Progress 09/15/24 to 09/14/25

Outputs
Target Audience:For this project period, Tuskegee University's Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Innovation Training Program for Veterans and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program targeted farmers and ranchers who have not operated a farm or ranch or have operated a farm or ranch for less than ten years in the rural southeastern region of the United States. A secondary target audience was farmers in urban areas who lacked access to1890 Land-Grant Universities. Additionally, we reached out to veterans who had expressed interest in starting an agricultural business and learning more aboutentrepreneurship and innovations in agriculture. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided several opportunities for training and professional development during this period. Specifically, beginning farmers participated in the 82nd Professional Agricultural Workers Conference in November 2024, the Flint River Farms Annual Agricultural Heritage Day in February 2025, the Georgia Organics SOWTH Conference in February 2025, and the Tuskegee University Annual Farmers Conference in March 2025. Individuals interested in meat processing were also given the opportunity to participate in the Fresh Meat Fabrication Course offered at Tuskegee University, the Mini Meat Camp for College Students, and Tuskegee University's Goat Day. The inaugural pilot internship program for individuals interested in farming was launched in 2025, with six participants receiving hands-on training in farming and entrepreneurship. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have not disseminated any results; however, we have disseminated information regarding the project. Information regarding the project has been disseminated through word of mouth and flyers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The majority of our training activity will take place during the next reporting period. We are planning a beginning farmer and rancher summit, agritech training program, an agricultural entrepreneurship business online training, and expanding our on-farm internship program. We are also planning to update our promotion materials to include fliers and an exhibit. In addition, during the next reporting period, we will complete our agritourism tour. Project participants will have the opportunity to tour different agritourism sites in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The overall goal of this project is to provide technical and outreach assistance to veterans and beginning farmers and ranchers that will enhance their economic viability through entrepreneurship, business development, and agricultural innovations. Goal one of this project is to increase the number of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural entrepreneurs. The first step in achieving this goal is to promote and advertise the project. During this period, we focused on goal one using both traditional and non-traditional marketing methods. The project was promoted at annual agricultural conferences, workshops, and through word of mouth. Specifically, information regarding the project was shared at the 82nd Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, the Tuskegee University Farmers Conference, the Tuskegee University Meat Me Workshop, Flint River Farms' Agricultural Heritage Day, and SOWTH Organic Conference. We established an outreach team to connect with clients who have limited access to the internet or traditional marketing methods. A veteran outreach liaison focused on identifying veterans at the local Department of Veterans Affairs, churches, and veteran meetings/conferences. A veteran intake form was developed to document and track disabled veterans who are interested in participating in the program. Additionally, we launch our inaugural pilot internship program for individuals interested in farming who are under the age of forty. Goal two of this project focused on providing veteran, beginning farmers and ranchers with the tools to operate a farm and ranch successfully. To achieve this goal, emphasis was placed on developing the curriculum, identifying resources, and training tools. Focus was also placed on creating a network of experts to provide specific training to the farmers, ranchers and agricultural entrepreneurs in our targeted area.

Publications