Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: Kong-Thao, K. S.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
HMONG NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, INC.
1628 16TH ST NW # 203
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 20009

HMONG AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING AND EDUCATION (HASTE)

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The goal of the Hmong Agricultural Sustainability Training and Education (HASTE) Program is to enhance the long-term viability and sustainability of Hmong beginning farms and ranchers (BFRs) and facilitate the success of the next generation of Hmong BFRs through education, training, and technical assistance. The HASTE program is a collaborative effort by Hmong National Development (HND) and EnSave, Inc. (EnSave), who have over 40 years of combined experience serving BFRs.Three objectives support the program goal: 1) increase awareness of financial assistance opportunities amongst Hmong BFRs, and provide them with the resources and knowledge necessary to utilize them; 2) enhance profitability and sustainability of Hmong BFRs through improved natural resource planning and management relating to energy, water, fertilizer, and soil; and 3) strengthen communication and collaboration between Hmong BFRs and key agricultural stakeholders, and mitigate entry barriers for new farmers.The entire federal budget requested for the HASTE program is allocated to serving an estimated 400-500 socially disadvantaged Southeast Asian BFRs. Program activities include workshops (24 annually), conference calls and webinars (12 annually), developing curriculum and educational materials, and conducting farm energy audits (85 total, with approximately 28 each year). Improving cash flow of BFRs through farm input reductions (e.g. energy, water, and fertilizer) is a primary strategy of the program. The HASTE program is a standard project that supports numerous BFRDP priority topics, including natural resource planning education, curriculum development, and providing resources and referrals.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the HASTE program is to enhance the long term availability and sustainability of Hmong beginning farmers and ranchers and facilitate the success of the next generation through education mentoring and technical assistance. The project emphasizes stabilizing distressed farm operations, and advancing business practices to generate wealth.The HASTE program will support the primary goal of a BFDRP Standard Grant by addressing underserved and disadvantaged demographic of beginning farmers, enhancing their sustainability through providing education on best management practices, improving cash flow through reducing farm overhead costs, and providing them with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to leverage financial assistance opportunities to improve the profitability of their operations.The program objectives are as follows:Objective 1: increase awareness of financial assistance opportunities amongst Hmong BFRs, and provide them with the resources and knowledge necessary to utilize them;Objective 2: enhance profitability and sustainability of Hmong BFRs through improved natural resource planning and management relating to energy, water, fertilizer, and soil; andObjective 3: strengthen communication and collaboration between Hmong BFRs and key agricultural stakeholders, and mitigate entry barriers for new farmers.

APPROACH: Services will be offered through a combination of bi-lingual and bi-cultural HND staff and mentors and collaborating partners. HND will utilize several strategies to engage with an isolated and rural Hmong community including print and web media. As the Hmong people are traditionally an oral culture, it is important to provide a program that addresses the strengths of oral tradition, group learning, and the population's preference for visual and kinesthetic learning. As not all community members read or have access to internet we translate educational materials and disseminate them through videos and face to face contact. In addition, the program addresses the transportation barriers faced by low-income, socially disadvantaged farmers in this vast geographic region by offering services via DVD, conference calls, travel stipends, and one-on-one technical assistance. Specific methods will include:Recorded education series: HND will work in partnership with EnSave to adapt and video record general information about their program for the Hmong community. We will also distribute DVD recordings of USDA educational workshops for farmers without internet access or the ability to travel for trainings.Community settings: HND staff and paid mentors connect with farmers at local cultural events and community centers.Peer mentors: HND developed a farmer advisory council, comprised of seven experienced Hmong farmers who come from a variety of industries including poultry, other livestock, and fruits/vegetables. They also represent multiple generations and genders. These advisors are integral to HND program outreach and community engagement as they liaison and refer beginning and second generation Hmong farmers to HND for farm education and services.Online and radio media: Dissemination of information through: HND's monthly newsletter to stakeholders (3,500+ persons), HND's website and social media sites on a weekly basis (4,200 + persons/day),Monthly conference call: question and answer session, invaluable tool for sharing information and recruitment of farmers to additional program offerings.Measurable OutcomesData Source/Assessment toolTimingOutcome 1. Increased entrepreneurship and business knowledge for Hmong farmers (priority Topic c).120 (40-60 annually) farmers complete training on identifying new markets80% of 120 farmers completing workshops show increased knowledge of markets they can pursuePre/post testClient logsPre/post test administered after each trainingOutcome 2: Increased use of natural resource management and planning practices resulting in increased economic stability of Hmong farmers and ranchers (Priority Topic E.)85 energy audits completed through partnership with EnSave80% of 85 farmers demonstrate increased net profits one year after energy audit completionPhone follow up to determine installed energy efficiency measures and profitability increaseFollow-up with farmer bi-annuallyOutcome 3: Improved Financial Benchmarking (Priority Topic J.)80% of 60 farmers annually receiving individual assistance will demonstrate sufficient knowledge to operate financially stable farms and ranches, including understanding of contracts, mortgages and record keeping practicesClient logsObservationalassessmentOngoing logsBi-annualobservationsOutcome 4: improved understanding by Hmong farmers of USDA products through Resource and Referral (Priority Topic I.):Distribution of 1500 educational materials annually on USDA and other programs product offerings500 individual conversations annually about USDA programsAttendance logsongoing

PROGRESS: 2015/09 TO 2019/08
Target Audience:The target audience served by HND's Hmong Agricultural Sustainability Training and Education (HASTE) project (HASTE) during the performance period was mainly Southeast Asian American producers, particularly limited resource Hmong producers in the Ozark region of northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri. Generally, most Hmong producers served were small poultry growers and specialty crop farm operators with an average of 3 years of farming experiences. Changes/Problems:Farmers that completed energy audits for their farm operations were not confident about the process for obtaining assistance in implementing the energy recommendations. Other farmers needed more implementation assistance and were unsure about that process. Partly due to these concerns, we found that the demand for audits decreased significantly after year 2 of our HASTE project. We requested flexibility in performing fewer energy audits in favor of more educational material and/or implementation assistance. This request was approved which allowed our technical service partner to assist farms with implementation of energy practices in addition to energy audits, allowing farms to install projects and begin reaping energy savings. Our technical service partner was also able to provide our program participants the following services and products: Completed renewable energy assessments and waste heat recovery system assessments to help producers understand if these technologies will benefit their operations; Assisting 2 Hmong producers through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to obtain technical assistance for energy efficiency improvements; and Develop farm specific implementation "Quick Start Guide" which lays out the funding available in the producer's state based on their individual audit findings; and Develop a low cost/no cost measure guide that provide tips and guidance on reducing energy costs through low or no cost measures. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project also collaborated with local partners to provide Hmong farmers access to regional conferences and events. The following conferences were attended by HND staff and local Hmong farmers: 2016 June - Farm to Cafeteria Conference 2016 September - National Small Farm Conference 2017 November - National Value Added Ag Conference 2017 November - New Food Conference 2018 February - Grazing Conference 2018 April Our Farms Our Future Conference 2018 June - Grazing Conference How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project lessons learned and information developed were shared with the Hmong farming community in several ways. Workshops Project participants that completed the energy audit and implementation presented at HND's energy management workshops. Project participants provided a good example to other producers about how energy efficiency can help their operations and how the program can help identify energy efficiency improvements. Earlier case studies of farms that successfully completed their energy audits were incorporated into later energy management presentation to show the energy savings on actual HASTE participants' farms. Community meetings Facebook group, Tri State Hmong Community Community wide events and gatherings Mailings Monthly Outreach newsletters Energy management resources as such renewable energy assessments, Quick Start guides, and waste heat recovery evaluations that were mailed to all energy audit applicants. Monthly conference call Biennial national conference What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

