Source: UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI submitted to
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN AREA NEW AND BEGINNING URBAN AND SMALL-SCALE FARMS TO GROW SUCCESS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1031396
Grant No.
2023-49400-40883
Cumulative Award Amt.
$676,784.00
Proposal No.
2023-04847
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
Project Director
Funkenbusch, K.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
(N/A)
COLUMBIA,MO 65211
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The University of Missouri Extension (UME) will partner with A Red Circle (ARC), a community-based organization (CBO) to help new and beginning urban and small-scale farmers to improve their success through education, outreach, and one-on-one technical assistance in the St. Louis metropolitan area.This proposal builds on our "Missouri Beginning Farmers Blend Experiential Leaning to Grow Their Farm" project launched in 2018, which showed benefits through experiential leaning of "doing", reflecting, and applying" knowledge and actions through the five steps of adult learning. However, entering, establishing, building, and managing urban farms and small-small farming presents barriers to growing success in metropolitan areas. To break down these barriers the Farmer Advisory Committee, USDA St. Louis Urban Hub, University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture, Lincoln University Missouri Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program Jesup Wagon will assist UME and ARC to increase the knowledge of (short-term outcomes) 500 Category 1, 2, and 3 new and beginning urban and small-scale farmers and by providing 1) workshops, 2) hands-on classes, 3) farm tours, and 4) one-on-one technical assistance as needed. After three-year of training Missouri's new and beginning farmers will be fully trained and equipped to sustainably own or operate a farm business (long-term outcomes).29% of federal funds are allocated to A Red Circle, a community-based organization with 40% assisting socially disadvantaged beginning farmers and 35% serving military veterans including 10% veteran farmers with disabilities from Mo AgrAbility. Karen E Funkenbusch, is the current lead for BFRP 2018-70017-28578.
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
6012299302025%
1242299302025%
1322299302025%
6042299302025%
Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management; 132 - Weather and Climate; 604 - Marketing and Distribution Practices; 124 - Urban Forestry;

Subject Of Investigation
2299 - Miscellaneous and new crops, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
UME will scale up existing outreach programs coupled with providing technical learning circles, technical one-on-one assistance, and resources to address the priority areas using a multi-faceted approach to facilitate regional outreach initiatives and training opportunities to achieve the overall goal of the BFRDP - to assist beginning farmers in owning and operating farms.Program Goals and Objectives:Project's goals will enhance the capacity of urban and small-scale agricultural workforce in the St. Louis metropolitan area.Goal 1: Increase capability to acquire farm loans, USDA programs and grants.Objective 1: Participants will develop a farm and marketing business plan. A total of 80 participants each year through 30 participants in a FLC while 50 will utilize One-on-One technical assistance.Goal 2: Enter or expand existing market outlets to increase income.Objective 1: Participants will decipher the pros and cons of the different direct to consumer and intermediary marketing outlets to determine which markets will best meet their farm business goals. A total of 60 participants each year will attend one of two FLC and one TLC.Goal 3: Use small-scale equipment safety while protecting their bodies with ergonomic and holistic wellness strategies.Objective 1: Participants will create farm safety and health plan for their farm. A total of 60 participants each year will attend one of two FLCs.Objective 2: Participants will safely use small scale equipment such as a tractor, BCS walk behind tractor, implements, attachments, and small hand tools. A total of 45 participants each year will attend one of 6 TLCs.Objective 3: Participants will create a medical beekeeping first aid kit. A total of 30 participants will attend a FLC.Goal 4: Adopt new farm production practices and techniques to increase income on the farm.Objective 1: Participants will purchase chicks and begin or expand selling eggs. A total of 30 participants each year through one FLC and one FWA.Objective 2: Participants will execute food safety compliance with specialty crops. A total of 30 participants each year will attend one FLC.Objective 3: Participants will begin producing value-added honey products. A total of 15 individuals each year will attend one TLC.Objective 4: Participants will implement appropriate natural resources/climate smart practices. A total of 30 individuals each year will attend one FLC and one FWA.Objective 5: Participants will adopt a new specialty crop production technique. A total of 30 individuals each year will attend one FLC.Objective 6: Participants will adopt a new farm idea on their farm they learned through the bus farm tour to urban and small-scale producers outside the St. Louis area. A total of 50 individuals each year will attend the FWA.
