Source: SR1 submitted to NRP
COMMUNITY ORIENTED OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING (C.O.O.L.™) FARMING PROJECT
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1031364
Grant No.
2023-49400-40882
Cumulative Award Amt.
$750,000.00
Proposal No.
2023-04900
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 15, 2023
Project End Date
Sep 14, 2026
Grant Year
2023
Program Code
[BFRDA]- Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, Standard
Recipient Organization
SR1
369 TOWNE CENTER BOULEVARD SUITE A
RIDGELAND,MS 391574833
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
SR1(ScientificResearch),locatedinRidgeland,MS,isanonprofit501(c)(3)organizationthatseekstoeliminatedisparitiesin health, education, and technology through partnerships and research. SR1's Community Oriented Opportunities for Learning (C.O.O.L.™) Farming Project goal is to educate and train 70 beginning and socially-disadvantage (BSD) farmers to plan, launch, and/or sustain independent organic farm businesses.Theproject'sproposedtargetaudienceareBlacks,Latinx,andIndigenousBSDfarmerswhoresideinsevenCentralMississippi counties (Hinds, Leake, Madison, Neshoba, Rankin, Scott, and Smith). The C.O.O.L.™ Farming Project will be an intensive three-year project with ongoing sustainability beyond the project period to increase the number of BSD farmers that are able to launch, incubate and/or sustain independent organic farm businesses.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360303020100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6030 - The farm as an enterprise;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
TheC.O.O.L.™ Farming Projectgoal is toenable 70 beginning and socially disadvantaged (BSD) farmers to launch, incubate and/or sustain independent organic farm businesses.Objective 1 Introduction:By August 31, 2024, 70 farmers gain education & assistance to prepare for & launch farm businesses in hopes to increase food security for low access communities and the greater region.Objective 2 Intermediate:By August 31, 2025, increase viability of 70 small-scale sustainable beginning farmers businesses by engaging stronger markets within own community and implementing sustainable agriculture models.Objective 3 Intensive:ByMay 31, 2026, 70 newly independent farmers transition, stabilize and strengthen their farm businesses; 140 additional farmers provided outreach, information, and learning opportunities with assistance to help their businesses.
Project Methods
TheC.O.O.L.™ Farming Projectwill be an intensive three-year project with ongoing sustainability beyond the project period to increase the number of BSD farmers that are able tolaunch, incubate and/or sustain independent organic farm businesses.

Progress 09/15/23 to 09/14/24

Outputs
(N/A)

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? SR1 coordinated and collaborated on several training and professional development activities offered to participating farmers. SR1 has hosted professional development opportunities in which participants received information and resources fromagencies and organizations such as the USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service and the Soil Health Institute. Within these professional development sessions, participants received content on various USDA programs that support sustainable agriculture business and established a network among professionals and other participants to help empower and promote use of organic and sustainable agriculture practices. SR1 also has participated in and disseminated professional development opportunities offered by collaborative partners such as the Soil Health Institute and the USDA National Organic Program among participants. ? • Completed development and enhancement curriculum modules and hosted introductory educational training sessions to help 70+ beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers in central Mississippi increase their knowledge and skills in organic and sustainable agriculture practices • Began the process of hosting 70 hours of educational/in-field training workshops and 5-7 field trips to farms/businesses

Publications