Progress 10/03/16 to 09/30/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included apprentice farmers (new farmers starting their business on the North Farm incubator site), skill seekers (new and experienced farmers and gardeners looking to increase their skills and knowledge), other members of the Michigan Upper Peninsula (UP) food industry, and the general public (particularly those in the UP), industry, secondary school teachers and the general public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Internships, Skill-Seeker workshops (farmers), teacher trainings (Teacher Training Institutes) and roundtables, other workshop and conference presentations, school and university visits, field days, open house, a peer mentorship program, North Farm tours, and the use of the North Farm web site, Facebook, and Instagram. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?AFNRE curriculum presentations were made to schools at North Farm or at school sites in intermediate school districts; answered calls for technical assistance from teachers regarding agriculture education infrastructure; presentations to intermediate school districts and U.P.-wide educators, administrators, and community members; middle and high school science teachers in all 7 U.P. ISDs were invited to apply for mini-grants - teachers who attended training institutes but who did not request mini-grants received technical support and special classroom activities on soil health, the genetics of plants and their seeds, and crop planning for school gardens that reached middle and high school students; farm tours and visits; Facebook, Instagram, press releases, publications, TV news coverage, newspaper coverage; use of the North Farm Web Site; Teacher Training Institutes; Teacher/Extension Educator team presentation at the Lake Superior Youth Symposium for place-based education in Minnesota. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Apprentice farmers completed their first and second seasons farming with sales of mixed vegetables to a community supported agriculture program (CSA) farmer's market, restaurants, and wholesale accounts. Workshops were held for skill seeking farmers. Evaluations of the workshops showed 100% of participants reported improved business knowledge, skills, or expertise. We hosted formal and informal tours of the farm for 1895 independent or agency-associated individual who were interested in learning more about the project. 140 students from 7 different schools visited the North Farm to learn about season extension, sustainable agricultural practices, seed saving, and the biology of farming. The North Farm hosted "Together at the Farm" (a food and farming conference) and "It's All in the Barn" (a community fundraiser) as well as conference presentations throughout the Great Lakes region. A North Farm website, Facebook page, Twitter account, and Instagram site has continued to grow and has seen a substantial increase in followers. Programing content was been completed and received approval from the MSU curriculum committee to start a pilot Novice Farmer Program in 2017. Curriculum for the on-farm practicum part of the Novice Farmer program continued to be developed. A USDA NIFA SPECA Grant for $134,000 was obtained to incorporate agriculture and food systems curriculum into middle and high schools in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and a USDA North Central SARE grant for $151,000 was obtained to match school classrooms with farms practicing sustainable agriculture to serve as Land Based Learning Centers where students can learn and implement sustainable agriculture and food systems practices. We performed asset mapping to inventory the footprint of existing school programs and local resources available to form a network of agricultural education resources. The "Growing the UP" website was launched at www.growingtheup.org with 17 teacher and community partner profiles highlighting successful non-formal agriculture education programs to provide connections to mentors for aspiring teachers. Project tags, profiles, and updated searchable map improved site navigability. Growing the UP has served as a model for other UP-wide health and education initiatives, inspiring the Michigan Health Endowment Fund project "Healthy Kids UP" to take the same approach to surveying and representing data visually to connect community resources to those in need. The value of the asset map website to local food systems efforts was recognized by the community and $5,000 additional funding from regional planning districts was awarded to enhance the website with 5 minute video profiles of 7 educators and community partners who are integral to the delivery of AFNRE content in U.P. schools. Training and focus groups were held for teachers and agriculture education community partners. These were tailored to teacher interests in agriculture education, such as designing and utilizing school gardens effectively, understanding local food systems, regenerative agriculture, and steps to forming a state-recognized AFNRE program. Teachers received tools to carry out agriculture in the classroom, such as professional quality compost thermometers, irrigation timers, watering wands, cutting boards and choppers, along with books containing supporting content. During focus group, teachers emphasized continued need to "connect the islands" of non-formal agriculture educators and suggested enlisting