IMPACT: 2015/09 TO 2019/08
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Increase awareness of financial assistance opportunities amongst Hmong BFRs, and provide them with the resources and knowledge necessary to utilize them Major activities completed and discussion of results: Group Educational Sessions - HND hosted 21 sessionswith a total of 223 farmer attendees; an average of 11 attendees per workshop. Adapted educational resources - HND adapted educational resources to be linguistically and culturally appropriate for 21 workshops and 36 outreach newsletters. 17 of the 36 outreach newsletters had sections that shared financial opportunities with farmers. Community Outreach and Engagement - HND staff outreached at 27 community events and engaged with 4488 individuals (duplicates). HND participated at these events to distribute information, connect with farmers, and connect with farmers about financial assistance opportunities. HND staff mails out monthly outreach newsletters to farmers. The newsletter is written in both English and Hmong and contains summarized updates from different USDA agencies such as FSA, NRCS, and Rural Development. A total of 36 outreach newsletters were mailed to 324 unduplicated Hmong owned and operated farms. HND staff host a monthly 2-hour conference call with Hmong farmers. The goal of conference calls is to provide structure and space for Hmong farmers to learn about farm-related opportunities and share lessons learned, ideas, or concerns. HND hosted a total of 36 conference calls; 21 of the 36 discussed financial assistance opportunities for farmers. Each call had an average of 16 participants. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: 223 farmer attendees of educational sessions received information to increase their business and entrepreneurship knowledge. Specifically, 84 attendees increased their awareness of different financial assistance opportunities available to them through different agencies and institutions. 146 farmer attendees completed trainings on identifying new market opportunities, whether it is adding new farm products or seeking out new buyers. An estimated 82% of workshop attendees increased knowledge of markets to pursue. 324 unduplicated farmers learned about financial assistance and benefits that USDA had to offer through 17 monthly outreach newsletters. A total of 4488 participants (not unique numbers) at 27 community events gained increased awareness of financial assistance opportunities that various USDA agencies had to offer. A total of 344 participants called into 21 conference calls to learn and share knowledge about USDA financial products and services. II - Enhance profitability and sustainability of Hmong BFRs through improved natural resource planning and management relating to energy, water, fertilizer, and soil Major activities completed and discussion of results: Group Educational Sessions - HND staff conducted 40 sessions with a total of 569 attendees; each workshop had an average of about 14 attendees. Technical Assistanc - EnSave received 72 energy audit applications from Hmong farm operations and completed 60 energy audits. Based on the 60 completed audits for 60 Hmong owned and operated poultry farms, EnSave identified a total potential cost savings of $460,345.05. HND providedlanguage and technical support tofarmers in accessing services that enhancedfarms sustainability and profitability through improved resource planning and management. HND staff assisted 622 unique Southeast Asian producers of 521 farm operations with technical and language assistance;41 were new farmers who started farming and 564 were in their first 10 years of farming whom HND helped improve their farming success or situation. HND staff helped prepare 17 individuals to start farming. Monthly Outreach Newsletters -A total of 1380 outreach letters were distributed to 324 Southeast Asian farm operations across the tristate region of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Monthly Conference Call Lines for Hmong Farmers - HND hosted 33 conference calls that discussed or shared information that were helpful to the sustainability and profitability of Hmong farm operations.The 33 conference calls had a total of 559 participants (not unique number) with an average of 17 participants per call. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: 150 Southeast Asian farmers learned about energy conservation and energy audits through 8 workshops and 2 conference calls. 72 Southeast Asian poultry farmers applied for a farm energy audit of their poultry operation, 60 of the 72 applicants completed their energy audits within the 3-year performance period. EnSave assisted 2 producers through the NRCS EQIP initiative to obtain technical assistance for energy efficiency improvements. 60 Southeast Asian producers increased their knowledge of available energy efficiency funding in their state based on their own farm's audit findings. 170 Southeast Asian farmers gained confidence in accessing USDA programs and services. 95 farmers applied for USDA NRCS programs and services. 68 farmers applied for USDA FSA programs and services. 