Project Methods
"Experiential Learning" refers to learning by doing. It gives the opportunity to use or gain knowledge in a different way than solely reading textbooks or listening to lectures. It is through hands-on "involvement" that we truly learn -- we take terms and theories and see how they play out through interaction and hands-on experience with people and places.Through experiential learning, new and beginning urban and small-scale farmers will learn how to reflect in a deeper and more meaningful way about their experiences. It will help them increase knowledge, learn new ways to apply that knowledge, develop their skills and clarify values with entering, establishing, building, and managing successful farm enterprises.Experiential learning will include new and beginning urban and small-scale farmer work-related activities at the North County Agricultural Education Center, hands-on workshops, and FWAs. Educational activities such as participating in FLCs, TLCs, and receiving technical One-on-One assistance. Though UME has been able to help beginner farmers through training workshops and outreach efforts, there is still much to be done to assist new and beginner farmer urban and small-scale farmers.This Project seeks to do just that by offering specific experiential learning opportunities and utilizing the five steps in which adults learn. The activities outlined, when taken in sequence, will provide additional knowledge to break down barriers with farmer directed activities. Each activity will be offered all three years of the Project. However, new and beginning urban and small-scale farmers can "jump in" at any point.Description of Activities:Listed below is a brief description of proposed Activities for each objective.Farmer Learning Circles (MU Extension [lead], A Red Circle, Consultant, Farmer Presenters) - Experiential Learning Model - "Reflect".A FLC is a small group of about 20-30 new and beginning urban and small-scale farmers created with like interests who wish to gain more detail on a specific topic. With the USDA St. Louis Urban Hub as a collaborator on the Project (see Letter of Support), each FLC, when applicable, will have a USDA NRCS or USDA FSA representative present about their programs.Technical Learning Circle (A Red Circle [lead], MU Extension [co-lead], Farmer Presenters, Consultants) Experiential Learning Model - "Do" "Reflect".A TLC is a small group of 15 new and beginning urban and small-scale farmers with like interests who wish to gain more detail on a specific topic. A requirement for participation is to attend the related FLC.Farm Walk Abouts (MU Extension [lead], A Red Circle, Farm Walk About Farm Hosts) - Experiential Learning Model - "Reflect".FWAs are a small group of 20 individuals in informal, get to know you farm tours that include sharing strategies and techniques that work on the farm. This provides great farmer-to-farmer relationship building, in safe environments, and excellent ways to discuss, analyze and reflect on what is being learned, and shared. Support and confidence build with relationship.One-on-One Technical Assistance (MUE [lead for On Farm Food Safety] and Consultant [lead for Business Development]) - Experiential Learning Model - "Do" "Reflect" "Apply".

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

Outputs
Target Audience:Projec servednew and beginning urban and small-scale farmers (Category 1, 2, 3), living in the St. Louis metropolitan area and newly designated USDA St. Louis Urban Hub. Activities were set up to meet the needs of three USDA special populations: "Socially Disadvantaged Farmers" (SDFs), including those who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) with less than 10 years of experience in urban and small-scale farming. "Limited Resource Farmers" (LRFs), to include operators of a farm that hasbothlow levels of farm sales and low household income in sales and government payments. "Veteran Farmers" (VFs),included recently returning war veterans. During the past 10 years, farmers with disabilities requesting services from Missouri AgrAbility self-identify from this population. Military veterans returning home with traumatic brain injuries as well as physical and emotional wounds of war, found it difficult to reintegrate back into a traditional job and daily life. We reached military veteran farmers and planted a seed about a career in urban and small-scale farming and connected them with trainings, resources, and programs. The AgrAbility project in Missouri and its diverse partners were in an excellent position in the St. Louis metropolitan area to help these military veterans with BFRDP 7 U.S.C. 2279(d) Priority programs and services 1) farm safety and awareness, 2) resources and referrals, and 3) agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veteran farmers. Changes/Problems:Due to unexpected staff turnovers, illnesses, deaths, and hiring freezes in Missouri, stated goals were achieved on a slightly different time frame using innovative delivery styles and formats. Adjustments in delivery methodologies were also implemented to provide equitable programs, events, and activities that addressed Missouri's diverse agricultural operators. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activitiesfor professionals at the University of Missouri Extension and A Red Circle included courses such as 1) high tunnel cold frame construction, 2) beekeeping, 3) digital marketing, 4) emergering tools, 5) farm safety and health, 6) rural mental health, 7) grant writing, and one-on-one technical assistance working with a mentor in beekeeping, woodland, budget planning, and economic development. Campus faculty and field specialist from the University of Missouri Extension and staff members at A Red Circle also participated in Professional Development(PD) activities resulting in an increased knowledge and skill sets in their programmatic content area (Ag Business, Workforce Development, Agricultural Safety and Health, Population Health, Horticulture, Natural Resoures and Conservation, Food Safety, Non-Profit, Managing A Farm) of expertise. PD activities included workshops, conferences, seminars, study groups, and individual study online trainings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Learning materials and/or curriculum produced by the ARC and UME using NIFA BFRDP funds were offered for public use. Open-source materials were submitted to FarmAnswers.org for dissemination. Additionally, new materials developed were shared with Project partners, stakeholders, through relevant working groups, and local, state, regional, and national conference opportunities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?UME, A Red Circle and its collaborative/cooperative will scale up existing outreach programs coupled with providing technical learning circles, technical one-on-one assistance, and resources to address the priority areas using a multi-faceted approach to facilitate regional outreach initiatives and training opportunities to achieve the overall goal of the BFRDP - to assist beginning farmers in owning and operating farms. Project's goals will enhance the capacity of urban and small-scale agricultural workforce in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Goal 1: Increase capability to acquire farm loans, USDA programs and grants. Goal 2: Enter or expand existing market outlets to increase income. Goal 3: Use small-scale equipment safety while protecting their bodies with ergonomic and holistic wellness strategies. Goal 4: Adopt new farm production practices and techniques to increase income on the farm.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Each partner used their unique attributes to successful implement Year 1Project Activities.During this grant cycle, UME and A Red Circle scaled up existing programs coupled with providing technical learning circles, technical one-on-one assistance, and resources to address the priority areas using a multi-faceted approach to facilitate regional initiatives and training opportunities to assist new and beginning farmers in owning and operating farms. A total of 80 participants, through 20 FLC while 15 utilized One-on-One technical assistance increased capability to acquire farm loans, USDA programs and grants by assisting participants with developing farm and marketing business plans. A total of 60 participants attended one of two FLC and one TLC. Participants deciphered the pros and cons of the different direct to consumer and intermediary marketing outlets to determine which markets will best meet their farm business goals. A total of 60 participants attended one of two FLCs. 12 participants created farm safety and health plan for their farm. A total of 45 participants attended one of 3 TLCs. Participants safely used small scale equipment such as a tractor, BCS walk behind tractor, implements, attachments, and small hand tools. A total of 30 participants attended a FLC. Participants discussed and created a beekeeping first aid kit. A total of 15 participants attended one FLC. Participants executed food safety compliance with specialty crops. A total of 15 individuals attended one TLC. Participants began producing value-added honey products. A total of 50 individuals attended one FLC and one FWA. Participants implemented appropriate natural resources/climate smart practices. A total of 15 individuals attended one FLC. Participants adopted a new specialty crop production technique. A total of 50 individuals attended the FWA. Participants adopted a new farm idea on their farm they learned through farm tours to urban and small-scale producers outside the St. Louis area. Qualtrics pre- and post-surveys, QR bar codes, Goggle forms, PhotoVoice Methods, and Geographic Information System (GIS) were used to evaluate project efficacy and promote equity in responding to priority needs. Project evaluations also quantified stated Activities and Outcomes. Missouri also focused accomplishments on improving 1) BFRs quality of life, including desired work productivity, and 2) the capacity of its partnerto efficiently deliver virtual, web-based, and in-person programs or services to BFRs in a timely and satisfying manner.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Funkenbusch, K.E., Patillo, A., Liu, P., Kelly, D., Williams, E., Lang, V., (2023, October 24). Breaking Down Barriers to St. Louis Metropolitan Area New and Beginning Urban and Small-Scale Farms Grow Success. (Poster Abstract). 2023 BFRDP Project Directors Meeting. Denver, CO, United States.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: 2023, Missouri Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program, https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/beginning-farmers-ranchers, University of Missouri Extension