the 17 educators listed in the directory to spread the word through their networks and by involving the whole school through in-service presentations to introduce fellow teachers to the resource. During these focus groups, teachers also indicated the amount of curriculum available for teachers on agriculture education is profuse; their desired priorities for future development and funding emphasize creating observational and mentorship experiences for teachers to learn from other teachers and farmers how to carry out agriculture education. We partnered with the Michigan Science and Mathematics Center/Seaborg Center on AFNR curriculum that is aligned with both CTE and NGSS standards. The number of state-recognized AFNRE programs increased over the period of this grant. There are now 6 active or prospective state recognized AFNRE programs in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Mini-grants were given to 8 teachers from trainings awarded to carry out hands-on AFNR education in the classroom. Seven follow-up visits to mini-grant projects reached 320 students with programming tailored to deepen student engagement with projects in NGSS-aligned activities, such as creating and maintaining season extension structures, exploring the soil, food, web, or making value-added maple syrup products. Through mini-grant funded activities, partnerships between secondary educators and their classes formed with primary educators resulting in collaborations. This offered the opportunity for student mentorship across grades, schools, and teaching philosophies facilitated by teachers who were also learning from one another about how the school garden infrastructure could benefit both schools. Teacher roundtables were conducted at trainings to find solutions to the lack of available peer mentorship. Teachers suggested that further high-quality training for individuals in each of the regional planning districts of the Upper Peninsula would result in better geographical distribution of expertise and access to mentors. National training opportunities identified, with plans to fund 3 teachers and 3 community partners for participation and travel. A proposal was submitted to the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education to study the issues around adoption of regenerative grazing practices of cattle producers in Michigan. We were funded and the three project began in January, 2021.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Interns - The North Farm has employed 1 intern through Michigan State University Extension. The North Farm had two full time employees during the reporting period and one part time seasonal employee. 7 individuals seeking to start a farm or expand their operations toured the farm to gain one-on-one or small group time with farm staff and discussed best practices and revenue boosting techniques. The North Farm has hosted teacher training institutes for continuing education credit in collaboration with other grant funded projects to provide teachers with a living classroom and hands-on experiences to inspireagriculture activities in their classrooms, which raise food system awareness among students and their families. During the reporting period, two trainings were hosted reaching 48 teachers in partnership with the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative and Portage Health Foundation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? North Farm Web Site - Has background and program information, pictures, resources andproject summaries. Facebook - Has updates on the farm and posts on sustainable agriculture, educational opportunities for farmers and avocational gardeners.1,027 followers. Press TV TV6: Plants Exchanged https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Plants-exchanged-at-5th-annual-Pop-up-Plant-Swap-511074841.html TV6 - Hands on Learning Experience https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Hands-on-learning-experience-at-Northern-Michigan-University-Thursday-560800411.html Newspaper Newspaper: Planting the Seedshttps://www.miningjournal.net/news/front-page-news/2019/06/planting-the-seeds-2/ Planting the Seeds - Graveraethttps://www.miningjournal.net/news/front-page-news/2019/03/planting-the-seeds/ Blemheuber Family Were Agriculture Innovators The Greenhouse Effect Mining Journal - Beefing Up the School Curricula Mining Journal - Planting the seeds, Students from Gwinn middle, high schools visit North Farm, learn about sustainable agriculture Mining Journal - Backyard farming Other publications - Presentations have been made available to workshop attendees as well as on the resource page of the North Farm website Instagram - Displays images of the farm. School Visits, Presentations, and Open House - Increased community engagement and provided relevant information regarding production and marketing practices, as well as information about future opportunities at The North Farm. Presentations Sustainable Seed Systems. Marquette, MI. UP Master Gardener Series. Consumer Preferences: Local and Organic. Marquette, MI. Marquette Farmers Market. Season Extension for Educators.Hancock, MI. Copper Country Intermediate School District. UPREC Updates. Chatham, MI. Alger County Farmer Potluck. Apprentice Farmer Program. Chatham, MI. MSU UP Research and Extension Center Field Day. Starting and Maintaining a School Garden. Hancock, MI. Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative. UPREC Updates. Escanaba, MI. UP State Fair. DIY Season Extension: Tools and Techniques. Escanaba, MI. Bay De Noc Garden Conference. Saving Seeds Together. Wilson, MI. Hannahville Indian Community. Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education in Your Classroom. Northern Michigan University. Marquette-Alger RESA Action in Education Summer Institute. Art and Practice of Seed Saving, Past and Future in Northern Climates. Marquette, MI. Marquette Regional History Center. Season Extension and New Ordinances. Marquette, MI. NRCS and Marquette Conservation District. Getting Involved with Local Food Systems through seed saving. Marquette, MI. Peter White Public Library and Queen City Seed Library. Agriculture Career Opportunities. Marquette, MI. Northern Michigan University.MARESA Career Day. Regenerative Agriculture and Implications for Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Education. Ames, IA. Distinguished Lecture at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Agricultural Education. Tabling Organizations: Career Exploration Fair, MQT Local Food Fest, UP State Fair, 4H Harvest Fest Topics: Incubator farms and local economic development Attendance: 740 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Submitted a proposal to the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education to study the issues around adoption of regenerative grazing practices of cattle producers in Michigan. Received word that we were funded and the three year project will start January, 2021. As part of my Hatch Project: One farm business, Mighty Soil Farm, is currently participating in the Apprentice Farmer Program, farming on ½ acre of land, with a gross income of $52,000. This farm sells to 8 businesses in various markets, including farmers market, restaurants, and grocery stores.A biannual farmer potluck with a skill sharing component was started to reach more than 60 area growers of various experience levels, helping to form a collective and more richly interconnected identity for Alger County farmers. The most recent potluck introduced an intergenerational component, bringing high school students together with farmers to share results of soil health research conducted by the students in collaboration with a local farm. 521 independent or agency-associated individuals who were interested in learning more about the project visited the farm throughout the reporting period. 1017 total students, including 75 individuals with special needs, visitedthe North Farmto learn about composting, transplant production, season extension and seed saving. The North Farm has built on the relationships with schools established through the Start Seeds/Save Seeds program to offer on-farm activities based on Next Generation Science Standards to 11 schools in 4 intermediate school districts. The North Farm has presented 7 times throughout the UP to promote sustainable agriculture practices and the Apprentice Farmer Program. Munising High School Career Dayreached200individualswith information regardingagriculture as a career or topic of study in secondary education contexts. The North Farm stays in touch with a statewide network of small farm organizations/resources including other farm incubator programs through participation in Michigan Food and Farming Systems as a council member. In order torepresentand better serve target populations in community forums and activities, North Farm staff have been invited to participate in several committees that pertain to agriculture education and issues: Marquette Alger Regional Educational Service Agency Career Technical Education, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Produce Safety Advisory Committee, Michigan Local Food Policy Council Network, and the Upper Peninsula Food Exchange Steering Committee. 408 individuals have been reached through presentations and meetings conducted by North Farm staff on topics including careers in agriculture and starting a farm business, organic growing practices, season extension and farm-based education. 5 acres of certified organic mixed vegetables were in production at the North Farm during the production period. During the reporting period, $70,349.53 worth of produce sales have been made through direct and wholesale accountsby the North Farm. Continued to support Upper Peninsula Food Exchange in assessment and improvement of online marketplace platform for virtual food hub. Since the beginning of the Apprentice Farmer Program, $122,140 worth of produce has been sold into local markets by program participants, with $52,000 of that total sold during this reporting period. Since the beginning of the Apprentice Farmer program, an estimated 15,140 pounds of produce has been sold into local markets by program participants. The North Farm and Apprentice Farmer Program participants have started marketing relationships with 12 area restaurants and grocery stores.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Raven, M. R. (2020). Regenerative agriculture: Implications for agriculture, food and natural resource education. Journal of Agricultural Education, 61(1), 1-12, https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2020.01001
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Olabisis, L, Elegbede, O., Raven, M.R. (2020). Insights for farmer training programs from system dynamics: A case study from Northern Michigan. Advancements in Agricultural Development
