Non Technical Summary
Virginia State University, Small Farm Outreach Program, proposes to provide outreach, training and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged, veteran, beginning farmers and ranchers (SDVBFR) in Virginia, 4 counties in Maryland Eastern Shore, and 60 counties in North Carolina. These audiences have been traditionally undeserved and have been plagued by several barriers such as: high start-up costs, limited access to credit, lack of knowledge on land acquisition and transition, lack of skills in financial planning, lack of production skills, and limited access to existing and viable markets. As a result, this project is designed to build sustainability and empower SDVBFR, by equipping them with the tools and skills needed for them to make informed decisions in owning and operating sustained farm businesses. A holistic approach (planning, production, and marketing) is used to enlighten and educate participants. Priority will be given to topics such as: 1) Basic livestock, forest management and crop farming practices, 2) Innovative farm/ranch and private non-industrial forest land transfer strategies, 3) Entrepreneurship and business training, 4) Agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans, 5) Financial and risk management training, 6) Farm safety and awareness 7) Assist SDVBFR in acquiring land from retiring farmers/ranchers, and 8) Diversification and marketing strategies, and 9) networking, mentoring, apprenticeship and internships opportunities. We will use the "Whole Farm Planning" curriculum developed by Virginia Tech's Beginning Farmer Coalition as the main tool to train all enrolled in the program, and will be implementing a Beginning Farmers Certification Program. VSU will collaborate with all partners.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
601	6030	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management;

Subject Of Investigation
6030 - The farm as an enterprise;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Goals / Objectives
The overall goal is to equip these underserved 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

Project Methods
The method of providing services to the targeted audiences consists of multiple components. VSU Small Farm Outreach Program will use1.Recruit - SFOP recruit participants in a number of ways. One of our main recruitment methods is our New Farmer Orientation class. Another method is distribution of flyers, announcements online, and on the Small Farm Online Resource Center vsusmallfarms.com. The Small Farm Program Assistants who are in the field, often recruit participants as they travel through conducting training workshops.2. Outreach - The outreach component provides information on resources that could improve a farm operation. Our partnering USDA programs and other agricultural programs can share materials and information about their programs directly to participants. This allows USDA and other state agencies to inform participants about their programs and services and allowing time for question and answers. communicate Outreach allows information sharing in-person at coordinated meeting, via brochures, in our Quarterly Newsletters, and on our Small Farm Resource Center.3. Training- SFOP conducts over 20 training workshops each quarter, educating hundreds of participants on resources that will help them develop and start a farm business, or improve their current operation and connect them to USDA Programs and other Agricultural programs and services.4. Technical Assistance- this component of our program provides hands on assistance to participants, and guidance on how to implement successful agricultural practices. it isthe one-on-one on-the-farm component where our Small Farm State Program Assistants (PA) travel to the farm, discuss their situation and make recommendations, an connect them to the programs and services that could improve their situation.This component builds relationship with participants, breaking down some of the trust barriers farmers are traditionally known to have.5. Follow-up- The PAs conduct follow-up with participant to assist them with implementing the successful agricultural practices they learned about during the training workshops.6. Evaluation- This component requires that all events be evaluated to determine if the information shared was relevant and impacted the audience being educated. It also requires ongoing recording of the work being conducted from when we started to assist the participant through successful implementation and beyond.