Progress 09/01/09 to 04/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: An important, national-level investigation shows small-scale Hispanic farmers and ranchers in the United States have special needs for information about government programs, agricultural production, marketing and finances, and that these producers are best identified not by location of their enterprises or the types of farming involved, but by their key farm goals---there entrepreneurial spirit (M.E. Swister, etl, 2007). Nationally, the number of farms with Hispanic principal operators grew 51.2 percent between 1997 and 2002, from 33,450 to 50,592. Of those farms, 10 percent were operated by Hispanic women, the largest group of minority women principal operators. In New Mexico, the number of farms with Hispanic principal operators grew by 17.5 percent for the same period. Hispanic-operated farms comprised more than 20.8 million acres of farmland throughout the United States in 2002, up 23.8 percent from 16.8 million acres five years earlier. The value of agricultural products sold also grew by 39 percent, or $1.3 billion. In 2002, Hispanic principal operators sold a total of $4.67 billion in agricultural products, including $3.07 billion in crops and $1.6 billion in livestock, poultry and their products. In New Mexico, Hispanic-operated farms comprised more than 5 million acres in 2002, up 35 percent from 3.7 million acres in 1997. One priority for developing the entrepreneurial capacity of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers must be increased collaboration among current and/or new support centers. Economic development happens in the private sector and can be supported by government. To assure access and equitable participation by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, the Northern New Mexico Agricultural and Leadership Academy (NNM-ALA) give priority to USDA programs that provide aid to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. In general, these include, but are not limited to, loan programs, guaranteed loan programs, allocations of crop base in each program crop, and various conservation programs. Additionally, NNM-ALA colaborated with nongovernmental entities in New Mexico that can act strategically and focus on farm and ranch businesses that are market-driven, giving these business special attention and encouragement. In general, these include, but are not limited to, microenterprise development, small business funding, small business loans, equity investment, small business start-up, business resources, start-up consulting, business planning, business advice, workshops. The primary goals of the Northern New Mexico Agricultural and Leadership Academy (NNM-ALA) was to cultivate the entrepreneurial capacity of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to assure opportunities for successful acquisitions, ownership, operation, and retention of farms and ranches; and assure access and equitable participation in the full range of USDA programs, state and local government, education programs, not for profit programs and for profit programs. The fallowing two objectives we implimented in support of these goals: 1. Outreach and Assistance: In collaboration with local USDA field offices and local non-porfits, significant progress was made to simplify and funnel information to socially disadvantage farmers and rancher by coordinating value-added linkages and network opportunities between farmers and ranchers and available resources and services, consistent with farmer and ranchers goals. 2. Entrepreneurial and Leadership Development: A cohort of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (15) to participate in the Agricultural and Leadership Academy Program. The purpose of the Agricultural and Leadership Academy is to improve the social and economic viability of participating farms and ranches through the development of agriculture and leadership skills necessary to pursue entrepreneurial approaches on their farm, ranch and community. Initially, proposed was a series of seminars and educational workshops. This "classroom" model proved to be very inefective, and by the end of the first year the NNM-ALA had addopted a Demonstration Farm model which allowed participating growers to get hands on technical experience, including marketing products grown on the demonstration far. The Demonstration Farm was then supplemented with edcuational workshops that agumented thier exeperiential learning, including horticulture pratices, irrigation techniques and technology, organic productions practices, benificial insect plants, crop rotation, soild physiology and fertility and marketing. Changes/Problems: The funding provided by USDA has made a real differece for limited resource Hispanic Farmers and Rachers. No real changes and/or problems, but lots of opportunity. Now that we have established the relationships of trust in communtieis across southern New Mexico and have found an outreach model that works well for our target audiance, after three short years, we are sad to see this funding come to a end. Fortunately we are funded for one more year as part of and different 2501 grant, but funds are much less than before. Ideally we would like to scale up, hire additional PC and provided an even greater service to limited resource Hipanic farmers and ranchers in southern NM. We are grateful for this opportunity, and thank you on belhalf of the many farmers and ranchers that benefited. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Below is a a partial listing of workshop attended by the Agricultural Leadership Academy participants: Farmer’s Market Workshop, NMSU – Seventeen farmers from Dona Ana County attended this workshop. Some of the key topics introduced were crop diversification, season extension, value-added products, recordkeeping, enterprise budgeting, and marketing and sales strategies. This workshop was extremely successful as evidenced by their willingness to apply what they had learned at this workshop to this year’s Farmer’s Market season. AG-Fest, Santa Fe – . The New Mexico (NM) agriculture sector had the opportunity to see what was offered under this grant including networking and linkages between farmers, ranchers, and the resources available through New Mexico Department of Agriculture(NMDA), NMSU, New Mexico Livestock board and other State Organizations. Pesticide Safety Training Course, NMSU – In collaboration with HELP New Mexico, a group of 8 people learned about pesticide safety. After the workshop, everyone received Worker Protection Standard Training verification cards from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). All participants are now certified in pesticide safety. NM Organic Farming Conference, Albuquerque – Two local farmers from Dona Ana County training to become mentors accompanied the PC to this conference. They learned about practices involved in organic farming. They left the conference with a better understanding of the different processes of production, marketing, and certification necessary for organics. National Immigrant Farming Initiative (NIFI) meeting, Anthony, New Mexico – . Ten farmers from Dona Ana learn about resources available through NIFI for immigrant farm workers and their families. The main objective was to inform people about the available resources to help purchase land to become farmers or ranchers. The network consisted of interested immigrant farmers from the region: Chaparral, Anthony, Santa Teresa, Berino, Chamberino, Las Cruces area, northern New Mexico, NIFI, Anthony Water district, and the PC. New Mexico Pecan Growers Association, Las Cruces – . Five potential mentors from Dona Ana County accompanied the PC at this conference. Talks by specialist and industry professionals were given on better production methods, water management, pruning, insect control, weed management, harvesting, and types of cultivars of which USDA announced two new varieties recently developed. NM Food Summit, Santa Fe – . The PC attended the livestock breakout group and spoke on behalf of our program. He met people from USDA, Farm to Table, La Montanita Co-op, the mayor of Santa Fe, NM Organic Commodity Commission, and small farm and ranch owner/operators. As a direct result to this workshop, the PC was able to network with other businesses interested in helping the small farm and ranch industry prosper. FSA loans – T or C, NM – The PC provided a power point presentation (provided to the PC by the local FSA office) to a group of three ranchers. The PC also mentioned programs being offered by NRCS and RD. Agricultural Employer Forum – Las Cruces, NM – The PC participated in the forum as a speaker on small sustainable agriculture. In attendance there were more than 20 people. National Impact Conference - Albuquerque, NM – The PC was invited to present a power point presentation on how to better connect the famer to USDA and other markets or resources. Outreach Trainings – Las Cruces, NM – Helped and collaborated with the training given to a seven (three extension agents from the Navajo Nation and four Chapter House representatives of different areas in the Navajo Nation). Trainings consisted of onsite visits to NMSU’s experimental farms, animal welfare (NMSU), SOLAR community farm, and in class lecture type trainings provided by NMSU extension specialist. Workshop on Wells, Pumps, etc. - Las Cruces, NM For this workshop the PC had one Underserved farmer and one rancher participate in this event. Agricultura Network – In this event the PC represented the farmers from the Southwestern part of NM and is working into having more collaborative work with Agricultura Network in Albuquerque for distribution of agricultural products produced by underserved farmer in Southwest NM How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Continuous Area Meetings has proven to be the most effective means of communication to target audiance: Once a month, the PC meets with Senator Tom Udall’s representative, to collaboratively develop strategies on how to facilitate the agricultural sector’s growth and revitalization. The PC periodically meets with Anthony Water and Sanitation District small-farm project to work in collaboration, for a sustainable agriculture project through mentoring and educating potential new farmers, or underprivileged small farmers. On a regular basis the PC meets with approximately ten community organizations “Paso Del Norte Sustainable Agriculture Food Coalition” in order to better collaborate work with them. Continue to work closely with area offices of USDA and their representatives, in order to better serve the underserved community. Unfortunately, this is not a sustainable outreach model. However, given the language barrier and literacy level of many of our participants, face to face communication, not only between the PC, but beween each other has proven to be envaluable. Much of the knowledge learned by the Agricultural Leadership Academy participants is now being shared with other growers. Knowledge of USDA programs and how to "navigate" the system. Knowledge of hoop house technolgy, drip irrigation technology and crop varieties. Unfortunately, we lack the resources and or will to maintain this program that uniquely addressed the needs of limited resource Hispanic Farmers in Southern New Mexico. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: Outreach and Assistnace: Simplify and funnel informaiton to socially disadvantage farmers and ranchers. Over the course of the project, the Project Coordinator (PC) was able to to provide outreach assistance to over 250 small Hispanic farmer and rancher in 30 plus communites in the eight county area (Doña Ana, Otero, Hidalgo, Sierra, Socorro, Grant, Catron and Luna Counties) by linking them to local, state, and national resources that help provide opportunities to enhance farmers and ranchers in southwestern New Mexico. The PC recruited participants for over 75 plus USDA workshops and conferences, spoke at regional community centers, and county fairs. The PC worked with community leaders along with Hispanic farms and ranchers to create connections with USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD), fertilizer specialists, Ameri-Corps Volunteers, Cooperative Extension Specialists, and financial sector leaders. The PC sucessfully built and establish close and personal relationships with most of the participants and community members, since good relations have allowed for better communication between all interested parties by establishing activities relevant to the needs, interests, and needed resources. Continuous Area Meetings: Once a month, the PC meets with Workforce Solutions to collaboratively develop strategies on how to facilitate the agricultural