Progress 09/15/21 to 09/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:During the three years of the BFRDP grant, the goals and objectives proposed were met at each of the workshopsin all corridors of the state, The target audiences, small farm , limited resource, military veterans, underserved, and minority populations, were brought into the workshops and information about the program was distributed to those populations. The first two years were devoted to the fundamentals of writing a business plan, record keeping, recognizing the agencies that are available to help with funding, registering farm numbers, local laws, and regulations. Included in these workshops were the soil and water conservation regulations, soil testing for various production i.e., horticulture, forage and grain production, grazing, marketing, and other considerations. These topics were presented by University of Kentucky specialists, Kentucky State University specialists, Eastern Kentucky University/Berea College Grow Appalachia professionals, USDA, FSA, NRCS agents,Kentucky Department of Agriculture Safety and Health specialists, Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development/AgVets, and Agricultural Lawyers/National Ag Law Center. The third-year workshops concentrated on specific production methods, marketing options, technical assistance, and demonstrations of sustainable business practices. Examples of business documents and other resources are posted on the website. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the term of the grant, 17 workshops and training were held covering the state of Kentucky. This totaled 919 in attendance of which 113 were military veterans and the remaining were in the minority/limited resource population. There was one workshop that was attended outside of Kentucky at the National AgrAbility Conference. 59 farmers attended this conference for farmers with a disability. 34 of this group were military veterans. All veterans were in the first 10 years of farm operation or looking to start an agricultural operation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?May 13, 2022,the first in-person workshop for the Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program at was at the Kentucky State University (KSU) Research Farm in Frankfort, KY. Beginning and exit surveys were given to test interest in provided sessions and what was learned and what needed to be included in future workshops. 47 were in attendance with 24 already farming in the first and second year and the remaining were interested in beginning an enterprise. 17 of those present were veterans, 16 were women, and others were from underserved or minority populations. A tour of the KSU Organic Research Farm was the last session of the day. July 29, 2022, Workshop was held in Princeton, Caldwell County, Kentucky at the county Extension Office.The agenda consisted of explaining the mission of the BFRDP program and explaining the roles of the extension agent for farmers in the area along with the other offerings of the office. The aspects of zoning, KY Ag laws, and directives were presented by a lawyer familiar with farming and the local ordinances. An extension specialist presented an in-depth discussion on soils around western Kentucky. A Business Fundamentals, presented by KY Center for Ag and Rural Development-KY Ag Vet, included lessons on the basics of a business start-up.Handouts were provided for all sessions including theFarm and Ranch Business Health Assessment. The entire workshop was taped for future presentations and for the UK Extension housed on the Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Project website. A tour of the KY Center of Excellence for Grain Research concluded the program. 5 Farmer Veterans were present. August 9, 2022, Realization of the Eastern/Appalachian region workshop was delayed due to extensive flooding in the area. The workshop will be held in Spring of 2023. The program has been set up with partners in areas pertaining to starting or continuing an agricultural enterprise after a disaster. Extension specialists are populating the site with videos and materials helpful to the targeted audiences and a reference site has been including helpful government agencies and local office information. Mandatory Extension Agent Annual 2-day Training was held in Eastern KY and Western KY.Eastern KY. workshop included information on BFRDP and was attended by 125 agents and specialists. The Western Workshop had ninety agents and specialists in attendance. This allowed for training of all agents on the mission and training being presented by BFRDP. Workshops for specific enterprises were held in cooperation with NCAT:10/08/2022-Pastured Pork,Attendance - 45;12/05/2022-Record Keeping,Attendance -February 23-25, 2023, East Kentucky Farmer Conference at Pine Mountain State Park, KY2oo+ in attendance. Contacted and introduced BFRDP to two military Veterans, 3 that have never farmed but would like to start, 5 new farmers and 3 that have been farming for more than ten years but were interested in new techniques and new crops.KY First Farm shared the time with the UK Department of Crop Diversity and the KY Department of Agriculture to bring latest ideas to the attendees and discuss their problems after the floods of 2022. It was a robust meeting with everyone sharing their ideas and ways of coping with disaster and recovery. March 20-24, 2023,National AgrAbility Training Workshop at Spokane, WA.234 were in attendance, which included 59 farmers, of which 34 were veterans. This session of the conference focused on the USDA grant for Disabled agricultural workers and VA sponsored programs but included sessions for specific farm enterprises and business practices. On the 03/23rd the sessions included one on Direct Marketing and a panel program specifically for Veteran farmers.Discussionson funding, business planning, and finding assistance helped the attendees focus on business issues.April 20, 2023, University of Kentucky Campus, Lexington, KY.New extension agent training included introduction to the BFRDP program as a reference point for new farmers. 