Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences of this project are beginning, immigrant, refugee, and women farmers from countries around the world who want to become farmers and productive members of society in the United States, specifically participants in the Flats Mentor Program. A program of World Farmers, Flats Mentor Farm assists farmers who come from agrarian backgrounds in countries across the globe, including: Laos, Burundi, Kenya, Ghana, Congo, Tanzania, Haiti, and more, representing more than 20 countries. All farmers in the program joined solely through farmer-to-farmer word of mouth, World Farmers does no outreach. In 2018, the program supported 300 farmers. Beyond the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm, this program provides benefit to many immigrant communities, allowing access to culturally familiar foods and produce for farmer families and personal networks of FMF farmers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, as well as buyers of FMF farmers' produce throughout Massachusetts, and beyond. A large number of farmers in the FMF Program prioritize growing food for sale at farmers' markets or other retail markets, and at wholesale markets cultivated by World Farmers. Other farmers in the program simply grow for their families and neighbors, supplying healthful foods in the summer and preserving crops for winter consumption. Each farmer's passion for farming and willingness to learn is the driving force in the success of this program. The requests and interests of the farmers shape World Farmers' staff efforts. This program provides the space and resources for participating farmers to operate their independent farming enterprises, and feed their families, neighbors, and friends with culturally appropriate, healthy food. Additional target audiences for this grant are aspiring farmers who have graduated the gardening program at Growing Places; Students at Nashoba Regional High School, ranging from those who become summer interns to those who attend World Farmers in-school presentations; Rural Coalition Members across the country; UMass Amherst Extension staff; and lastly Lancaster community members connected to the Lancaster Agricultural Commission and the Lancaster Community Center. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This entire project is focused on the training and farm/business development of the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm. Below are highlights from trainings, workshops, and individualized technical assistance World Farmers provided. - Farmer Assessments:Starting in December 2015, World Farmers (WF) staff met individually with Flats Mentor Farm (FMF) farmers over the winter months for each project year, providing 1:1 time for conversations, planning, and resource sharing. Support areas included: seed procurement and starts, soil health (over-tilling, cover crop, additives), crop planning, market opportunities and planning, farmers' market support, production techniques, risk management, equipment use, and USDA opportunities and applications. 100+ farmers participated at varying levels of engagement and training. Meetings ranged from 15 minutes to 2.5 hours, depending on the individual request of the farmers. - Group meetings and trainings were provided during spring and early summer. These included: food safety, pesticide safety, markets and marketing, equipment use, and business development. 70+ farmers participated, many attending all trainings across issues and project years. - Summer 1:1 TA was provided by WF staff on issues spanning: crop plans, market plans, USDA access, pest management, water use, SNAP and HIP (statewide incentives program), composting, pollinators, production, pest management, tilling, equipment use and, and future land access. TA was performed as needed and requested largely in the field in hands-on manner. - Creating opportunities for more people to start farming: 100 new farmers were welcomed and began farming at Flats Mentor Farm in Lancaster, MA over the three year grant. Not all farmers remained, and some new farmers were related to existing farmers. Of the farmers who have been with the program 10 years or less, 40 began selling and or began plans to sell. Of the over 300 farmers at FMF most farm for their families, however we have seen a significant benefit in no graduation from the program, along individuals to assess their interest in pursuing farming as a way of life for 1-5 years before moving into sales. - Pest Management: UMass Extension provided ongoing support on pest identification and management for farmers, and whole farm planning to assess need for management trials, trap cropping, and pesticide use plans for WF. Extension conducted regular pest walks throughout the summer of all three years, providing hands on support in pest identification, and assessing an organic management plan. Farmers' general understanding of pests grew significantly, including how and when to use which type of pesticide. The biggest lesson learned across farmers was that not one single management strategy works for all pests. - Markets Access: WF held an annual markets meeting each winter, as mentioned above. This training discussed overall retail opportunities and specific marketing strategies at farmers' markets including necessary marketing supplies, ethnic communities in the neighborhood and which ethnic crops would sell well, price setting suggestions, and other marketing strategies to consider such as telling your story. Materials provided or loaned upon request included veggie price cards, tablecloths, tables, tents, scales, and coolers. Flats Mentor farmers sold at 30 farmers' markets across MA, and at least 10 additional direct to consumer locations piloted by the farmers themselves. WF performed market assessments for 50% of farmers' markets where we evaluated the market itself as well as took note of techniques farmers could adopt to potentially increase sales. Aside from wholesale, WF provided training on quality standard and pack size for wholesale crops, as well as TA in types of crops to grow for wholesale. If these crops were not familiar to the farmers, WF provided hands on production and harvesting assistance. WF assisted farmers think through differing business strategies for retail vs wholesale markets related to their crop plans. Meaning, a farmer wants to produce smaller amounts of a variety of crops for retail, specifically farmers' markets, while for wholesale you would grow specific crops in larger quantities. - Tour de Farm: WF welcomed community members, organizational partners, and USDA agencies to tour the farm, hear about the program, and meet some of the farmers each summer of the project, at an annual event called Tour de Farm.We were honored to welcome MA State Senator Jamie Eldridge to the event for two of the three years, and Rep. Kate Hogan in the final year, as well as a staffer from one other state legislator's office. The month after the Tour de Farm, we welcomed Representative Jim McGovern to tour the farm for the first time. Also in attendance were organizational partners such as refugee farmers from a similar program in Maine, the new Principal at Nashoba Regional High School, farmers from South Carolina and New Mexico, and Media personnel from Somerville news and Farmers' Daughters TV. Somerville News launched a story about two of our Haitian farmers, and Farmers' Daughters TV episode