Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached by our efforts include new beginning farmers, ranchers and veterans who are Black/African American, Hispanic or Latino, and White. They are members of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) - Colemans Farm, LLC, Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance, National Center for Appropriate Technology and Mississippi Center for Cultural Production. Changes/Problems:The project assistant accepted a new position, therefore, the project director and co-project director had to pivot and make sure all deliverables were completed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this project trainings were heldon farm management educational training in basic livestock, crop farming practices, and forest management. Educational training in farm financial and risk management, including acquiring and managing agricultural credit. Training ondiversification and marketing strategies to connect the NBFRV participants to new markets.Trainings were conducted on food safety and recordkeeping, USDA's programs and services, online farm business plans, and a farm fundamentals short course. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results were disseminated through business plan development opportunities for training to new beginning farmers, ranchers, veterans through a series of Zoom meetings, in-person and hybrid hands-on demonstrations. This project also afforded opportunities for participants to attend the 2022, 2034, 2024 Small Farmers Conferences in Mississippi. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The overll goal of the proposed project was to proivde 150 new, beginning farmers, ranchers and veterans (NBFRV) with educational training and resources to become knowledgeable and successful farmers and rancher. A total of 160participated in the project. Overall sixteen (16) trainings were held via person, zoom and hybrid. There were farm demonstrations and on-farm tours. A online canvas short course that covered five modules was held over a 8 week time period. This project provided new, beginning farmers, ranchers, and veterans (NBFRV) with education, training, and resources to become knowledgeable and successful farmers and ranchers. All the project goals, objectivities and activities were completed over the three year period. The participants received a change in knowledge and condition. Many farmers enter new markets, were introducted to USDA's programs and services, completed farm business plans, etc. Overall this was a great project and the new, beginning farmers, ranchers, and veterans were so excited about the project. They all received certificate of completion and were overwhelmed with joy.
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Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached by our efforts include new beginning farmers, ranchers and veterans who are Black/Africa American, Hispanic or Latino, and White. Our partners for the project was four Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). They are: Colemans Farm,LLC, Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance, National Center for Appropriate Technology and Mississippi Center for Cultural Production. Changes/Problems:The project assistant accepted a new position, therefore, the project director and co-project director had to pivot and make sure all deliverables were completed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project provided business plan development opportunities for training to new beginning farmers, ranchers, veterans through a series of Zoom meetings, in-person and hybrid hands-on demonstrations. This project also afforded opportunities for participants to attend the 2024Small Farmers Conference in Choctaw,Mississippi. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Submit the final report.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2023, the Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center (MSFAC) completed goal 2 byimplemented the New Beginning Farmers, Ranchers, and Veterans (NBFRV) program at Alcorn State University. The MSFAC collaborated with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), subject-matter consultants, and USDA personnel from various agencies to administer training sessions via zoom and CANVAS platforms. Subject matter topics included the Basics of writing an Ag Plan, Vaccination Protocols, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Hunting Leases & Marketing a Timber, and the process of establishing an LLC in Mississippi. Fifty-one (51) new farmers and ranchers enrolled in the CANVAS course, a prerequisite to become members of the cohort for year two's funding cycle. Sessions for year two's cohort, sixty-one (61) members completed sessions virtually via Zoom. Thirty-three percent (33%) of CANVAS enrollees completed all course requirements and were accepted as members of year two cohort. Participants who completed the CANVAS course realized a forty percent (40%) increase in knowledge gained from course content. Eighty percent (80%) of participants attending Zoom sessions found information presented during virtual (Zoom) sessions extremely valuable. Eighty percent (80%) of enrollees reported plans to use new knowledge to establish new or improve existing farm enterprises. In 2024, participants completed goal 3 by learning how to choose produce with the highest growth potential for their individual farms. One participant stated, "This program . . . taught me to observe what's growing and what had a hard time producing. It showed me . . . techniques to help with producing more sustainable produce. Sessions aimed at teaching processes for writing the Farm Ag Plan were particularly useful to participants, as indicated by the following feedback. "The development of my [Ag] plan has directly impacted my approach to new and potential enterprises incorporation into the whole farm process." The program has broadened participants' awareness of available USDA programs designed to increase successful farm operations. One producer "learned about the benefits of . . . USDA's EQIP program." Technical assistance offered by the program's experienced staff members has been particularly beneficial to novice farmers and ranchers. One ambitious producer shared their appreciation, writing, "as a beginning farmer, the impact of the technical resources provided . . . enhances my overall knowledge and techniques to advance my farming operations . . . the guidance and resources provided . . . has assisted me in refocusing . . . to [become] profitable . . ." Overall, the project provided over150 new, beginning farmers, ranchers and veterans (NBFRV) with educational training and resources to become knowledgeable and successful farmers and ranchers.
