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INVESTIGATOR: Green, D.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
Mississippi Delta Council for Farm Workers Opportunities, Inc
1005 North State Street
Clarksdale, MISSISSIPPI 38614-6523

DELTA FARMING START

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Delta Farming Start will build on the knowledge, experience, and opportunities created through the initial MDC/FWOI BFRDP Development project to enhance food security, community development and sustainability for beginning farmer and ranchers and their families throughout the Northern Mississippi Delta region, specifically Coahoma, Quitman, Tunica, Bolivar and Tallahatchie Counties.The program targets two populations as beginning farmers and ranchers who have needs for new skills and support to fully participate in the regional economy and who represent under- tapped agricultural assets: seasonal farmworkers and principal operators/owners of small farms in the Mississippi Delta.Target Group Served: 100% of program funds proposed will be allocated to serving limited resource farmers, socially disadvantaged beginning farmers or ranchers, and seasonal farmworkers.Objective 1: A proven farming/ranching enterprise and leadership training model with curricula and resources tailored to the needs of low resource rural Mississippi Delta farmworkers and owner/operators.Objective 2: Participants will have the tools to transition from land tenancy to productive, profitable, and sustainable land ownership. They will have the skills and resources necessary for Ag/ranching success, community leadership, and will contribute to household food security and local economic sustainability.Products:1. A proven farming/ranching enterprise and leadershiptraining model with curriculaand resources tailored to the needs of low resource rural Mississippi Delta farmworkers and owner/operators.2. Southern Bancorp is a collaborative partner of Delta Farming Start and will work closely with MDC/FWOI to ensure funding access toSouthern Bancorp earmarked funds throughloan productsthat will be tailoredfor participants who would traditionally be considered non-bankable.Outputs:3 Micro BusinessTrainings ProvidedYR 1: 1 Training , 4-Days, 20-30Participants,Participants complete and submit short form business plan/micro grant applicationYR 2: 2 Trainings , 4-Days each,20-30 Participantsper training, Participants complete and submit short form business plan/micro grant applicationBased on the Development project, these60 participants funded by a total micro grant investment of $30,000 will produce anROI of $869,340 of increased individual participant income and $1,412,490 of total economic impact for the targeted service area.1 Alumni Training and Transition Team Match UpsYR 3: 1 Training , 4-Days, 20-30Alumni Participants,Alumni Participants are paired with a Transition Team that will include1 MDC BFRDP Team Member, 1Self-employed Farmer and1 SouthernBanCorp Team MemberThe Transition Team will provide post training coaching through the completion andsubmissionof application forfunds throughloan productsthat will be tailoredfor participants who would traditionally be considered non-bankable.Outcomes YR 1-2:No less than 60 Participants who complete training over 3 years are awarded $500 micro grants and launch micro enterpriseIncreased annual average income for these 60 grant recipients by no less than 15% - 85% from launching micro farm/ranch related micro enterpriseBased on the Development project, these 60 participants funded by a total micro grant investment of $30,000 will produce anROI of$869,340 of increased individual participant incomeand$1,412,490 of total economic impactfor the targeted service area.Outcomes YR 3:20 Developmental and Standard MDC BFRDP Project alumni will transition from initial micro grant to completed tailored small business loan ask with Southern BanCorpNo less than 10 small business farm starts are launched with tailored lending productsNo less than 10 agriculture- related self-employment business starts will launch with tailored lending productsDemonstrated ROI for 20 participants that transition to larger scale enterprise with tailored lending productsNo less than 60 participants will enter farming during the entire projectNo less than 20 participants in their first 10 years of farming will demonstrate improved successNo less than 120 new or prospective farmers will be provided information, education or assistanceTotal 3-Year Project Budget: $681,628Projected ROI by end of Project Year 2: $869,340 of increased individual participant income, and$1,412,490 of total economic impactfor the targeted service area

OBJECTIVES: Delta Farming Start will build on the knowledge, experience, and opportunities created through the initial MDC/FWOI BFRDP Development project to enhance food security, community development and sustainability for beginning farmer and ranchers and their families throughout the Northern Mississippi Delta region, specifically Coahoma, Quitman, Tunica, Bolivar and Tallahatchie Counties.Objective 1:A proven farming/ranching enterprise and leadership training model with curricula and resources tailored to the needs of low resource rural Mississippi Delta farmworkers and owner/operators.Objective 2:Participants will have the tools to transition from land tenancy to productive, profitable, and sustainable land ownership. They will have the skills and resources necessary for Ag/ranching success, community leadership, and will contribute to household food security and local economic sustainability.?