was developed for online viewers. - Farmer Symposium: Held annually to connect farmers to partners and resources, and to register farmers for their plot. Held in April or May of each year. Each year had hands-on demos of specific topics and presentations; each led by either staff or partners. Topics included: small tiller and equipment use, soil test reading and soil health including lime application, marketing and food safety requirements, USDA programs, FSA programs, SWOT analysis, farm rules, pollinator health, and compost. - Land Access: Beyond providing land to new farmers, WF made more space available to existing farmers. WF established corn plots for small-scale African farmers so farmers could have more room on their individual plots for other needed ethnic crops. WF also held land assessments with farmers requesting more land, and provided land expansion plots based on crop and market plans. Additionally, World Farmers rented and eventually purchased another small piece of land 0.5 miles away from FMF for African corn and pumpkin vine production requested by farmers. - Seed Procurement. The crops FMF farmers grow (or want to grow) are unique, making seeds difficult to access. WF facilitated seed sharing among farmers, and purchased and distributed key crops with market demand. WF staff also sourced seed donations, distributing over 2,500 seed from 8 seed companies. - Growing Places Trainings: WF contracted GP to facilitate several specific workshops to benefit FMF farmers, covering: composting, crop planning, seed saving, and seed starting. Additionally, FMF farmers were invited GP classes free of charge. These trainings were intentionally held at locations easily accessed by both FMF farmers and GP gardeners. Several were held in Lancaster, MA, both at FMF and at the local library. Trainings held at the farm were the highest attended, over libraries either in Lancaster or Leominster. - Outside Educational Opportunities: WF recruited farmers to attend several outside educational workshops or conferences, free of charge in all project years. These included: Rural Coalition Winter Forum, Urban Farm Institute Conference, NOFA-MA Winter Conference, NOFA-MA Summer Conference, High Tunnel Conference, Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Agricultural Marketing Conference. Several farmers took advantage of these offerings, however it's worth noting that it was often the same or similar group of farmers. Initial attendance by any farmer took a great deal of outreach to convince of the benefit, however after a farmer attended a training or conference they were likely to have interest in returning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Farmers: Coordinated individualized outreach (email, text, call, mailing) for assessments, trainings and workshops, meetings, and as follow up on specific farmer requests. Held meetings on issues that needed discussion and/or continued education, as requested by the farmers during the winter assessments. Provided consistent updates throughout the summer regarding the Farm, including but not limited to: pest alerts, weather alerts, wholesale process, food safety requirements, equipment use and process, irrigation use and process. Grant Partners: Held individual planning meetings and check-ins with each project partner in each project year. Ongoing communication through calls, emails, and visits as needed or as requested. Deadlines for partner reporting to compile into final report. Community Members: Tour de Farm: World Farmers hosted an annual Tour de Farm where we welcomed Community members, organizational partners, and USDA agencies to tour the farm, hear about the program, and meet some of the farmers.More on the various notable attendees listed in Box #2. WF saw attendance at the Tour de Farm grow and change with each passing year, building up to 60+ attendees in the final year, ranging from elected to other farmers, to farmers' friends and family, to Lancaster neighbors and community members. Harvest Gala provided updates with attendees (farmers, community members, and partners including USDA staff and electeds) during the program, and updates on farm and program successes in the Program. Between 100-150 in attendance in fall of each project year. Government: Started communication with State Representatives and Senators to discuss benefits of our program and the type of success programs such as BFRDP can provide. Relationship building is continuous, most notable is our relationship growth with State Senator Jamie Eldridge, who attended all Harvest Galas and Tour de Farms, and presented numerous citations (awards) to World Farmers, and connected us to other state Representatives and Senators. Built relationship with federal representatives, including Jim McGovern and Nikki Tsongas. Continued communication and relationship building with USDA staff throughout the grant, particularly with FSA, RD, and NRCS. Work Product dissemination: Certain work product developed for this grant was finalized and posted on the World Farmers website, and distributed to national and regional organizations doing similar interest, and those who work with other organizations who do similar work. All work product was shared with FMF farmers, at trainings and assessments, and also over email. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Obj 1 - World Farmers (WF) prioritizes TA and training driven and inspired by the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm (FMF), and individualized according to their interest and capacity. Services provided under this grant are outlined in Box #2 of this section. Overall, WF provided the following within the "phase" the farmer self-identifies: Phase I farmers: Access to farmland and agricultural infrastructure, farmer assessments, and other services chosen by the farmer; Phase II farmers: Support to build understanding and capacity in market and business development, pest ID and management, USDA programs awareness, types of sales outlets, and general production and land management strategies, in addition to farmland and agricultural infrastructure access; Phase III farmers: Intensive assistance in all areas listed for Phases I and II. This work is ongoing and ranges from 10-minute discussions in the field to two plus hour individual meetings to assess business strategy and opportunity. Obj 2 - Trainings provided are outlined in Box #2. Beyond this, WF had not executed formal food safety protocols across all FMF farmers prior to 2015. Only farmers attending farmers' markets had been a part of the previous trainings, and with wholesale accounts being build, WF needed to put protocols in place for all farmers selling through any outlets. Through the duration of this grant, produce was sold safely at: 30 farmers' markets; 5 temporary markets, 6 churches, 6 grocery stores, 2 mobile markets, 8 restaurants, and 2 public schools. The first item developed for the farmers was a handwashing sign translated into several languages, by the farmers. WF also drafted our first SOPs, with plans to develop more beyond this grant, and supplied materials to all wash stations to ensure good washing practices. At this time, there are no food safety certifications required of markets FMF farmers sell to or at. And yet, WF and FMF worked to achieve Commonwealth Quality Program Certification (CQP) through the grant, following the requirements laid out by Massachusetts Department of