Recipient Organization
UNIV OF NEW MEXICO
(N/A)
ALBUQUERQUE,NM 87131
Performing Department
Taos Executive Director
Non Technical Summary
Project title:Rebuilding an Agricultural Rural Economy (RARE)Rural Community Agriculture Workforce and Training Program"Strengthening a rural economy by supporting the food, land, water and cultures of the people of Northern New Mexico"Primary AFRI Farm Bill Priority area focus of the project:Agriculture economics and rural communitiesUSDA Strategic Goals:This AFRI oriented program primarily aligns with the following USDA Strategic Goals:• Strategic Goal 4: Facilitating Rural Prosperity and Economic Development;• Strategic Goal 7: Providing All Americans Access to a Safe, Nutritious, and Secure Food SupplyAs well as, the secondary goal of:• Strategic Goal 2: Maximizing the Ability of American Agricultural Producers To Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World; and• Strategic Goal 3: Promoting American Agricultural Products and Exports;Project duration: 3 Years; Timeline:· Yr 1o Months 1-6 (July 1, 2021-January 1, 2022) Project Planning and Curriculum Design, Final Strategic Planning, Cohort Recruitment and Program Enrollmento Months 7-12 (January 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022) Commencement of Academic Program Yr 1 - Cohort #1 (15 Students)§ First 2 semesters of RARE coursework (12 credit hours)· Yr 2o Months 1-6 (July 1, 2022-January 1, 2023) Last (3rd) semester of Cohort #1, being recruitment of Cohort #2.o Months 7-12 (January 1, 2023-June 30, 2023) Commencement of Academic Program Yr 2 - Cohort #2 (15 Students)§ First 2 semesters of RARE coursework (12 credit hours)· Yr 3o Months 1-6 (July 1, 2023-January 1, 2024) Last (3rd) semester of Cohort #2o Months 7-12 (January 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024) Project Data/Perforamnce Assessment/Evaluation, Reporting, Development of Program Improvement Strategy, Replication Manual, Implement Institutionalized Sustainability MeasuresSubmitting organization:University of New Mexico-Taos Branch Campus1157 County Road 110Ranchos de Taos, NM 87571Other organizations involved in the project:Primary:· Not Forgotten Outreach - Veterans service organization· Taos HIVE Innovation Center· Taos County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC)Secondary: · Taos Land Trust· Alianza-Agricultura· Taos Valley Acequia Association· Taos Entrepreneurial Network· Taos Community FoundationLocation(s) (colleges, businesses, etc.) at which the proposed activities will occur: UNM-Taos Klauer Campus, 1157 County Road 110, Ranchos De Taos, NM 87557Taos HIVE Innovation Center, 1146 Gusdorf Road, Taos, NM 87571Not Forgotten Outreach Veterans Center, 610 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 8757Taos County Economic Development (TCEDC) Food Center: 1021 Salazar Road, Taos, NM 87571Number of participants per year: Academic Program: 15 Participants/yr (2 cohorts/2 years)Community Programming: 100+ABSTRACT:Framed by a dearth of regional large-scale agriculture in Northern New Mexico, and supported by the Taos Valley's foundation in the centuries-old practice of farming using acequias (man-made communal water courses diverted from natural tributaries), The UNM Taos Branch Campus and Taos Hive Innovation Center will partner with Not Forgotten Outreach, Inc., and the Taos County Economic Development Corporation to create the RARE (Rebuilding an Agricultural Rural Economy) workforce training certificate program which supports the local food and small-scale farming economy in Taos, New Mexico. The RARE program will train 2 separate cohorts of 15 student participants (30 total prospective farmers, ranchers and food producers, recruited from underserved and veteran populations) through an immersive curriculum of farming practices, safe and healthy food production, and small business/entrepreneurial skills required to create and enhance local industry, and the next generation of small-scale sustainable farmers, ranchers and food producers in Northern New Mexico.The part-time curriculum is 18 total credit-hours offered over 12 months (Spring, Summer and Fall semesters) that provides industry recognized stackable certifications, a focus in traditional, sustainable and drought-condition farming methods, as well as entrepreneurial training from small business professionals and innovation experts at the Taos HIVE Innovation Center, and commercial and industrial food producers at the Taos County Economic Development Corporation's (TCEDC) Commercial Kitchen, and opportunities for internship and apprenticeship at local farm sites or food based businesses. Participants will receive a technical certification allowing for entry into a modern rural agrarian economy through employment or entrepreneurship.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management;
401 - Structures, Facilities, and General Purpose Farm Supplies;
602 - Business Management, Finance, and Taxation;
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships;
111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water;
132 - Weather and Climate;
405 - Drainage and Irrigation Systems and Facilities;
