Recipient Organization
NATIONAL WOMEN IN AG - TEXAS CHAPTER
810 PENTON LN
WACO,TX 767052644
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The Waco Chapter National Women in Agriculture is requesting $300,000 to fund and establish the community focused (LIFTS) project, Learning Important Farming Training Skills. With the 'teach a man to fish" philosophy the 3-year project seeks to maximize the ability of American Agricultural Producers and provide an effective foundation for the financialendeavors of Beginning Farmer and Ranchers encouraging a viable agricultural economy. The LIFT Participants will have increased access to Agricultural Opportunities and Stakeholder support to encourage economic growth. Beginning Farmers/Ranchers will have a diverse knowledge of sustainable farming methods that improve the health and wellness of the community and the environment.Participants with a well-developed business plan and pitch, will be prepared to engage financial institutions for capital for their new farm start-up. Participants will also form a community of stakeholders that continue to assist each other and seek to engage and support other interested beginners.Once a thriving community with its own established infrastructure, East Waco was home to Texas' first Historically Black College, Paul Quinn College and a thriving middle class of professionals. Just as the tornado in 1953 left the city in shambles, so has the more recent lack of resources left the East Waco Community in despair. This beloved community is now home to some of the highest rates of diabetes and high blood pressure.The LIFTS Project provides opportunities to reverse said data, by recruiting and training beginning farmers that successfully grow and harvest organic food. Using the established local Farmers Market Co-op, beginning farmers can potentially reduce food deserts in underserved communities, like East Waco, where fresh food stores are not easily accessed. Sought participants will be empowered to impact the health and wellness in communities like East Waco where the latest census tract found that life expectancy decreased by 15 years compared to neighboring communities, as shared by the Waco Tribune-Herald. The community of beginning farmers/ranchers will be challenged to address the current disparities in their communities and present solutions that will be played out in their future endeavors as farmers.As well, the project will arm participants with a solid foundation in business ownership to create a sustainable community of small businesses that impact and stimulate the economy and improve the lives of small business owners.
Animal Health Component
10%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
80%
Applied
10%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
Using grassroots efforts, the LIFTS Project will create a supportive learning environmentthat encourages new farmer startups and addresses health disparities caused by lack ofaccess to fresh foods. Project engages beginning farmers in our local and surrounding areas,widening the net for future farmers through intentional community. Project Partners withestablished infrastructures will support and encourage a well-balanced foundation impactingthe longevity of small business farmers in the field.FTS' Project short-term goal is to engage 35-40 beginning farmers who will venture out to complete a series of onsite workshops that focus to empower new BIPOC farmers with knowledge and resources, creating a solution to food shortages, sustainable needs, health, and racial disparities, and encourage innovative methods, while supporting entrepreneurial endeavors. In the process participants will build a community of support and clientele, apply sustainable methods to yield bountiful organic crops that are successfully sold for profit in a Co-Op farmers market in the local food communities that lack access.
Project Methods
Utilzing a commnunal setting the L.I.F.T.S. Project will offer a diversed learning enviroment that will cater to all learning styles. Participants are encouraged to play an activie role in their learning process through role play, peer to peer support, application and product. They are encouarge to create personal connections through volunteering for established facilitiesto continue their learning process. Particpants are encourage to create aprogram that resolves issue in their own community.