Agriculture (MDAR) and working to achieve formal certification. WF held numerous discussions with MDAR staff over the three years, including pre-audit in 2016 and 2017 with mock audits performed in between MDAR visits, executed by WF staff. And an audit performed by MDAR in 2018. FMF is closer than ever to achieving CQP. Obj 3 - WF developed and implemented a marketing system for FMF farmers to utilize as they build their businesses. This system is made up of retail opportunities operated by farmers themselves (farmers' markets, churches, one-day markets), and wholesale sales operated by WF (schools, grocers, mobile markets). Throughout our development process it was clear that an online system would not be effective with our ethnic produce buyers. WF developed an internal system to track buyers' interests and purchases, and farmers' weekly availability. WF built several iterations before the final successful system, implemented in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, buyers are in two tiers: restaurants (priced higher) and grocers. This assists farmers get the most for their crops. Half the FMF farmers conducting direct sales took advantage of WF's individualized marketing strategies at market: placing their name on the FMF banner, using updated FMF price cards, posting farm pictures, distributing recipe books or cards. By year two and three, a third channel of sales, proposed by a FMF farmer, was developed: Farmer-to-Farmer sales. F2F sales allows FMF farmers to purchase crops from each other at wholesale value, either home or market. This system has primarily supported those farmers who just started selling retail, and who want to try a new crop at market. Attached is WF's Guide to Marketing Strategies and Considerations for Beginning Immigrant and Refugee Farmers, compiling of a lot of our work in this. Obj 4 - WF has a strong relationship with local USDA-RMA consultants who sat with WF staff to ensure full understanding of the SWOT tool and other risk management considerations. Farmer education was ongoing, detailed in Box #2. Successes included 5 farmers signing up for NAP, however the program, in addition to crop insurance, was determined ill-suited for farmers producing at the scale at FMF. And furthermore, the types of crops in production at FMF are worth much more than any crop listed on the federal reimbursement rate crop list. World Farmers hosted USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Brandon Willis at Flats Mentor Farm, to see what small-scale vegetable farming looks like in New England, and discuss where existing programs fall short. Risk management discussions continued through the grant, and WF staff hosted Representative Jim McGovern at FMF in 2018, where RMA programs were discussed at length, leading to interest from the state legislature to better understand the barriers to access, and discuss possible state-driven solutions to support farmers in times of disaster. More detailed conversations were held outside of this grant project and will continue into 2019. Obj 5 - This objective had two main efforts - developing World Farmers' first-ever high school Internship Program, and developing a "Pre-Phase I" phase for our mentorship model. The first of these activities was greatly successful the second was not. Efforts to develop a Pre-Phase I were led by WF and partner Growing Places (GP), who runs a gardener training program. Biggest takeaway: transition from gardener training to farmer practice did not have a high success rate. GP and WF had several discussions about what a farmer transitioning from Growing Places would need to possess to be successful at FMF, whereby we realized the effort to transition gardener to farmer lacked interest and practicality. Likewise, there was no interest in farmers completing GP training before entering FMF. However, WF did have success in transitioning farmers from another farmer program to our farmer program. In 2017, FMF welcomed 16 farmers from a farmers program closing their doors, which FMF retained for the 2018 season. In place of transitioning gardeners to farmers, WF contracted GP to facilitate several specific workshops to benefit FMF farmers, covering: composting, crop planning, seed saving, and seed starting. Additionally, FMF farmers were invited GP classes free of charge. Efforts to develop an internship program were led by WF and Nashoba Regional High School (NRHS). WF accepted 4 paid interns per summer to assist with running the farm program, and support farmers in the field as needed. Tasks interns took on included: FSA acreage reporting, CSA newsletter development, CSA packing, wholesale delivery prep, harvest and post harvest handling, pest scouting, plot assessments, and general office assistance. WF interns were a huge asset, and assisted in running the FMF program. WF developed structured roles for each intern to assist the students with a feeling of ownership and responsibility, yet maintained a communal team spirit. This program was a success and will continue beyond the grant. Obj 6 - WF facilitated ongoing discussions with farmers about the structure of USDA, the programs USDA provides (directly to farmers, and those for farmers, but offered to organizations), how USDA departments link and support each other, and ways to access these programs. WF brought farmers to USDA offices, brought USDA staff to meetings in Lancaster to meet farmers, and provided 1:1 assistance in farmer-USDA meetings when farmers were interested in accessing USDA programs and services. Discussions were ongoing across all program years, at all times of the year. Successes included farmers accessing FSA loans, NRCS high tunnels, and RMA NAP.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences of this project are beginning, immigrant, refugee, and women farmers from countries around the world who want to become farmers and productive members of society in the United States. All 250 participants in the Flats Mentor Program were recruited solely through farmer-to-farmer word of mouth, hearing of the program from other engaged, successful farmers. These farmers' willingness to learn and their overall passion for farming is a driving force in the success of this program and our efforts to assist beginning, newly arrived refugees and immigrants in Massachusetts and New England. Farmers who participate in Flats Mentor Farm, a program of World Farmers, range from speaking perfect English, not speaking any English at all, to not being able to write in their mother tongue. These farmers come from agrarian backgrounds in countries across the globe, including: Laos, Burundi, Kenya, Ghana, Congo, Tanzania, Haiti, and more. Farmers at Flats Mentor Farm represent 20 different countries, and many more cultures than that. Although the specific target audience for this project is the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm, there are many secondary benefits for their families and immediate communities where they live. Farmers in the Flats Mentor Program range from growing a substantial amount of produce and selling at over 25 farmers' markets in Massachusetts and to wholesale markets cultivated by World Farmers, to growing for family and friends. This program provides the space and resources for participating farmers to operate their independent farming enterprises, and feed their families, neighbors, and friends with culturally appropriate, healthy food. Additional target audiences for this grant are aspiring farmers who have graduated the gardening program at Growing Places; interested and engaged students at Nashoba Regional High School, including those who become summer interns; the learning community connected to the Washington, D.C.