Volume 1, Issue 2, 2020, agdevresearch.org. https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v1i2.33
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Secondary science teachers in the 7 Intermediate School Districts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Teachers working with existing, underutilized agriculture education infrastructure and teachers interested in incorporating AFNR education to their classrooms attended 4 days of training at 4 Teacher Training Institutes The Upper Peninsula team of educators from each of the regional planning districts that attended a three-day training at Shelburne Farms returned with an interest in hosting their own local trainings to disseminate knowledge and activities learned in Vermont. Two follow-up meetings with this group resulted in 2 teacher-led trainings hosted in the western and central Upper Peninsula that reached 32 teachers. Teacher/Extension Educator team accepted to present at Lake Superior Youth Symposium for place-based education in Minnesota. A new MSU Extension Educator position was created in the Upper Peninsula to provide technical support and teacher training to teachers making agriculture part of their classroom as a direct result of the positive response to these grant-funded activities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Teachers who attended training institutes but who did not request mini-grants received technical support and special classroom activities on soil health, the genetics of plants and their seeds, and crop planning for school gardens that reached 141 middle and high school students at 5 schools. Experiences that teachers had with on-farm training led to requests for on-farm student engagement, which brought 276 students to MSU North Farm for 6 visits that included activities on careers in agriculture, the role of pollinators in the food system, tasting local food products, integrated pest management, and the history of agriculture in the Upper Peninsula. Answered 10 calls for technical assistance from teachers regarding agriculture education projects or infrastructure. Presented updates on project at 6 meetings of intermediate school district or U.P.-wide educators, administrators, and community members, includingMarquette Alger Regional Service Agency Career Technical Education Committee, Central U.P. Farm to School Committee, Gogebic Ontonagon Agriculture Advisory Committee, ISD Superintendents Committee. Middle and high school science teachers in all 7 U.P. ISDs invited to apply for mini-grants. Agriculture education mini-grant projects shared through the hashtag #GrowingUPAgEd on school social media sites broadened community exposure and engagement. Participated in 3 events by having an activity table (Agripalooza, UP Ag for Tomorrow Conference, Partridge Creek Farm Planting Day) to reach 360 attendees with activities and information about how to seek agriculture education funding. Poster and abstract accepted/presented to the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Conference hosted at the College of Southern Idaho. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Hosted focus group for teachers and agriculture education community partners from 7 organizations and 3 intermediate school districts to find out about use of Growing the UP website. All indicated that they would recommend the site to other educators as "a good place to start to find others who have gone down the path before." During focus group, teachers emphasized continued need to "connect the islands" of non-formal agriculture educators and suggested enlisting the 17 educators listed in the directory to spread the word through their networks and by involving the whole school through in-service presentations to introduce fellow teachers to the resource. During focus group, teachers indicated that the amount of curriculum available for teachers on agriculture education is profuse; their desired priorities for future development and funding emphasize creating observational and mentorship experiences for teachers to learn from other teachers and farmers how to carry out agriculture education. 97 teachers from 4 ISDs attended 4 trainings conducted in partnership with Marquette/Alger RESA, Copper Country ISD, Northern Michigan University, Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center, and Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative for continuing education credits. Delivered curriculum tailored to teacher interests in agriculture education, such as connecting with farmers for field trips, including students with disabilities in school garden activities, understanding local food systems, soil health, and steps to forming a state-recognized AFNRE program. Funded Teacher Training Institute attendance forXscience content teachers, with preference offered to middle and high school biology teachers. Teachers received tools to carry out agriculture education activities in the classroom, such as professional quality compost thermometers, irrigation timers, watering wands, cutting boards and choppers, along with books containing supporting content. Mini-grants to 5 teachers from trainings awarded to carry out hands-on AFNR education in the classroom distributed, with 7 follow-up visits to mini-grant projects reached 320 students with programming tailored to deepen student engagement with projects in NGSS-aligned activities, such as creating and maintaining season extension structures, exploring the soil