91% of HASTE project participants increased use of natural resource management and planning practices to increase the economic stability of their farm operations. 621 Southeast Asian farmers received individual technical and language assistance and deepen their understanding of farm finances, contracts, mortgages, and recordkeeping practices. III - Strengthen communication and collaboration between Hmong BFRs and key agricultural stakeholders, and mitigate entry barriers for new farmers. Major activities completed and discussion of results: Group Educational Sessions - HND hosted a total of 13 sessions witha total of 206 attendees; each workshop had an average of about 16 farmers. Community Outreach and Engagement - HND staff outreached at 27 community events and engaged with 4488 individuals. HND staff participated in 8 community meetings with a total of 302 attendees where Hmong community leaders invited HND staff to share information about USDA programs and services. Monthly Outreach Newsletters - 5 outreach newsletters shared information that were helpful in reducing barriers for new Hmong farmers in accessing services and resources for their farm operations. Monthly Conference Call Lines for Hmong Farmers - 8 of the 36 conference calls discussed services and events that were important to strengthening communication and collaboration between Hmong producers and key agricultural stakeholders. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: With HND staff providing one-on-one technical assistance, 621 Southeast Asian farmers improved their understanding of USDA products and services. 193 farmers attended 13 educational sessions and networked with key agricultural stakeholders such as farmer leaders in their community, local USDA representatives, and University ag professionals. 302 Hmong farmers increased knowledge of opportunities to be involved in agricultural policy and increased their confidence ensure their voices are heard on important farm and food policy decisions. Data collected got all major activities: For group educational sessions: Sign-in Sheets for workshops, Evaluations and feedback for each session, Session assessments Adapted Educational Materials: Educational distribution track list Outreach & Engagement: Educational distribution track list for community outreach events, One-on-one sign in sheet Monthly Outreach Letters: Mailing list, Work Plan Tracker, Call and Text Log Monthly Conference Call Lines: Conference call Tally, Monthly break-down of callers, Call and Text Log Technical Assistance: Daily measure tracker and Workplan tracker

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2015/09 TO 2019/08
No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
Target Audience:The goal of the HASTE program is to enhance the long term availability and sustainability of Hmong beginning farmers and ranchers and facilitate the success of the next generation through education mentoring and technical assistance. The project emphasizes stabilizing distressed farm operations, and advancing business practices to generate wealth. Changes/Problems:No major change was made to the program. However, program partners worked to created documents and processes for the project. The process and intake for the Energy Audits were defined and language proficiency were addressed by adding into the application a question for interpreting services. A HASTE application was created and approved by all partners of the grant. A flow chart was also created that showed a step by step process for the Energy Audit. There were no changes to the program during this reporting period. However, we are exploring the possibility of involving a Vietnamese farmer that is purchasing an existing applicant's operation because the program will still be assisting a farmer from Southeast Asia. We are attempting to obtain additional information from the current applicant to determine how best to move forward. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program has not yet directly provided training and professional development to Hmong BFRs, but will begin this starting with the first workshops in early January. However, HND hosted a HASTE program kick off strategy meeting in Bentonville, AR. The meeting was to train HND and Ensave staff to better understand the Hmong BFRs and develop a better way to outreach and track the data to each farmer that participate in the HASTE program. Through this training we were able to create a system that allows us to use flowcharts to track the timeline on the progress of each energy audit report and ENSAVE shared their FEAT program for tracking Program data. Finally, EnSave provided training on the energy audit procedure and energy audit contents to HND staff. Finally, monthly conference calls with a wide variety of topics have been held with Hmong farmers. These calls are used as a training tool that would engage farmers who live too far to attend a workshop. From April to June 2016, we focused on the following: The project has provided opportunities for training through Technical Assistance by helping the farmers navigate through the steps after receiving a completed energy audit and professional development in understanding its recommendations and through interpretations for technical terminologies that are difficult to understand when meeting with NRCS Staff. In Quarter 1 of 2016, the program offered three workshops in Missouri and Arkansas that focused on poultry farm energy management and opportunities to improve farm cash-flow through energy efficiency. These workshops were designed to educate Hmong farmers about energy efficiency opportunities on their farms, the value of energy audits, and how to obtain financial assistance for energy projects. This professional development opportunity for Hmong farmers will help them to better understand how to increase their profitability through reducing energy costs. Additional training workshops are scheduled for August of 2016. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Success stories and program information is shared with the community and through the HND newsletter, via conference calls, and by word of mouth. HND has been contacted by farmers who have heard from a friend or family about HND's work to help the community connect to resources. About one-third of the current applicants for the HASTE project was through HND outreach efforts, and the remaining one-third is through word of mouth from farmers who have received technical assistance from HND. Farmers who have gone through the HASTE project become advocates for the project to their friends and family. HND also host monthly conference calls that enable the farmers from more remote areas to connect with HND and other farmers about programs and the HASTE project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next reporting period will focus on two major areas: Delivery of the first workshops for Hmong BFRs in early January, and starting the planning for the next series of workshops. We anticipate the workshops will result in an influx of new applicants for the program, as producers will have the opportunity to sign up for the program at the workshops. Further progress on the delivery of the energy audits currently underway. EnSave is still awaiting initial paperwork for all 12 farms, after which EnSave will deliver each energy audit within 8 weeks of receiving this information. The remaining audit process encompasses initial phone interviews with the producers, a farm site visit, energy analysis, and reporting writing and delivery. We will also begin work on any new audit applications received. We will be hosting our second set of workshops for the HASTE project in August. We will also work with NRCS agents to identify Hmong farmers who have been in the pipelines waiting for Energy Audits to participate in the HASTE project. Planning four upcoming workshops for Hmong BFRs in August, which will be held in Arkansas and Missouri. Finalizing additional documents and beginning the process of implementing the use of those documents to help educate BFRs on how to access financial assistance. Further progress on the delivery of the energy audits currently underway. The breakdown of audit progress is detailed in the Energy Auditing section above

IMPACT: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? From October-December 2015, we outreached and promoted USDA Programs to over 2200 producers and farmers in the areas of NRCS, Rural Development, and FSA loans. There were three Hmong New Year Celebrations in the region, one in Missouri and two in Arkansas. FSA representatives joined us at our booths; they met and spoke with Hmong farmers and producers. EnSave staff began the process of planning for the first workshop in January 2016, which includes recruiting USDA staff to explain the financial assistance opportunities to Hmong BFRs. As part of the December kickoff meeting, EnSave scheduled meetings with national and local representatives of USDA Rural Development NRCS to explain the HASTE program and how the USDA agencies could support the program's goals. EnSave performed services within the following categories, all of which were designed to support the promotion of the program and delivery of energy audits. The energy audits will directly support enhancing profitability and sustainability of Hmong BFRs through improved natural resource planning related to energy, by recommending specific actions to reduce energy use. In preparation for performing audits, program partners developed multiple program documents including a HASTE application form, audit agreement form and scope of work, audit flowchart, biosecurity protocol, HASTE program summary and energy use history explanation. All of these documents were designed to help the applicants better understand the audit process and the accompanying documentation they needed to provide to EnSave. We were able to connect with 12 farmers who signed up for Energy Audits by December 2015. All of these audits are in the agreement pending stage. This means EnSave has sent the producer its request for a signed agreement and a year's worth of energy use data, and is awaiting this information from producers in order to begin the audit report. The Engineering Coordinator at EnSave and the Program Coordinator at Hmong National Development have worked together with producers requiring translation services. The first workshop has been scheduled for January. The workshops are intended to provide the producers with information about energy efficiency in poultry operations, an overview of the HASTE program, and overview of the energy audit, and information regarding financial assistance