-based organization Rural Coalition; community members in Lancaster and those connected to both the Lancaster Agricultural Commission and the Lancaster Community Center; and lastly our partner at UMass Amherst Extension provides support to our farmers specific to pest identification and management. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This entire project is focused on the training and farm/business development of the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm. All the listed deliverables and activities support this goal. Below are highlights from trainings, workshops, and individualized technical assistance World Farmers provided. - Farmer Assessments:Starting in January 2017, World Farmers staff met with 60 of the 250 farmers at Flats Mentor Farm for our Winter Farmer Assessments to provide one on one time for conversations, planning, and resource sharing. Meetings ranged from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the individual request of the farmers. Some issue areas covered including: seed procurement, soil health, crop planning, production techniques, risk management, USDA opportunities and applications, and market plans, among other things. - Meetings and One on One TA: All winter assessments are conducted in the form of 1:1 TA (reported on above). Additionally, World Farmers assisted farmers individually throughout the growing season, on issues spanning: crop plans, market plans, USDA resources, pest management, water use, SNAP and HIP/double up bucks, composting, pollinators, production, and more. TA was performed as needed and requested largely in the field in a hands-on manner. There were a few notable meetings held throughout the year for farmers in smaller groupings, held as needed and largely self-selected. These included Food Safety, Pesticide Safety, Markets and Marketing, and Business Development. - Creating opportunities for more people to start farming: 65 new farmers were welcomed and began farming at Flats Mentor Farm in Lancaster, MA. 15 of these new farmers were Bhutanese farmers, 7 of whom had been farming with another program that had to shut their doors and close the farming program after last season. - Pest Management: UMass Extension coordinated with World Farmers to provide regular pest walks throughout the summer, covering pest identification and management. Farmers' general understanding of pests grew significantly, including the impacts different pests have on different pests, and that not one single management strategy works for all pests. We still have gains to make in this last point. - Support and Success at Farmers' Markets: World Farmers provided three newer farmers 1:1 support at their markets this year. WF continued to support with materials access, including new veggie price cards, uniform burlap tablecloths, tables, tents, scales, and coolers. Flats Mentor farmers sold at 30 farmers' markets across MA, and at least 10 additional direct to consumer locations piloted by the farmers themselves. WF performed market assessments for 50% of farmers' markets where we evaluated the market itself as well as took note of techniques farmers could adopt to potentially increase sales. - Tour de Farm: World Farmers hosted our third annual Tour de Farm where we welcomed Community members, organizational partners, and USDA agencies to tour the farm, hear about the program, and meet some of the farmers.We were honored to welcome MA State Senator Jamie Eldridge to the event for the second time, and Rep. Kate Hogan to the event and the farm for the first time, as well as a staffer from one other legislator's office. We also welcomed partners with refugee farmers from ME, the new Principal at Nashoba Regional High School to introduce him to the project, farmers from South Carolina and New Mexico, and Media personnel from Somerville news and Farmers' Daughters TV. Somerville News launched a story about two of our Haitian farmers, and Farmers' Daughters TV episode is for online viewers, and still in post-production. - Farmer Symposium: WF held our annual farmer Symposium with the Flats Mentor farmers. This year's Symposium was held at the Farm with hands-on demos of certain topics and tables hosted by staff and partners to have area-specific conversations as the farmers prepared for the start of the season. These topics covered the following: small tiller and equipment use, soil test reading and soil health including lime application, marketing requirements, USDA programs, FSA programs, SWOT analysis, farm rules, pollinator health, and compost. - Land Access: World Farmers staff added more space for corn plots for small African farmers so farmers could have more room on their individual plots for other needed ethnic crops. World Farmers also held land assessments with farmers requesting more land, and provided land expansion plots. Additionally, World Farmers rented another small piece of land .5 miles away from Flats Mentor Farm which was used for production of African corn and pumpkin vines. - Seed Procurement. The crops our farmers grow (or want to grow) at Flats Mentor Farm are unique to specific cultures, and for which seeds can be difficult to access. Facilitated seed sharing among farmers who had extra for the season, and purchased and distributed key crops World Farmers knew there was a market for (i.e. Lalu, Taioba, etc.). Additionally, WF staff worked hard to source seed donations. We sourced and distributed over 1,426 seed packets to small and medium sized immigrant and refugee farmers. These seeds were sourced from 6 seed companies. - Three farmers received new High Tunnel awards through NRCS-EQIP this year, one was awarded an extension on her contract from NRCS to install this summer, and the last had his high tunnel moved and re-polyed. WF coordinated all communications for all 5 efforts, as requested by the farmers. This included conversations with NRCS, FSA, high tunnel material providers, and contractors prior to during and after install of all five high tunnels at Flats Mentor Farm this summer. Flats Mentor Farm now houses a total of fifteen high tunnels. - Internship Program: provided paid summer internships to four Nashoba Regional High School students for the second summer in a row. We accepted one returning intern, and three new interns. Additionally, we developed more structured job roles for the interns this summer to assist the students with a feeling of ownership, and to assist staff with identifying key tasks for each to take lead on. The positions were as follows: one communications intern, one production intern, and two marketing interns. Even with specific positions, WF and the HS intern supervisor worked hard to maintain a communal team spirit where interns had equal ownership of certain tasks such as packing and sorting for our weekly CSA. - Growing Places Trainings: WF invited GP to attend our new farmers orientation this spring to showcase their garden program. GP staff and partners led several workshops requested by WF and FMF farmers, held at locations easily accessed by both FMF farmers and GP gardeners. These workshops covered: composting basics, crop planning for seed saving, and seed