Progress 04/01/24 to 03/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience encompasses a diverse range of stakeholders essential to rural communities in the region including producers, educators, and students. The project reached hardworking producers from various backgrounds, including veteran farmers, emerging agricultural entrepreneurs, and limited-resource producers striving to build successful farming operations that contribute to national food security and rural economic growth. The educational components brought together industry professionals, extension agents, and academic experts dedicated to strengthening America's agricultural competitiveness through practical knowledge transfer. Student participants--ranging from high school interns to graduate researchers--gained valuable skills and training that prepare them for productive careers in agriculture, reinforcing our goal of creating pathways to prosperity through vocational excellence and entrepreneurial opportunity. This strategic audience engagement supports both the immediate goal of enhancing regional food systems and the broader national priority of fostering self-sufficiency, economic independence, and the next generation of American agricultural leadership. Changes/Problems:Hiring for the key position associated with the project, Black Belt Food Corridor Coordinator,has been delayed. We are workingdiligently to ensure we acquire the talent needed to accomplish the goals of the project. The position recruitment period ends May 19th and interviews will followwithin a few weeks. In the interim, the PD is ensuring the project moves forward on schedule. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project providedprofessional development and training opportunities for staff, students, and community stakeholders throughout the grant period. Faculty and staff received specialized training in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) through a Train-the-Trainer workshop, enabling them to subsequently certify others in food safety protocols. Student interns benefited from comprehensive skills development including hands-on training in food processing techniques, equipment operation (including pallet jack certification), cleaning and sanitizing protocols, and packaging methods. These practical skills were complemented by professional growth opportunities including grant writing workshops, leadership development sessions, and mock job interviews that enhanced their career readiness. Producers and community educators participated in processing demonstrations at the BBMIC facility, gaining valuable knowledge in post-harvest handling and value-added processing. Project personnel attended the Rural Grocery Summit, ASAN Food Hub Forum, and ADAI supply chain meetings, where they both shared expertise and expanded their professional networks. Farm tours and field visits to diverse agricultural operations provided contextualized learning experiences for all participants. Through these varied activities, the project created a multi-directional learning environment where knowledge was both shared and gained across traditional boundaries between academia, industry, and community. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The establishment of the ABBFSANewsletter serves as a cornerstone of our dissemination strategy, providing regular updates on project findings, market opportunities, educational resources, and funding sources to over 200 subscribers including farmers, food businesses, educators, and community leaders. Project team members have actively participated in community forums and industry events, including the annual ABBFSA meeting, Rural Grocery Summit, ASAN Food Hub Forum, and ADAI supply chain meetings, where they shared BBMIC activities and market development strategies with regional stakeholders. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Plans for the Upcoming Year In the coming year, our project will intensify efforts to accomplish our established goals by expanding BBMIC processing capacity to include additional value added products. To strengthen market connections, we will organize a ABBFSA annual meeting bringing together institutional purchasers, distributors, and farmers to facilitate direct relationship-building and contract development. We will continue to follow program interns and provide support for their careers and educational studies in food science and agricultural fields. Additionally, we will expand our data collection efforts to include comprehensiveimpact assessments that quantify the financial benefits to participating farmers and communities. These strategic actions directly address project priorities, while advancing progress toward our goal of creating a sustainableBlack Belt regional food system.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This geographic area of ruralAmericafaces persistent challenges of limited market access forfarmers, inadequate food processing infrastructure, and gaps in the local food supply chain. These issues contribute to economic disparities for producers and limited availability of fresh, local food for consumers. Our project addresses these challenges by enhancing processing capabilities, strengthening market connections, and developing a skilled agricultural workforce in the region. Target Beneficiaries This project immediately benefitsproducers in the Black Belt region, particularly veterans, limited-resource producers, and beginning farmers. Additionally, the project serves food system educators, students pursuing agricultural careers, and ultimately, consumers throughout the region who gain increased access to locally grown produce year-round. Accomplishments by Objective Objective 1 Product and process development research Activities Completed: Developed the BBMICprocessing line for greens, squash, and peas Implemented freezing techniques using liquid nitrogen for preserving local produce (techniques tested on blueberries) Developed and tested food safety, sanitation, and equipment operating procedures (8 procedures ready to use, or in final draft form) Data Collected: Processing outputs for 3different locally-grown vegetables. Quality assessment metrics for slicedand frozen produce (deferred) Shelf-life data for various packaging and