Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The Grow Louisiana: Beginning Farmer Training Program was designed to be a sustainable agriculture educational program targetingnewand beginning horticulture farmers in the state of Louisiana. The program focused on new and beginning farmers on small to mid-size family farms statewide with less than 10 years of experience in farming The program focused on two long-term goals; 1) the first goal is to serve as Louisiana's first state-wide extensive, yearlong agricultural education program that provides technical, business, and hands on training to beginning farmers, and 2) serve as a built-in, sustainable, long-term support system for the beginning farmers in Louisiana. Through the multiyear program, 53 new and beginning farmers completed the program from 3 regions in southeast Louisiana. Through the trainings, the participants gained the knowledge and skills needed to continue their farming aspirations, be more confident in their horticultureventures, and also engaged with other sustainable farmers in a community for continued support, mentoring, and information exchange. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic occurred in the middle of the multi-year program cycle and the beginning farmer training program that was developed as a in-person program with hands-on program was forced to make changes accordingly. The training program had to adjust and to pivot from in-person activities as plannedto almost entirely virtual activities. In the last year of the program, hybrid activities took place with a combination of in-person following Covid-19 mitigating protocols, virtual trainings and limited in-person activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program consisted of classroom sessions and field days. The classroom sessions were co-taught by an extension specialist and an experienced farmer on topics ranging from business and marketing development to the technical aspects of soil management and fruit and vegetable production.Other webinars and virtual trainingsand hands-on experiences were also developed for more engagement. The year long curriculum for the beginning farmer traiing program for all three years are listed below: Week Spring Session Topic 1 Program Orientation,Participant Orientation; Farm and Personal Goals 2 SSAWG Conference, regional sustainable agriculture conference and field tour 3 Soils 101,Soil Formation Process; Texture and Type; Web Soil Survey; Soil Biology, Quality, Health and Sampling 4 Vegetables 101(warm season) 5 Fruits 101,Introduction; Orchard Design and Management 6 Farm Business Planning 101,Business Planning, Information Sources, Record Keeping and Inventory 7Marketing 101,Marketing Overview; MarketReady; MarketMaker 8 Risk Management Strategies and Food Safety Summer Workshop/Field Trip, Demonstrations,Farm Visitations Week Fall Session Topic 1 Farm Business Planning 201,Whole Farm Business Plans; Financing; Land Acquisition; Resources Available 2 Marketing 201,Direct Marketing (Farmers Markets, CSAs); Crop Planning; Enterprise Budgets 3 Soils 201,(soil maintenance and improvement) 4 Vegetables 201(cool season) 5 Fruits 201,Tree Maintenance; Fertilization; Pruning; Pest Management 6 Farm Management Tools 7 Labor, Integrated Pest Management, Environmental Modification 8 Program Conclusion; Participant Presentations How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Many of the outcomes were shared via the program website:Grow Louisiana (lsuagcenter.com). Other outcomes were shared via Louisiana Agriculture Magazine (links posted in the publications section). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Through the program, 53 new and beginning farmers completed the year-long program from 3 regions in southeast Louisiana. The first year the program was provided in the New Orleans area, the second year in Lafayette and the third year in Baton Rouge. Through the trainings, the participants indicated that they gained the knowledge and skills needed to continue their farming aspirations, be more confident in their farming ventures, and as engaged with other farmers in a community for continued support, mentoring, and information exchange. The Grow Louisiana programwas designed for in-person meetings and engagement, hands-on training where possible, as well as on farm trainings andmentoring. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in mandatory changes to the format of the extension trainings offered.In the second year the program shifted to all virtual trainings, which limited the capacity of the program toeffectively reach program participants. While virtual program offerings limited the scope as to how participants could beengaged and also networking, this allowed for continued training through the pandemic. The third year of the programcontinued the focus on virtual trainings in order to deliver the extension materials. It was noted that there was lessnetworking and engagement among the participants as a result. During the no-cost extension period, a seried of virtual trainings and awebinar series was developed during COVID for a broader reach for participants. These training sessions were open to anyone and used the materials developed for the first three years of the program. In addition, other onsite workshops on mentor farms were developed for more farmer engagement.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Coleman, M.A. 2021. Introduction to farm business planning. School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. https://lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1650920234273
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Coleman, M.A. 2021. Writing a farm business plan. School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. https://lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1650983176927
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Coleman, M.A.; Bampasidou, M.; Motsenbocker, C.; McKinzie, W.R. (2021). Assessing the educational needs of new and beginning urban farmers in New Orleans, Louisiana. Journal of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, 14(1).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Coleman, M.A.; Bampasidou, M.; & Motsenbocker, C.E. (2022). Growing Sustainable Horticulture Farmers. Journal of Food Distribution Research, 53 (1).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Maria Bampasidou, Carl Motsenbocker, Marcus Coleman, Kathryn Fontenot and Sydney Melhado. (2022) Growing Farmers, Growing Communities: LSU AgCenter Extension Programs Support Local Food Systems. Louisiana Agriculture Magazine. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1663094067388