starting. Two of the three workshops here held in Lancaster, MA, one of which was on Flats Mentor Farm. Additionally, FMF farmers were invited, free of charge to join GP workshops and classes. - Outside Educational Opportunities: Fully-paid attendance to several outside educational workshops or conferences were offered to farmers at Flats Mentor Farm, several of which farmers took advantage, however it's worth noting that it was often a similar group of farmers who were interested. The following events had Flats Mentor Farm and World Farmers representation: Rural Coalition Spring Forum, Urban Farm Institute Conference, NOFA-MA Winter Conference, NOFA-MA Summer Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Farmers: Coordinated individualized outreach (email, text, call, mailing) for assessments, trainings and workshops, meetings, and as follow up on specific farmer requests. Held meetings on issues that needed discussion and/or continued education, as requested by the farmers during the winter assessments. Provided consistent updates throughout the summer regarding the Farm, including but not limited to: . Grant Partners: Individual Planning meetings and check-ins with each project partner. Continued and ongoing communication through calls, emails, and visits as needed. Community Members: Tour de Farm: World Farmers hosted our third annual Tour de Farm where we welcomed Community members, organizational partners, and USDA agencies to tour the farm, hear about the program, and meet some of the farmers.We were honored to welcome MA State Senator Jamie Eldridge to the event for the second time, and Rep. Kate Hogan to the event and the farm for the first time, as well as a staffer from one other legislator's office. We also welcomed partners with refugee farmers from ME, the new Principal at Nashoba Regional High School to introduce him to the project, farmers from South Carolina and New Mexico, and Media personnel from Somerville news and Farmers' Daughters TV. Somerville News launched a story about two of our Haitian farmers, and Farmers' Daughters TV episode is for online viewers, and still in post-production. Harvest Gala provided updates with attendees (farmers, community members, and partners including USDA staff and electeds) during the program, and updates on farm and program successes in the Program. 150 in attendance. Government: Started communication with State Representatives and Senators to discuss benefits of our program and the type of success programs such as BFRDP can provide. Relationship building is continuous, most recently State Senator Jamie Eldridge presented a citation (award) to World Farmers. Started relationship building with federal representatives, including McGovern and Tsongas. USDA staff, continued communication and relationship building throughout the grant, particularly with FSA, RD, and NRCS. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Winter: Farmer Assessments. This work, both the assessments and the evaluations post-assessments take up a considerable amount of staff time, however the chance to meet one-on-one with each farmer to discuss whatever the farmer requests is critical. This is also a space where much of the work happens. Last year discussing marketing and crop plans were the norm during these sessions. This also helps us form the agenda for our Spring Flats Mentor Farmer Symposium. Complete Objective 3.4 Spring: Flats Mentor Farmer Symposium. Agenda is determined by Farmer inquiries and requests. Trainings by grant partners are included. Land Preparations and welcoming new farmers. Timing as weather Permits. Summer: Continue trainings and oversight on: production and soil health; Integrated pest management; post-harvest handling and food safety protocols; etc. Continue support in: farmer understanding of USDA and any application assistance; risk management and understanding of crop insurance; etc. Overall: Continue coordination with project partners and implementation of deliverables. Adhere to timeline provided in grant proposal.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Result 1 (Obj 2.1) Cumulative: 168 - Throughout the summer World Farmers staff provided 1:1 support to farmers ensuring food safety protocols were followed for all produce sold from Flats Mentor Farm. - WF staff supervised the common wash station to assist all new farmers on proper post-harvest handling protocols, and performed a test audit on all commercial farmers. - Produce was sold safely at: 27 Farmers' Markets; 4 grocery stores, 2 mobile markets, 4 restaurants, 2 public schools, and several farmer pursued direct to consumer markets (i.e. churches, etc.). Result 2 (Obj 2.2) Cum: 215 - Food Safety workshop was provided at the Flats Mentor Farmer Symposium in May of 2017 with 100 Flats Mentor Farmers in attendance. - Early in the growing season World Farmers worked with UMass Extension to host a Pesticide Safety workers' training. - Our UMass Amherst Extension partnership through this grant allowed World Farmers to provide regular pest identification and management education sessions throughout the summer, allowing for a better understanding of when to use what pest management method (which included organic pesticides). Result 3 (Obj 2.4) Cum: 25 - No certifications required for the at this time, though all farmers who sold followed Commonwealth Quality requirements Result 4 (Obj 3.1) Cum: 26 - Developed and implemented marketing system for FMF crops to support wholesale sales. WF developed several iterations before the final successful system, critical to tracking crop availability per farmer to aggregate and send out to our buyers. Crop availability sheets are developed for two different tiers of buyers: restaurants (priced higher) and grocers. - Result number is number of buyers who purchased Flats Mentor Farm crops in 2016 and 2017 seasons. - Throughout our development process, it was clear that an online system would not be effective with our ethnic produce buyers. We developed a system that our buyers were familiar and comfortable with, and that was effective for WF staff and FMF farmers. Result 5 (Obj 3.2) Cum: 180 - Market opportunities were covered in several meetings this year: spring farmer symposium (100 farmers attended); Community Markets Meeting (25 farmers); Commercial Markets Meeting (30 farmers); and throughout 1:1 farmer assessments. - Opportunities were covered in varying detail dependent on the interests of the farmers in the room, being covered in most detail during the 1:1 assessments, and the two markets meetings. - Our Community Markets Meeting covered churches and sales in friends and community leaders' homes (for African farmers), and our Commercial Markets Meeting discussed wholesale, CSA and farmers' markets (for both Hmong and African farmers). Result 6 (Obj 3.3) Cum: 143 - During the two Markets Meetings we led a training on quality control and food safety requirements for crop sales from Flats Mentor Farm. All farmers who had not sold previously re-reviewed food safety requirements with staff throughout the growing season. - 50 farmers successfully implemented quality control in crop sales this season, bringing our cumulative number of farmers to 143. Result 7 (Obj 3.4) Cum: 0 - Development in Progress. Result 8 (Obj 4.1) Cum: 160 - Financial and risk management was discussed at length during out Business Meeting. Additionally, these issue areas were covered during our farmer Symposium, and