Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for the Fast Track Farming Program was underserved, underrepresented aspiring farmers in socially disadvantaged communities. Outreach was done to recruit African Americans, limited resource producers, military veterans, specialty crop producers and urban producers. The communities involved with the incubator farms were located in food deserts in Toledo, Springfield, Warren, Cleveland, and outreach to veterans in Kirtland, Ohio. The participants' demographic composition in Year 3 was obtained from 107 responses. Each participant may have provided multiple responses as the data was collected during each lesson, and the participants likely attended multiple lessons in the program. The participants were mostly Black or African American, non-Hispanic, and female. The race distribution of the participants shows that the program was dedicated to recruiting racial minority participants. The age distribution was bimodal, with a higher concentration in ages 40-49 and 60 or older. The proportion of people with disability was 17.76%, much lower than the state percentage of 31%. This was not surprising as farming requires a certain level of physical activities, and those with physical disabilities may be less able to or willing to farm. The program's percentage of veterans was 11.2%, much higher than the state percentage of 6.6%, again indicating that the program was successful in recruiting this underserved group. The demographics for Year 3 were broken down as follows. The age demographic for the participants was broken down to: 18 to 29 years old - 4.7%, 30 to 39 years old - 21.5%, 40 to 49 years old - 28.0%, 50 to 59 years old - 14.0%, 60 or older - 29.0%, no Answer - 2.8% The number of participants who identified as having a disability were 17.8% and the number who did not identify as having a disability were 78.5% and no answer was 3.7%. The percentages for gender for the participants were female at 69.2%, male at 26.2% and no answer at 4.7%. Ethnicity demographics for the participants was Hispanic: yes - 0.9%, no - 94.4% and no answer - 4.7%. Race demographics for the participants were Black or African American - 67.3%, White - 20.6%, two or more races - 4.7% and no answer - 7.5. %. Participants were asked if they were a veteran and 11.2% responded yes, 83.2% responded no and 5.6 % responded no answer - 5.6%. The participants in Year 2 were mostly Black or African American and female. The race distribution of the participants shows that the program was dedicated to recruiting racial minority participants and that the program was successful in reaching this underserved group. The demographics for all the sites combined were: Gender: Female 72.1%, Male - 27.9 % Race: American Indian or Alaskan Native 0.4%, Asian 5.7%, Black or African American 60.9%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.0%, White 28.8%, Two or more races 0.4%, Other 3.7% The demographic information for the target audience was not available for Year 1. Changes/Problems: Many of the participants work another job, so coming to the classes is challenging while maintaining a work/life balance. The CSU regional Extension educators created a children-friendly atmosphere where participants could bring their children as finding babysitters would become a barrier to their attendance. Because of CSUE staffing changes, communication channels with individual sites were disrupted and created barriers to reaching a greater number of FTF participants. The Project Director left Central State University halfway through the grant period. Two Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) educators left during the 2024 growing season. These challenges were overcome through the dedication of other staff and focus on the communities in which the grant was implemented. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Based on the project's plan, training per farmer occurs over a 12-month horizon, although further training is available and encouraged, after which the individual should have the necessary knowledge and skill to produce and sell vegetables profitably at a small scale. A total of 96 beginning farmers participated and received training during Year 3. Since this project focuses on training beginning farmers from communities in poverty, some identified attendance was disrupted by inflation and high fuel prices which affected retention of some of the farmers. Training involved one or more workshops and multiple hands-on experiential learning opportunities using the incubator farm located at each site. Each program series consisted of 21 production workshops, 6 agri-business workshops, and up to 3 food-processing workshops. Additional fieldwork days were scheduled when necessary, depending on the conditions of the farms and the progress of the participants. The production workshops included but were not limited to crop planning, crop maintenance, irrigation, integrated pest management, beekeeping, regenerative agriculture, etc. Some of the workshops focused on diversifying production via season extension, hydroponics, and beekeeping. The business workshops included topics such as business structures, business plans, finances, business resources, marketing, etc. The food processing workshops were designed around the topics of food preservation, storage, and value-added food options/food safety at the market. Beginning farmers participated in regional food marketing conferences. The "Farm to Market Conference" was held twice in spring of 2024, once in Montgomery County and once in Cuyahoga County. In each conference, approximately 30 farmers learned about direct marketing, promoting sales using digital tools including social media, connecting with local farmers and business owners, ways to accept payments for their products including how to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program interface, sales channels for beginning growers such as local grocery stores, charities, Ohio Association of Foodbanks, etc., how to set up on-farm stand and sourcing display/packaging supplies, and more. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This is the final report for the Fast Track Farming grant. CSU Extension intends to continue the partnership with the Community Based Organizations (CBOs)to continue providing beginning farmer classes. Interest continues to be strong among aspiring farmers and CSU regional Extension educators will be providing the educational programming at the incubator farms operated by the CBOs. Farmers who have completed the Fast Track Farming classes will be invited back as farm managers to help mentor new farmers. CSU regional Extension educators will provide workshops and classes for the more seasoned farmers and also provide technical assistance as the farmers start their own operation. 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 following are the accomplishments of the goals in Year 3 of the Fast Track Farming Program: Result for Objective 1. Six Fast Track Farming series occurred in Year 3. The classes covered both agricultural and agri-business topics. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Crop production, value-added food processing, and agri-business management When measured: From September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 Estimated Number: 96, Actual Number: 96 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Total of 30 classes were taught at six locations by CSU regional Extension educators. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 36 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: Continued focus on food safety, hygienic protocols, and other health topics were presented during observed sessions again this year. There did not seem to be any emphasis on COVID-19 or other communicable diseases. Recruitment did not result in achieving the stated goal of reaching 450 BF. Closer collaboration with local organizations needs to be considered before committing to this high number in future grants. As previously noted, the planned enrollment numbers for the entire project were ambitious. Year 2 and Year 3 enrollments increased over Year 1. Educators reported an increased effort in promotion and recruitment. These projects produce positive outcomes when intensive action can be focused appropriately. Participants expressed awareness of the need to support local producers in addition to finding ways to supplement their own incomes and food supplies. Result for Objective 2. As part of the Fast Track Farming curriculum, beginning farmers were trained the basics of financial resources for agriculture-related businesses and growers. Producer action: Understand, Topic: The basics of financial resources for agriculture-related businesses and growers When measured: From September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 Estimated Number: 45, Actual Number: 45 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Total of six agricultural business classes were taught at six locations by CSU regional Extension educators. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 36 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: Most participants were not in a position to purchase their own farmland even though several indicated an interest in finding ways to use farming to supplement their incomes. While these topics may have been touched on in the business planning sessions, the participants I met were primarily urban-based and many of these programs do not fit their model of farming on a small scale. Result for Objective 3. Trained beginning farmers about Good Agricultural Practices Producer action: Understand, Topic: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) including food safety. When measured: From September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 Estimated Number: 34, Actual Number: 34 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Each Fast Track Farming location had GAP training and participating farmers received a certificate of completion. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 36 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: As in prior year, the desire to improve decision-making was present in other areas but not labor, capital, markets, etc. Survey participants reported more activity in attending conferences and other training opportunities than prior years. Meeting with other farmers with similar interests and visiting locations that demonstrate what is possible was well-received option. This approach needs to be expanded in future program and proposal development. There was strong interest in more hands-on activities for FTF based on survey responses. Learning styles may be part of the reason. Some asked to flip the order of presentation - demonstration first, then classroom, so they would have a better understanding of what was expected. CSUE educators did a thorough job of explaining home processing techniques, health department requirements, and information about value-added products and sales opportunities. Result for Objective 4. Beginning farmers learned how to market their produce/products. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: From September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 Estimated Number: 27, Actual Number: 27 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Each site had at least two classes on marketing at the six locations taught by CSU regional Extension educators. Additionally, two Farm to Market Conferences were held (one in Montgomery County and one in Cuyahoga County) to provide in-depth discussion, marketing panels, and subject matter experts to provide insight to beginning farmers on marketing their produce. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 36 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: As noted in Objective 3, survey participants reported more activity in attending conferences and training opportunities than prior years. Meeting with other farmers with similar interests and visiting locations that demonstrate what is possible was well-received option. This approach needs to be expanded in future program and proposal development. Result for Objective 5. Trained beginning farmers in topics related to record-keeping, financial, and risk management. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Record-keeping When measured: From September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 Estimated Number: 42, Actual Number: 42 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Each site had at least one class on recordkeeping, financial, and risk management at the six locations taught by CSU regional Extension educators. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 36 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: These topics were covered periodically. Result for Objective 6. Trained beginning farmers in topics related to regenerative agriculture Producer action: Understand, Topic: Regenerative agriculture When measured: From September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 Estimated Number: 34, Actual Number: 34 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Mark Cohen, regenerative agriculture subject matter expert, visited all six sites for a class on techniques and implementation of regenerative agriculture. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Beginning farmers recruited among these communities African American Limited resource producers Military veterans Specialty crop producers Urban producers gender data for the NIFA annual report. The target audiences for the Fast Track Farming Program was underserved, underrepresented aspiring farmers in socially disadvantaged communities. Outreach was done to recruit African Americans, limited resource producers, military veterans, specialty crop producers and urban producers. The communities involved with the incubator farms were located in food deserts in Toledo, Springfield, Warren, Cleveland, and outreach to veterans in Kirtland, Ohio. The participants in Year 2 were mostly Black or African American and female. The race distribution of the participants shows that the program was dedicated to recruiting racial minority participants and that the program was successful in reaching this underserved group. The demographics for all the sites combined were: Gender: Female 72.1%, Male - 27.9 % Race: American Indian or Alaskan Native 0.4%, Asian 5.7%, Black or African American 60.9%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.0%, White 28.8%, Two or more races 0.4%, Other 3.7% Changes/Problems: Many of the participants work another job, so coming to the classes is challenging while maintaining a work/life balance. The CSU regional Extension educators created a children-friendly atmosphere where participants could bring their children as finding babysitters would become a barrier to their attendance. Because of CSUE staffing changes, communication channels with individual sites were disrupted and created barriers to reaching a greater number of FTF participants. Two Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) educators left during the 2024 growing season; however, the Community and Economic Development (CED) and Family and Consumer Science (FCS) educators were consistent throughout the grant period. The Project Director, Sid Dasgupta, left Central State University in May, 2022, and a new Project Director, Alcinda Folck, was assigned. There was some challenges in making sure the grant continued to be implemented as written. The CSU educators were instrumental in continuing the education. There were some concerns in how the subawards were processed, so new systems were put in place to solve this issue. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Based on the project's plan, training per farmer occurs over a 12-month horizon, although further training is available and encouraged, after which the individual should have the necessary knowledge and skill to produce and sell vegetables profitably at a small scale. A total of 69 beginning farmers participated and received training during Year 2. Since this project focuses on training beginning farmers from communities in poverty, some identified attendance was disrupted by inflation and high fuel prices which affected retention of some of the farmers. Training involved one or more workshops and multiple hands-on experiential learning opportunities using the incubator farm located at each site. Each program series consisted of 21 production workshops, 6 agri-business workshops, and up to 3 food-processing workshops. Additional fieldwork days were scheduled when necessary, depending on the conditions of the farms and the progress of the participants. The production workshops included but were not limited to crop planning, crop maintenance, irrigation, integrated pest management, beekeeping, regenerative agriculture, etc. Some of the workshops focused on diversifying production via season extension, hydroponics, and beekeeping. The business workshops included topics such as business structures, business plans, finances, business resources, marketing, etc. The food processing workshops were designed around the topics of food preservation, storage, and value-added food options/food safety at the market. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Fast Track Farming sites were with community partners who were also involved with other activities and events. This provided an opportunity for participating farmers to share their knowledge with others and their intention for either farming or gardening after finishing the training. The curriculum went through significant changes from Year 1 to Year 2. After having a year to receive feedback from farmers, the curriculum was changed to have three six week time periods with breaks to allow farmers to spend time n the incubator plots and have some family time. This helped participation numbers to extend longer into the class year. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The curriculum will continue to be updated moving from Year 2 to Year 3. Feedback is collected from the farmers. For the subawardees, changes were made to try to improve payments to allow them to continue supporting the program .
