Progress 08/01/17 to 01/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Over the course of this project, Global Growers Network and partners worked to build the capacity of and increase access to opportunities for newcomer refugee farmers, farmers of color, limited resource farmers preparing to scale production, and veteran farmers. Although these groups are uniquely positioned to make valuable contributions to local food systems, they traditionally face systemic and practical barriers that make success challenging. Many newcomer refugee farmers face immediate and significant challenges when moving from their home countries to their new homes in Georgia. While many worked in agriculture in their countries of origin, they find it difficult to utilize those skills in their new home for several reasons, including limited English proficiency, access to land, farming equipment and the cultural/social capital necessary to establish and maintain a farming business from growing to distributing produce. Enrollment in the GGN incubator program offers the training and land access that positions them to thrive as entrepreneurs. This, in turn, can help these new Americans move towards self-sufficiency and achieve fuller participation in their communities. At GGN, we have seen first hand that when they thrive, the larger community they touch thrives. Cane Creek Farm (CCF), our key partner, is led by a veteran farmer who understands the challenges that veterans face when they return home and make the effort to reintegrate into society. The veterans we targeted through the Initiative are those seeking training in agriculture as they transition from military service to civilian life. CCF continued to create a safe space for veterans to learn, make mistakes with minimal risk, and eventually choose if farming is the best entrepreneurial opportunity to pursue and support themselves and their families. Veterans are a vulnerable population, facing barriers ranging from PTSD to unemployment when they return home from combat. The program supported efforts to provide training for those veterans who choose farming as their second career. Historically, farmers of color have long been systematically and intentionally disadvantaged and left behind and out of a myriad of economic outlets--agriculture is no exception. The legacy of systemic racism has culminated in a precipitous decline in black farmers over the last hundred years that has only begun to slightly rise in the last fifteen years. Continuing to partner with farmers of color in this project allowed GGN the opportunity to work as allies in breaking barriers that have long existed and hindered the success of this group of talented growers. In the same way, limited resource farmers (many of whom are also farmers of color) are hindered in their ability to grow sustainable businesses due to a lack of infrastructure support essential to scaling production. Historically, the farmer with limited resources has been unable to compete in any meaningful way with subsidized large-scale industrial producers Changes/Problems:Over the course of the project, GGN and project partners faced two main challenges: 1) the flood of GGN's primary incubator farm site in 2019 and 2) the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Bamboo Creek Farm, which hosted 5 incubator farmers, flooded in April 2019 and resulted in a total crop loss for the season because both spring and summer plantings were affected. Rather than continue with our full season training program, staff switched gears to support crisis management with GGN farmers. Staff worked closely with farmers to assess their losses, communicate with customers, and develop individual action plans to make up for lost revenue. GGN also hosted several fundraisers that provided financial support to impacted farmers. The flood at Bamboo Creek Farm also impacted sales for the farmers at our Umurima location, which also hosts 5 farmers, because BCF was our aggregation point for all markets. Programming continued at Umurima and Cane Creek Farm locations for the duration of the project, but Bamboo Creek Farmers were disrupted significantly. GGN was ultimately able to support 3 of the 5 impacted farmers with re-starting their production on 3 acres. In 2020, GGN entered into a contract to purchase a new farm (with no flood risk) where we will continue our land-based training. The lessons learned by the impact of the flood significantly informed long-term changes to the model to mitigate risk and provide more support to farmers. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic required that GGN and our partners to quickly adapt our operations in order to continue to support our target audience. GGN transitioned to offering more virtual, email and phone support to the farmers in our pipeline.All face-to-face support was conducted under newly established COVID-19 guidelines at our growing sites and at the sites of partner farmers. This includes meeting outdoors, maintaining social distancing, and wearing masks.While we were able to effectively work around the limitations of the pandemic, it took significant time and resources to establish new safety protocols, adapt our communications practices, and develop new virtual programs. Additionally, while we were able to continue to meet face to face with some growers, these interactions decreased, making it harder to assess farmer progress and deepen relationships. Some of the new virtual tools we created will continue to be used in years to come.To adapt to the changing market as a result of the pandemic, GGN and CCF established online sales platforms. This allowed farmers to sell their products through a pandemic-safe system. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Black Urban Growers Conference (November, 2017, Atlanta, GA) BUGS conference convenes Black farmers, food justice advocates, educators, chefs and concerned members of Black communities from across the country to share best practices and build a stronger network of Black leadership in the movement for food justice and food sovereignty. This training was attended by one GGN staff. Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Conference (January, 2018, TN) The Annual Conference consistently provides the practical tools and solutions farmers need in building sustainable and organic farms while also creating more vibrant community food systems! This conference was attended by 4 GGN and CCF staff. Georgia Organics Conference (January 2018, Augusta, GA) The Conference is about building stronger farms, school gardens, and communities in the South. Through this experience, we will advance our shared vision: that one day all Georgians will be able to eat organic food from local farms, transforming our health, environment, and economy. This conference was attended by 1 GGN and 1 CCF staff. Georgia WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (March, 2018) The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) was a one day training targeted at farmers who were interested in having direct access to consumers and those wanting another way to supplement farm income. Once certified, farmers are eligible to sell at participating senior and WIC clinics located across the metro Atlanta region. This training was attended by 1 CCF staff. National Risk Management Education Conference (April, 2018, Milwaukee, WI) The conference enables a diverse group to share ongoing and emerging successful risk management education efforts that target agricultural producers and their families.This training was attended by 1 CCF staff. Performance Measurement: Outcomes and Results (July, 2018, Atlanta, GA) The series was created to teach how to first create a program focused on results in order to make writing about effective outcome measures easier and authentic. The course also created a section on dashboard creation, enabling you to display your outcomes, and discuss ways to track your outcomes.Participants learned the distinctions among outputs, outcomes, results, and intermediate impacts; how to avoid meaningless measures. This training was attended by 1 GGN staff. National Incubator Farm Training Initiative, National Field School (November, 2018, CO) Training supported professional development and network building for incubator farm project staff. It included farm field trips, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. 4 attended from GGN and 1 from CCF participated. 1 staff from each organization were part of a four-person workshop / panel discussion about building partnerships with other organizations, which included a discussion about associated opportunities and challenges. Southern Region Integrated Produce Safety Conference (November, 2018; GA) Conference discuss ongoing efforts and best practices in the delivery of FSMA related training, education and technical assistance within the southern U.S. Attendees share their efforts and discuss challenges affecting FSMA outreach. The training needs of the owners and operators of small and medium-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetables merchant wholesalers are a key concern throughout the region. Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Annual Conference (January 2019, AR) The conference provided tools and solutions in building sustainable and organic farms while also creating a more vibrant community food system. This conference was attended by 2 partners from CCF, one of whom co-led a workshop on integrated pest management with a professor from Auburn University. They discussed their results with a pest exclusion system for high tunnels that was first presented at the conference in 2017. Partners compared their results using grafted and non-grafted tomatoes in a high tunnel. Southwest GA Food, Agriculture and Equity Conference (January, 2019) This annual conference centers around the development of a sustainable food system and on sustainable agriculture. One farmer from GGN attended and shared a workshop presentation with colleagues from The Common Market and SAAFON (Southeastern African American Farmers' Organic Network). The workshop focused on both collaborations between service providers in the Atlanta area in order to bring more value to growers and on steps to wholesale readiness, to include enhancing food safety knowledge for the small to midsize grower. Georgia Organics Conference (February 2019, Tipton, GA) This is an annual conference held in the south where attendees have the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, tour farms, cultivate new skills, and discover over 65 exhibit booths with innovative food-and agriculture-related information. 2 partners from CCF attended. Extension Risk Management Education National Conference (April 2019, Louisville, KY) This annual conference brought together public and private sector educators, crop insurance agents, lenders, and other agricultural professionals to share ongoing and emerging successful risk management education efforts that target agricultural producers and their families. Conference participants learned best practices that help producers effectively manage the financial, production, marketing, legal and human risks associated with their agribusinesses. 1 member from the GGN staff attended. Community Prosperity Summit (June 2019, GA) This summit took place in Atlanta and brought together leaders from underserved communities across the country to develop strategies to build, support, and strengthen the five key indicators of rural prosperity. This convening included presentations from senior USDA leadership as well as community partners and emphasized skill building and training on local economic alliance development. 1 staff member from GGN attended. Athens Land Trust and Georgia Mountain Farmers Networking GGN partnered with networking and coalition-building events with Athens Land Trust and the Georgia Mountain Farmers Network so that incubator farmers had the opportunity to participate in networking events with other regional farmers. Local Farm Tours and Demonstrations: Both CCF and GGN shared opportunities for farm tours and workshops offered by others, including two Equipment Demonstrations by University Extension and our Resource Conservation and Development District (attended by five of our incubator farmers and mentees). The demonstrations were on April 25, 2019 at Hardman Farm, Sautee, GA and May 9, 2019 at North Georgia Technical College. Two incubator farmers attended a farm tour and BCS tractor demonstration at Humble Vine Farm in Cleveland, GA on April 20, 2019. Two CCF incubator farmers from vetetran backgrounds attended Greenhouse 101 Workshop for Military Veterans on 4/18/19 sponsored by Farm Again/ AgrAbility. They were also referred to Food Safety Training for Veteran Farmers on 7/11 and 1/16/2019 sponsored by UGA Farm Again/ Agrability. The GGN Farmer Development Initiative provided mentoring, assessments, and 1:1 advising to farmers during this reporting period. We consistently support 12 farmers, and five additional farmers were introduced to GGN as a result of partnerships with other TA organizations. Two of these farmers will be moving forward with mock audits during the upcoming reporting period and should be GAP certified within the reporting period. Five other farmers will be positioned for GAP certification by the end of the period. In February, 2020- CCF sponsored Crystal Pacheco, an independent mentee farmer to attend the Georgia Organics Conference on 2/7 and 2/8. The conference included farm tours, in-depth workshops, and educational sessions organized around the theme of farmer prosperity How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?GGN's partnership strategy described in 'Objective 1 Accomplishments' was critical to strong program outreach. GGN came into the project with an existing referral network through refugee resettlement agencies that was strengthened over the course of the project. The Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders hosts a large email listserv that was used to share project information with the New American and refugee-serving agencies. Cane Creek Farm came into the project with an existing referral network of veteran serving organizations that supported outreach to veterans. Georgia Organics has an extensive digital footprint, with a robust email newsletter list and social media presence that was used to promote project activities. GGN and CCF also shared project information through many other trainings described in Section 3B. GGN relied on two other collaboratives that we lead to share project information: the Clarkston Food Initiative (funded by USDA Community Food Projects) and the Market Ready Farms Collaborative (funded by USDA Food Safety Outreach Program). Partner agencies affiliated with those two groups have deep ties in communities of color and helped to reach farmers historically excluded from similar programs. Project activities were shared through two national communities of practice: the Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program group and the FIELD Network group (previously known as NIFTI). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
GGN developed a strategic network of partners that supported a diverse pipeline of program participants as well as program sustainability. Strategic partnership development focused on service organizations that support veterans, refugees, and socially disadvantaged farmers, as well as groups that encourage farmer-to-farmer collaboration that is consistent with the incubator model approach. Key program partners included: Cane Creek Farm, Athens Land Trust, STAG Vets, Georgia Organics, GA Mountain Farmers Network, Southwest Georgia Project, UGA Extension, FVSU Extension, Common Market Southeast, International Rescue Committee, Friends of Refugees, Aglanta, Food Well Alliance, Truly Living Well, and Atlanta Farmers Coalition. Our robust partner network expanded the reach of the project, helped to reach a diverse audience of beginning farmers, and extend existing services to target audiences that had not previously been served sufficiently by beginning farmer programs. Regional partnerships formed over the grant period are expected to extend well beyond the project period, with a continuation of shared service models and resources. In addition to regional partners, staff at GGN and CCF coordinated with a national network of incubator farms hosted by New Entry and refugee agricultural partnership programs hosted by ISED, which supported ongoing development and use of best practices in the field of land-based training. GGN also engaged a broader partner network as needed through our Clarkston Food Initiative program (funded by USDA Community Food Projects) and the Market Ready Farms Collaborative (funded by USDA Food Safety Outreach Program).GGN and Cane Creek Farm each operated incubator farm facilities across 3 locations with intensive full season training programs.The programs each carved out niches to serve veteran farmers and refugee farmers respectively, recognizing these were two under-served audiences with distinct needs well suited to land-based training programs. Incubator farmers were the primary beneficiaries of the program, but both organizations also hosted a diverse array of educational activities in coordination with other beginning farmer programs in the region through our partnership network. Incubator farm programs provide intensive support. GGN and CCF conducted weekly check-ins to assess learning outcomes of the full season curriculum. Over the course of the project, 26 workshops were conducted for a total of 263 participants, including 5 farmer-to-farmer meetings. By year 3, partners averaged about 224 monthly consultations and completed 9 in-depth consultations. Farmers consistently reported increasing their knowledge as a result of the workshops, and their learning outcomes were also demonstrated in their field production at the incubator sites. Throughout the course of the project period, both organizations continued to refine the model in response to farmer needs, local conditions, and best practices that continue to be developed in beginning farmer programs. The project team regularly debriefed and adapted our tools based on stakeholder feedback. At the conclusion of the project, GGN and CCF are well-prepared to continue operation land-based training programs, with a variety of curricula, tools, event models, farmer-to-farmer groups, and a referral network of service provider partnerships that were developed and delivered during the course of the project. Several farmer participants have also moved on to co-teach workshops to farmers with less experience. At the conclusion of the project, GGN acquired a new 23-acre farm site in partnership with the Working Farms Fund program. This pathway to land ownership will ensure land security for beginning farmers in the area where we will continue to share agricultural resources and execute our co-farming model to address critical barriers to accessing land, capital, and markets among our target audience. GGN and CCF each hosted multi-farmer sales programs that provided experiential learning opportunities and a pathway to quickly get access to viable markets by