during both Markets Meetings. Result 9 (Obj 4.2) Cum: 35 - Covered in detail with 35 farmers during 1:1 farmer assessments this winter. Result 10 (Obj 5.2) Cum: 0 - Growing Places and World Farmers have had several discussions about what a farmer transitioning from Growing Places would need to possess to be successful in the Flats Mentor Farm program. Both Organizations held several conversations with GP gardeners this year, with one farmer interested in transitioning to the Flats post-program. Success of gardener to farmer is yet to be determined. We do not expect to hit the commitment of 25 gardeners transitioning to farmers, given the low interest. Result 11 (Obj 5.3) Cum: 27 - Growing Places and World Farmers have had several organizational discussions about how our programs differ and can be in support of one another. WF invited GP to attend our new farmers orientation this spring to showcase their garden program. Although there was no interest from potential/future FMF farmers, WF and GP identified new ways for FMF farmers to learn from GP throughout the season without specifically enrolling in said program. GP staff and partners led several workshops requested by WF and FMF farmers, held at locations easily accessed by both FMF farmers and GP gardeners. These workshops covered: composting basics, crop planning for seed saving, and seed starting. Two of the three workshops here held in Lancaster, MA, one of which was on FMF. Additionally, FMF farmers were invited, free of charge to join GP workshops and classes. Result 12 (Obj 5.5) Cum: 0 - Edited from last report: Full email and Internet training was planned and prepared for on behalf of our Nashoba Regional High School student interns in late winter of 2016. Staff reached out to farmers through various methods (calls, texts, emails) in preparation for the training, however farmers did not attend. Lack of attendance made us reassess interest of the farmers for this kind of training, even if there is great need. - During 2017 1:1 assessments we continue to offer support in email and internet training with no interest by farmers. Farmers answer that their children assist them in these efforts and have no interest in working with us or NRHS interns in this way. We assess that it is a point of vulnerability for the farmers, and they do not feel comfortable sharing with those outside their circle. Result 13 (Obj 6.1) Cum: 220 - WF discussed all requirements to obtain FSA farm number with 95 farmers during 1:1 assessments. Result 14 (Obj 6.2) Cum: 19 - WF discussions of FSA loans as a resource for FMF farmers is ongoing, though need for FSA loans among FMF farmers was substantially less than originally assessed. In discussions with 95 farmers about obtaining a FSA farm number, WF reviewed English and Kirundi handouts on FSA loans WF developed for a FSA Outreach grant. - After, WF had in-depth conversations about benefits and drawbacks of FSA loans with 10 farmers. However, no farmers applied for FSA loans in 2017. The cumulative number shows number of farmers who have seriously considered applying for an FSA loan over the last 2 years. Result 15 (Obj 6.3) Cum: 7 - Three farmers received new High Tunnel awards through NRCS-EQIP this year, one was awarded an extension on her contract from NRCS to install this summer, and the last had his high tunnel moved and re-polyed. WF coordinated all communications for all 5 efforts, as requested by the farmers. This included conversations with NRCS, FSA, high tunnel material providers, and contractors prior to during and after install of all five high tunnels at Flats Mentor Farm this summer. Flats Mentor Farm now houses a total of fifteen high tunnels. Result 16 (Obj 6.4) Cum: 0 - No farmers applied for Rural Development programs this year.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences of this project are beginning, immigrant, refugee, and women farmers from countries around the world who want to become farmers and productive members of society in the United States. All 250 participants in the Flats Mentor Program were recruited solely through farmer-to-farmer word of mouth, hearing of the program from other engaged, successful farmers. These farmers' willingness to learn and their overall passion for farming is a driving force in the success of this program and our efforts to assist beginning, newly arrived refugees and immigrants in Massachusetts and New England. Farmers who participate in the Flats Mentor Farm, a program of World Farmers, range from speaking perfect English, to not speaking English at all. These farmers come from agrarian backgrounds in countries across the globe, including: Laos, Burundi, Kenya, Ghana, Congo, Tanzania, Haiti, and more. Although the specific target audience is the farmers, there are many secondary benefits for their families and immediate communities where they live. Farmers in the Flats Mentor Program range from growing a substantial amount of produce and selling at over 40 farmers' markets in Massachusetts, to growing for family and friends. This program provides the space and resources for participating farmers to operate their independent farming enterprises, and feed their families, neighbors, and friends with culturally appropriate, healthy food. Additional target audiences for this grant are aspiring farmers who have graduated the growing program at Growing Places; interested and engaged students at Nashoba Regional High School, including those who become summer interns; the learning community connected to the national organization Rural Coalition; community members in Lancaster and those connected to both the Lancaster Agricultural Commission and the Lancaster Community Center; and lastly our partner at UMass Amherst Extension provides support to our farmers specific to pest identification and management. Changes/Problems:World Farmers has two requested changes for the grant deliverables: Objective 4.2 Farmers will have been trained on the RMA risk assessment tool SWOT Estimated: 75 Edit: General understanding of risk assessment and management is already included in this grant under Objective 4.1 where World Farmers commits to educating 200 farmers on the topic. We request that this activity (Objective 4.2) specific to RMA SWOT tools be removed because of this overlap. Objective 6.2 Farmers will have applied for FSA loans (operating and farm ownership) Estimated: 30 Edit: We request that this activity (Objective 6.2) be expanded to farmers applying to all FSA programs and services, not limited to loans. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This entire project is focused on the training and farm/business development of the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm. All the listed deliverables and activities support this goal. In addition to the trainings, workshops, and individualized technical assistance World Farmers provided, we also supported farmers financially to attend several conferences and meetings held by outside organizations: Outside Meetings and Conferences attended: 6 Farmers attended the NOFA-Mass no-till training 6 Farmers attended the NOFA-MA Winter Conference 5 Farmers attended the New England Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference 1 Farmer attend Leadership Food Solutions New England Committee for (FSNE) 2 Farmers attended the National Small Farms Conference 1 Youth (part of a farmer family) attended the New England Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Conference (NESAWG) 4 Nashoba Regional High School student interns presented at and attended the Farm-Based Education Network (FBEN) Conference World Farmers NRHS Internship program: This project initiated a partnership with the local High School, Nashoba Regional High School in a few different ways, building a partnership with the Administration, food health and food justice curriculum development with teachers across subjects, and instituting a paid student internship program at World Farmers. The inaugural internship program was built to support World Farmers in the tasks of running Flats Mentor Farm in Lancaster, MA, and also to serve as an enriching cross-cultural learning experience for the student interns and with time, the student body. World Farmers, in collaboration with the student mentor and summer coordinator (NRHS teacher), interviewed and selected four student interns to assist throughout the beginning if the growing season/end of the school year, summer, and late summer/early school year. Interns' scope of work was crafted to match their interests and the organizations' needs. The goal for this internship was building capacity and cultural exposure of young students. We spent a lot of time on developing the interns' scope of work collaboratively. This allowed the interns to engage in the work they were most interested in, and therefore would get the most out of, while fitting World Farmers' needs. For most students it was the first real interaction with immigrants and refugees coming into this community. The internship built components of building understanding of the community of our farmers, and of farming in general. We assigned weekly reading of literature and reports that explored the cultures and backgrounds of farmers at the Flats, and held weekly discussions and reflection blogs to digest the readings. After a somewhat chaotic summer for them with getting acquainted with the organization, the Farm, farming in general, the cultures and people at the Farm, and most uncertain, the drought, the interns put together a presentation for the Farm-Based Education Network Conference to share what they'd learned. The presentation was student-led, where they took time to share their experience and what they took away from the summer. The students shared stories of how their perspective and understanding has shifted after this experience. Things such as better understanding: struggles and wars across the world currently happening; how culturally diverse the U.S. really is; Difficulties of running a farming business; how policy and government impacts farmers; and all said they were amazed that through it all the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm were among the happiest and kind people they'd ever met. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination looks different depending on the communities and subject: Farmers: Coordinated individualized outreach (email, text, call, mailing) regarding various items. Held meetings on issues that needed discussion and/or continued education. Provided consistent updates throughout the summer regarding the Farm, including but not limited to the drought. Grant Partners: Monthly check-ins during the first quarter. Quarterly check-ins the rest of the year. Individual Planning meetings with each partner. Continued and ongoing communication through calls, emails, and visits as needed. Community Members: Tour De Farm: World Farmers hosted our second annual Tour de Farm where we welcomed Community members, organizational partners, and USDA agencies to tour the farm, hear about the program, and meet some of the farmers. The event provided a space for the community to come to the Farm to learn about World Farmers and Flats Mentor Farm, and tour the farm and hear from the farmers We were honored to welcome MA State Senator Jamie Eldridge to the event as the first legislator who stepped foot on the farm. We were also honored to have staffers from three other legislator's offices. After the event the local newspaper published a story about the event and the farm, which was picked up by other news outlets. 50-60 in attendance. Harvest Gala provided updates with attendees (farmers, community members, and partners including USDA staff and electeds) during the program, and updates on farm and program successes in the Program. 150-200 in attendance. At least four news articles written about World Farmers and our work with the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm. "For Some, Lancaster farm plots offer 'a small piece of home'." June 6, 2016. Sentinel and Enterprise. http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_30033538/some-lancaster-farm-plots-offer-small-piece-home "Growing Food, Growing Farmers." July 16, 2016. Sentinel and Enterprise. http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_30134978/growing-food-growing-farmers "Genocide Survivor to Massachusetts Farmer." May 5, 2016. BBC World Service. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03t4pzp "A Different Sort of Farm Share." September 1, 2015. The Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2015/09/01/different-sort-farm-share/qC1X8nkJM6OnMWOQagSSEK/story.html Government: Started communication with State Representatives and Senators to discuss benefits of our program and the type of success programs such as BFRDP can provide. Relationship building is continuous, most recently State Senator Jamie Eldridge presented two citations (awards) to World Farmers, one on behalf of himself and the State Senate, the other on behalf of State Representatives Hogan and Naughton. USDA staff, continued communication and relationship building. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Overall: Continue coordination with project partners and implementation of deliverables. Adhere to timeline provided in grant proposal. Winter: Farmer Assessments. Things we've learned from last year's: establish a clearer evaluation plan after each assessment to be sure all information of all kinds (needs, successes, comments, etc) are captured accurately. This work, both the assessments and the evaluations post-assessments will take up a considerable amount of staff time, however the chance to meet one-on-one with each farmer to discuss whatever the farmer requests is critical. This is also a space where much of the work happens. Last year discussing marketing and crop plans were the norm during these sessions. This also helps us form the agenda for our Spring Flats Mentor Farmer Symposium. Continue development of online marketing portal. Spring: Flats Mentor Farmer Symposium. Agenda is determined by Farmer inquiries and requests. Trainings by grant partners are included. Land Preparations. Timing as weather Permits. Summer: Continue trainings and oversight on: production and soil health; Integrated pest management; post-harvest handling and food safety protocols; etc. Continue support in: farmer understanding of USDA and any application assistance; risk management and understanding of crop insurance; etc.