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached by our efforts include new beginning farmers, ranchers and veterans who are Black/African American, Hispanic or Latino, and White. They are members of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) - Coleman's Farm, Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance, National Center for Appropriate Technolgy, and Sipp Culture. To date we have reached 61 participants who are 43% male and 57% female; 92% Black/African American; 7% White, and 2% Hispanic or Latino; and 28% who are veterans. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided opportunities for training to new beginning farmers, ranchers, veterans through a series of Zoom meetings, in-person and hybrid hands-on demonstrations. This project also afforded opportunities for participants to attend the 2023Small Farmers Conference in Flowood, Mississippi. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Currently, the year tworesults have only been disseminated internally and plans are to share with stakeholders. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period we plan to conduct an extensive trainings on the food safety plan, USDA programs and services, and Business Plan development.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1 was delivered during this period. Seven training sessions were held via Zoom, hybrid, and in-person for new beginning farmers, ranchers, and veterans in Mississippi. Participants gained knowledge to foster decision-making processes for farm start-up or to expand existing farm operations. Training was delivered to 61 participants in the first year. Ninety-two percent (92%) of the topics were covered during the training sessions with some topics extended. Break-out session via Zoom for mixed enterprises (crop and livestock) • Farm tour of Foot Print Farms,LLC urban farm in Jackson, MS • Farm tour of Colemans Farm, LLC rural farm in Lexington, MS • Soil and water testing demonstration • Heirs' property discussion • Small ruminant production
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached by our efforts include new beginning farmers, ranchers and veterans who are Black/African American, Hispanic or Latino, and White. They are members of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) - Colemans Farm, LLC, Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance, National Center for Appropriate Technologyand Mississippi Center for Cultural Production. To date we have reached 48 participants who are 22% male and 26% female; 90% Black/African American; 8% White, and 2% Hispanic or Latino; and 31% who are veterans. Our efforts consisted of a series of five Zoom trainings, one hybrid training (Zoom and in-person), and one in-person training. The twoin-person meetings consisted ofhands-on demonstrations in soil and water quality and food safety basics.During the Zoom sessions we delivered the following: Soil Preparation, Pasture Management, Crop Husbandry, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Livestock Farm and Pasture Infrastructure Animal Nutrition and Vaccination Protocols Of the three topics presented, Soil Preparation, Pasture Management, Crop Husbandry, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) received the highest average rating (4.5), representing a 90% effectiveness rate. Livestock Farm and Pasture Infrastructure received a 4.23 or 84.6% overall rating. Animal Nutrition and Vaccination Protocols scored 81.6% or alternatively, an average rating of 4.08. Most participants had already been exposed to content presented during the session as indicated by the 3.81 average rating. Participants' intentions to use gained knowledge or change farm practices was relatively strong and rated 4.5 or 90% in the final question of survey. Farm Management and Decision Making The Importance of Recordkeeping Budgeting and Counting the Costs Understanding Financial Statements Of the four topics presented, Farm Management and Decision Making as well as Understanding Financial Statements received ratings of 4.44, for an effectiveness rate of 88%. The Importance of Recordkeeping and Budgeting and Counting the Cost equally received the highest ratings (4.5), representing a 90% effectiveness rate. The information presented during the session was relatively new to most participants as indicated by the average rating of 4.31. Lower ratings for this item (below 3.0) could indicate that participants had already been exposed to content at some earlier time. Participants' intentions to use gained knowledge or change farm practices was relatively strong and rated 4.56 or 92%. Forestry & Wildlife Management Marketing Timber The Importance of Forest Management Of the three topics presented, Forestry & Wildlife Management and The Importance of Forest Management equally received 4.59 ratings, representing 92% effectiveness. The rating for Marketing Timber (4.37) is equivalent to an 87.4% comprehension rate. The information presented during this session was relatively new to most participants as indicated by the average rating of 4.15. Lower ratings for this item (below 3.0) could indicate that participants had already been exposed to content at some earlier time. Participants' intentions to use gained knowledge was relatively strong. Participants' intentions to use information to establish or change farm practices was relatively strong and was rated 4.67 or 93.4%. Changes/Problems:There were no major changes to the approaches as outlined in the project. We collaborated with a plethora of expert speakers in agriculture. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided opportunities for training to new beginning farmers, ranchers, veterans through a series of Zoom meetings, in-person and hybrid hands-on demonstrations. This project also afforded opportunities for participants to attend the 2022 Small Farmers Conference in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Currently, the year one results have only been disseminated internally and plans are to share with stakeholders. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period we plan to conduct an extensive trainingon the food safety plan, USDA programs and services, and Business Plan development.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1 was delivered during this period. Seventraining sessions were held via Zoom, hybrid, and in-person for new beginning farmers, ranchers, and veterans in Mississippi. Participants gained knowledge to foster decision-making processes for farm start-up or to expand existing farm operations. Training was delivered to 48 participants in the first year. Ninety-two percent (92%) of the topics were covered during the training sessions with some topics extended. Topics to be extended: Objective 4.3:Developing a Food Safety Plan; (4.4) Recordkeeping Requirements and Standards Objective 5.1: Overview of the USDA Programs and Services available to NBFRV (Objective 5); Objective 5.2: USDA Programs and Services - discussion of USDA's program requirements; Objective 5.3: USDA Programs and Services - discussion on applying for a farm number; Objective 5.4:USDA Programs and Services - how to access programs and connect with USDA; and Objective 5.5:USDA Programs and Services - discussion of best practices. Other activities not listed were delivered as follows: Break-out session viaZoom for mixed enterprises (crop and livestock) Farm tour of Foot Print Farms,LLC urban farm in Jackson, MS Farm tour of Colemans Farm, LLCrural farm in Lexington, MS Soil and water testing demonstration Heirs' property discussion Small ruminant production
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