beginning farmers. GGN developed a model of cooperative production planning that creates a platform for market readiness learning. GGN shared this model with CCF to use with their multi-farmer CSA. In addition to the CSA platform which offers dependability throughout the season, GGN established market channels through farmers markets, small retail stores, restaurants, meal kit companies, and regional wholesalers. The wholesale partnerships were especially important for more advanced farmers whose production began to exceed the carrying capacity of direct markets. The diversification of markets creates the chance for farmers to experiment with different channels with the support of the incubator program. In addition to the GGN and CCF operated sales programs, nearly all farmers also sold through their own sales channels, especially for culturally specific crops with a niche customer base. During the project period, GGN facilitated $359,521 in sales through their sales programs, which does not include external sales by farmers, estimated conservatively at at least $60,000. At the conclusion of the project, GGN secured a new partnership that offers a buying commitment from Emory University that will support the steady expansion of market channels available for beginning farmers that we will continue to facilitate. This is a historic commitment by an anchor institution to support beginning farmers and expected to pave the way for others. GGN partnered with The Conservation Fund to support the development of the Working Farms Fund program as a long-term land access solution in the metro Atlanta region. GGN also partnered with the Turner Environmental Law Clinic at Emory University to develop farmer lease agreements. The Working Farms Fund program led a GIS mapping project of available farmland in the incubator region to assess the potential of farmland access and protection. Incubator farmers with GGN and CCF contributed stakeholder input into the development of the Working Farms Fund model, along with stakeholder engagement facilitated through other project partners. The Working Farms Fund committed at least 20% of their acquisitions in partnership with farmers of color, and they secured a historic commitment from Emory University to purchase products from farmers matched with land, which will continue to benefit GGN farmers beyond the project. GGN acquired additional land at the conclusion of the project period that will offer land access to up to 20 beginning farmers in the future. Other land access partners include Athens Land Trust, the American Farmland Trust, and About Face USA. The Athens Land Trust launched the Georgia Farm Link website, with input from GGN; a digital platform now available to project partners and farmers. The American Farmland Trust is increasing their work in Georgia after releasing a report indicating that Georgia farmland is among the most threatened in the nation. GGN met with AFT partners to coordinate activities. We are encouraged by more groups coming together to tackle the issue of land access; this approach will pay dividends beyond the grant period. About Face USA, a veterans support organization, introduced farmers to conservation easement programs, vocational training, and affordable housing offered through the Athens Land Trust. The GGN and CCF incubator sites and our network of partners created a platform for the project team to serve independent beginning farmers beyond the incubator farmers, as the secondary audience for this project. The project team ultimately served 123 participants through one-on-one consultations, hands-on workshops, farmer-to-farmer exchanges, and referrals to our network of service providers. In addition to sharing knowledge and expertise, the project increased connections among beginning farmers in the region to continue to coordinate and share knowledge/resources.
Publications
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Progress 08/01/19 to 07/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:During this period of the project, Global Growers Network continued to build the capacity of, and increase access to opportunities for newcomer refugee farmers, farmers and communities of color, limited resource farmers preparing to scale production, and veteran farmers. Although these groups are uniquely positioned to make valuable contributions to local food systems, they traditionally face systemic and practical barriers that make success challenging. Many newcomer refugee farmers face immediate and significant challenges when moving from their home countries to their new homes in Georgia. While many worked in agriculture in their countries of origin, they find it difficult to utilize those skills in their new home for several reasons, including limited English proficiency, access to land, farming equipment and the cultural/social capital necessary to establish and maintain a farming business from growing to distributing produce. Enrollment in the GGN incubator program offers the training and land access that positions them to thrive as entrepreneurs. This, in turn, can help these new Americans move towards self-sufficiency and achieve fuller participation in their communities. At GGN, we have seen first hand that when they thrive, the larger community they touch thrives. Cane Creek Farm, our initiative partner, is led by a veteran farmer who understands the challenges that veterans face when they return home and make the effort to reintegrate into society. The veterans we are targeting through the Initiative are those seeking training in agriculture as they transition from military service to civilian life. Cane Creek Farm continued to create a safe space for veterans to learn, make mistakes with minimal risk, and eventually choose if farming is the best entrepreneurial opportunity to pursue and support themselves and their families. Veterans are a vulnerable population, facing barriers ranging from PTSD to unemployment when they return home from combat. The program supports efforts to provide training for those veterans who choose farming as their second career. Historically, farmers of color have long been systematically and intentionally disadvantaged and left behind and out of a myriad of economic outlets--agriculture is no exception. The legacy of systemic racism has culminated in a precipitous decline in black farmers over the last hundred years that has only begun to slightly rise in the last fifteen years. Continuing to partner with farmers of color in this project has allowed GGN the opportunity to work as allies in breaking barriers that have long existed and hindered the success of this group of talented growers. In the same way, limited resource farmers (many of whom are also farmers of color) are hindered in their ability to grow sustainable businesses due to a lack of infrastructure support essential to scaling production. Historically, the farmer with limited resources has been unable to compete in any meaningful way with subsidized large-scale industrial producers Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic required that GGN and our partners quickly adapt our operations in order to continue to support our target audience. GGN transitioned to offering more virtual, email and phone support to the farmers in our pipeline. All face-to-face support was conducted under newly established COVID-19 guidelines at our growing sites and at the sites of partner farmers. This includes meeting outdoors, maintaining social distancing, and wearing masks. While we were able to effectively work around the limitations of the pandemic, it has taken significant time and resources to establish new safety protocols, adapt our communications practices, and develop new virtual programs. Additionally, while we were able to continue to meet face to face with some growers, these interactions have decreased making it harder to assess farmer progress and deep relationships. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?GGN and its partners continued to provide its target audience opportunities for training and professional development that hel build on their unique skills and interests. This include: In February, 2020- Cane Creek Farm sponsored Crystal Pacheco, an independent mentee farmer to attend the Georgia Organics Conference on 2/7 and 2/8. The conference included farm tours, in-depth workshops, and educational sessions organized around the theme of farmer prosperity April 2020- Two veteran farmers attended the Armed to Farm training at UGA. The week-long training focused on business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, USDA programs, livestock production, fruit and vegetable production, and more. April, 2020- GGN, Cane Creek Farm, Athens Land Trust, and Georgia Mountains Farmer Network collaborated to organize a networking group for North Georgia farmers. The first meeting was held on April 23rd and was attended by 20 farmers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?GGN collaborated with local partners to disseminate food safety 101 training beyond the reach of our farmer network. Truly Living Well Farm hosted GGN as we conducted a food safety training designed to improve farmer readiness by focusing on the difference between FSAM and GAP certification, best practices for cleansing and disinfecting produce, and best practices for maintaining infrastructure and commercial farms. We partnered with National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and Nature's Candy Farm to develop a weekly series of trainings focusing on helping our target audience generate new sources of revenue streams through their farm business. ? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?From 8/1/2020 to 1/31/2021, GGN will continue to manage and strengthen the strategic partnerships this grant supported to ensure that the beginning growers in our pipeline continue to have access to the land, resources, and markets they need to establish successful farming businesses - beyond the project period. We will also continue our search to purchase a new farm site in the Metro Atlanta area, following input we have received from growers in our pipelines, specifically about location, size, and soil health. The new site will host 15-20 farm businesses with access to fertile land, agricultural resources, and most critically, opportunities to break into the marketplace. GGN will develop a plan to relaunch our sales program (interrupted by the 2019 flood at Bamboo Creek Farm). We have secured a $90,000 planning grant from the USDA Local Food Promotion Program, which we will, with support from consultants, use to reassess our current sales model and develop a stronger program that will better serve farmers in the future. Specifically, we will be taking a close look at the governance model (decision-making, relationship of the farmers to the enterprise), financial model (scale,market channels, operating costs), and operations (staffing, logistics, infrastructure). GGN will finalize our beginning farmer curriculum which we will continue to use as part of our comprehensive, full-season training program. Additionally, in partnership with Common Market Southeast, GGN will continue to support the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program and other food relief programs.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1 GGN continued to strengthen the network of strategic partners working to develop and support a robust pipeline to opportunities in agriculture for our target audience. Through these partnerships, GGN is increasing the sustainability of the project by building relationships that will provide beginning farmers access to the land, resources, and markets they need to overcome critical barriers and thrive, even beyond the project period. At the end of this reporting period, the project was directly supporting 8 refugee growers, 5 veteran growers and 6 independent growers and one co-op of 40 growers. GGN continued to work with Clarkston Food Initiative (CFI), which received funding from the USDA Community Food Projects program, to disseminate program opportunities to our target audience. CFI works to engage and educate the local community, expand local food production and market opportunities, and support sustainable food security in Clarkston, GA. CFI helped to build GGN's network of 300+ community growers, many of whom may pursue opportunities established through this project. GGN continues to strengthen its relationship with Common Market SE, which provided growers with the funds they needed to secure the necessary food safety requirements, including harvest crates, insurance needed to engage with wholesalers, and support for completing a pack house. GGN has been able to build more effective partnerships with local extension agents due to recent structural changes. Due to the number of counties in Atlanta, it could be difficult for farmers to navigate services spread across various county offices. UGA hired a new director to coordinate the metro extension offices, leading to improved coordination with GGN activities. GGN made important progress towards our goal of purchasing a new farm. GGN is partnering with The Conservation Funds' Working Farms Fund to finance this purchase. The Fund is raising philanthropic support to seed a revolving fund model that matches farmers with high-conservation value farmland. It uses a lease-to-own model lowers land cost and creates a pathway to ownership for low-wealth farmers. Goal 2 As part of our full-season training program, farm business workshops and technical assistance was provided on an ongoing basis around the topics of 1) crop selection, planning, and rotations; 2) soil fertility, amendments, and cover cropping; 3) irrigation, 4) food safety and postharvest handling, 5) integrated pest management, 6) record-keeping, 7) accounting, 8) business development and marketing, 9) risk management (including crop insurance), 10) market diversification and pricing, 11) wholesale readiness, 12) trellising and fencing systems, 13) tools and equipment selection and use, 14) tool and equipment maintenance, 15) farm infrastructure, 16) lease and purchase agreements, and 17) accessing USDA and local resources to support their businesses. GGN and CCF continued to conduct weekly check-ins to assess learning outcomes in the area of regenerative practices- controlling weed organically, properly caring for the soil without the use of chemicals or pesticides, intercropping to effectively utilize small growing spaces, crop planning to prepare for upcoming season, high tunnel production, and succession planning to keep pace with market demands. 19 workshops conducted for 223 participants, including 4 farmer-to-farmer meetings. The partners averaged about 224 monthly consultations, and 9 in-depth consultations. All participating farmers completed full-season training. All participating farmers reported an increase in knowledge of topics covered at workshops At the start of the pandemic, GGN quickly adapted our operations to support growers in a pandemic safe way. We established protocols to maintain our sites sanitized and to provide workshops and individual technical support safely. GGN worked with 3 of the farmers who were originally displaced by the 2019 flood to activate 3 acres of land for emergency food production. GGN worked with these farmers to develop a working crop plan and price list based on the USDA's Farm-to-Family box program. GGN facilitated a partnership between the Bamboo Creek Farm farmers and Common Market SE to grow fresh produce for distribution through the USDA's Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Goal 3 During the reporting period, GGN continued to create opportunities for farmers to build their farm business by accessing established and proven markets. To adapt to the changing market as a result of the pandemic, GGN and CCF established online sales platforms. This allowed farmers to sell their products through a pandemic-safe system. Despite facing a flood in Y2 and the pandemic in Y3, GGN farmers secured $45,737 in sales and the Cane Creek Farmers have secured $4,100 in sales. Many of these farmers are on track to benefit from a recently formed partnership between Emory University and the Conservation Fund's Working Farms Fund program. GGN is working to purchase farmland through the Fund's lease-to-own program. Once the land is purchased and GGN growers launch their farm operations, Emory University has committed to enter into purchase agreements with these farmers. This is a historic commitment from an anchor institution to invest in local food procurement from beginning farmers, with other anchor institutions expected to follow suit as Emory paves a new path of investing in regional supply chains. Goal 4 In partnership with the Athens Land Trust, GGN connected 3 farmers who participated in the program to land owners with land available for lease or sale. In partnership with About Face USA, a veterans support organization, GGN introduced more farmers to the conservation easement programs, vocational training and affordable housing offered through the Athens Land Trust. One grower showed increased knowledge on the requirements of land acquisition. One incubator farmer found land and moved to North Carolina. The Athens Land Trust launched the Georgia Farm Link website, with input from GGN; a digital platform now available to project partners and farmers. The American Farmland Trust is increasing their work in Georgia after releasing a report indicating that Georgia farmland is among the most threatened in the nation. GGN met with AFT partners to coordinate activities. We are encouraged by more groups coming together to tackle the issue of land access; this approach will pay dividends beyond the grant period. The commercial farmers at GGN's commercial sites have enjoyed steady land tenure. However, many of the community growers across GGN's other sites have not been able to access the land necessary to put their skill to work and pursue opportunities in commercial farming. During Y2, GGN continued to explore opportunities to purchase a new farm site which will allow more farmers in GGN's pipeline to pursue commercial farming. Goal 5 GGN supports independent farmers through comprehensive education supports and technical assistance related to market readiness.Through GGN's current USDA FSOP grant, GGN is able to provide additional food safety supports to increase market readiness among the target audience. During Y2, GGN facilitated access to a new market channel with 3 farmers at BCF farmers and Common Market SE's USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program. Common Market also had additional pandemic-related contracts with the Atlanta Housing Authority and Welcoming Atlanta. These farmers played a key role in providing fresh and culturally familiar food to other resettled refugee families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. GGN is committed to creating a pathway to commercial farming for community growers in our network. Over the course of this project, many of the 300+ community growers across our network have taken full advantage of our robust programming and technical support and are building their market readiness.