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Obj 2.1 FMF farmers able to implement hands-on food safety handling practices necessary to successfully market their produce Throughout the summer World Farmers staff provided oversight at the common wash station and assistance on proper post-harvest handling protocols for all produce sold from Flats Mentor Farm. Avenues produce was sold safely at: 40 Farmers' Markets across Boston; 3 grocery stores, 2 mobile markets through the Flats Mentor Marketing Cooperative, and individual market plans for individualized direct to consumer models. We expect to increase the number of farmers selling through our Flats Mentor Marketing Cooperative, however we do not predict the number will reach 195 during the course of this 3-year grant. Obj 2.2 General food safety protocol will be implemented at FMF Food Safety workshop was provided at the Flats Mentor Farmer Symposium in April of 2016. There were 125 Flats Mentor Farmers in attendance. The workshop included a presentation by Michael Botelho, Commonwealth Quality Program Coordinator at MDAR. Early in the growing season World Farmers worked with UMass Extension to host a Pesticide Safety workers' training with all commercial farmers. Our partnership with UMass Amherst Extension through this grant allowed World Farmers to provide regular pest identification and management education sessions throughout the summer. Farmers gained a great deal from the extension agent's visits and IPM recommendations. Farmers grew a better understanding of organic pesticides, and generally the use ad application of pesticides. Obj 2.4 All Phase III farmers will be certified with the necessary certification required by our state and the markets where they sell their produce Commonwealth Quality Audit performed by Michael Botelho on all commercial farmers and at Flats Mentor Farm during the 2016 summer season. Obj 3.2 80% Participating farmers will understand the different marketing options available at FMF for their produce, including: CSA, Farmers' Markets, Wholesale, Direct-to-store, and On-line marketing 125 farmers understood of various market options available to the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm was articulated in two ways: At the Flats Mentor Symposium in April, and during the individual farmers assessments throughout the winter. 100 farmers went through farmer assessments. 125 farmers attended the Symposium. World Farmers assisted five farmers at their markets this year, as these farmers are getting used to their new farmers' markets. We also designed and printed all new farmers' market banners for all farmers, some specialized to the farmer for those who wanted it. We provided new veggie price cards and uniform burlap tablecloths. Also to those who needed, we loaned tables, tents, scales, and coolers for those just starting out. Overall, farmers at Flats Mentor Farm sold at over 40 farmers' markets across MA, and at least 10 additional direct to consumer locations piloted by the farmers themselves. Obj 3.3 90% of farmers selling to wholesale markets will be able to implement quality control and industry standard regulations of wholesaling, sales to ethnic markets, and understand the pros & cons of farmers' market sales and strategies 93 farmers selling from Flats Mentor Farm were able to implement and learn about quality control this year. We expect to increase the number of farmers selling through our Flats Mentor Marketing Cooperative, however we do not predict the number will reach 195 during the course of this 3-year grant. Obj 4.1 Farmers understand and build skills on financial and risk management to increase their capacity to operate their farms Understanding of financial and risk management of running a farming business was articulated to the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm in two ways: At the Flats Mentor Symposium in April, and during the individual farmers assessments throughout the winter. 100 farmers went through farmer assessments. 125 farmers attended the Symposium. Obj 5.2 Growing Places teaching garden graduates will transition to the Flats Mentoring Program, Phase I Growing Places and World Farmers are in talks about the level of farming commitment and understanding a farmer transitioning from Growing Places would need to have to be successful in the Flats Mentor Farm program. We hope to have some transitions next year, however the actual number of those interested is yet to be determined. Obj 5.3 Socially disadvantaged immigrants/refugees who are not sure they know how to grow in this climate and are not confident about their capacity to farm in this country, will receive hands-on training and technical support in small scale growing at Growing Places teaching gardens instead of or before entering the Flats Mentoring Program This year was the pilot year for both organizations collaborating together, and although there were many other collaborative activities performed, the hands-on technical support and training on behalf of staff at Growing Places was not performed this year. Planning is already in place for years 2 and 3. Obj 5.5 Farmers receive one on one mentoring from our youth on internet access and e-mail communication Full email and internet training was planned and prepared for on behalf of our Nashoba Regional High School student interns in the late winter. Staff reached out to farmers through various methods in preparation for the training however farmers did not attend. This has made us reassess our mode of outreach, as well as the interest by the farmers to go through this kind of training (even if there is great need). Obj 6.1 Farmers will have the necessary qualifications to obtain a farm number and register with USDA - FSA This work is ongoing. FSA attended and presented on how to attain a farm number at the Flats Mentor Symposium and stayed after to answer any questions. 125 farmers were in attendance. Obj 6.2 Farmers will have applied for FSA loans (operating and farm ownership) World Farmers staff had conversations with 5 interested farmers on potentially applying for FSA loans. There was a lot of staff time put toward understanding the benefits and drawbacks of receiving a loan. After extensive discussions, three Flats Mentor farmers applied for FSA loans this year. One farmer participated in NAP for their first time. Five farmers continued their enrollment and submitted the necessary crop reports. The timeliness in submitting the crop yield reports were supported largely by our four summer Nashoba Regional High School student interns this summer, who were paid interns thanks to this grant and our partnership with NRHS. One farmer submitted a crop loss report due to the drought. This number should have been higher given the amount of crop loss this year, however we are still working on assisting farmers to understand the services available to them as farmers in this country. Obj 6.3 Farmers apply to NRCS programs One farmer applied for NRCS-EQIP High Tunnel program this year, and she received award to establish her high tunnel. At the start of the BFRDP grant there were three farmers who had received the award for NRCS-EQIP high tunnels. The contract expired the summer of 2016. Staff took charge in all communication with the contractors, of which there were three: Rimol Greenhouse Materials, Wood for the frame, and Installation/labor contractors. Communication consisted of scheduling the purchasing and delivery of all materials in time with the installation contractors, as well as coordinating land-site preparations. High tunnels were all successfully constructed by December of 2015. Additional coordination needs consisted of pre and post NRCS site visits. Additionally, one farmer got her plastic replaced for the high tunnel she put up 4-5 years ago.
Publications
|