6 in attendance.June 16, 2023,Robinson Center for Appalachian ResourceSustainability(RCARS), Jackson, KY. 20 in attendance: 2 veterans, 7 beginning farmers including 5 part-time (working off farm full-time), and 1 full-time farmer of 8 years. November 10, 2023,Central BFRDP Workshop at Bullitt Co., Shepherdsville, KY. close to Ft Knox, Extension office in Shepherdsville, KY. Agroforestry session by Megan Buland, UK Forest Health Technician was given. Before lunch, sessions on business planning, internships, and record keeping were presented. After lunch, attendees were split intobreakout groups. One group concentrated on horticulture and bee keeping. The other on raising livestock on small acreage and profit strategies for small scale producers. The last session of the day brought both groups together for information on safety procedures and regulations for Value-Added plant-based and protein-based products. Total - 7 military veterans, and 8 star-up farmers. April 23, 2024,Central BFRDP Workshop at Eden Shale Farm, in Owenton, KY. Eden Shale Farm, once a UK research farm, is now under the leadership of the KY Beef Cattle Association. The farm still has areas of research for fencing, stock watering, forage storing and feeding, and soil and water conservation venues. Sessions included a cattle specialist from UK on livestock management and marketing. The UK meteorology department spoke about the challenges to farming the changing climate brings. New apps and technologies for agriculture were presented by specialists from the Food and Animal Sciences Department and a session on Business Apps and farming by the Agricultural Specialists from the College of Economics. The final event of the day was a tour of the Eden Shale Farm. Total - 15 including 2 military veterans, one transitioning from active service, and 12 start-up and new farms. June 24-28, 2024,NCATArmed to Farm 2.0 held in Frankfort, Ky. The week-long workshop presented by the National Center for Appropriate Technology. NCAT is a sub-award on the UK BFRDP grant and has been able to supply booklets, brochures, and assistance during this grant. The sessions were at the Capital Plaza Hotel with half-days traveling to local farms and orchards for firsthand demonstrations and instruction times. Total -26 military veterans attended. NCAT held the following one-day workshops:11/14/2023 -Pastured poultry,Attendance - 11;12/03/2023 -Whole Farm Planning, Attendance - 32;04/12/2024 -Mushroom Production -Attendance - 6;05/09/2024 -Composting for Beginners,Attendance - 11. July 10, 2024,Eastern Workshop at Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS), Jackson, KY. The workshop at RCARS concentrated on the history of the research facility. The facility is in the hardest hit area during the flooding of 2022 and 2023. Residents of this countyand surrounding counties are still in a state of rebuilding. Informationfocused on disaster recovery. Farms and livestock producers in the arealost everything. Topics presented were from the Center for Crop Diversification, University of KY, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program, Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families from Kentucky, KSU, and the KY Department of Agriculture, Safety, Education and Outreach. The last session was to a local Farmer's Market to discuss marketing utilizing Farmer's Markets. Attendees for this workshop included 1 of the leaders of the local Master Gardeners Club and a retired lawyer that has bought land to start an orchard and horticulture business. 4 college interns from the KDA were present to learn about the BFRDP program and agriculture health and safety programs. Total of 6 participants.Using exit survey results, topics for future grants were sent to extension for further workshops. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
All goals and objectives proposed were met at each of the workshopsin all corridors of the state. The target audiences, small farm, limited resource, military veterans, underserved, and minority populations, were represented at the workshops. The first two years focused on the fundamentals of business planning, record keeping, introduction to agencies that are available to help with funding, registering farm numbers, local laws, and regulations. Classes included soil and water conservation, need for soil testing for various production i.e., horticulture, forage/grain production, grazing, marketing, and other considerations. Presentation specialists, KSU specialists, Eastern Kentucky University/Berea College Grow Appalachia professionals, USDA, FSA, NRCS agents,Kentucky Department of Agriculture Safety and Health specialists, KY Center for Agriculture and Rural Development/AgVets, and Agricultural Lawyers/National Ag Law Center. The third-year workshops concentrated on specific production methods, marketing options, technical assistance, and demonstrations of sustainable business practices. Examples of business documents and other resources are posted on the website.