preservation methods (deferred) Results: The BBMIC successfully processed over 4,720pounds of locally grown produce during the reporting period. Feedback on product quality demonstrated that the freezingtechniques extended product shelf-lifeup to 9 months. This extension of availability directly addresses seasonal gaps in the local food supply and opens new market opportunities, such as schools, for producers. Objective 2 (Extension): Strengthen relationships Activities Completed: Team members attended the Rural Grocery Summit and showcased BBMIC research, extension, and education work Facilitated ABBFSA (Alabama Black Belt Food Systems Alliance) planning meetings Facilitated the annual ABBFSA meeting in December 2024 Participated in the ASAN (Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network) forum food hub panel featuringBBMIC research, extension, and education work Participated in supply chain meetings with ADAI (Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries) Facilitated farm visits connecting producers, buyers, and intermediaries Initiated a ABBFSA Newsletter showcasing regional events, educational opportunities, market opportunities, and funding opportunities Data Collected: Number of new market connections made: 7 Participant feedback fromnetworking events Volume of produce moving through newly established supply chains: 37,662 pounds (processed and unprocessed) ABBFSA annualmeeting attendee locations, priorities for scaling up production, participant reflections on the event, and participant challenges Newsletter metrics Results: Through targeted networking and relationship-building activities,producers established new market relationships with institutional buyers, a processor,food banks, and distributors. Participant surveys showed thatthe ABBFSA meeting unanimously met expectations; andparticipants learned about resources to scale up, learned more about food systems, met someone to partner with, and will share the information with others. The newsletter has served as a key tool in improving awareness of opportunities in the region. Newsletter views grew steadily from 159 in November 2024 to 416 in March 2025. Objective 3 (Extension): Develop strategies to include and expand availability of Black Belt grown produce. Activities Completed: Provided technical assistance to farmerson harvesting and packing area development Conducted Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training and certification workshops Hosted tours and educational events at the BBMIC Data Collected: Number of farmers receiving technical assistance around improving quality, food safety, and shelf life: 5 Farmer, educator, and student workshop outcomes Number of BBMIC hosted events: 63 Number of individuals served by the BBMIC: 246 Results:The project's technical assistance enabledproducersto develop improved post-harvest handling protocols, reducing product lossand increasing marketable yield. Workshops attendees reported improvedconfidence applying food safety and quality improvement practices to their farms. Train the Trainer program participants reported improvedknowledge andconfidence teaching food safety and quality practices. Preliminary data suggests growing needs around farm business strategies and funding. Objective 4 (Education): Increase the capacity of TU and AAMU faculty, staff, and students to advance the food system in the Black Belt region. Activities Completed: Engaged interns in comprehensive training programs including processing techniques, leadership development, and career preparation Conducted farm and facility tours for students at multiple operations including TUAIC,farms,livestock facilities, and processing facilities Facilitated career development mentoring sessions Data Collected: College and career placement tracking for program graduates Intern feedback Results: The project has successfully trained 4student interns in agricultural processing, food safety, and business development. One intern continues to work with the TUCEP program along with also pursuing an accounting degree. She provides valuable accounting and program evaluation services to our food systems programming and is starting a produce growing operation of her own. One graduate of the high school program is in his freshman year at Tuskegee University as an Agricultural Economics major. The other two high schoolinterns continue their high school studies. Key Outcomes and Impact This project has made significant strides in transforming the regional food system landscape through several measurable accomplishments: Enhanced Processing Infrastructure: The BBMIC now serves as a vital processing hub handling37,662 pounds and processing 4,720 pounds of local produce during the reporting period. The implementation of freezing techniques has extended product shelf-life up to 9 months, addressing seasonal gaps in the local food supply and creating new market opportunities, particularly with schools. Stronger Market Connections: Through targeted networking and relationship-building activities, producers established seven new market relationships with institutional buyers, a processor, a food bank, and two regional distribution companies. These connections have facilitated the movement of 37,662 pounds of produce through newly established supply chains. Technical Assistance and Training: Five farmers received specialized technical assistance focused on improving quality, food safety, and shelf life. Workshops on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) increased participants' confidence in applying food safety and quality improvement practices on their farms. Workforce Development: Four student interns received comprehensive training in agricultural processing, food safety, and business development. One intern continues to work with the TUCEP program while pursuing an accounting degree and starting her own produce operation. Another program graduate is now studying Agricultural Economics at Tuskegee University. Community Engagement:ABBFSAhas emerged as a vital networking platform. The newly establishedNewsletter effectively disseminates information about regional events, educational opportunities, market connections, and funding sources.
Publications
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