Source: MISSISSIPPI MINORITY FARMERS ALLIANCE INC submitted to NRP
BEGINNING FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND VETERANS PROGRAM (BFRVP) IN THE NORTHEAST REGION OF MISSISSIPPI
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1033174
Grant No.
2024-49400-43624
Cumulative Award Amt.
$600,000.00
Proposal No.
2024-05171
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 15, 2024
Project End Date
Sep 14, 2027
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[BFRDA]- Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, Standard
Recipient Organization
MISSISSIPPI MINORITY FARMERS ALLIANCE INC
30122 OKOLONA RD
OKOLONA,MS 388609421
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Not a researh project.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90201993020100%
Knowledge Area
902 - Administration of Projects and Programs;

Subject Of Investigation
0199 - Soil and land, general;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
The long-term goal project is to provide 300 beginning farmers, ranchers, and veterans producers (BFRVP) with knowledge, tools, and resources needed to become successful sustainable farmers and ranchers. The target audiences are beginning farmers, ranchers, veterans, small and limited resource farmers, and socially disadvantaged producers. The objectives are: 1) Provide outreach education to BFRVP on entrepreneurship and business trainings; 2) Increase the knowledge of BFRVP with diversification marketing strategies to enhance their livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices; 3) Improve knowledge and skills of BFRVP in financial and risk management; 4) Enhance BFRVP with resources and referrals to USDA programs to improve conservation practices; and 5) Implement a beginning farmers and ranchers class. BFRVP will be trained on how to utilize the online AgPlan tools and resources. The expected results are enhanced economic opportunities and an improved quality of life for beginning farmers, ranchers, and veterans families and communities. This project is driven by the need to increase the number of beginning farmers and ranchers and enhance their success and sustainability by providing them with knowledge, skills, tools needed to make informed decisions. Priorities will be given to the following topics: 1) basic livestock, forest management and crop farming practices; 2) entrepreneurship and business training; 3) financial and risk management training, including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit; 4) diversification and marketing strategies; and 5) resources and referral of USDA programs and services.
Project Methods
In an effort to have a change in knowledge, actions, or conditions of the specified target audience. The evaluation for thisproject will be of a participatory, formative, and summative concept with a team composed of staff members and an external evaluator. With this method we will be able to see firsthand what elements of the project that is successful and what areas need improvement. The evaluation team will meet a minimum of four times during the grant implementation period. During the grant period, staff will be required to collect information, monitor deliverables, and make reports. The team will develop the following:Participatory - during each session;Formative - within six months of the project; andSummative - at the end of each project yearWe will administer the participatory evaluations during each session. Participatory evaluations provide thick, rich data. We will administer the formative evaluations within six months each year of the project's activities. We will administer the summative evaluation to measure theoutcomes at the end of the project period. We will utilize pictures and videos to capture transformational learning from the hands-on sessions. We will also document participants' use of farm records with evidence of receipts recorded in a farm record book or computer recordssystem and document the number of marketing plans developed. The summative evaluation will also show proof of new farm startups.

Progress 09/15/24 to 09/14/25

Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period the target audiences are beginning farmers, ranchers, veterans, small and limited resource farmers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In the first year, over 100 BFRVP participants were engaged across program areas. Through a total of 12 workshops, field days, outreach activities, and formal trainings, participants gained knowledge in business, marketing, financial management, and USDA resources. This collective effort enhanced economic opportunities, supported sustainable practices, and built a stronger foundation for beginning farmers, ranchers, and veteran producers. 1. Outreach Education - Delivered entrepreneurship and business trainings tailored to over 100 BFRVP participants. 2. Diversification & Marketing - Increased knowledge of livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices through diversified marketing strategies to over 100 BFRVP participants. 3. Financial & Risk Management - Improved knowledge and skills in budgeting, credit, insurance, and long-term financial planning to over 100 BFRVP participants. 4. Resources & Referrals - Connected participants with USDA programs to strengthen conservation practices to over 100 BFRVP participants. 5. Formal Training - Implemented a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers class, including the use of AgPlan online tools to over 100 BFRVP participants. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To ensure the findings and outcomes of the BFRVP Project reach the widest possible audience, this report will be disseminated through multiple channels across local communities. Copies of the report will be shared directly with participating farmers, ranchers, and veterans through workshops, field days, and outreach activities, allowing them to see the impact of their involvement and encourage further engagement. The report will also be distributed to local agricultural organizations, community-based nonprofits, and veteran support networks to build awareness and foster partnerships. Digital versions of the report will be shared via community websites, email newsletters, and social media platforms to increase accessibility and visibility. Presentations will be made at local meetings, producer associations, and town halls to highlight project outcomes and invite feedback from community members. Additionally, collaboration with local USDA offices, extension services, and farmer cooperatives will provide opportunities to disseminate the report through existing trusted networks, ensuring that socially disadvantaged and limited-resource farmers are reached. This multi-layered approach is designed to create strong community ownership of the project outcomes, support sustainability, and encourage greater participation in future programming. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, the BFRVP Project will continue and expand upon the successful strategies implemented in Year One. We will once again engage over 100 BFRVP participants through workshops, field days, and outreach activities focused on entrepreneurship, business development, diversification, financial management, USDA program access, and formal training using AgPlan tools. Building on the lessons learned, we will strengthen partnerships with local organizations, expand outreach to underserved producers, and further enhance the sustainability and success of beginning farmers, ranchers, and veteran producers in the region.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objectives 1. Outreach Education - Delivered entrepreneurship and business trainings tailored to over 100BFRVP. 2. Diversification & Marketing - Increased knowledge of over 100 BFRVP livestock, forest management, and crop farmers through diversified marketing strategies. 3. Financial & Risk Management - Improved knowledge and skills to over 100 BFRVP in budgeting, credit, insurance, and long-term financial planning. 4. Resources & Referrals - Connected over 100 BFRVP participants toUSDA programs to strengthen conservation practices. 5. Formal Training - Implemented a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers class, including the use of AgPlan online tools. Expected Results • Enhanced economic opportunities for BFRVP. • Improved quality of life for participants and their families. • Increased capacity for informed decision-making in farming operations. • Strengthened sustainability and long-term viability of new agricultural enterprises. Priority Topics • Basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices. • Entrepreneurship and business training. • Financial and risk management, including agricultural credit. • Diversification and marketing strategies. • USDA programs and service referrals. Year One Status All planned goals were successfully completed. Accomplishments included hosting workshops, conducting field days, and organizing outreach activities that delivered business and marketing training, risk management workshops, USDA program referrals, and the launch of the BFRVP class.

Publications