Performing Department
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Non Technical Summary
Mandy's Farm seeks to increase new farmers in the state of New Mexico through targeted efforts to address gaps in available agricultural training opportunities for beginning farmers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. New Mexico's economy relies on a healthy agricultural industry but is experiencing similar challenges seen across the country with a decline in farming operations and an aging farmer workforce. Simultaneously, individuals with disabilities constitute one of the largest untapped workforces in the country. This population has been historically underserved and excluded from agricultural apprenticeship opportunities and experiences high levels of poverty and un/underemployment. Mandy's Farm is addressing this problem through a two year adaptive farm apprenticeship program designed specifically for individuals with I/DD. Mandy's Farm, in combination with partners at New Mexico State University, University of New Mexico, and the NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, provides the agricultural instruction and adaptive curriculum, hands on training, individualized support, accessible farm space/infrastructure, community partnerships, and resources necessary for this population to gain the needed skills and experience to become farmers. Through these efforts we aim to provide pathways for a historically marginalized population to enter the agricultural workforce as beginning farmers.
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
The principal goal of the Adaptive Apprenticeship Program (AAP) is to provide adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) in Bernalillo County, New Mexico with the training and support necessary to successfully become farmers through an individualized, accessible farm apprenticeship program. Through the AAP Mandy's Farm seeks to build a stronger state agricultural workforce, increase new farmers in the state, and increase equitable employment opportunities for individuals with I/DD experiencing barriers to entry in farming. Individuals with I/DD, especially those who hold multiple identities that are socially disadvantaged, do not have equal access to new farmer education, funding, land, water, adaptive tools, and other infrastructure necessary to launch a small farmer business. These gaps in accessibility, equity, and support will be met by services and programming provided through the Adaptive Apprenticeship Program.Objectives: 1.) Increase the number of individuals with I/DD working as farmers in New Mexico, 2.) Provide accessible agricultural education and training to adults with I/DD in Bernalillo County, and 3.) Decrease barriers to entry for beginning farmers with I/DD in Bernalillo County.
Project Methods
AAP will deliver an adaptive agriculture curriculum through online, classroom-based, and hands-on training for new and beginning farmers and ranchers with disabilities. AAP participants will be trained in crop farming practices, livestock care, crop planning and resource management, soil health, irrigation techniques, regenerative farm principles and climate adaptive farming techniques, farm safety and awareness, ergonomics, food safety, marketing and networking, post-harvest and value added products, and record keeping/small business financials. The program is purposefully designed as a two year apprenticeship to support the target audience of adults with I/DD who benefit from repetition of skills and the opportunity to practice skills developed in year one during their internship placements in year two of the program. All activities described will occur throughout the timeline of September 15, 2024-September 15, 2025.The project will develop, enhance, and adapt educational modules and materials designed to meet the educational and training needs of new and developmentally disabled farmers. In addition to accessing existing curricula and other resources available through existing or prior BFRD projects, AAP will continue to expand and adapt learning techniques and source materials based on best practices, the needs of individual participants, and the ever-changing agricultural landscape in NM. Mandy's Farm is currently credentialing our developed curriculum into an online course in partnership with NMSU in order to provide program graduates with a Certificate of Completion through NMSU as well as digital badges for skill achievements.The project will provide customized consultation, technical assistance, and access to adaptive growing technology to farmers with disabilities. The AAP will provide access to adapted farm tools and accessible farming space. Through collaboration with the University of New Mexico's Occupational Therapy Program and Lecturer Mary Thelander Hill, MOT OTR/L ATP, as well as through collaboration with the New Mexico AgrAbility Project, we will facilitate access to individualized Occupational Therapy consultations and technical assistance to provide farmers with support in designing and implementing their business plan, laying out their farming space, testing and incorporating adaptive farming tools, and utilizing assistive technology.The project will support new farmers with I/DD in developing their own small business plans, implementing these plans, and identifying enhanced funding opportunities to support and/or allow for the expansion of their small farming operations. The AAP will collaborate with and provide case management for participants as they navigate accessing enhanced support through vocational rehabilitation programs and other key services. All participants will receive assistance in designing and implementing an individualized business plan developed via AgPlan (developed by the University of Minnesota). Referral for services, consultation, and further support needed via the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, as well as locally available small business incubation services, as needed.OutcomeTarget NumberHow MeasuredNumber of new farmers who enroll in the program with the intention of launching their own small farming business.10 farmers/yearDocumentation of initial intake interviews, needs assessments, and quality of life surveysNumber of new farm start-ups launched by program participants.10 farmers/yearDocumentation of business license following launchNumber of new farmers who will obtain customized tools, assistive technology, and environmental modification strategy support.10 farmers/yearEducational post-assessmentInstruments used for data collection will include participant knowledge based or knowledge gained surveys and questionnaires, quality of life measures and scales of independent living and working, program assessment, and social network analysis. Measurementtools will be used for the evaluation process, including qualitative and quantitative methods. In addition, theprogram will also use mixed methods to create a comprehensive overview of participant farmer needs, program services, program outcomes, and summative project impact reporting. Materials for gathering data will be a combination of paper and pencil surveying as well as Google Survey platforms. Following is the evaluation plan:Baseline: Intake interviews and needs assessment surveys will be given to prospective farmer participants. The intake interview will identify prospective farmers demographically and also in determining accessibility needs, transportation strategies, and preferred contact methods. The needs assessment gives the prospective farmer the opportunity to communicate priority areas for learning, a statement of desired outcome, and identification of resources they have in place or will need to complete the program, as well as self-assessment of any current knowledge and skills related to agriculture. The baseline information will assist program staff in targeting the learning experience to the needs of the cohort with attention to tailoring the program for individual learning needs. Once prospects enter the program, additional screens may help further refine the methods of teaching and individualizing of content, for example using the VARK (visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic learning styles) to determine preferred learning styles. Other screens will focus on identifying the assistive technologies, environmental modifications, or external supports the learner will need to succeed in the program by utilizing the resources available from the NMAP. Lastly, farmers will be provided with a portfolio for tracking their own progress (electronic or paper medium of their choice).Annual data: Incoming farm program participants will have the opportunity to respond to a Quality of Life survey (McGill) and a self-rating of perceived living/working independence. This will enable the project staff to annually measure each farmer's satisfaction with participation in agriculture. Also, the project will conduct an annual farmer survey to "wrap-up" a season of growing and anticipate needs for the next growing season, new farmer priorities, performance data (income, yields), and other metrics. Graduates of the program will be followed annually for three years to gather key indicators such as if they are still farming, land utilization, percentage of income from the business, and quality of life.Educational pre-post assessment: Data will be gathered from program participants after classroom-based, workshop, or field training to measure knowledge, skills, and aptitudes using a pre-post approach.Project Evaluation: The Program Director will annually independently gather internal feedback from staff, board, community partners, and other stakeholders on the program operations and make recommendations on how to strategically improve the program.