Publications
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Progress 08/01/18 to 07/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Though this initiative, Global Growers is building the capacity of and increasing access to opportunities for newcomer refugee farmers, farmers and communities of color, limited resource farmers preparing to scale production, and veteran farmers. Although these groups are uniquely positioned to make valuable contributions to local food systems, they traditionally face systemic and practical barriers that make success challenging. Many newcomer refugee farmers face immediate and significant challenges when moving from their home countries to their new homes in Georgia. While many worked in agriculture in their countries of origin, they find it difficult to utilize those skills in their new home for several reasons, including limited English proficiency, access to land, farming equipment and the cultural/social capital necessary to establish and maintain a farming business from growing to distributing produce. Enrollment in the GGN incubator program offers the training and land access that positions them to thrive as entrepreneurs. This, in turn, can help these new Americans move towards self-sufficiency and achieve fuller participation in their communities. At GGN, we have seen first hand that when they thrive, the larger community they touch thrives. Cane Creek Farm, our Initiative partner, is led by a veteran farmer who understands the challenges that veterans face when they return home and make the effort to reintegrate into society. The veterans we are targeting through the Initiative are those seeking training in agriculture as they transition from military service to civilian life. Cane Creek Farm creates a safe space for veterans to learn, make mistakes with minimal risk, and eventually choose if farming is the best entrepreneurial opportunity to pursue and support themselves and their families. Veterans are a vulnerable population, facing barriers ranging from PTSD to unemployment when they return home from combat. The program supports efforts to provide training for those veterans who choose farming as their second career. Historically farmers of color have long been systematically and intentionally disadvantaged and left behind and out of a myriad of economic outlets--agriculture is no exception. The legacy of systemic racism has culminated in a precipitous decline in black farmers over the last Hundred years that has only begun to slightly rise in the last fifteen years. Partnering with farmers of color in this project allows GGN the opportunity to work as allies in breaking barriers that have long existed and hindered the success of this group of talented growers. In the same way, limited resource farmers (many of whom are also farmers of color) are hindered in their ability to grow sustainable businesses due to a lack of infrastructure support essential to scaling production. Historically, the farmer with limited resources has been unable to compete in any meaningful way with subsidized large-scale industrial producers. Changes/Problems:The greatest challenge in this reporting period was that in April of 2019 Bamboo Creek Farm experienced a flood that rendered all crops unsellable, forcing the farm to be shut down. As a result Global Growers cancelled its' 2019 CSA program. The four refugee farmers affected by the flood found other jobs to sustain their families until Global Growers Network is able to secure and begin operation at another farm site. Bamboo Creek Farm started the season with projected sales of $222,800 for the four refugee/immigrant farmers it hosted. Those projections were discarded after the farm flooded and had to be closed for business as a result of possible contamination of the land. Prior to the April 24th flood at the Bamboo Creek incubator, each farmer had the potential of earning around $55,000 per year (per farmer) and that essentially decreased to $0 for the incubator farmers at Bamboo Creek. In order to maintain a presence at local farmers markets, the farmers at Umurima agreed to ramp up production and crop planned for market sales. As a result they have been able to maintain a strong presence at Freedom Farmers Market all while gaining valuable sales skills. CCF established a community garden with four participants this year. The results were disappointing and the space was taken over by an incubator farmer to expand his production capacity. CCF continues soil building through cover cropping to expand capacity for incubator farmers. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?National Incubator Farm Training Initiative, National Field School (November 2018, CO) The NIFTI National Field School took place in Boulder, CO in 2018 and supported professional development and network building for incubator farm project staff. It included farm field trips, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. Four attended from GGN and one from Cane Creek Farm participated. One staff from each organization were part of a four-person workshop / panel discussion about building partnerships with other organizations, which included a discussion about associated opportunities and challenges. Southern Region Integrated Produce Safety Conference (November, 2018; GA) GGN participated in this two-day conference convened in Atlanta, GA to discuss ongoing efforts and best practices in the delivery of FSMA related training, education and technical assistance within the southern U.S. Attending partners from the agriculture industry, trade organizations, non-profit organizations, universities, and government agencies were invited to share their efforts and discuss challenges affecting FSMA outreach. The training needs of the owners and operators of small and medium-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetables merchant wholesalers are a key concern throughout the region. Through this conference, best practices for reaching these groups were identified and partnerships for more effective outreach were established. SSAWG Conference (January 2019, AR) The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Annual Conference provided tools and solutions in building sustainable and organic farms while also creating a more vibrant community food system. This conference was attended by two partners from Cane Creek Farm, one of whom co-led a workshop on integrated pest management with a professor from Auburn University. They discussed their results with a pest exclusion system for high tunnels that was first presented at the conference in 2017. Partners compared their results using grafted and non-grafted tomatoes in a high tunnel. Southwest GA Food, Agriculture and Equity Conference (January, 2019) This annual conference centers around the development of a sustainable food system and on sustainable agriculture. It brings together farmers, consumers, elected officials and other stakeholders who are interested in the food that we consume. One farmer from the Global Growers Network attended and shared a workshop presentation with colleagues from The Common Market and SAAFON (Southeastern African American Farmers' Organic Network). The workshop focused on both collaborations between service providers in the Atlanta area in order to bring more value to growers and on steps to wholesale readiness, to include enhancing food safety knowledge for the small to midsize grower. Co-presenters discussed how measuring the health of your farm business is connected to food safety, including how its improves a farmer's ability to work with wholesalers and increase their farm revenue. Georgia Organics Conference (February 2019, Tipton, GA) This is an annual conference held in the south where attendees have the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, tour farms, cultivate new skills, and discover over 65 exhibit booths with innovative food-and agriculture-related information. The Georgia Organics Conference is about building stronger farms, school gardens, and communities. Two partners from Cane Creek Farm attended. Extension Risk Management Education National Conference (April 2019, Louisville, KY) This annual Extension Risk Management Education National Conference brought together public and private sector educators, crop insurance agents, lenders, and other agricultural professionals to share ongoing and emerging successful risk management education efforts that target agricultural producers and their families. Conference participants learned best practices that help producers effectively manage the financial, production, marketing, legal and human risks associated with their agribusinesses. One member from the Global Growers staff attended. Community Prosperity Summit (June 2019, GA) This summit took place in Atlanta and brought together leaders from underserved communities across the country to develop strategies to build, support, and strengthen the five key indicators of rural prosperity. These indicators are quality of life, supporting a rural workforce, e-Connectivity, innovation technology, and economic development. This convening included presentations from senior USDA leadership as well as community partners and emphasized skill building and training on local economic alliance development. One staff member from GGN attended. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During Year 2, GGN did not create additional tools. The six tools and the curriculum GNN created during Program Year 1 are still being used as we move forward. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Based on the learnings from this past year, the Global Growers Farmer Development Initiative will move forward with the following action items to meet our goals and objectives: Continue to cultivate partnership with the Common Market Southeast as we collaborate to support the small farmer in group crop planning, GAP Certification, business planning and developing financial acumen through farmer to farmer partnership. The financial acumen will be measured by completing a simple one-page financial report so farmers see the most profitable products, learn where markets are (and could be), and see the revenue coming in and expenses going out. Provide 12 farmers with 1:1 personalized technical assistance around GAP certification, risk management and business planning in partnership with SAAFON and Cane Creek Farm. Begin to gather information from the community regarding available land to lease to farmers and then share on the Georgia Land Link site. We will then connect interested farmers with community land owners with land to share. We will remain connected with The Conservation Fund as they continue their efforts in seeking and purchasing land to rent to farmers. Once land is available through The Conservation Fund, this will be an additional option for growers seeking land. Continue to look for ways to develop a new market outlet for refugee farmers and assist in bringing new products to market through assisting with cottage food licenses and developing a shared community commercial kitchen. As a result of the flooding at Bamboo Creek Farm, the remainder of the project period will be used to clearly define the path for growers in our Community Garden Network, incubator farmers at CCF, and farmers at GGN's Umurima Farm to graduate to larger plots on an incubator farm. We will create surveys to determine the growers who will best fit into the next incubator program. We will continue to set goals with/and create plans for those new incubator growers after conducting 1:1 assessments. We will adapt the curriculum used with the growers at Cane Creek Farm so that it fits the refugee and immigrant population in a way that supports them best; We will combine this resource with a previously created resource specifically designed for this target population. Finally, we will create a database of land owners who have land to rent. We will use the database to connect the graduates from the incubator program to those land sources. To support the farmers participating in the Initiative at our Umurima Farm, we will focus more extensively on total farm health, proper storage techniques, continued basic market English, seasonal extension, and effective irrigation techniques. We will connect farmers seeking land with landowners through the GA Farm Link and partnership with The Conservation Fund. This may prove to be a more viable short term option for farmers with limited resources who are preparing to acquire more land with longer tenure.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
?Objective 1. At the onset of the Initiative, GGN developed a network of strategic partners and and conducted targeted outreach to recruit a diverse and motivated pool of farmers from its target group. As a result seven farmers participated in the Incubator Farmer Program and eight participated in the Independent Farmer Program. Objective 2. Global Growers Network and its initiative partner, Cane Creek Farm, have leased eleven plots of land to beginning farmers participating in the Initiative. As part of the Initiative, these farmers have received full-season, multi-year education support and are set up to eventually develop their own farm businesses During the first year of the Initiative, farmers began to build their farming capacity on nine plots at GGN's Bamboo Creek Farm and Cane Creek Farm. In Year 2, GGN added a third incubator site, Umurima Farm, to the Initiative, bringing the total to three sites at the start of the 2019 growing season. Cane Creek Farm hosted three veteran and new farmers, Bamboo Creek hosted four refugee farmers, all with access to farming in high tunnels, and Umurima hosted four refugee women farmers of color. Once farmers were set up with their plots, they participated in a series of workshops designed to properly prepare the land for planting which included crop planning, seed selection and the proper care and use of tools. GGN supported our incubator and mentee farmers' marketing efforts by introducing them to the market managers at several "Locally Grown" online farmers markets, the Vickery Village Farmers Market, Global Growers Farm Share Program, and the Decatur Farmers Market and Freedom Farmers Market. In April of 2019, GGN's Bamboo Creek Farm experienced a flood that rendered all crops unsellable and forced the farm to be shut down. As a result, GGN cancelled it's 2019 Farm Share Program. The five refugee farmers who were affected by the flood found other jobs to sustain their families while GGNs works to secure new farm land. In order to maintain a presence at local farmers markets, the farmers at Umurima opted to increase production and crops planned for market sales. As a result, they have been able to maintain a strong presence at Freedom Farmers Market while gaining valuable sales skills. During Year 2, the Incubator Program continued to build the capacity of participating farmers. All 11 participants completed full-season training. Of the 11, four did not complete the season as a result of a flood at one of the incubator sites (see learnings section for details) 15 participants attended individual workshops, for a total of 41 participants who have attended individual workshops over the first two years; Three new mentor relationships were established, for a total of three during the first two years; One farmer from the Cane Creek program will continue farming beyond the incubator; 100% of new farmers in the program participated on farms or registered their personal farms with the FSA; 100% of farmers who participated in workshops during this phase report an increase in knowledge Objective 3. By the middle of Year 2, after completing a full-season of hands-on training through workshops and mentorship, farmers at Cane Creek Farm began growing food for retail. GGN's participating farmers continued providing produce to established and proven marketplaces which have helped the farmers learn how to establish a competitive business and begin to earn income while in the farmer training program. Cane Creek Farm and Bamboo Creek Farm participated in Farm Production Planning for collaborative farm CSAs. Four refugee farmers at Umurima participated in a Market Readiness Program that included training in planning for market, harvesting and properly cleaning "market worthy" food, transporting the food, setting up a farmers market, and interacting with market shoppers. At Cane Creek Farm, participating farmers generated approximately $16,000 in retail value of the Cane Creek CSA sales. A market plan for Bamboo Creek Farm was created and sales were projected for $222,800.00 for the 2019 season. From August 1, 2018 - April 30, 2019 Bamboo Creek Farmers sold $53,236.42 worth of produce. Unfortunately, our projected sales were not realized because the April flood that affected Bamboo Creek Flood rendered all crops unsellable. However, farmers participating in the Initiative at the Umurima Farm increased their production and were able to generate sales of $4,671.25 from June 8, 2019 and July 27, 2019. The Umurima