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Kyle Peveto. (2022) It Opened My Eyes: AgCenter Program Instills Confidence in New Farmer. Louisiana Agriculture Magazine. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1663167143839
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Kyle Peveto. (2022). Fighting Hurricanes and Pests, New Farmers Find Help in AgCenter Program. Louisiana Agriculture Magazine. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1663166677941
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Eighteen new and beginnig farmers participated in the 3rd cohort of the Grow Louisiana beginning farmer training program. The cohort was based in the Baton Rouge area, with participants coming from surrounding areas. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the trainings were offered virtually to the cohort. There were 20 participants with 17 finishing the program. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes to the format of the extension trainings offered. The Grow Louisiana program was designed for in-person meetingsand engagement,hands-on training where possible, as well as on farm trainings and mentoring. In the second year the program shifted to all virtual trainings, which limited thecapacity of the program to effectively reach program participants. While virtual program offerings limited the scope as to howparticipants could be engaged and also networking, this allowed for continued trainingthrough the pandemic. The third year of the program continued the focus on virtual trainings in order to deliver the extension materials. It was noted that there was less networking and engagement among the participants as a result. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The educational program commenced with introductory "get to know session"; travel to the regional sustainable agriculture conference was not possible due to dissolution of theSouthern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG). The trainings began with7 spring virtual classroom sessions, 2 in personsummer field days, and 8 fall virtual classroom sessions. The classroom sessions were co-taught by an extension specialist and an experienced farmer on topics ranging from business and marketing development to the technical aspects of soil management and fruit and vegetable production. During each of the two and one-half to three hour sessions, thespecialists provided the background and essentials for the topic, farmers spoke from their own practical experience and a hands-on activity often reinforced the lesson. Field days reinforced this work by participants visiting established farms to further learn about on-farm experiences. The mix of extension specialists and experienced farmers provided participants the necessary bridgebetween theoretical concepts and the real world applicability of such knowledge. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Grow Louisiana program disseminated the results of the program to the Grow Louisiana webpageon the LSU AgCenter website. In addition, results were disseminated through extension publications, webinars, farm tours and other venues. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Grow Louisiana beginning farmer extension eduational program will be continue next year with a no cost extension (an additional half year). The program will focus on virtual training and webinar sessions using the program materials previously developed. The final abbreviated year willnot have anew cohort of participants and the trainings and webinars will be available to anyone in the state interested in program. It is anticipated that there will be a good reach to sustainable horticulture farmers throughout the state as there are not many training opportunities available during the pandemic.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The regional-based program for the third cohort centered in the Baton Rouge area ofLouisiana had 20 beginning farmers with 17 sucessfully completingthe third cohort in 2021.The cohort was comprised of 11 women and 9 men with 3 veterans among this group. The demographic makeup was: 8 identified as white/European, 8 as Black of African-American, and 4 self-identified as Latino or Hispanic-American.Eleven of the paricipants were considered "experienced", although with less than 10 years experience farming and 9 were "explorers" who were relatively inexperienced but were serious about farming.The Grow Louisiana program helped participants identify the role they will play in the supporting and nurturingmore newfarmers in Louisiana and networking within their group. The participants were selected based on their expressed desire for training and past experience in farming and market gardening. The participants indicated that they increased their knowledge in business practices and technical horticulture growing practices as a result of the program. The Grow Louisiana beginning farmer training program served as a entry for those with little farming experience on how to start and make profitable a sustainable horticulture farm. For those with experience, the trainings allowed the participants to further explore better practices and decision making. All the participants were better able to know the right questions toask, resources to discover and how to seek out mentors and to network with their peers for guidance and assistance. The participants participated in networking with their peers and discovered important strengths that directly relate to cultivating the next generation of beginning famers in Louisiana. Thesestrengths include: confidence in their skill set and technicalknowledge, the importance of networking and relationships with the Louisiana farm community, how to beconnected to the food source/food chain, and how to ultimately raise the profile and importance of the sustainable horticulturefarmer inLouisiana.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Coleman, M.A. 2021. Introduction to farm business planning. School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. https://lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1650920234273
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Coleman, M.A. 2021. Writing a farm business plan. School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. https://lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1650983176927
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Coleman, M.A.; Bampasidou, M.; Motsenbocker, C.; McKinzie, W.R. (2021). Assessing the educational needs of new and beginning urban farmers in New Orleans, Louisiana. Journal of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, 14(1).
