Progress 08/01/18 to 07/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience: Limited resource producers Military veterans Small farms Specialty crop producers Changes/Problems:There have been changes with the contacts of our partner organizations. It has taken time to get new people informed on the project and up to speed on what needs to take place. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) partnered with Sterling College, Farmer Veteran Coalition of Vermont (FVC) and United Farmer Veterans of Maine, University of New Hampshire (UNH) Cooperative Extension, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and New Entry Sustainable Farming Project in Massachusetts to educate and support military veterans in the Northeast U.S. who are beginning farmers. Our project, Building Farm Foundations and Planning for Success: Beginning Farmer Training for Military Veterans in the Northeast U.S., has served hundreds of beginning farmers who are military veterans in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and other Northeastern states. These trainings consisted of one-day workshops on various production topics in locations throughout the Northeast, and an intensive training through the week-long Armed to Farm program, NCAT's sustainable agriculture training for military veterans. The project supported veterans chosen to participate in Sterling College's six-week Summer Agriculture Program and Farmstead workshops and provided registrations to MOFGA's beginning farmer trainings. The project also offered farm business planning assistance to military veterans through workshops and one-on-one technical assistance. We worked to build and strengthen the network of military veteran beginning farmers through outreach and supporting existing networks. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have used a variety of ways to reach veteran farmers. We have done outreach through NCAT and our many partners. We have provided in-person training and resources. We have developed electronic networing groups and listserves to reach veterans and keep them connected. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will complete Year 3 workplan.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Result 1. Military veterans will receive beginning farmer training through 3 week-long Armed to Farm trainings. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 90, Actual Number: 80 How verified: participant lists Result 2. Military veterans will receive beginning farmer training through 6 one-to-two day workshops. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 150, Actual Number: 340 How verified: participant lists Result 3. Military veterans will receive training and assistance to complete a farm business plan. Producer action: Develop, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 130, Actual Number: 100 How verified: participant lists; follow-up evaluations Result 4. Military veterans will get connected to farmer/veteran support networks. Producer action: Decide, Topic: Interpersonal, family, and business relationships When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 250, Actual Number: 340 How verified: participant lists Result 5. Military veterans will start their own farms. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 50, Actual Number: 35 How verified: follow-up evaluations Result 6. Military veterans will make improvements to their production practices. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 180, Actual Number: 180 How verified: follow-up evaluations Result 7. Military veterans will enter new markets. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Local, regional, and direct marketing When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 60, Actual Number: 25 How verified: follow-up evaluations Result 8. Military veterans will actively participate in support networks where they will continue to gain resources and support. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Interpersonal, family, and business relationships When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 100, Actual Number: 120 How verified: participant lists; follow-up evaluations
Publications
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Progress 08/01/16 to 07/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Limited resource producers • Military veterans • Small farms • Specialty crop producers Changes/Problems:Over the course of the project we had many changes with our project partners. There was staff turnover with all of the partners. This was challenging with communication. At times the project lagged because I was having to explain the project and deliverables to a new person. Overall we were able to reach our project goals, but the partner relationships and communications was a challenge. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) partnered with Sterling College, Farmer Veteran Coalition of Vermont (FVC) and United Farmer Veterans of Maine, University of New Hampshire (UNH) Cooperative Extension, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and New Entry Sustainable Farming Project in Massachusetts to educate and support military veterans in the Northeast U.S. who are beginning farmers. Our project, Building Farm Foundations and Planning for Success: Beginning Farmer Training for Military Veterans in the Northeast U.S., has served hundreds of beginning farmers who are military veterans in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and other Northeastern states. These trainings consisted of one-day workshops on various production topics in locations throughout the Northeast, and an intensive training through the week-long Armed to Farm program, NCAT's sustainable agriculture training for military veterans. The project supported veterans chosen to participate in Sterling College's six-week Summer Agriculture Program and Farmstead workshops and provided registrations to MOFGA's beginning farmer trainings. The project also offered farm business planning assistance to military veterans through workshops and one-on-one technical assistance. We worked to build and strengthen the network of military veteran beginning farmers through outreach and supporting existing networks. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have used a variety of ways to reach veteran farmers. We have done outreach through NCAT and our many partners. We have provided in-person training and resources. We have developed electronic networing groups and listserves to reach veterans and keep them connected. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Over the course of the project more than 400 military veterans in the Northeast U.S. received training through workshops, week-long Armed to Farm trainings, networking events, and participation in conferences. Participants received training in business planning, farm goal setting, USDA programs, sustiainable farming techniques, and more. The project provided training throught our partners--FVC VT, United Farmer Veterans of Maine, UNH Extension, MOFGA, Sterling College, and New Entry Sustainable Farming. NCAT and our partners provided one-on-one technical assistance to veterans as they started and improved their farming operations. We also connected hundreds of veterans through our Vets in Ag email listserve and Facebook group for Armed to Farm alumni. These networking efforts connected veterans and resource providers across the Northeast. We know many participants started farms, improved their farming operations, expanded production, entered new markets, and accessed USDA programs.
