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INVESTIGATOR: Zabawa, R.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA 36088

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The long-term goal of this project is to design and implement an outreach program that offers technical assistance to socially disadvantaged, resource-poor beginning farmers in Alabama, in production, management and marketing of small-scale livestock and horticultural enterprises, in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner and to improve their livelihood. The supporting objectives include: to demonstrate and train farmers to run a sustainable small-scale livestock enterprise; to demonstrate and train farmers to run a sustainable small-scale vegetable production; and to provide training in farm management and marketing through access to USDA farm programs, specifically environmental programs and set-asides (EQIP); value-added (VAPG); and production loans (ownership, operating, equipment, livestock and youth) and to access to diversified marketing opportunities including farmers markets, small retail outlets, and large chains such as Walmart. In partnership that includes the Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program, the G. W. Carver Agricultural Experiment Station, and two community-based organizations, the Macon County Farmers Organization and the Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperative in Dallas County, the approach of this program is to: 1. recruit new and beginning farmers, 2. perform intensive training workshops, and 3.promote the trained farmers as farm mentors for their communities. And the overarching method is to provide a diversified curriculum that includes farm and field days, group meetings, one-on-one advisement, and on-line training.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term goal:The long-term goal of this project is to design and implement an outreach program that offers technical assistance to socially disadvantaged, resource-poor beginning farmers in Alabama, in production, management and marketing of small-scale livestock and horticultural enterprises, in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner and to improve their livelihood.Supporting Objectives:A. Demonstrate and train farmers to run a sustainable small-scale livestock enterprise.B. Demonstrate and train farmers to run a sustainable small-scale vegetable production and to promote awareness and adoption of plasticulture technology by the beginning farmers and offer curriculum based training in plasticulture.C. To provide training in farm management and marketing through access to USDA farm programs, specifically environmental programs and set-asides (EQIP); value-added (VAPG); and production loans (ownership, operating, equipment, livestock and youth).