Recipient Organization
IN HER SHOES, INCORPORATED
4480 RIVER STONE TRL
DOUGLASVILLE,GA 30135
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
In addition to the disparity traditionally experienced by minority farmers, the Women and Minoritiesin South Fulton, Douglas Carroll and Paulding Countiespossessunique characteristics and challenges to accessing resources that are exacerbated by the rural nature and very low population densities of the area. Individuals in these areas experience increased hardship due to farm dependency and limited to no access to necessary resources such public transportation and broadband services which makes access to the information, labor and other resources more difficult. This is due to limited access to comprehensive community based programs that address all aspects of small agribusiness.The goals of this project are to implement a comprehensive and accessible farm operations training programthat fosters growth and sustainability among disadvantaged farmers, specifically, women, minority and limited resource farmers (targeted group), raise awareness andstrengthen partnership network capacity for ongoing support.The project will achieve stated goals by increasing alliances to bring together existing programs and resources of several agribusiness training and service providers to achieve the objectives of implementing a strategic outreach plan, a comprehensive agribusiness operation and finance management training program consisting of hands on and distance learning, ongoing technical support and case management. Project objectives are:Strategic outreach planA comprehensive agribusiness operation and finance management training program consisting of hands on and distance learningOngoing technical support and case managementPartnership network capacity buildingOutcomes are:Five (5) New farm startups among targeted audience in the target areaIncrease inknowledge and understanding of practical farming operation and agribusiness management by 30trainingprogram participantsOver 60 farmers engaged through the programForty new and beginning farm operators assisted with technical assistance and referrals throughout the target areaIncreased access to training and resource to 100 farmers across the state through distance learningIncrease in the parograms partnership network
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The goal of the project is to provide accessible comprehensive agribusiness management training to beginner women, minorities and limited access farmer populations that will increase sustainability of farm operations among the targeted group in South Fulton, Douglas, Carroll and Paulding Counties.Another goal is to strengthen support among farm service providers and cooperatives to better reach and provide long term service and support to targeted group.The objectives and how we plan to acheive the goals of the project are:1. To grow and improve agribusiness operations among women, minority and limited access farmers in West Georgia2. To increase the number of targeted disadvantaged begnner farms that have access to educational tools and programs3. To raise awareness of federal state and local program,services and resource availableto new and beginner farmers4. To provide ongoing long term support thorugh partnership capacity building
Project Methods
The proposed collaboration of partners willperform the activities of the programs and meet the project goals through shared experience and resources. All the entities identified as partners currently have an existing agribusiness based training programs serving a specific target audience, however not comprehensive. This project will bring together components from each of the existing programs to form a comprehensive agribusiness training and support service program to a targeted group.The PD will implement an outreach strategy to raise awareness and recruit our target audience. Outreach will begin late July andcontinue throughoutthe project term. Outreach methods will include,Mailings, social media platform, local newspaper ads and marketing brochures and flyers designed to recruit participants from the targeted groups. Marketing material will be placed in businesses and agencies that serve the target audience.Leveraging of existing outreach programs,community resources and events to expand its reach and collaborative network with service providers to the targeted groups to promote participation and recruitment efforts.Coordinationwith Public Agencies and organizations withoffices in target areasfor distribution and referral as well as to garner additional resources for ongoing support.Outreach and coordination withLocal Farm Supply businesses, banks, Local Farming Cooperatives and other University Extension Offices that serve ourtarget groups, to provide information via their onsite and web based information as well as our marketing literature.Researchlocal farms listings via the internet or registered with the local Farm Services Agency officeAttend agribusiness themed events such as festivals, conferences, workshops and networking functions to recruit targeted participants for the program and connect to farm oriented service providers to build program support resources. Upon contacting the program whether online, person to person or referral, each participant will complete a written questionnaire and oral assessment. The assessment will help determine the individual needs, feasibility of the participant to access resource locations to complete the program and how to maximize his/her success. The questionnaire will give us contact information for ongoing support through case management and measure their prior work history, experience in farming, strengths and weakness in field operations and goals. Participants will help formulate their training program based on their needs by choosing field operations training courses with some courses being mandatory. The assessment will also be used to gauge the effectiveness and delivery methods of the program for performance and reporting. Each participant will be required to attend a minimum of 120 hours of farm techniques and operations training and 40 hours of business development and finance management training for completion of the program. Comprehensive Classroom, farm based hands on training and satellite programming opportunities will be provided through training partners experienced and equipped with all necessary onsite facilities to provide proper instruction. Training partners agree to provide up to 120 hours of farming techniques and operations training for one full planting, growing and harvesting season. The diversity in delivery methodshelpsto maximize participation. Program partners will use their existing core field training techniques as the curriculum which is based on their veteran knowledge. Training instructors will keep sign in logs and report attendance monthly to the PDThe training will be delivered in person by instructors at the instructors site or at alternative sites. The program may allow flexibility for participants that have established farms or land available to have limited instruction provided on their site, depending on whether equipment needs for training are available. Training will also be provided in classroom settings, via webinars and online exercises. These delivery methods will have quizzes and assessments built in to measure improvements in the participants knowledge and comprehension or materials. Participants will be encouraged to use all three methods to obtain necessary hours. A minimum of 20 hours of web based training will be required to acclimate participants with using various resources online. In class exercises and demonstrations will be used to teach participants about agribusiness resources and familiarity with programs and resources. We will often utilize Program Agents to present this information. Distance learning includes powerpoint presentations, webinars and recorded sessions that will be made available to the public through partners and collaborators websites and social media pages, allowing access to farmers throughout Georgia and the southeast region. Training sessions will be consistently scheduled and mostly provided in small groups with hands on exercises and demonstrations. Schedules are meant to vary by provider to increase accessibility for program participants. On Site sessions will be recorded and uploaded to IHS, GWATL and MAUF websites as well as YouTube and other sources to provide distance learning and ongoing training for program members. To offset training cost, providers will receive an hourly rate per trainee up to 120 hours. This allows for flexibility in training delivery between hands on and web based learning. It's also cost efficient for those who need one component of training more than the other and may not complete all recommended training. IHS will provide the 40-hour business development and finance management training curriculum for new farmers and beginning famers at each UGACE site and other locations as determined feasible. A flexible evening and weekend schedule of training will be provided for target participants at IHS local office in Douglas County. Sessions will be tentatively scheduled each week in 2 to 4 hour increments. Similar training materials are provided by the Small Business Administration and are designed to meet the needs of new small business owners. The program will also include workshops from Farm Service Agents and local bank representatives that administer farm aid programs and small businesses financing. To raise awareness and knowledge in where and how to obtain assistance, participants will receive training and resource materials on accessing available technical assistance programs through program experts.Whenever possible, sessions will be recorded and class material such as presentations and handouts will be available on the program website.The program will offer ongoing support to new and beginner farmers that includes technical assistance on farm operations strategies, business and finance management strategies, applications and proposals for acquiring land and capital, mentorship opportunities, referral to other assistance providers and notifications to upcoming workshops, seminars, conference and other events. Enrollment and attendance of course training will be incentivized by providing ongoing technical assistance for one year after the program completion. IHS will provide business and marketing plan development assistance, employee recruitment assistance, assistance with loan and program applications and referrals to public and private resources for capital and equipment assistance. The PD is responsible for case management which is essential to tracking the impacts of the program and ensuring the ongoing success of our target audience. The PD will track the training participants progress in the program and assess needs and concerns throughout their program experience. Written and oral quizzes, exercises, follow up, program monitoring and case management will be used to obtain information used to measure program performance and outcomes.