food web, or making value-added maple syrup products. The number of state-recognized AFNRE programs has increased over the period of this grant from 1 to 4, with 2 additional programs slated come on board in late 2019. There are now 6 active or prospective state recognized AFNRE programs in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Through mini-grant funded activities, partnerships between secondary educators and their classes formed with primary educators resulting in collaborations - for instance, alternative high school students replaced plastic and performed maintenance on a hoop house utilized by elementary school students. This offered the opportunity for student mentorship across grades, schools, and teaching philosophies facilitated by teachers who were also learning from one another about how the school garden infrastructure could benefit both schools. 83% of teachers surveyed reached out to a community partner or another teacher encountered at a teacher training for assistance to carry out their mini-grant funded agriculture education project.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
McKim, A., Raven, M. R., Palmer, A. & McFarland, A. (2019). Community as context and content: A Land-Based learning primer for Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education. Journal of Agricultural Education, 60(1), 172-185 https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2019.01172
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Raven, M. R. and Palmer, A. (2019). Building Capacity for School-Based Agriculture Education in Michigans Upper Peninsula. Poster presented at the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Conference, Boise, ID
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached in this reporting period were the Apprentice Farmers (new farmers starting their business on the North Farm incubator site), the Skill Seekers (new and experienced farmers and gardeners looking to increase their skills and knowledge), other members of the Michigan Upper Peninsula (UP) food industry, secondary teachers from the 7 Itermediate School Districts in the UPand the general public (particularly those in the UP). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?2018 Teachers working with existing, underutilized agriculture education infrastructure and teachers interested in incorporating AFNR education to their classrooms attended 7 days of training at 4 Teacher Training Institutes. Funding for teacher/community partner pairs from each of the regional planning districts in the UP to travel to national training opportunities at Shelburne Farms. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?2018 25 AFNRE curriculum presentations made to schools at North Farm or at school site, reaching 932 students from 5 intermediate school districts. Answered 12 calls for technical assistance from teachers regarding agriculture education infrastructure. Presented project at 10 meetings of intermediate school district or U.P.-wide educators, administrators, and community members, includingMarquette Alger Regional Service Agency Career Technical Education Committee, Central U.P. Farm to School Committee, Gogebic Ontonagon Agriculture Advisory Committee, ISD Superintendents Committee. Middle and high school science teachers in all 7 U.P. ISDs invited to apply for mini-rants. 1 press release, TV news coverage, newspaper coverage. Mini-grant recipients shared their projects with their communities in innovative ways. For instance, Aspen Ridge School, which received a mini-grant in late 2017, hosted Central UP Farm to School Committee Meeting and students led a tour of hydroponic unit that supplies lunch room with greens and offered a basil propagation demonstration. North Farm Web Site - Has background and program information, pictures, resources and scheduled events Google Analytics for the website show: Sessions:6,891 Users:5,866 (85% new, 15% returning) Page views:11,635 Pages/session:1.69 Average session duration:01:01 minutes Bounce rate:74.02% New sessions:84.82% Facebook - Has updates on the farm and posts on sustainable agriculture.612 likes Press Radio Interview - 101.9 WKQSFM Marquette on North Farm involvement with schools, farming, and seed saving:http://wkqsfm.com/featured/onair/the-8th-day/266897/abby-palmer-interview-on-the-8th-day-about-the-seed-swap-at-the-peter-white-public-library/ TV - TV6 Apprentice Farmer Profilehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzYFIbK5AmA&feature=youtu.be, TV6 Plant Swaphttp://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Gardeners-come-together-at-Plant-Swap--380438481.html Newspaper - Planting the Seeds of Knowledge - Literallyhttp://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/635697/Planting-the-seeds-of-knowledge---literally.html, Generations of Gardeninghttp://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/640281/Generations-of-gardening.html, Podcast - The North Farm Manager was a guest onFarmer to farmerpodcast reaching 2000-3000 people Instagram - Displays images of the farm. Other publications - Presentations have been made available to workshop attendees as well as on the resource page of the North Farm website School Visits, Field Days and Open House - Increased community engagement and provided relevant information regarding production and marketing practices, as well as information about future opportunities at The North Farm. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Administer mini-grants to teachers for agriculture education activities