through multiple funding sources. In preparation for that workshop EnSave developed a presentation on energy efficiency in poultry operations and multiple financial assistance opportunities. In preparation for performing audits, program partners developed multiple documents surrounding the audit report including a HASTE application form, audit agreement form and scope of work, audit flowchart, biosecurity protocol, HASTE program summary and energy use history explanation All of these documents were designed to help the applicants better understand the audit process and the accompanying documentation they needed to provide to EnSave. EnSave and HND participated in bi-weekly conference calls to discuss the program logistics and launching the program to producers. They also planned and executed a program kickoff meeting for December 3, 2015 in Rogers, Arkansas. EnSave staff in attendance included the President and CEO, Director of Sustainability, Operations Director and Program Data Collector. During this meeting we reviewed many aspects of the energy audit including the energy audit report itself, data collection process and EnSave's FEAT software as the web-based report generation and program tracking tool. We also discussed many aspects of workshop planning including the agenda, presentation and handout materials and enrollment process. The last component of the kickoff meeting was an overview of programs that EnSave will utilize to help applicants obtain financial assistance. Among those programs discussed were the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that's delivered through Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) delivered through Rural Development (RD) as well as potential coordination with Rural Electric Cooperatives. EnSave also scheduled a meeting with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to take place in early January to discuss the program and how NRCS can help. Participants will include multiple people from EnSave, HND and both local and National NRCS. Our partner, EnSave developed documents that summarized available programs and financial assistance opportunities on a state-by-state basis within the program area. These documents will be used as resources by both HND field staff and provided as resources to Hmong BFRs in the program area. These documents will be updated to include NRCS payment rates for fiscal year 2017 once it is made available. EnSave performed services within the following categories, all of which were designed to support the promotion of the program delivery of energy audits. The energy audits directly support enhancing profitability and sustainability of Hmong BFRs through improved energy management. The energy audits accomplish this by recommending specific actions to reduce energy use and enabling HASTE program participants to apply for financial assistance through USDA NRCS, USDA Rural Development and/or other state, federal, or utility-sponsored programs. The HASTE Project has received 31 applications for HASTE energy audits as of the end of June 2016. Five of those applicants have withdrawn from the program and one applicant's report has been put on hold because she lost her farm contract. Although this applicant may choose to resume her energy audit in the event that she enters into a new integrator contract, we are assuming for the time being that she will not continue. Therefore, with 28 audits available per program year and 25 active applicants, the program is approximately 86% subscribed for the 2016 program year. It is also important to note that the program can accommodate 28 completed audits per year. It is probable that some of the active applicants will not provide all of the necessary information in time to complete their audits within the current fiscal year. To ensure we are able to deliver the 28 audits by the end of the first contract year and to continue the momentum of the program, the program partners will make a concerted effort to enroll new applicants over the next month. 18 audits have been completed, five of which were completed during this reporting period. One has been assigned to an analyst and one has signed the agreement. The remaining five applicants must provide their signed agreement and their energy use information before EnSave can begin the audits. Both EnSave and HND's Farm Program Coordinators in Missouri and Arkansas are following up with the farmers that still need to provide information. Our project team and partners has planned for three additional workshops for mid-August, 2016. Detailed planning has begun and includes location, time, revised presentation and content for the workshops. New educational content will include an overview of the tax implications of receiving financial assistance. This is important to discuss because several Hmong BFRs have expressed concern about this issue and it could become a barrier to access assistance and install energy efficient equipment. The second series of workshops will also incorporate additional case study information on success stories, the use of props to better communicate energy management concepts, and door prizes (donated by EnSave and HND) to enhance participation.

PUBLICATIONS: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
No publications reported this period.