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Result for Objective 1. Six Fast Track Farming series occurred in Year 2. The classes covered both agricultural and agri-business topics. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Crop production, value-added food processing, and agri-business management When measured: From September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023 Estimated Number: 69, Actual Number: 69 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Total of 30 classes were taught at six locations by CSU regional Extension educators. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 19 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: Food safety, hygienic protocols, and other health topics were presented during observed sessions. Participants commented in casual conversations observed during meeting times how the pandemic affected them and their communities. There is great awareness of the need to support local producers in addition to finding ways to supplement their own incomes and food supplies. Result for Objective 2. As part of the Fast Track Farming curriculum, beginning farmers were trained the basics of financial resources for agriculture-related businesses and growers. Producer action: Understand, Topic: The basics of financial resources for agriculture-related businesses and growers When measured: From September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023 Estimated Number: 69, Actual Number: 69 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Total of six agricultural business classes were taught at six locations by CSU regional Extension educators. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 19 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: In evaluation responses received, these are topics are of interest to only a few. The majority are not in a position to purchase their own farmland. Result for Objective 3. Trained beginning farmers about Good Agricultural Practices, learn about crop production methods Producer action: Understand, Topic: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) including food safety. When measured: From September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023 Estimated Number: 69, Actual Number: 69 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Each Fast Track Farming location had GAP training and participating farmers received a certificate of completion. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 19 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: The desire to improve decision-making was present in other areas but not labor, capital, markets, etc. More events were made available as was indicated in self-reports of FTF participants. Each location struggled with keeping participants engaged with the hands-on activities. Grace Community and Trumbull Neighborhood Center seemed to have the greatest success. Coit Road relied on their site manager to a great extent. Result for Objective 4. Beginning farmers learned how to market their produce/products. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: From September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023 Estimated Number: 69, Actual Number: 69 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Each site had at least two classes on marketing at the six locations taught by CSU regional Extension educators. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 19 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: Participation at workshops and conferences outside of FTF provided participants with opportunities to incorporate more best practices into their business planning. Some participants took advantage of local markets with the CBOs. Others created their own outlets to promote locally grown. Result for Objective 5. Trained beginning farmers in topics related to record-keeping, financial, and risk management. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Record-keeping, financial and risk management When measured: From September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023 Estimated Number: 69, Actual Number: 69 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Each site had at least one class on recordkeeping, financial, and risk management at the six locations taught by CSU regional Extension educators. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations. Surveys were completed by 19 of the Fast Track Farming participants. Summary of survey results and observations from external evaluator: These topics were covered periodically. Result for Objective 6. Trained beginning farmers in topics related to regenerative agriculture Producer action: Understand, Topic: Regenerative agriculture When measured: From September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023 Estimated Number: 69, Actual Number: 69 How verified: Verified through attendance records of Fast Track Farming classes. Mark Cohen, regenerative agriculture subject matter expert, visited all six sites for a class on techniques and implementation of regenerative agriculture. The external evaluator attended spring and fall session at the six locations.
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Beginning farmers recruited among these communities African American Limited resource producers Military veterans Specialty crop producers Urban producers Changes/Problems:1. Beginning farmers are recruited among communities in poverty. Due to the inflation and high fuel costs, many beginning farmers were challenged to attennd trainings because of their transportation challenges. 2. Brad Bergefurd left Ohio State Universiaty and is no longer a co-PD. 3. Robert Hill left Urban Green Farmers Coop and is no longer a co-PD. 4. Instead of participating with Urban Green Farmers Coop, which has become relatively inactive, we are collaborating with Green Movement Glenville, which is an active community based organization operating in the same communities of Cleveland as was Urban Green Farmers Coop. 5. Due to illness of the farm manager of Soldiers To Sawyers, they were unable to participate during Year 1. We are hoping to start training of military veteran beginning farmers through another organization serving the same community: OD Greens. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Based on the project's plan, training per farmer occurs over a 12 month horizon, although further training is available and encouraged, after which the individual should have the necessary knowledge and skill to produce and sell vegetables profitably at a small scale. A total of 123 beginning farmers were recruited and received trainings during 2022; however, 39 completed all of the training. Since this projects focuses of training beginning farmers taken from communities in poverty, their attendance was disrupted by inflation and high fuel prices. Thus, retention of trainee farmers has been the greatest challenge of this project due to exogenous factors out of the control of the PD. Training involved one or more workshops and multiple hands-on experiential learning opportunities using the incubator farm located at each CBO. With respect to production, farmers learned the following topics during the 2022 growing season: Introduction of Vegetable Farming, site selection for vegetable farms, crop planning, seed starting and transplanting seedlings, tillage and vegetable bed preparation, irrigation systems, Integrated Pest Management and scouting for pests and diseases, Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices, and food preservation. Beginning farmers learned about diversifying production season extension, hydroponics, and beekeeping. Beginning farmers participated in a regional food marketing conference where they learned about direct marketing, selling food via social media advertisements and using internet transaction services such as Paypal to accept credit and debit card payments, how to sell vegetables to independent/ethnic grocery stores, how to sell vegetables in produce auctions, how to organize marketing cooperatives to enable farmers have more bargaining power for higher prices, etc. Beginning farmers received training related to record keeping, farm financials, and marketing at the New Farmer University Conference at Urbana ,Illinois, sponsored by an organization called Marbleseed. They participated in a Black Farmer Conference held at Central State University, where they interacted with USDA FSA and USDA NRCS officials from Ohio and learned more about USDA beginning farmer, military veteran farmer, and natural resource conservation programs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Steps taken to help the project's participants 1. In addition to trainings at Community Based Organizations (CBSs), the PD is getting beginning farmers involved in farm tours to inspire them about the appearance and operation of commercial farms. 2. PD is getting beginning farmers to meet with potential vegetable buyers such as owners/managers of independent grocery stores, online vegetable sales businesses (ex., Redbib), and managers of produce auctions. This way beginning farmers can interact with potential buyers and increase in skill and confidence to discuss sales terms with future vegetable buyers. 3. PD created a farm financing workshop where beginning farmers could interact with USDA FSA and NRCS officials and become more accustomed to interact with USDA farmer-service employees. 4. PD will help in recruitment by collaborating with CBO leaders and conducting townhall meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Continue with farming training programs at incubator farms at Community Based Organizations. 2. Connect "trained and graduated" beginning farmers with land so they can start theur own farms. 3. Connect beginning farmers with more marketing outlets and provide more field trips to successful urban farms.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Result 1. Trained beginning farmers regarding how to obtain land and other resources to start farming. This was done to 40 socially-disadvantaged beginning farmers in 2022 at a conference called "Black Farmer Conference". Kurt Leber, District Director of the USDA FSA in Ohio and William Cook of USDA NRCS presented to beginning farmers about their programs and how beginning farmers could start farming with land, equipment, and operating cost support. Additionally, a fact sheet was written to help beginning farmers connect their various financial needs to different USDA programs. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: AUgust 2022 Estimated Number: 40, Actual Number: 40 How verified: Written program/agenda for Black Farmer Conference and list of attendees Result 2. Trained beginning farmers in vegetable farming. Topics included: 1) Intro to beginning farmer training (March 2022), intro to vegetable crop production (March 2022), site selection for vegetable farming (April 2022), vegetable crop planning parts 1 and 2 (April 2022), tillage and seeding demonstration (May 2022), irrigation of vegetable crops (May 2022fruit crop overview (October 2022) Producer action: Understand, Topic: Vegetables When measured: From March to October of 2022 Estimated Number: 49, Actual Number: 49 How verified: Verified through attendance records of beginning farmers. Result 3. Trained beginning farmers about Good Agricultural Practices. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Water management When measured: June 2022 Estimated Number: 35, Actual Number: 35 How verified: Attendance records of beginning farmers. Result 4. Beginning farmers learned beekeeping in October 2022. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: October 2022 Estimated Number: 17, Actual Number: 17 How verified: This result was verified by beginning farmer attendance records. Result 5. Trained beginning farmers in topics related to food safety, values added food production, and food preservation. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: July and August 2022 Estimated Number: 24, Actual Number: 24 How verified: Beginning farmer attendance records Result 6. Trained beginning farmers in topics related to business management and financial literacy. Beginning farmers attended the MOSES' New farmer University conference in Urbana, IL. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Financial records and analysis When measured: October 2022 Estimated Number: 10, Actual Number: 10 How verified: Attendance records Result 7. Pest management training to beginning farmers through Integrated Pest Management, Pesticide Label Literacy, and Pest Scouting Producer action: Develop, Topic: Pest, weed, and disease management When measured: May, June, and July 2022 Estimated Number: 37, Actual Number: 37 How verified: Beginning farmer attendance records. Result 8. Train beginning farmers in agricultural markets: direct sales through social media, farmers markets, community supported agriculture and wholesale sales to small grocery stores and at produce auctions. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Local, regional, and direct marketing When measured: December 2022 Estimated Number: 9, Actual Number: 9 How verified: Attendance records
Publications
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