Recipient Organization
NC COALITION OF FARM & RURAL FAMILIES
(N/A)
null,NC 28303
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The focus of this project is to reach over 100 African American, Hispanic and Native American socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who are no longer growing tobacco and need assistance in identifying profitable alternative enterprises for both on and off farm enterprises. This project is working with counties that are economically depressed. The 1996 Economic Development Yearbook ranked these counties in South Central, Southeastern, and Northeastern NC as either low or bottom development counties based upon their ability to create jobs, keep local labor for employees, reduce poverty, and attract income from other regions. The average per capita income is low, unemployment rate is high and a high percentage of residents receive food stamps. We anticipate the situation will get worse with the elimination of tobacco quota. The Coalition has an array of resources at The Carolina Harvest Packing Shed that will compliment this project. The Packing Shed facilities,
including, a full service office,work room,cold storage, demonstration site, production equipment, greenhouse,packing shed with a three way loading dock. A major outcome is teaching and training producers to add value to leafy greens and other farm commodities. Some farmers already grow leafy greens and by participating in this project, they will learn the business and economics of producing value-added products and this will foster interest in cooperative building and development. This may be the only economic survival for some of these farmers. We expect this project will become self-supporting at the end of the funding cycle. Outreach, Training, Technical Assistance and Demonstrations will equip growers with the capacity to process leafy greens and other commodities (washed, chopped, bagged, packaged) for the retail and wholesale markets. Special high end market outlets will be established for these value added products and farmers incomes will be increased. The value added
products market will become a self sustaining business, jobs created and the economic hardship due to the elimination of tobacco income will be reduced. The Outreach, Training, Technical Assistance and Demonstrations through this project will acclimate farmers to the business of agriculture. Other underused farm commodities will be test marketed. A marketiing cooperative will be created. Evaluation: Appropriate instruments will be used to track and measure the number of socially disadvantaged farmers trained, the amount and types of produce they add value, the amount and type of value added produce the y sell;the retail, wholesale, the number of high end outlets they sell produce to. Monitoring, and adjustments will be conducted to ensure the project is moving along as planned. Problem solving will be ongoing to keep the project on track. Continuous documentation will be ongoing.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
To encourage socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to attend and participate in financial/debt management, farm/business management, record keeping, estate/asset management and tax planning workshops. Outcomes are partners are aware of responsibilities in the project, specific groups are identified, workshops are planned, workshop locations and logistics are confirmed, speakers are confirmed, workshop topics are confirmed. To encourage preservation and accumulation of assets, improve field management skills and post harvest handling skills of the socially disadvantaged farmer and rancher. Outcomes are pertinent instructional materials are identified for use, instructional materials are identified and modified; new instructional materials have been developed, workshop handouts are prepared, producers are receiving outreach and educational activities, workshops are promoted in 3 newspapers, 3 agricultural media spots and 1 radio interview. To collaborate with
private, local, state, and federal agencies (USDA), and educational institutions to provide educational information which increases participation in farm commodity programs, and conservation and environmental programs. Outcomes are two leadership training workshops are conducted, two agribusiness conferences for agribusiness professionals, and cluster groups, producers receive workshop brochures, flyers, project evaluation plan and documentation system is implemented, quarterly progress reports are submitted, quarterly sign-in sheets are maintained.
Project Methods
Five producer cluster groups from the targeted counties will be established and one from each group will be trained as a leader.Cluster leaders will assist in the access, interpretation, and delivery of information about local, state, federal, and non-profit organization programs offering technical assistance resources that can help the socially disadvantaged farmer and rancher in transition pursue new economic strategies. They will help create a network among 100 farmers in the cluster groups, facilitate agribusiness conferences and small group meetings, and make-on-farm visits serving as a vital link for reaching underserved farmers and ranchers. Feedback mechanisms from participants will entail conducting five (5) town hall meetings per year in each cluster group region and three advisory committee meetings--one each, at the beginning of the project, mid-term of the project and end of the project. Establishing a learning laboratory for the production of value-added
products from farm commodities, not currently used for adding value; establish a field demonstration (plasticulture) project for specialty crops and a scale appropriate irrigation system for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.The Carolina Harvest Packing Shed will be used to demonstrate procedures, develop instructional materials, and disseminate information. Demonstration and teaching field plots for specialty crops (nursery stock, medicinal and culinary herbs and specialty vegetables)and a scale appropriate irrigation system for the socially disadvantaged farmer and rancher will be established on the grounds of The Carolina Harvest Packing Shed. Farmers will learn the production practices, operating budgets, and marketing channels for new enterprises. Fayetteville State University's Small Business and Technology Center, a part of the UNC inter-institutional extension service, provides managerial and technical assistance to new business owners. Farmer entrepreneurs will be
assisted with assessing the feasibility of a business plan; preparing a business plan; identifying sources of capital; and developing marketing strategies.