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1) Perform asset mapping to inventory the footprint of existing school programs and local resources available to form a network of agricultural education resources. 2018 Growing the UP website launched atwww.growingtheup.orgwith 17 teacher and community partner profiles highlighting successful non-formal agriculture education programs to provide connections to mentors for aspiring teachers. Project tags, profiles, and updated searchable map have improved site navigability. Growing the UP has served as a model for other UP-wide health and education initiatives, inspiring Michigan Health Endowment Fund project Healthy Kids UP to take the same approach to surveying and representing data visually to connect community resources to those in need. The value of the asset map website to local food systems efforts was recognized by the community and $5,000 additional funding from regional planning districts has been awarded enhance the website with 5 minute video profiles of 7 educators and community partners who are integral to the delivery of AFNRE content in U.P. schools. Objective 2) Develop and host annual teacher training institutes at MSU North Farm to empower educators to carry out AFNR education in the classroom. 2018 47 teachers from 6 ISDs attending 4 trainings conducted in partnership with Marquette/Alger RESA, Copper Country ISD, Northern Michigan University, and Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative. Delivered curriculum tailored to teacher interests in agriculture education, such as designing and utilizing school gardens effectively, understanding local food systems, regenerative agriculture, and steps to forming a state-recognized AFNRE program. Funded Teacher Training Institute attendance for 8 science content teachers, with preference offered to middle and high school biology teachers. Teachers received tools to carry out agriculture in the classroom, such as professional quality compost thermometers, irrigation timers, watering wands, cutting boards and choppers, along with books containing supporting content. Partnered with Michigan Science and Mathematics Center/Seaborg Center on AFNR curriculum that is aligned with both CTE and NGSS standards. Mini-grants to 8 teachers from trainings awarded to carry out hands-on AFNR education in the classroom distributed, with 8 follow up visits. Objective 3) Support the creation of a peer mentorship program that links aspiring agricultural education programs in the U.P. with established counterparts in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. 2018 Teacher roundtables conducted at trainings to find solutions to the lack of available peer mentorship. Teachers suggested that further high-quality training for individuals in each of the regional planning districts of the Upper Peninsula would result in better geographical distribution of expertise and access to mentors. National training opportunities identified, with plans to fund 3 teachers and 3 community partners for participation and travel.
Publications
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Progress 10/03/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached in this reporting period were the Apprentice Farmers (new farmers starting their business on the North Farm incubator site), the Skill Seekers (new and experienced farmers and gardeners looking to increase their skills and knowledge), other members of the Michigan Upper Peninsula (UP) food industry, and the general public (particularly those in the UP). Changes/Problems:It has been difficult to make the NC1196 meetings as both Fall of 2016 and Fall of 2017 the scheduled conference has fallen on previously scheduled trips for this Project Director. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?• Interns - The North Farm has employed 1 intern through Michigan State University. • Skill-Seeker workshop attendees - An estimated 106 attendees have gained knowledge in nutrient dense food production through eight workshops that include such topics as: season extension, whole farm health, small farm systems, and seed saving • Other farmers - Have seen and discussed trials in order to provide information about best practices and revenue boosting techniques. • North Farm Web Site - Has background and program information, pictures, resources and scheduled events Google Analytics for 1/1/15 through 12/31/15 Sessions: 4956 Users: (32% returning visitors); Page views: 11,849 • Facebook - Has updates on the farm and posts on sustainable agriculture. 644 likes, 30,385 reached. • Instagram - Displays images of the farm. • Other publications - Presentations have been made available to workshop attendees as well as on the resource page of the North Farm website • School Visits, Field Days and Open House - Increased community engagement and provided relevant information regarding production and marketing practices, as well as information about future opportunities at The North Farm. • The following schools visited the farm: • Menominee Area Schools, North Star Academy, Superior Central School, Munising Middle/High School, Teaching Family Homes, Graveraet Elementary School, Gwinn School District, Gogebic/Ontonagon School District, Copper Country ISD, Marquette Alger ESA • Presented at the following conferences: Growing UP Ag Association Meeting, MSU Veggie Skill Builder, The North Farm Workshop Series (4), Together at the Farm, Master Gardeners Workshop, Great Lakes Expo, RAIN Grower Meeting, North MI Small Farms Conference, MOSES Organic Farming Conference, Indiana Small Farms Conference How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?