sector’s growth and revitalization. The PC periodically meets with Anthony Water and Sanitation District small-farm project to work in collaboration, for a sustainable agriculture project through mentoring and educating potential new farmers, or underprivileged small farmers. PC established a better relationship with the farmers and ranchers in the counties of Dona Ana and Luna. He has been able to befriend them and spends an average of 35hrs/week in the field. By doing this it allowed him to better understand their needs and it also helps him find a solution to better serve them. Farmers and ranchers are more willing to let the PC know their problem when they feel befriended, so the PC spends time to listen and also has repeat visits. That way farmers and ranchers become familiar with him and begin to trust him Goal 2: Entrepreneurial and Leadership Development: Recruit and identify a cohort of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (10) to participate in the Agricultural and Leadership Academy Program, a series of seminars and educational workshops. The orginal intent of Goal 2 was to provide a culturally relevant, but tratitional leadership training to a cohort of 10 participating farmers and ranchers. We quickly realized this was not an optimal model for out target audiance. By the end of the first year we adopted a Exeperiential Leadership Model that included the delvelopment of Demonstation Farms in local communties. The PC provided assistance to Sustainable Organic and Local Agricultural Resources (SOLAR) a community Agricultural demonstration site in Chaparral, NM that the PC helped in the formation of this group, where community members have hands on education in farming traditional and alternate crops. The PC partnered with Friends of American Farmers and replicated this model in Anthony and Columbus NM. As a result, we were able to provide leadership training to 15 producers and to involve many other lcoal growers and youth in on site demonstrations that included: hoop house contructtion, horticulutral practices, drip irrigation technology, etc. By the end of the second year and into the third year of the project, the PC and participating growers were not only participating in educational workshops, the were making presentations.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Farm to School
A Community Needs Assessment and Farm to School Implementation Manual for
Dona Ana County & Paso del Norte Region
Henderson, Kelly, Paul H. Gutierrez and Eduardo Medina, November 2012
Southern New Mexico Farm to School Foodshed Project " New Mexico State University and USDA NIFA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Median, Eduardo and Paul H. Gutierrez, "Southern New Mexico Agriculture and Leadership Academy. National Impact Conference, February 21-24, Abq NM.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Vaquera, Gloria, "Seed of Hope." Tu Revista Latina" Volume V. Issue III. 2012
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Episode 811 of Americas Heartland. All our episodes 24/7 on our website atwww.americasheartland.org.
Episode 811 features:USDA funded and NMSU supported Southern NM Leadership Academy
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ortiz, Sharleen, Vanessa Martinez, Paul H. Gutierrez and Eduardo Medina "A Workplace Garden Resource Book for the Las Cruces Area and Sorrounding Arid Communities" June, 2013
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the 2nd quarter, the PC was able to provide outreach assistance to over 50 small Hispanic farmers by linking them with local, state, and national resources that will help provide opportunities to enhance farming and ranching in southern New Mexico, especially for disadvantaged farmers. The PC recruited participants for workshops and conferences, spoke at regional community centers, held meetings with agricultural professors, community leaders, and small underprivileged Hispanic farmers, and created connections with USDA, NMSU ag specialist, and financial sector leaders. He has begun to establish close and personal relationships with most of the participants and community members, since good relationships allow for better communication between interested parties. During the 3rd quarter, the PC was able to provide outreach assistance to a growing small Hispanic farmer and rancher community by linking them with local, state, and national resources that will help provide opportunities to enhance farming and ranching in southern New Mexico, especially for disadvantaged farmers. The PC recruited participants for workshops and conferences, spoke at regional community centers, community leaders, and small underprivileged Hispanic farmers, and created connections with USDA (Farm Service Agency and Rural Development), fertilizer specialist, and financial sector leaders. He has begun to establish close and personal relationships with most of the participants and community members, since good relationships allow for better communication between interested parties. During the 4th quarter, the PC was able to continue to provide outreach assistance to a growing small Hispanic farmer and ranch community in the eight county areas by linking them to local, state, and national resources that help provide opportunities to enhance farmers and ranchers in southwestern New Mexico, especially for underprivileged farmers. The PC recruited participants for USDA workshops and conferences, spoke at regional community centers, and county fairs. Community leaders along with Hispanic farms and ranchers to create connections with USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD), fertilizer specialists, Ameri-Corps Volunteers, Cooperative Extension Specialists, and financial sector leaders. He continued to build and establish close and personal relationships with most of the participants and community members, since good relations have allowed for better communication between all interested parties by establishing activities relevant to the needs, interests, and needed resources. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Entrepreneurial capacity of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers was increased by developing collaboration among current and/or new support centers.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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