Recipient Organization
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
TUSKEGEE,AL 36088
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The overarching goal of thisproject is to enhance the capacity of Tuskegee University (TU) and its partners to provide essential extension services, conduct relevant research, and train the next generation of agricultural professionals to improve equity in the Black Belt regional food system. TU Cooperative Extension, the Deep South Food Alliance, the Area Small Agricultural Cooperative,the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and Alabama A&M Universitypropose to do this by implementing a research scale produce sorting and Individually Quick Frozen line at the existing Black Belt Marketing and Innovation Center (BBMIC) that currently has capabilities of running raw agricultural commodities and fresh cut produce. This new capability will not only improve TU capacity to conduct research that will enhance market opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers, but will also enable the BBMIC to serve as a regional extension, research, and education hub in the western part of the state. The partners in this project and the stakeholders they serve have developed a plan that will lay the foundation for long lasting Black Belt regional food system development. The requested funding will enable the partners to create a model for serving socially disadvantaged farmers and small businesses that could be expanded to address the challenges faced by socially disadvantaged producers across the country.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
This project will arm faculty, Extension educators, and students with the equipment, knowledge, and skills they need to advance the development of a robust food system in the Black Belt region by transforming the Black Belt Marketing and Innovation Center (BBMIC) into a major research, education, and Extension center.The BBMIC is strategically located in Selma, AL (where the SFAC is based) 46 miles from the DSFA facility in Linden and 94 miles from the facilities at Tuskegee University. This food and farming entrepreneurship corridor, known as the Black Belt Food Corridor, stretches across the state and has the potential to transform the regional food system in a geographic area that has suffered from past disinvestment around food and agriculture.The long-term vision of the partners in this project is to do just that by creating economic opportunity for growers and developing a market that improves food security and availability of fresh produce across the Black Belt Food CorridorObjective 1 (Research): Conduct product and process development research that will lead to increasing markets for underserved producers and the availability of local produce year-round.Objective 2 (Extension): Strengthen relationships between Black Belt producers, institutional buyers, and intermediaries.Objective 3 (Extension): Develop strategies to include and expand availability of Black Belt grown produce.Objective 4 (Education): Increase the capacity of TU and AAMU faculty, staff, and students to advance the food system in the Black Belt region.Theproject includes a unique industry and government partnership with:The DSFA which was organized in 2013 working in partnership with The United Christian Community Association (TUCCA), a non-profit, faith based 501 (C) 3 organization, to develop a food hub/processing/aggregation point for small-scale farmers to increase access to larger markets and serve the local communities;The Small Farm Agricultural Cooperative (SFAC) which was formed with support from Tuskegee University and whose membership includes underserved farmers in the Selma, AL area; andThe Alabama Department of Agriculture (ADAI) which has become increasingly involved with supporting regional and institutional food systems through their Farm to School, Local Food Purchasing Agreement, and Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Programs.
