Progress 09/15/23 to 09/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The Farmer Bootcamp program is designed for military veterans, transitioning service members, and military family members interested in establishing their own agricultural operations. There is no requirement for participants to have access to land in order to participate and preference is given to minority, disabled, and socially-disadvantaged applicants. Participants were 45% female and 29% socially-disadvantaged. The Veteran Agribusiness Internship Program is a DoD SkillBridge approved program for transitioning service-members within their last 180 days of service. Applicants are placed on a farm or agricultural activity in line with their goals and desired location within South Carolina. The host farms provide training with augmentation from Project Victory Gardens. Participants are encouraged to participate in the four-day Farmer Bootcamp 2.0 program for additional business planning training and broad exposure to various livestock and horticulture activities. Applicants werefrom the US Air Force (15), US Marine Corps (13), US Army (12), US Navy (12), and US Coast Guard (5), with 60% in the ranks of E5-E7. 28% of the applicants were female. The Veteran Agribusiness Outreach Fair is open to any military veterans, transitioning service members, and military family members engaged in or interested in agriculture. Preference for the event is given to minority, disabled, and socially- disadvantaged applicants. The event is well attended by farmer veterans from across the state. Changes/Problems:The primary concern moving forward is a recent change to DoD SkillBridge regulations, which may impact internship programming after June 2025. We are currently determining ways to restructure our internship program to ensure continued compliance. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Matt and Kara Rutter attended the World Agritourism Congress in Bolzano, Italy (not grant funded) and presented a poster on a multidisciplinary approach to regional agritourism that received top-three poster recognition. They are both pursuing doctoral degrees at Clemson University in Agricultural and Veteran Policy and Agritourism, respectively. Their research is focused on ensuring that the grant-related programs are captured andrigorously evaluatedfor future publication. Project Victory Gardens has provided staff with extensive training and professional development opportunities through various means, including training programs and personalized mentorship. One participant's first experience in farming was attending the 4-day Farmer Bootcamp, where a variety of speakers and activities introduced farm ownership fundamentals, such as financing options, business planning, grant writing, and marketing strategies. The program uniquely combined classroom learning with hands-on agricultural experiences, including practical sessions in poultry processing and beekeeping. Project Victory Gardens also demonstrated its commitment to professional development by facilitating opportunities to attend events like the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference and the Palmetto Veteran Agribusiness Outreach Fair. At the Palmetto Veterans Agribusiness Outreach Fair, attendees had the chance to network with veteran farmers, which even resulted in placing a transitioning service member on a farm for an internship. The mentorship component has been a standout feature of the program, offering weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions led by experienced mentors. These sessions have covered essential topics such as farm business management, resource utilization, strategic planning, agricultural practices, and fostering enthusiasm for farming. This comprehensive mentorship has inspired participants to envision their futures in agriculture, with some, including the participant in question, planning to start their own farms to positively impact their communities. The training, mentoring, and networking opportunities provided by Project Victory Gardens have been instrumental in fostering personal and professional growth among participants, empowering them to pursue meaningful careers in farming. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project Victory Gardens has established an email list of program participants and disseminates routine updates and program notices. Additionally, there is a private social media page for program participants to continue networking and sharing their experiences. Through the partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition of SC, event notices are sent to their membership. Fostering strong relationships with the SC Department of Agriculture, the SC Department of Veteran Affairs, Clemson Cooperative Extension, and the SC State Extension provides additional reach for program updates. Staff have attended numerous outreach events across the state and region. The primary method of reaching potential SkillBridge applicants is the DoD SkillBridge website. Additional social media outreach has also been successful. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Farmer Bootcamp and Farmer Bootcamp 2.0 are on a solid trajectory and will continue with little change. The primary challenge is to ensure proper participation. Typically, only 25-50% of registered attendees for the 2-day version attend. We have seen that this is even more prevalent in the Charleston iterations, which complicates planning efforts. In 2025, we will conduct one iteration in the Beaufort area to determine whether attendance is improved. We have also increased outreach to participants from neighboring states, particularly Georgia and North Carolina. The internship program will remain unchanged for Year 2, unless impacted by regulatory requirements by the Department of Defense. The Veteran Agribusiness Outreach Fair scheduled for March 1, 2025 in Columbia, SC is expected to have a large turn-out. In partnership with the FVCSC, the event is expected to have 15+ resource providers, special guest speakers, and networking opportunities. Launching the first cohort of the Agritourism Incubator Program and beginning to plan for the 2026 Farms of the Brave Ag+Art Tour are the foremost new priorities moving forward.