Recipient Organization
AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN INC
631 CHAFEE AVE STE 102
AUGUSTA,GA 30904
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The majority of farms in Greater Augusta, GA are small family farms in need of better business practices to sustain and scale operations; 75% of beginning farmers in our program in 2023 could not solely live off their farm income. Living in low-income areas, these farmers lack ag- and business- specific resources.This project provides tiered agricultural and entrepreneurial services tailored to beginning farmers, with the goal of helping them improve and sustain farming operations. Agricultural activities include the Homesteading Conference, Individual Farm Plots, Farm Training Workshops, Extension Classes, Farmer Planning Meetings, Farmer Forums, and Mentorship. Entrepreneurship activities include Business Training/Coaching in 3 formats (self-paced, small group, one-on-one) and General Business Workshop. The activities align to BFRDP project goals of Basic livestock and crop farming practices; Entrepreneurship training; Curriculum development; and Mentorship. Project objectives include increased ag- and business-related knowledge and skills; increased access to resources for growing; improved knowledge and skills for environmentally-sound ag practices. ALG expects farmers to achieve these outcomes, relative to their tier: create a growing plan; begin growing crops; create a business plan; implement environmentally-sound ag practices; increase farm revenue; improve farm operations. Partners/collaborators include Addersons Farm, CSRA Veterans and Families Foundation, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Gateway Business Services, Natural Resources Conservation Science. ALG is a community-based organization - 100% of federal funds requested will be allocated to a CBO. All farmers in our area qualify as veteran, socially disadvantaged, and/or limited resource - 100% of funds will be allocated to these populations.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Potential Farmers: those who intend to begin farmingTo increase knowledge of relevant farm topics [Education]To gain tools to apply knowledge learned independently [Education, Outreach]Total Potential Farmers: 30By the end of the multi-day Homesteading Conference annually:P1- 30% intend to continue their path towards farming.P2- 80% report an increase in agricultural knowledge.TIER 1: Those with the intention of farming with ALG, may already be growing towards starting to farm but in beginning stagesTo increase knowledge of growing crops, especially with environmentally-sound practices [Education]To have access to tools, space, and resources to grow for the purpose of selling (will look different for urban farmers) [Technical Assistance]To access and/or gain knowledge of various funding streams [Education, Technical Assistance]Total Farmers: 40By the end of each 12-month grant period:1A- 75% demonstrate increased knowledge of basic business principles through fact-based assessments.1B- 20% report access to space for growing crops for the purpose of selling.1C- 70% produce an individual growing plan.1D- 40% start growing crops by the end of the year.1E- 12.5% qualify as beginning farmers by project end.1F- 75% report an increase in understanding of environmentally-sound agricultural practices.TIER 2: Those whose business idea determined to be feasible and who can show a growing planTo improve growing practices and agricultural knowledge, especially with environmentally-sound practices [Education, Technical Assistance]To learn how to sell at various markets and through various channels [Education, Technical Assistance]To enhance business acumen and improve their own business practices [Education]Total Farmers: 20By the end of each 12-month grant period:2A- 75% develop a business plan.2B- 75% demonstrate increased farming knowledge based on fact-based assessments and observations.2C- 75% demonstrate improved business skills through task-based assessments.2D- 70% increase the number of markets in which they are selling crops.2E- 50% increase utilizing Certified Naturally Grown growing practices.TIER 3: Those who are actively selling for a minimum of 2 years and meet criteria for Tier 1 and Tier 2To sustain a growing business with viable product(s) [Education, Technical Assistance]To adapt to changes in markets and sales channels [Education, Technical Assistance]To improve environmentally -sound practices [Education, Technical Assistance]Total Farmers: 15By the end of each 12-month grant period:3A- 75% demonstrate an increase in sales.3B- 75% demonstrate improved business skills through task-based assessments.3C- 10% function as Mentors to Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 farmers.3D- 75% report an increase in confidence to sustain their business as a result of participating in farmer services.3E- 80% obtain or maintain Certified Naturally Grown certification
Project Methods
The Farmer Services Manager evaluates farmer intake forms, collected by the Program Assistant, assessing and assigning farmers to the appropriate tier. Farmers in Tier 1 receive access to the selected Farm Answers training videos and criteria for advancing to Tier 2, at minimum a growing plan and a passing grade on training assessment. Tier 2 farmers are connected to the business coaches, sign up for coaching slots, and are given criteria for advancing to Tier 3, at minimum a business plan. Tier 3 farmers are also connected to the business coaches, sign up for coaching slots, and fill out a needs assessment that includes their individualized goals during their year of one-on-one coaching. Farmers in Tiers 2 and 3 sign contracts agreeing to share farm data, to make every effort to be available during business coaches' hours of availability, and to provide advanced notice when they cannot attend a scheduled coaching session.ActivitiesFormatsHomesteading Conference; Farm Plots; Farm Training Workshops; Extension Classes; Farmer Planning Meetings; Farmer Forums; General Business Skills Workshopin-person, small and large group format provides hands-on experience, up-close learning, and peer-to-peer connectionSelf-Paced Business Trainingonline, individualized format allows for farmers to learn at their own paceSmall Group Business Coachingin-person, small group format provides a low coach-to-farmer ratio that allows for coaching tailored to each farmer, hands-on learning and peer-to-peer connectionOne-on-One Business Coaching; Mentorshipin-person and virtual, individualized formats allow for flexibility in scheduling while providing services tailored to each farmer?