Project Methods
One of the first tasks will be to hire the BBMIC Coordinator and Program Assistant. The BBMIC Coordinator will oversee all aspects of the research line development and BBMIC equipment use. The coordinator's responsibilities will include scheduling training, scheduling the use of equipment, maintaining the sanitary operation of equipment, working with inspectors and certifiers, and handling the logistics of product movement. The Program Assistant will assist with data entry, compiling materials for training, and sourcing supplies for Extension and research activities.Although each activity has a primary beneficiary (producers, students, or researchers), TUCEP programs are by institutional culture well integrated. TU and AAMU students will have the opportunity to engage and train with producers for each activity. Likewise, the producers needs will guide the research projects carried out as part of this project.The DSFA, SFAC, ADAI, and Tuskegee University have a longstanding relationship of working together to benefit farmers in the region. PD Woods regularly meets in person and by Zoom with the DSFA and SFAC and will continue to do so for the duration of this project. Specific project management meetings will be held at least quarterly to ensure activities are on track and objectives are being met. The information will be distributed through Alabama through social media, blogs, and newsletters, which reach stakeholders statewide. In addition to the activities outlined in the dissemination plan, the project will be promoted within the state of Alabama in order to foster additional networking opportunities that will strengthen the Black Belt Food Corridor in the long-term. Project activities will be promoted at state meetings that the Co-PDs regularly attend, such as the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and the ASAN Food and Farm Forum.Evaluation PlanThe number of faculty, students, educators, farmers, and other stakeholders reached for each objective will be broken down by race, ethnicity, gender, new farmer, and veteran farmer identity. The project partners will track numbers of participants and volume of produce related to the project plan and expect to reach a large number of producers from underserved communities, including Black, women, new, and veteran farmers.Objective 1 (Product and Process Development Research) success will be assessed by tracking the number of new and volume of products developed or improved through research at the BBMIC. Products with market promise will be assessed for their market readiness by evaluating their organoleptic and market traits, such as taste, texture, odor, visual appeal, and shelf-life. This may be accomplished through taste panels or visual analysis of product by researchers, students, Extension Educators, and buyers. Where appropriate, product acidity or water activity may be measured to assess self-life or for regulatory compliance. The cost of production will be assessed by calculating the cost of inputs, equipment, materials, and time to transform the product. Additionally, the number of individuals engaged in research will be tracked, including interns, educators, and farmers. The number of interns who choose to pursue a degree in postharvest technology or food science will be tracked as an indicator of successful engagement of students.Objective 2 (Strengthening Relationships) success will be assessed by tracking the number of attendees at the Black Belt Food Innovation Conference and the number who attend training related to expanding market opportunities, and risk management. A paper-based assessment instrument will be developed to assess improvements in awareness, usefulness of the information, and efficacy. Although difficult to operationalize, the PDs expect several new initiatives to stem from the strengthening of relationships over the duration of this project. The number of new initiatives that begin will be tracked as a measure of forward progress of the Black Belt Food Corridor.Objective 3 (Expansion strategies) success will be assessed by tracking the number of farmers, retailers, distributors, schools, and other buyers engaged through the project durations.farmers who receive training on BBMIC equipment, tracking the number of farmers who use BBMIC equipment, tracking the number of farmers receiving food safety training, tracking the number of farmers who achieve food safety certification, tracking the number of mentor farmers, tracking the number of mentee farmers, the completion of a comprehensive plan to accomplish next steps, and tracking the volume of produce handled as an indicator of sales increases. The PDs will also track the number of farmers participating in ADAI programs and the volume of new product handled as an indicator of increased sales.Objective 4 (Technical Education and Training) success will be assessed by tracking the number of training events and the number of individuals (students, educators, industry, and government) trained in equipment use, tracking the number of individuals who engage in professional development meetings, tracking the number of events and staff who receive food safety training, tracking the number of times the BBMIC is used as a demonstration site, and tracking the number of participants who attend demonstrations at the BBMIC. A paper-based assessment instrument will be used to measure gains in awareness, knowledge, and skill building efficacy.Dissemination PlanThe training materials created will draw from USDA resources appropriate for a broad audience and thus will be appropriate for adaption by others. Additionally, the materials will be shared on the National Food Safety Clearinghouse which is currently available to anyone at no charge. This open access strategy combined with a plan to disseminate materials, and the broad applicability of the materials means that the materials generated from this project will be able to be widely adaptable by others. The materials generated will be made widely available through state, regional, and national channels. PD Woods will draft quarterly project reports that will form the basis of reports shared with the DSFA, SFAC, ADAI, and USDA NIFA. In addition to guiding material development, the partners will disseminate project results through the organizations that they represent (E.g. DSAF, SFAC, ADAI, TUCE, statewide Extension System including Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network, and the Farmers Federation). The information will be distributed through social media, blogs, and newsletters, which reach stakeholders statewide. The materials developed will be promoted at state meetings that the co-PDs regularly attend, such as the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and the ASAN Food and Farm Forum.