farmers learned a lot staffing the Global Growers booth at the local farmers market, including the potential revenue from value-added products. One farmer is currently pursuing a cottage food license to sell homemade goods at the market. To help extend the growing season, Cane Creek Farm erected an NRCS high tunnel giving two incubator farmers access to extended crop production. Cane Creek Farm incubator farmers also went on to sell products from an on-farm store to including, honey, eggs, and value-added products. In Year 2, twelve farm visits were conducted for farmers on the independent farmer tract with partners from NCAT (National Center for Appropriate Technology), CMSE (The Common Market Southeast), and Southwest Georgia Project. Of the twelve farms visited, seven were identified as ready to pursue wholesale readiness which includes undergoing mock audits to educate the growers in on-farm food safety practices. In addition, ten farmers from our target group were identified to participate in group crop planning to assist in alleviating some of the pressure on small farmers working alone. Objective 4. After two years of program support, during which participating farmers have developed their technical farming and retail skills, one of the farmers from Cane Creek Farm is ready to begin the process of securing their own permanent farms. Through face-to-face interviews with five farmers in the Incubator Program at Bamboo Creek Farm, it was determined that farmers were not interested in farming on land that would require them to travel more than 45 minutes from their homes. As a result, a concerted effort is being made to seek land options within a 30 minute radius of the area where refugee/immigrant community that GGN serves lives. Additionally, we are seeking to partner with community land owners who may be interested in leasing parts of their land to growers that are in the process of building farm-based businesses. Objective 5.As participating farmers have began to build their skills, GGN has provided them with direct assistance and full range of supports to help them build their network to become competitive in the local market place. To build their technical and business skills GGN has referred the participating farmers to relevant workshops. Eight independent farmers were directed toward an opportunity to join a Restaurant to Farm Co-Hort organized by Georgia Organics. Two of these farmers moved forward with the application process and were accepted into the Program. Both reported having expanded access to restaurant sales as a result of joining the year-long pilot program. All independent farmers and incubatees from Cane Creek Farm (11 total) were directed to monthly farmer networking meetings with NE GA Farmer Networking (Athens Land Trust) and GA Mountains Farmers' Network. These meetings included a UGA Farm Boot Camp for veteran farmers (Vermiculture workshop) and Food Safety Training for Veteran Farmers via the University of GA University.
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Progress 08/01/17 to 07/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience: African American Farmers Immigrant producers Limited resource producers Military veterans Small farms Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training & Professional Development BUGS Conference (November 2017, Atlanta, GA) The Black Urban Growers Conference is an annual conference that convenes Black farmers, food justice advocates, educators, chefs and concerned members of Black communities from across the country to share best practices and build a stronger network of Black leadership in the movement for food justice and food sovereignty. Through education and advocacy around food and farm issues, BUGS nurtures collective Black leadership to ensure we have a seat at the table. This training was attended by one representative from Global Growers Network. SSAWG Conference (January 2018, TN) The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Annual Conference consistently provides the practical tools and solutions farmers need in building sustainable and organic farms while also creating more vibrant community food systems! The conference is for both farmers and local food advocates from across the nation each year. This conference was attended by 4 employees from Global Growers and one from Cane Creek Farms. Georgia Organics Conference (January 2018, Augusta, GA) An annual conference held in the south where attendees connect with like-minded peers, tour farms, cultivate new skills, and discover over 65 exhibit booths with innovative food-and agriculture-related information. The Georgia Organics Conference is about building stronger farms, school gardens, and communities. Through this experience, we will advance our shared vision: that one day all Georgians will be able to eat organic food from local farms, transforming our health, environment, and economy. This conference was attended by 5 employees of Global Growers Network and one from Cane Creek Farms. Farm to Finance (February 2018, Nashville, TN) This conference was presented by Farming Without The Bank. Two full days, of examine the dollars and sense farmers implement to grow an operation, stabilize an operation on the brink of collapse, or takeover an operation at any stage. This conference was made available via CD's and online resources. Georgia WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (March 2018) The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, popularly known as WIC. This one day training targeted farmers who were interested in have direct access to consumers and those wanting another way to supplement farm income. Once certified, farmers are eligible to sell at participating senior and WIC clinics located across the metro Atlanta region. This training was attended by one representative from Cane Creek Farms. National Risk Management Education Conference (April 2018, Milwaukee, WI) The Extension Risk Management Education Centers host a national conference each year that brings together public and private sector educators, crop insurance agents, lenders, and other agricultural professionals. The conference enables this diverse group to share ongoing and emerging successful risk management education efforts that target agricultural producers and their families. This annual event typically features 3 general session presentations, over 40 concurrent sessions, a networking reception which includes a poster session, and a pre-conference seminar. This training was attended by one representative from Cane Creek Farms. New Entry Online Webinar: A Conversation with Lowcountry Local First (June 2018) Brian Wheat, the Director of Sustainable Agriculture with Lowcountry Local First, led an online seminar where he shared the "Growing New Farmers Program. Their Good Farming initiative supports sustainable agriculture and is designed to grow and connect the local food system by training new farmers in the Growing New Farmers Program, supporting existing farm businesses and educating consumers. The program is 6 months, curriculum based using guest speakers from partner organizations. This webinar was designed for others doing similar work on incubator farms. This webinar was available for staff at both Cane Creek Farms and Global Growers Network Performance Measurement: Outcomes and Results (July 2018, Atlanta, GA) This two day interactive course was led by Kathy Keeley, EVP/GA of the Center for Nonprofits. The series was created to teach how to first create a program focused on results in order to make writing about effective outcome measures easier and authentic. The course also created a section on dashboard creation, enabling you to display your outcomes, and discuss ways to track your outcomes. Additionally, participants learned the distinctions among outputs, outcomes, results, and intermediate impacts; how to avoid meaningless measures. This training was attended by one representative from Global Growers Network. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Partner with Southeastern African American Farmers Organic Network (SAAFON) and The Common Market of Georgia (CMGA) to help farmers get GAP certified and/or increase their knowledge of food safety techniques and regulations to open doors to other markets. Provide 12 farmers with 1:1 personalized technical assistance around GAP certification, risk management and business planning (using one-page business plan and one-page financial plan). Assist 12 farmers to demonstrate increased confidence and skill in making management decisions (Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program). Support 12 farmers on their path to securing farmland and the financial resources available to them so that they can leave a legacy for future generations. Assist 2 farmers in accessing capital (traditional and non traditional loans) in order to support or expand their businesses. Facilitate 8-12 farmers with documenting annual cash flow using a one-page financial plan to help inform their business decisions. Help 8-12 farmers to increase their revenues by 15%. Develop a new market outlet for refugee farmers. Foster 4-5 refugee farmers to develop business plans and financial plans using the one-page model. Additional activities planned for next reporting period: Increase coordination of services between new community partners by co-producing more learning opportunities around business building and GAP certification/food safety (webinars or live workshops). Identify and raise capital for buy-lease-sell model for farms (TCF). Explore and share alternative lending sources with farmers needing infrastructure and land capital (increasing revenue, introduction to Kiva Loans, risk management and land access). Provide risk management training for farmers (via webinars or live workshops). Facilitate 2-3 focused land access workshops with the Conservation Fund to determine next steps for farmers interested in acquiring land. Create 2-3 Farmer-Led Learning Circles to encourage peer-to-peer sharing of knowledge, resources and encouragement. Hold strategic meetings with a curriculum developer to create a solid curriculum for incubator farms.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
From November 17, 2017 - December 19, 2017, the seasonal harvest planning process unfolded in a series of working meetings between the five growers at Bamboo Creek Farm and the Production Manager (PM). By the end of the last session, all farmers played an integral role in creating the plan that guided them in the thirty-six-week growing season of 2018. Session I: Laying the Foundation (November 17, 2017) In this session, the Production Manager met with the farmers of the incubator to begin laying the foundation for the next season of growing which consists of 36 weeks. The team works together to create a list of 7-9 veggies that will go to the CSA members each of the 36 weeks. Session II: Market Plan Creation (November 29, 2017) In this session, the Production Manager and farmers met to create a Market Plan creation. The team works together to forecast projected produce sales for each of the three markets that serve as outlets--the CSA, restaurants and wholesale buyers). Once this information is accumulated, the Production Manager has an idea of how much needs to be grown to meet the demands of each market. With this information in hand, the PM creates a growing plan for each market. By the end of the session, each farmer knows how much of each variety of produce is required. Session III: The Bidding Process (December 4, 2017) Working alone now, the PM creates a Crop Bid Sheet for each market based on what the farmers have agreed to grow for those individual markets. The farmers and PM reconvene after Crop Bid Sheets have been created for each farmer and distributes the form. Each farmer uses this form to indicate which crops he or she will grow and how much of the crop he will grow based on the demands of each market outlet. The sheets are handed back to the PM to act as a base for the next session. The PM then reviews each sheet to see if there are any gaps. For example, are there any crops that were not chosen; did one farmer take on more than she has shown she or he is capable of handling? Session III: Offer Process (December 7, 2017) After all bids are reviewed and adjustments made, the team reconvened to receive the offer to buy from the PM. In this phase, the PM shares how much GG will purchase from the grower to sell in the three market outlets. The grower agrees to grow and the PM agrees to put forth every effort to see the produce. Session IV: Seed Order/Production Plan Session (December 14, 2017) The team reconvenes to go over the plan and compile a list of seeds needed for the yield they committed to grow. based on the amount of land under each farmers care. Together they create a "yield sheet". This yield sheet informs the seed purchase order and the PM places a bulk order. They also talk about seedlings that will be needed to start the crops not started from seeds. This is done for every crop and outlet. This year, farmers will move forward on their own purchases seeds. Global Growers will provide storage space. This encourages the incubator farmers to learn how to transact business with the various seed outlets. Session V: Delivery of Thirty-Six Week Harvest Plan (December 19, 2017) During this final session, the Production Manager issues a week-by-week harvest plan to each farmer. Each farmer then knows that they are expected to deliver each week to each of the three market outlets. The growers then know well in advance if they can meet the request or not and make adjustments accordingly. Other Offerings to Beginning Farmers The Fundamentals of Organic Farming Class Series (February 17, 2018 - May 2018): This eight part workshop was held at our partner location, Cane Creek Farm. The workshops were divided into eight sessions meeting on the weekends from February through May, 2018. They covered topics such as soil, soil management, plant anatomy and physiology, disease control, compositing, marketing and how to obtain organic certification. Eight farmers participated in the Spring. This course begin again in September 2018 with 4 farmers currently enrolled. Wholesale Readiness Workshop (3/30/2018): This workshop trained and reintroduced 7 farmers (3 commercial refugee farmers, 3 farmers of color and 2 limited resource farmers) to the entire process of preparing produce to sell to a wholesale market. The workshop was held in two locations, Bamboo Creek Farm and The Common Market of Georgia. The Bamboo Creek portion of the workshop focused on on-farm skills like how to best harvest, wash, prep, and package produce for the wholesale market. The Common Market of Georgia portion got the farmers off the farm and into a commercial selling situation. The 11 seasoned farmers learned how to properly harvest and prepare produce for a wholesale buyer, and how to properly transport the produce according to food safety rules. Of the farmers polled, all reported that selling to a wholesaler was easier than they imagined and 8 of the 11 attendees reported that they would reach out to a wholesaler to begin their wholesale journey. Introduction to Farm Services Workshop (2/9/2018): This workshop was held at our partners farm location, Cane Creek Farm. Three incubator farmers and eleven interested independent farmers were invited to hear about the services offered through NRCS and FSA. Access to Farmland Workshop (4/24/2018): This workshop was held at our partner location, Cane Creek Farm. The workshop was divided into two sessions with 6 farmers (3 incubator farmers and 3 independent farmers attending the first session; and eight independent farmers attending the second session. During this workshop The Conservation Fund introduced the Working Farm Fund Program to four farmers. The purpose of this workshop was to introduce this funding opportunity and gauge the interest of farmers in acquiring lease-to-own land. EBT/SNAP Payments Workshop (5/15/18): This workshop trained 3 refugee commercial farmers in how to process EBT/SNAP transactions. EBT/SNAP payments require special processing, including specific software and special licenses. With the support of Global Growers' existing EBT/SNAP program, one farmer had the opportunity to implement lessons learned at a community spring festival. High Tunnel Production Workshop (5/22/2018): Held at Bamboo Creek Farm, this workshop trained 4 commercial growers on how to improve high tunnel production and overall produce quality. These farmers are experienced with outdoor growing, so needed training on the special care plants need in the greenhouse like conditions of a high tunnel to improve yields and overall produce quality. Food & Farm Business Workshop (6/2/18): Held in partnership with the IRC's Microenterprise Program, this workshop trained 3 incubator farmers on aspects of a farm business. Skills included agribusiness, credit building, and small credit building loans. ?
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