Publications
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Progress 08/01/17 to 07/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience: Limited resource producers Military veterans Small farms Specialty crop producers Changes/Problems:There have been changes with the contacts of our partner organizations. It has taken time to get new people informed on the project and up to speed on what needs to take place. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided many training opportunities for military veterans in the Northeast U.S. These trainings have included day-long workshops on a variety of farm production topics, week-long Armed to Farm trainings, networking events, and multi-week training opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have used a variety of ways to reach veteran farmers. We have done outreach through NCAT and our many partners. We have provided in-person training and resources. We have developed electronic networing groups and listserves to reach veterans and keep them connected. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Result 1. Military veterans will receive beginning farmer training through 3 week-long Armed to Farm trainings. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 90, Actual Number:52 How verified: participant lists Result 2. Military veterans will receive beginning farmer training through 6 one-to-two day workshops. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 150, Actual Number: 230 How verified: participant lists Result 3. Military veterans will receive training and assistance to complete a farm business plan. Producer action: Develop, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 130, Actual Number: 76 How verified: participant lists; follow-up evaluations Result 4. Military veterans will get connected to farmer/veteran support networks. Producer action: Decide, Topic: Interpersonal, family, and business relationships When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 250, Actual Number: 287 How verified: participant lists Result 5. Military veterans will start their own farms. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 50, Actual Number: 26 How verified: follow-up evaluations Result 6. Military veterans will make improvements to their production practices. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 180, Actual Number: 120 How verified: follow-up evaluations Result 7. Military veterans will enter new markets. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Local, regional, and direct marketing When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 60, Actual Number: 20 How verified: follow-up evaluations Result 8. Military veterans will actively participate in support networks where they will continue to gain resources and support. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Interpersonal, family, and business relationships When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 100, Actual Number: 80 How verified: participant lists; follow-up evaluations
Publications
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Progress 08/01/16 to 07/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience: Limited resource producers Military veterans Small farms Specialty crop producers Participants Served Record the total number of unique participants who participated in your program: Total Number of Participants: 287 Enter the actual cumulative number of participants who as a result of your program: Started farming: Target - 50, Actual - 13 Helped prepare to start farming: Target - 200, Actual - 40 Improved farming success: Target - 180, Actual - 100 Changes/Problems:As with most project involving several partners there have been challenges with communicating with partners. I would have established clearer guidelines for capturing and reporting project activities from the start. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) partnered with Sterling College, Farmer Veteran Coalition of Vermont (FVC) and United Farmer Veterans of Maine, University of New Hampshire (UNH) Cooperative Extension, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and New Entry Sustainable Farming Project in Massachusetts to educate and support military veterans in the Northeast U.S. who are beginning farmers. Our project, Building Farm Foundations and Planning for Success: Beginning Farmer Training for Military Veterans in the Northeast U.S., has served hundreds of beginning farmers who are military veterans in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and other Northeastern states. In the first year of the project we provided training to more than 250 military veteran beginning farmers in each year of our project. These trainings consisted of one-day workshops on various production topics in locations throughout the Northeast, and an intensive training through the week-long Armed to Farm program, NCAT's sustainable agriculture training for military veterans. The project supported veterans chosen to participate in Sterling College's six-week Summer Agriculture Program and Farmstead workshops and provided registrations to MOFGA's beginning farmer trainings. The project also offered farm business planning assistance to military veterans through workshops and one-on-one technical assistance. We worked to build and strengthen the network of military veteran beginning farmers through outreach and supporting existing networks. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Result 1. Military veterans will receive beginning farmer training through 3 week-long Armed to Farm trainings. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 90, Actual Number: 26 How verified: participant lists Result 2. Military veterans will receive beginning farmer training through 6 one-to-two day workshops. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 150, Actual Number: 177 How verified: participant lists Result 3. Military veterans will receive training and assistance to complete a farm business plan. Producer action: Develop, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 130, Actual Number: 50 How verified: participant lists; follow-up evaluations Result 4. Military veterans will get connected to farmer/veteran support networks. Producer action: Decide, Topic: Interpersonal, family, and business relationships When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 250, Actual Number: 287 How verified: participant lists Result 5. Military veterans will start their own farms. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 50, Actual Number: 13 How verified: follow-up evaluations Result 6. Military veterans will make improvements to their production practices. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 180, Actual Number: 60 How verified: follow-up evaluations Result 7. Military veterans will enter new markets. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Local, regional, and direct marketing When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 60, Actual Number: 5 How verified: follow-up evaluations Result 8. Military veterans will actively participate in support networks where they will continue to gain resources and support. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Interpersonal, family, and business relationships When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 100, Actual Number: 40 How verified: participant lists; follow-up evaluations
Publications
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