Publications
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Progress 09/15/22 to 09/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:BFRDP Report #2 for 09/16/2022to 09/15/2023. During the second year of the grant the target audience was military veterans, limited resource, minority populations and those starting or think about startingnew farming enterprises.This would include imigrants, women, first-time farmers, and those interested in adding other products or ventures to their farms.Using our parnters;National Center for Appropriate Technology, Kentucky Department of Agriculture,Department of Veteran Affairs, KY Center for Rural Development/ AgVets, KY Grow Appalachia, and Specialists in the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the targeted audiences were included in outreach workshops, conferences, podcasts, and additions to the resources page of the web site. Major conferences were held at National AgrAbility Conference in Spokane, Washington and Eastern Kentucky Farmer Conference at Pine Mountain State Park in Pineville, KY. The National AgrAbility Conference March 20-24, 2023 was attended by 246 of which 59 were farmers with 34 military veterans included. All were distinguish by disabilities that affected their ability to farm. An introduction was given to the Beginning Farmer Rancher Developement Project and encouraged to talk to their local representatives. Eastern Kentucky Farmer Conference was held on February 23-25, 2023. Over 200 attended the conference from the Appapalachian region. Attenttion was drawn to a vendor didplay for the KY BFRDP program where 2 veterans, 3 attendees that have never farmed but were interested in starting and 5 attendees that have been farming but were interested in adding new products to their enterprise. They were especially interested in talking with us after the historic, disasterous flooding of the year before. There was a panel discussion for Veteran farmers and one on distaster planning that was helpfoul to those present.April 20,2023, New Agent Training was held on the UK campus for 6 Cooperative Extension agents. Topics included how to work with new farmers and what they would need to start an agricultural enterprise, funding resources,and other topics.June 16, 2023. The workshop was held at the Robinson Center for AppalachianResours Sustainablility in Jackson, KY. The attendance included 20 from the following groups; 2 veterans, 7 beginning farmers ( 5 part-time farmeres with full-time jobs off the farm), 1 full-time farmer with 8 years experience, and 11 that are in the process of starting business plans and finding land. Sessions presented included; Business Plan, a living document, Resources Panel: Funding Opportunities and Government Agencies, Rotational Grazing with cattle, KY Horticulture, Small Ruminants, Crop Diversity and Marketing. The workshop ended with a tour of the complex with information on preparing for disasters.. The Center had been flooded the year before with most buildings and pastures under 6 feet of water. Changes/Problems:No major changes have been implemented in the grant. Using local presenters and grant partnersseems to encourage attendance. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Each of the workshops presented by KY BFRDP program contained a session on learning new ideas on marketing, business planning, new technology, and events at local extension offices, Farmer Markets, county fairs, and other events for farmers in the area including state fair, National Farm Machinery Show, and North American Farm Animal Show are listed on the website. KCARD/AgVets hosts a podcast each month along with a newsletter geared toward veterans.They have a list of events for veterans, internships andmentors for those veterans interesedt in hands-on learning.Eash of the 120 county extension offices is able to put those interested in touch with opportunities in the surrounding counties. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Grant personnel are in touch with the county extension offices and partners to learn what is needed in each of the corridors represented in the grant proposal. The Cooperative Extension Department is invited to all workshops and has time to interact with participants. Each county has a newletter available to residents in that county. Financial agencies, government agencies, and local vendors have been invitied to each workshop and are given time to speak to the attendees about how their agency can assist the beginning farmer.Topics for the workshops included intrductions to the local county agents and what they can assist the new farmer understand. Business topics include Business Plans; Financial assistance, Legal and Insurance plans, Soil and local Planting issues, Livestock concerns and open panel discussions with government agencies. Open discussions were encouraged to anwer questions that may not have been included in the agenda. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next period will the final period of the grant and the workshops will be directed more toward specific crop and livestock production. Final surveys will be sent to participants to gather statistics on importance of information presented, how to improve the workshops, and the diversity of those attending. Information on how many started an agricultural enterprise, what enterprise have they started, did they use the information presented in the workshops.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
February 23-25, 2023 East Kentucky Farmer Conference at Pine Mountain State Park, KY 2oo+ in attendance. Contacted and introduced BFRDP to 2 Veteran, 3 that have never farmed but would like to start, 5 new farmers and several that have been farming for a number of years but were interested in new techniques and new crops. BFRDP KY First Farm shared the time with the UK Department of Crop Diversity and the KY Department of Agriculture to bring new ideas to the attendees and discuss their problems after the floods of 2022. It was a robust meeting with many sharing their ideas and ways of coping with disaster and recovery. March 20-24, 2023 National AgrAbility Training Workshop at Spokane, WA. 246 in attendance which included 59 farmers and 34 veterans. The workshop is geared not only to the USDA grant for Disabled agricultural workers but sessions for specific farm enterprises and business practices. On the 23rd thesessions included one on Direct Marketing and a panel program specifically for Veteran farmers. Discussions on funding, business planning, and finding assistance. April 20, 2023 on University of Kentucky Campus, Lexington, KY. New extension agent training included introduction to the BFRDP program as a reference point for new farmers. 6 in attendance. June 16, 2023 at Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS), Jackson, KY. 20 in attendance. 2 veterans, 7 beginning 5 Part-time (working off farm fulltime) 1 full-time farmer of 8 years. NCAT, the subaward partner with the grant, reported the following workshops: August 18,2023 -Pastured Egg Production 12 participants March 6-10, 2023 -Armed to Farm, General Butler State Park, Carrolton, KY 32 participants - all veterans
Publications
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