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Palmetto Veterans in Agribusiness program has achieved significant milestones aimed at supporting military veterans in transitioning to careers in agriculture, while promoting rural development and building social capital. Increase access to agriculture and knowledge of agricultural practices. The Farmer Bootcamp series has demonstrated a strong overall impact on participants. Three iterations of Farmer Bootcamp (2 days) and two iterations of Farmer Bootcamp 2.0 (4 days) were conducted. These bootcamps provide practical agricultural education and introduce advanced techniques in areas such as agritourism and microgreens, catering to farmers looking to diversify their operations. Feedback from participants indicates a strong positive impact, with 100% of participants finding the training extremely beneficial. This reflects the program's effectiveness in meeting the needs of veterans. The Veteran Agribusiness Outreach Fair hosted in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition of SC in Columbia in February 2024 had over 150 registrants. The event featured 14 different service providers, including USDA representatives from FSA, NRCS, and RD. Attendees reported accessing new services and expanding their network. Numerous outreach events were conducted during the period. Project Victory Gardens partnered with the Farmer Veteran Coalition of SC and SC AgrAbility to support the Columbia Regional VA Medical Center in establishing and conducting a quarterly free Veteran Farmers Market Outreach Event, reaching approximately 500 veterans. Matthew and Kara Rutter presented business planning modules in two Boots to Business for Veteran Beginning Farmers and Ranchers virtual events in cooperation with the Veteran Business Outreach Center of New England. The SC Department of Veteran Affairs (SCDVA) highlighted the program and invited one of the internship program graduates to address the Governor's Summit. All internship applicants and Farmer Bootcamp participants were provided information about the Palmetto Pathfinders program, a sponsorship program for veterans offered by the SCDVA. Provide workforce readiness opportunities and support in the agriculture field. The Veteran Agribusiness Internship Program equips participants with the skills necessary for entrepreneurship in agribusiness or securing employment within South Carolina's agribusiness industry. This dual focus on entrepreneurship and job placement is crucial for veterans transitioning to civilian life. The internship program offers a structured training schedule that spans up to 150 days, with the possibility of condensing to 60-90 days based on participant needs. During the program period, 76 transitioning service members reached out, 59 applications were received, and 21 interns were successfully placed on farms and in agribusinesses across SC. Participants received training tailored to their individual goals, covering essential topics such as farm safety, agribusiness planning, horticulture, poultry, livestock, forestry, cattle production, beekeeping, commercial crops, and regulatory requirements, allowing for a broad skill set development. Two internship participants are pursing agricultural degrees from Clemson University. Promote business opportunity and rural development across SC. Project Victory Gardens has developed a robust network of partner farms and agricultural organizations willing to host interns. During the grant period, 21 transitioning service members completed internships for a total of over 11,000 contact hours. Project Victory Gardens administers the Farms of the Brave certification, which promotes veteran-owned or veteran-led farms engaged in agritourism. This certification encourages public engagement with these farms for recreation, entertainment, and education, thereby enhancing the visibility and viability of veteran agribusinesses. Seventeen veteran-led farms in SC registered for the program during the grant period. The team conducted curriculum development for the Agritourism Incubator Program. The curriculum focuses on equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage in agritourism successfully. Applications will go out in late 2024 for the 2025 Cohort. The curriculum covers: · Introduction to Agritourism: Participants learn about the philosophy of agritourism, including motivations behind agritourist activities. This foundational knowledge helps in understanding the target audience. · Asset Assessment: The curriculum emphasizes identifying and evaluating various assets on participants' farms, including financial, natural, physical, and heritage assets. This assessment is crucial for developing a viable agritourism business plan. · Business Planning: Participants are guided through the process of creating a comprehensive agritourism business plan using the AgPlan system. This includes addressing specific agritourism concerns and preparing for potential funding opportunities. · Marketing Strategies: The curriculum covers essential marketing concepts, including the 4Ps of marketing (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) and how to align marketing materials with different agritourist segments based on their motivations. · Interpersonal Skills Development: A significant focus is placed on enhancing interpersonal skills necessary for engaging with agritourists. Participants assess their strengths and weaknesses in this area, which is vital for effective customer interaction. · Practical Experience: The curriculum includes hands-on experiences, such as participating in daily farm chores and hosting visitors. This practical approach helps participants understand how to incorporate visitors into their farm activities while ensuring safety. · Capstone Project: The program culminates in an 8-minute pitch competition where participants present their agritourism business and marketing plans. This serves as a formative assessment of their learning and growth throughout the program. · Farm to Table Events: Participants explore the planning and execution of farm-to-table dinners, emphasizing collaboration with local chefs and farms. This aspect highlights the importance of community engagement in agritourism. Overall, the curriculum is designed to foster entrepreneurial skills, practical knowledge, and a deep understanding of the agritourism landscape, preparing participants for successful ventures in this field. The strength of the Palmetto Veterans in Agribusiness programming lies in the collaborative effort among various organizations, including the Farmer Veteran Coalition of SC, Clemson University and Cooperative Extension, the SCDA (ACRE, Agritourism, Specialty Crops, Marketing), the SCDVA, the Small Business Administration (SBDC, VBOC, and SCORE), and numerous other partner organizations. This collaboration enhances resource access, education, and networking opportunities for veterans interested in agriculture. In summary, the Palmetto Veterans in Agribusiness program has made substantial strides in providing veterans with the necessary training, resources, and support to thrive in the agricultural sector, fostering both personal and professional growth.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Rutter, K., Rutter, M., Dickes, L. A., & Duffy, L. N. (2023, May). A multidisciplinary approach to regional agritourism development. World Agritourism Congress, Bolzano, Italy.
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