315 - Animal Welfare/Well-Being and Protection;
Subject Of Investigation
5299 - Agricultural supplies, general/other;
3299 - Poultry, general/other;
0210 - Water resources;
0199 - Soil and land, general;
6030 - The farm as an enterprise;
3599 - Swine, general/other;
6299 - Marketing, general/other;
5010 - Food;
Field Of Science
2070 - Meteorology and climatology;
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
1070 - Ecology;
1081 - Breeding;
3010 - Economics;
3100 - Management;
Goals / Objectives
Academic Goals:• Develop and Increase Skills, Certifications, Degrees and transfer or continuation opportunities• Provide Stackable Certifications Opportunities for Increased Employability and Rapid Workforce Deployment• Institutional Curriculum Development• Develop Increased Career Readiness Indicators• Strengthen Career Pathway Pipeline and Industry Partnerships - Education to WorkforceOutcomes:Increase Completion of Degree and Certificate Opportunities at UNM-Taos:• Certificate in Construction Technology (various concentrations),• Certificate in Entrepreneurship,• Certificate in Woodworking,• Certificate in Culinary Arts,• Certificate in Business Computers (for Agribusiness Systems students),• AS Pre-Science with a Concentration in Natural Resource ManagementIncrease Attainment of Stackable Credential opportunities:• ServSafe Food Manager Credential• OSHA 10 Certification, S• EI's RE100: Introduction to Renewable Energy course completion,• Elements of NCCER training (National Center for Construction Education and Research)Develop Curriculum and related knowledge content in the following areas:• Sustainable Food and Farming,• Tree Care,• Green Building,• Alternative Building and Construction,• Solar Adobe,• Renewable Energy,• Welding,• Carpentry,• Drafting Design Technology (Revit),• Blueprint Reading,• Basics of Plumbing and Electrical,• Forestry/Terrestrial Ecology,• Water Resources,• Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business,• Climate Change Seminar,• Additional Career Pathways (e.g. Natural Resources Management)Career Pathways Exploration and Development:Assess more students with the following Career Readiness Indicators Career Pathway Clusters:• Agriculture• Food and Natural Resources• Architectural Design and ConstructionCreate Additional Knowledge Base and Map for the following Careers:-Agricultural Biotechnology Specialist:-Agricultural Communications:-Animal Science Specialist-Forestry-Natural Resources SpecialistDevelop Transfer or Continuation and Articulation Agreement opportunities and assist students in Academic Continuation via Transfer:• 4-year transfer options within NM:o UNM - Main Campuso NMSU (currently working on articulation agreement with Natural Resource Management Program with NMSU)o ENMU (Roswell and Ruidoso)o Highlands Universityo Northern New Mexico College• Potential Collaborations and Articulation Agreement opportunities with other 2 year schools:o Other UNM- Branches: Los Alamos, Gallup, Valenciao CNM,o SFCC,o San Juan CollegeDevelop and Strengthen Career Pipeline and Industry Partnerships:• Build and Survey Industry Roadmap and Database• Increased networking and communication with Industry Partners to ascertain resources and needs• Increase the number of industry internships and apprenticeships• Increased Career Service Program Capacity and EffectivenessEconomic and Workforce Goals:• Improve the condition of the local/regional economy• Improve the workforce• Strengthen local industries• Better local Employment OpportunitiesOutcomes:• Improve the condition of the local/regional economyo Increase number of new small business startupso Increase revenue for local businesseso Increase net economic transactions - Internal: local/regional (Intra-state)o Increase net economic transactions - External - National and International• Improve the workforceo Improve existing work skills of labor baseo Increase attainment of new skills of labor base• Strengthen local industrieso Increase size and number of currently represented local businesses within existing Industrieso Attract new industries: increase the number of relocationso Incubate and Develop innovative new industries (increase number of industrial unrepresented and underrepresented new businesses)• Better local Employment Opportunitieso Increase the number of available jobso Improve the quality and benefits of current employment opportunitiesCommunity, Traditional Knowledge and Values, and Historical PreservationGoals:-Strengthen community relationships-Vest community into program economic model-Study and memorialize historical foundations of region: Explore social, agricultural, and economic frameworks through indigenous, colonial and modern lenses-Preserve and Impart Traditional Customs, Knowledge, and Values-Sustainable Water and Land Use, Cultivation, and Preservation-Innovate local economy through a holistic model that bridges traditional practices and modern conceptsOutcomes:- Establish business partnerships to build economic and entrepreneurial infrastructure (by demonstration of organizational partnership MOUs and initiatives)- Establish community dialogues relating to historical injuries and the valuation of traditional knowledge (through the cultivation of community panels, talks, media representation, and artistic and academic explorations)- Increase student and community participation in activities and organizations relating and responding to program theories (measurement of program participant and community member interfaces with events and activities relating to program themes)- Demonstrate community leadership support of proposed program models (representation by local town and county government, and organizational leadership support of initiatives - proclamations, sponsorship, and representation, response and interest of local civic, non-profit, volunteer, or philanthropic organizations)Performance Indicators and Targets- # Students Enrolling into RARE Program: 15- # Students completing RARE Program: 10- # Students engaging in Apprenticeships, Internships, Mentor/Mentee Engagements: 5- # Students employed as a result of the RARE participation: 5- # Students participating transferring or enrolled into new related education programs: 5- # Mentor/ Mentee, Apprenticeships, Internships: 10- # Agricultural or other related industrial start-ups: 10- # Agricultural or other related industrial jobs created- Existing Businesses:5- Start-ups:5- # Workshops or Trainings on Agriculture, Land, Water, Sustainable growing, Culture and Traditions, and/or Entrepreneurship: 10- # Community Round Table discussions on Agriculture, Land, Water, Sustainable growing, Culture and Traditions, and/or Entrepreneurship: 3- # Events connecting growers or food producers with Buyers/Retailers: 3"Other Outcomes:- Develop and implement Buy Local Ag Program- securing product placement- Develop Program Exploring Value Added productsVeteran Specific Goals/Outcomes (Not Forgotten Outreach):Goals:• Improve the economic conditions of local/regional veteran population• Strengthen veteran representation in local industries• Create better local employment opportunities for the veteran populationOutcomes:- Enroll 5 Veterans in RARE program- Provide outreach to 100 participants (Veteran and/or Socially Disadvantaged farmers and ranchers) to increase awareness of regional agricultural training resources, agricultural employment opportunities, and USDA resources.- Veterans that receive certification in food safety, etc.: 4- Veterans that improve their agriculture skills and knowledge in food production, food- safety, and green technology through experiential learning: 4- New Veteran business start ups: 2- Veterans employed in agriculture: 3- Veteran or socially disadvantaged farmers with increased awareness of local agricultural resources: 10
Project Methods
Program Approach The path forward is not through an industrial and mechanistic approach to create a farming industry, but rather, through communal small-scale unit centered farming, like what was done in the region's antiquity, which will create a path forward. Supported by the Taos valley's foundation in the centuries-old practice of farming using acequias UNM Taos and its Taos Hive Innovation Center will partner with Not Forgotten Outreach, Inc., and the Taos County Economic Development Corporation to help rebuild a local food community and small-scale farming economy by creating RARE (Rebuilding an Agricultural Rural Economy), a new agriculture workforce training certificate program in Taos County, New Mexico. The RARE program aims to effectively train student participants through an immersive curriculum involving 3 subject areas: History, Culture and Commerce of Land, Water, and Food in Northern New MexicoAgriculture and Small-Scale FarmingEntrepreneurship, Small Business Incubation and Business EducationRARE Program Agriculture Training: The RARE Agriculture training curriculum also includes farming practices, safe and healthy food production, and small business/entrepreneurship skills to become employed as the next generation of small-scale sustainable farmers, ranchers and food producers in Northern New Mexico. Additional curriculum and training practices will be offered and supported by additional program partners - the Taos Valley Acequia Association, the Taos Land Trust, Alianza Agri-Cultura, and LandLink New Mexico (among others). The curriculum developed for the RARE program will provide industry recognized stackable certifications and experiential learning opportunities at local farm sites along with teaching from local agricultural experts, small business professionals, innovation experts and food producers. In addition to experiential farming skills, the curriculum will utilize both traditional water and farming practices and will include an introduction to commercial and industrial food preparation and manufacturing, and training and support from UNM-Taos' Taos HIVE Innovation Center (a hub for entrepreneurship and small business development) to provide training for participants to develop digital literacy and the skills they need to create the successful small business frame-works that will be necessary for sustainable economic success. The program will also partner with the Taos County Economic Development Corporation to help program participants face the socio-economic challenges of a centuries old