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Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:18 new and beginning farmers participated in the 2nd cohort of the Grow Louisiana program. The cohort was based in the Lafayette, LA area, with participate coming from Lafayette and surrounding areas. 11 participants identified as White, 6 as Black/African American, and 1 as Latina/Asian. 13 participants identified as women. All of the participants successfully completed the program. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic caused a drastic shift in program offerings. The program was initially based on in-person meetings and engagement, as well as hands-on training. The program was first to shift to all virtual trainings, which limited the capacity of the program to effectively reach program participants. While virtual program offerings limited the scope as to how participants could be engaged, it did allow for continued engagement through the pandemic. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program provided both in-person and virtual trainings on production and business management. Also, the program provided networking activities for participants through its Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training. 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?The program is scheduled to host an additional training cohort to provide similar opportunities to new and beginning farmers. The cohort will be based in Baton Rouge, LA
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
An additional 18 new and beginning farmers were trained as a part of this cohort. Of these participants, 11 had access to farmable land. The program provided all participants training related to technical production practices and well as farm business management. Several program program participants also came together to form a new farmer's market in Lafayette, LA. Success of the trainings was measure through a pre-post needs/skills assessment. Results of this assessment will be made available at the end of the project.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The regional-based program started in the southeast region of Louisiana with 18 beginning farmers successfully completing the inaugural cohort in 2019. The cohort was comprised of 12 women and 6 men and three married couples. Additionally, four participants had established farms and five other participants had access to farmable land. The cohort was primarily defined by individuals interested in urban farming due to the program being based in New Orleans, LA. Changes/Problems:In the first year of the program, Grow Louisiana achieved its goal of producing multi-dimensional impacts on the food system in Louisiana despite major barriers to farming like securing land and financial security. The majority of the 2019 Louisiana Grow Louisiana Program curriculum was delivered in an urban setting in the city of New Orleans with a greenhouse as the teaching venue. The ability to demonstrate farm production on an actual plot of land was not part of the course. The field days helped to fill this gap and allowed participants to observe a farm business in action. The inaugural cohort was very eager to learn the practical applications of beginning farming. They were less interested in learning the steps and background knowledge that goes into growing and production. For example, the group wanted to know where to find and how to utilize nutrient dense soil that would help their plants grow. They were less interested in soil biology. This information will held to guide program refinement. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The educational program commenced with a trip to the annual Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG) Conference, 7 spring classroom sessions, 3 summer field days, and 8 fall classroom sessions. The classroom sessions were co-taught by an extension specialist and an experienced farmer on topics ranging from business and marketing development to the technical aspects of soil management and fruit and vegetable production. During each of the three hour sessions, the specialists provided the background and groundwork for the topic, farmers spoke from their own practical experience and a hands-on activity often reinforced the lesson. Field days reinforced this work by participants visiting established farms to further learn about on-farm experiences. The SSAWG Conference proved to be a beneficial component of the program, both directly and indirectly. The indirect effect of the cohort spending 6 days together at the conference and 12 hours round trip in vans was invaluable and proved to be the glue that brought the cohort together to provide positive learning experiences throughout the year. Also the mix of extension specialists and experienced farmers provided participants the necessary bridge between theoretical concepts and the real world applicability of such knowledge. 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?The eduational program will be expanded and revised based on what was learned from year 1. The program will bring in 18 new beginning farmers to participate.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The regional-based program started in the southeast region of Louisiana with 18 beginning farmers successfully completing the inaugural cohort in 2019. The cohort was comprised of 12 women and 6 men and three married couples. Additionally, four participants had established farms and five other participants had access to farmable land. The Grow Louisiana program helped participants identify the role they will play in the moving the needle to produce more new farmers in Louisiana. While some of our participants are actively producing or preparing to produce--others are playing an important role in the Louisiana food system through teaching and advocacy for small scale farmers. Grow Louisiana will serve as a launching pad on the continuum of learning how to farm for our participants. They now know the right questions to ask, resources to discover and how to seek out mentors and a network for help. Many participants discovered it may not be feasible to buy land and start a farm. However, this group of participants discovered important strengths that directly relate to cultivating the next generation of beginning famers in Louisiana. These strengths include: confidence, the importance of networking and relationships with the Louisiana farm community, how to be connected to the food source/food chain and how to ultimately raise the profile and importance of the urban farmer in the state of Louisiana.
Publications
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