• Four additional Skill Seeker classes • One Apprentice Farmer will start her 2nd year of the program where we will work with her to develop her farming business. Three new Apprentice Farmers will be chosen to start in 2017 • We will train beginning and current farmers and gardeners (Skill Seekers) though four workshops currently scheduled for the spring and summer of 2016 as well as offering formal and informal training on and off the farm and through conferences. • Novice Farmer pilot program will start its first cohort with online classes beginning in the fall. • An additional 2 acres of nutritious organic food will be grown on the farm. • More direct and wholesale accounts will be made • We will continue to build infrastructure to aid in the development of the farm • Soil health will be improved through cover cropping, nutrient and biological amendments, and sustainable growing practices. • Interviews will be conducted of Apprentice Farmers and a participatory agent-based model will be built to inform technology improvement and innovation adoption • Research will continue on best practices and varieties for growing above the 45 parallel. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?• Four additional Skill Seeker classes • One Apprentice Farmer will start her 2nd year of the program where we will work with her to develop her farming business. Three new Apprentice Farmers will be chosen to start in 2017 • We will train beginning and current farmers and gardeners (Skill Seekers) though four workshops currently scheduled for the spring and summer of 2016 as well as offering formal and informal training on and off the farm and through conferences. • Novice Farmer pilot program will start its first cohort with online classes beginning in the fall. • An additional 2 acres of nutritious organic food will be grown on the farm. • More direct and wholesale accounts will be made • We will continue to build infrastructure to aid in the development of the farm • Soil health will be improved through cover cropping, nutrient and biological amendments, and sustainable growing practices. • Interviews will be conducted of Apprentice Farmers and a participatory agent-based model will be built to inform technology improvement and innovation adoption • Research will continue on best practices and varieties for growing above the 45 parallel. -Start work on USDA NIFA SPECA project and USDA NC-SARE project
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
• Three apprentice farmers completed their first seasons farming a 1/4 acre with combined gross sales of approximately $12,319 of mixed vegetables to a community supported agriculture program (CSA) farmer's market, restaurants, and wholesale accounts. • One apprentice farmer completed her second seasons farming a 1/2 acre with combined gross sales of approximately $10,800 of mixed vegetables to a community supported agriculture program (CSA) farmer's market, restaurants, and wholesale accounts. • Preparation has begun for the 2017 growing season. • Four workshops were held from April through October for skill seeking farmers with a combined attendance of 106 people. Evaluations of the workshops showed 100% of participants reported improved business knowledge, skills, or expertise. • Hosted formal and informal tours of the farm for 1895 independent or agency-associated individuals who were interested in learning more about the project throughout the season. Some notable tours included MI Governor, Rick Snyder and International Delegates from Sister Cities Tanzania and Japan. • 140 students from 7 different schools visited the North Farm to learn about season extension, sustainable agricultural practices, seed saving, and the biology of farming. • The North Farm hosted Together at the Farm (a food and farming conference) and It's All in the Barn (a community fundraiser) totaling 300 participants. • The North Farm conducted 20 conferences presentations throughout the Great Lakes region reaching 1000 attendees. • A North Farm website, Facebook page, Twitter account, and Instagram site has continued to grow and has seen a substantial increase in followers over the past year. • Programing content has been completed and has received approval from the MSU curriculum committee to start a pilot Novice Farmer Program in 2017. • Curriculum for the on-farm practicum part of the Novice Farmer program has continued to be developed. • The CSA program increased its membership from 12 to 48 and increased its sales by $14,400 • 3 additional acres of mixed vegetables were used for production • A delivery truck was purchased allowing increased sales productivity -An USDA NIFA SPECA Grant for $134,000 was obtained to incorporate agriculture and food systems curriculum into middle and high schools in Michigan's Upper Peninsula -An USDA North Central SARE grant for $151,000 was obtained to match school classrooms with farms practing sustainable agriculture to serve as Land Based Learning Centers where students can learn and implement sustainable agriculture and food systems practices.
Publications
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