Many participants are committed to contributing to their local food systems and building stronger community connections through agriculture. Demographically, the program has engaged a broad cross-section of learners. Several students identify as women or people of color, populations that have historically been underrepresented in farming and agricultural entrepreneurship. Our outreach has intentionally emphasized inclusivity, encouraging participation by groups who may not have previously considered agriculture as a viable career. This has included partnerships with community organizations and local networks to ensure that information about the program reaches diverse audiences. The grant also enabled us to provide resources that make participation more accessible to learners who might otherwise be excluded due to financial barriers. By offering scholarships and structuring the course in a way that reduces upfront costs, we were able to lower entry barriers and expand the reach of the program to individuals for whom cost might have been prohibitive. Overall, the target audience reached through this project reflects the changing face of American agriculture--diverse, entrepreneurial, and committed to sustainability. The participants are not only gaining technical knowledge of sustainable farming practices but also acquiring the entrepreneurial mindset needed to thrive in the current agricultural economy. They are learning how to identify markets, develop branding and marketing strategies, and create viable business plans that will help them sustain their operations over the long term. In addition, the program has had ripple effects beyond the classroom. Many participants have shared that they are applying what they have learned to their own farms, family businesses, and community organizations. Some are exploring value-added products, others are engaging in agritourism, and many are committed to conservation practices that improve soil health, biodiversity, and water quality. In this way, the program is not only reaching individual learners but also strengthening local food systems and environmental stewardship across the region. The adult learners we serve are eager to contribute to a more resilient, sustainable, and community-oriented agricultural future. Through this grant-funded program, we have reached the intended target audience and equipped them with the tools, skills, and confidence needed to succeed as small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs. Changes/Problems:During the reporting period, we experienced a slight dip in enrollment for one session. In response, we expanded and diversified our outreach efforts, which led to a significant increase in enrollment for the current class. This highlighted how enrollment trends can be influenced by the type and timing of outreach methods used. We have since refined our strategies to include more targeted social media campaigns, community presentations, and partnerships with local organizations to maintain consistent recruitment across future sessions. Another challenge has been tracking student successes after program completion. While many graduates stay connected, we do not receive feedback or survey responses from all participants, limiting our ability to capture the full scope of program impact. To address this, we are implementing more structured follow-up processes, including multiple outreach methods and periodic alumni check-ins, to improve response rates and better document long-term outcomes such as business launches, certifications, and community involvement. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided robust training and professional development opportunities for new and aspiring farmers, current agricultural workers, and adult learners interested in sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship. Over the course of the grant, 95 individualsreceived training, including 94 graduates of the Urban Farming & Entrepreneurship Training courseand 68 studentswho completed AEST certification classes. Of these, 44 participants successfully earned industry-recognized certifications (Agritechnology Specialist, Natural Resources Specialist, and Agriculture Associate) providing them with portable credentials that support career advancement in agriculture and related fields. Graduates of the program reported that the entrepreneurship components, such as business planning, marketing strategies, and value-added product development, gave them the confidence to pursue farming ventures as both ecological and economic opportunities. Additionally, over 80% shared knowledgegained through the program with family, friends, or community members, multiplying the reach of program content beyond direct participants. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Program outcomes have been actively shared with communities of interest through public presentations, targeted social media campaigns, and direct engagement at community events,ensuring that key stakeholders, local organizations, and potential participants are informed about training opportunities, alumni successes, and the program's broader impact on regional food systems. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Building on the successes achieved to date, the next reporting period will focus on expanding curriculum offerings, strengthening alumni engagement and tracking, and deepening the program's overall impact. We will continue targeted outreach to communities of interest to increase class enrollment, promote continuing education through industry certification courses, and support participants in launching and growing entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, we will enhance alumni follow-up efforts by implementing regular graduate surveys to track long-term successes and gather feedback that will guide future program development.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Over the course of the grant period, the Wakulla Environmental Institute successfully expanded the Urban Farming and Entrepreneurship Training program to integrate instruction for Agriculture Education Services & Technology (AEST) certifications. This expansion created a comprehensive training pathway that combined practical farming knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and recognized industry credentials. A total of 68 students completed AEST certification courses, and 44 of those participants passed an AEST certification exam. Certification achievements included 18 students earning the Natural Resources Specialist certification, 19 earning the Agritechnology Specialist certification, and 7 earning the Agriculture Associate certification. These results demonstrate not only student engagement in the coursework but also their success in meeting external benchmarks of industry knowledge. In addition to instruction, this period allowed us to pilot and refine methods for instructional delivery and assessment. The program tested a blended approach that incorporated classroom learning, applied field experiences, and peer-to-peer collaboration. Success tracking was enhanced by the integration of exam pass rates and course completion data, which provided tangible measures of achievement. Moving forward, we will continue developing evaluation tools that track not only course completion and certification outcomes but also longer-term impacts on students' employment and entrepreneurial ventures. The program has effectively introduced participants to sustainable small-scale farming practices while fostering interest and engagement in local food production. Ninety-four students completed the Urban Farming and Entrepreneurship Training course during the grant period. The curriculum emphasized best management practices in soil health, water conservation, crop diversity, and organic production techniques. By coupling sustainability with entrepreneurship training, students gained the tools to approach farming both as an ecological responsibility and as a viable business venture. Several students who have completed the course have responded to surveys indicating their continued engagement in agriculutre, either through community gardens, personal gardens (non-comercial), small farms and selling produce and products via farmers markets, online markets, or other avenues.
Publications
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