Non Technical Summary
Current Issue:The need for sustainable agriculture practices is more critical than ever due to increasing environmental challenges and the demand for healthy, locally-grown food. However, there is a significant gap in the availability of comprehensive, hands-on agricultural education programs that can equip future farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate small-acreage farms sustainably. This issue is particularly relevant for economically, socially, and educationally disadvantaged communities who often lack access to such educational opportunities. Addressing this gap is essential for fostering economic resilience, improving community health, and protecting the environment.Methods and Approaches:FoodWaves aims to address these challenges by strengthening its partnerships with Clackamas Community College (CCC), a local community college in Clackamas County, Oregon, and several local high schools. This collaboration will enhance our curriculum and provide robust educational opportunities. Our methods include:Hands-on Instruction: Students will participate in practical, on-farm learning experiences through the Small-Acreage Market Farm Internship Program (SAMFIP) and work-study programs.Workshops and Presentations: Regular workshops and presentations will be conducted at CCC and partner high schools (such as Gladstone High School, Milwaukie High School, Molalla High School, Estacada High School, Colton High School, and Oregon City Service Learning Academy) to raise awareness about sustainable agriculture and the opportunities available through FoodWaves.Curriculum Development: We will collaborate with CCC to refine and enhance our curriculum, focusing on business management, annual crop planning, and soft skills development.Mentorship and Support Programs: Establishing mentorship programs to provide ongoing support and guidance to students, particularly those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.How Data Collection Informs Goals:The data collected through these methods and approaches will play a crucial role in achieving our project goals:Hands-on Instruction Data: Tracking the progress and performance of students participating in on-farm learning experiences will provide insights into the effectiveness of our practical training methods. This data will help us refine and improve our instructional approaches to ensure students gain the necessary skills and knowledge.Workshops and Presentations Data: Attendance and feedback from workshops and presentations will inform us about the reach and impact of our outreach efforts. This information will be used to enhance our recruitment strategies and tailor our presentations to better meet the needs and interests of diverse student populations.Curriculum Development Data: Feedback and performance data from students and faculty involved in the enhanced curriculum will guide further refinements and adjustments. This iterative process will ensure the curriculum remains relevant, comprehensive, and effective in preparing students for sustainable agriculture careers.Mentorship and Support Programs Data: Monitoring the outcomes of mentorship relationships and support programs will help us understand their impact on student retention and success. This data will inform the development of best practices for mentorship and support, ensuring students from underrepresented backgrounds receive the guidance they need to thrive.Ultimate Goals and Impact:The ultimate goal of this project is to create a scalable, sustainable agricultural education program that can be adopted by other institutions nationwide. By achieving this goal, we expect to see:Increased Knowledge and Skills: Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in sustainable farming, business management, and community engagement.Behavioral Change: Graduates will implement sustainable practices in their own farming operations, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable food system. Additionally, graduates and other individuals involved in our programs will share their knowledge of growing food with their communities, fostering a culture of sustainability and self-sufficiency. This peer-to-peer knowledge transfer will amplify the impact of our programs, as more people adopt sustainable farming practices.Improved Conditions: The project will foster economic resilience and improve access to healthy food, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Additionally, it will contribute to environmental sustainability by promoting practices that reduce the ecological footprint of small-acreage farms.This project will not only benefit the immediate participants but also have a broader societal impact by contributing to the development of a sustainable and equitable food system. The knowledge and practices disseminated through this project will help shape the future of agriculture, ensuring it is resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
601	1499	3020	100%

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

Subject Of Investigation
1499 - Vegetables, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Goals / Objectives
Major Goals:1. Strengthening Capacity Through Partnerships:Goal: Enrich the curriculum and foster deeper ties with Clackamas Community College (CCC) and local high schools.Objective: This directly supports the objective of strengthening capacity through partnerships with educational institutions. By collaborating with CCC, we aim to integrate students more effectively into Food Waves' programs, thereby expanding educational opportunities and resources for sustainable agriculture. This partnership will enhance our ability to provide high-quality education and training in organic farming, benefiting both our organization and the students.2. Expanding Recruitment and Retention Strategies:Goal: Broaden access and diversity within our programs.Objective: By focusing on attracting underrepresented communities and offering comprehensive support to participants, Food Waves addresses the objective of expanding recruitment and retention strategies. These efforts will enhance the pool of individuals entering the food and agricultural sciences workforce, ensuring a more diverse and inclusive industry. Our targeted outreach and support programs will help retain participants and foster long-term engagement in sustainable agriculture.3. Enhancing the On-farm Education Program:Goal: Provide hands-on, experiential learning through the Small-Acreage Market Farm Internship Program (SAMFIP) and work-study programs.Objective: This aligns with the objective of enhancing on-farm education. By expanding these programs, Food Waves ensures that participants gain practical skills and experience in small-acreage farming. This experiential learning is crucial for preparing students for careers in sustainable agriculture, contributing to a knowledgeable and skilled workforce.4. Refining and Hardening Existing Curriculum:Goal: Develop a scalable educational model and framework, and enhance the curriculum with business management, annual crop planning, and soft skills development.Objective: These efforts align with the objective to refine and harden the existing curriculum. By ensuring that our curriculum is comprehensive, seasonally relevant, and equipped to prepare students for the multifaceted challenges of sustainable farming, we enhance the educational experience and outcomes for our participants. This focus on curriculum development ensures that our programs remain relevant and effective.5. Creating a Scalable Educational Program:Goal: Demonstrate the model's adaptability and encourage other institutions to adopt similar educational endeavors.Objective: This directly supports the objective of creating a scalable educational program. By developing and disseminating a comprehensive model that outlines best practices for agricultural education, Food Waves contributes to the broader goal of fostering sustainable food production and resilience on a national and global scale. Our scalable model will serve as a blueprint for other institutions, promoting widespread adoption of effective agricultural education practices.

Project Methods
Efforts and Evaluation:Stage 1: Preliminary Goal Setting and Mentor Assignment (End Feb-Early Mar)Upon joining, each intern engages in initial discussions with Food Waves board members to outline their individual goals and expectations for the internship.Mentors are assigned to interns based on their successful completion of the SAMFIP or their extensive farm-based volunteer experience, ensuring a match in interests and expertise.The goals are documented for further reflection in the next stage.Stage 2: Ongoing Evaluation and Adjustment (April to May)Interns undergo a preliminary evaluation halfway through the program to reflect on the skills and knowledge acquired. Often, interns demonstrate their newly learned skills and techniques to their paired mentor. This evaluation usually occurs on the farm.This evaluation allows interns to adjust their goals and expectations in consultation with their mentors, fostering an adaptive learning environment. During this stage the mentor checks-in on any additional education needs or interests the intern would like to explore.Stage 3: Comprehensive Self-evaluation (Nov)At the program's conclusion, interns conduct a thorough self-evaluation, assessing their achievements against initial goals and the internship's broader objectives.This process employs a mixed-methods approach for a holistic view of program success and areas for improvement.Project Directors and Co-Investigators will work closely with the mentors and interns during this evaluation.