historic, self-sufficient, semi-isolated rural community with a centuries old agrarian base to use their newly acquired skills to transition the region into an innovative commercially focused economy.NFO's Agriculture Training/Curriculum In addition to the farming process from planting to harvesting NFO's curriculum will include:· Acequia agriculture · Permaculture· Food traditions· Seed saving· Watershed science, form, and function · Soils · Climate Change adaptationThe benefits to both the food producer (farmer) and local consumers is significant and will preserve valuable and rare farming and water traditions and culture, and result in a stronger local economy and a future for a sustainable agricultural industry in Taos County and New Mexico. Additional RARE program training includes:RARE Program Entrepreneurship, Small Business Incubation and Business Education Training at the Taos HIVE Innovation Center: Taos HIVE (Hub of Internet-based Vocations and Education) a program of UNM-Taos, is a public-private partnership between core partners: UNM-Taos, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, and the Taos Community Foundation, along with contributors: the Northern Area Local Workforce Development Board (WIOA), the Town of Taos, Taos County, and corporate contributors (FatPipe Taos, LLC, among others), to support a co-working environment, entrepreneurship, small business incubation and business education and training. Together we are addressing economic & workforce development in our community that supports our rich heritage and community values. The HIVE is a community-wide, cross-class movement for career training and job creation that is committed to socially responsible development, wealth equality, and opportunity and access for all. As an economic development program with integrity, the Hive will be an inclusive co-working office and incubator with onsite education and training programs for locals to develop skills relevant to online vocations and start-ups, bringing life sustaining wages to a rural economy, and allowing adults to gain digital literacy and careers in a supportive environment, all under one roof. Taos HIVE will bring people from all walks of life together with a shared mission to succeed locally in today's global market. Live local, Thrive Global. RARE Program History, Culture and Commerce of Land, Water, and Food in Northern New Mexico at the Taos County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) Food Center:The Taos Food Center is truly at the heart of TCEDC's activities in supporting the people, cultures, and food of Northern New Mexico. The Taos Food Center is a 5,000 square foot commercial kitchen that has the equipment, services, and support needed to get a food-based business started. The additional RARE program curriculum focused on regional history, culture and commerce of land, water and food, is an essential component for success as an agricultural or food-based worker in the region. Both history, regulation and practices around these important social, economic and cultural commodities must be understand and navigated to ensure success when working in the agricultural or food-based industries of the area.Project duration: 3 YearsPROGRAM OUTCOMES:Yearly Performance Indicators and Targets? # Students Enrolling into RARE Program: 15/cohort? # Students completing RARE Program: 10/cohort? # Students engaging in Apprenticeships, Internships, Mentor/Mentee Engagements: 5? # Students employed as a result of the RARE participation: 5? # Students participating transferring or enrolled into new related education programs: 5? # Mentor/ Mentee, Apprenticeships, Internships: 10? # Agricultural or other related industrial start-ups: 10? # Agricultural or other related industrial jobs created? Existing Businesses: 5? Start-ups: 5? # Workshops or Trainings on Agriculture, Land, Water, Sustainable growing, Culture and Traditions, and/or Entrepreneurship: 10? # Community Round Table discussions on Agriculture, Land, Water, Sustainable growing, Culture and Traditions, and/or Entrepreneurship: 3? # Events connecting growers or food producers with Buyers/Retailers: 3Other Outcomes:? Develop and implement Buy Local Ag Program- securing product placement? Develop Program Exploring Value Added productsVeteran Specific Goals/Outcomes (Not Forgotten Outreach):Goals:Improve the economic conditions of local/regional veteran populationStrengthen veteran representation in local industriesCreate better local employment opportunities for the veteran populationOutcomes: ? Enroll 5 Veterans in RARE program ? Provide outreach to 100 participants (Veteran and/or Socially Disadvantaged farmers and ranchers) to increase awareness of regional agricultural training resources, agricultural employment opportunities, and USDA resources.? Veterans that receive certification in food safety, etc.: 4? Veterans that improve their agriculture skills and knowledge in food production, food? safety, and green technology through experiential learning: 4? New Veteran business startups: 2? Veterans employed in agriculture: 3? Veteran or socially disadvantaged farmers with increased awareness of local agricultural resources: 10