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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).

APPROACH: The overall approach of the TU BFRDP is based on (1) the new and beginning farmers to be trained and (2) the pedagogical tools used to train the new and beginning farmers.For the new and beginning farmers, focus will be placed on:Recruitment: each county in the TUCEP service area will recruit 10 new and beginning farmers for a total of 120 trainees. Farmers will be recruited based on their willingness to start farming or to have started farming within the last ten years.Training: each trainee will then undergo intensive training in the areas of (a) small-scale livestock production; (b) small-scale vegetable and garden production; and (c) farm and financial management, with an emphasis on participation in USDA production and loan programs.Mentorships: once the program is completed, the trainees will be given the necessary materials for them to act as community mentors to assist and direct fellow new and beginning farmers.For training the farmers, focus will be placed on:Traditional tools: farm visits, field days, and group meetings.New tools: the use of the internet for on-line information, program applications, and instruction.Towards this end, by the end of year 1, all participating new and beginning farmers will be given a computer tablet for web-based information and instruction. A part of each of the quarterly training programs in livestock production, vegetable production and marketing, and USDA program application and farm management will be devoted to tablet/computer instruction.

PROGRESS: 2015/09 TO 2018/08
Target Audience: Audience Emphasis Audience Emphasis African American Limited resource producers Military veterans Small farms Women Participants Served Record the total number of unique participants who participated in your program: 39 Enter the actual cumulative number of participants who as a result of your program: Started farming: Target - 60, Actual - 20 Helped Prepare to Start Farming: Target - 120, Actual - 19 Improved farming Success: Target - 500, Actual - 4,184 Changes/Problems:Challenge Area for Year 1 Project coordinator leaves position for USDA internship. To keep project moving, small farm specialist is recruited to work with beginning farmers on an individual basis. Challenge Area for Year 2 Project coordinator position re-advertised. To keep project moving, small farm specialist is recruited to work with beginning farmers on an individual basis. Challenge Area for Year 3 Project coordinator position was temporarily filled near the end of the project period. To keep project moving, small farm specialist is recruited to work with beginning farmers on an individual basis. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Delivery Total Meetings: 81 Total Meeting Participants: 1069 Total Meeting Participant Hours: 7914.00 Total Webinars: 0 Total Webinar Participants: 0 Total Webinar Participant Hours: 0 Total Website Visits: 0 Total Online Course Participants: 0 Meetings Date City State # Attendees Meeting Length (hours) 2/1/2016 Prattville AL 1 2.00 2/2/2016 Prattville AL 1 2.00 2/29/2016 Autauga AL 1 2.00 4/11/2016 Prattville AL 1 2.00 1/14/2016 Shorter AL 1 2.00 2/23/2016 Shorter AL 1 2.00 3/11/2016 Shorter AL 1 2.00 3/17/2016 Selma AL 1 2.00 5/9/2016 Selma AL 1 2.00 5/16/2016 Shorter AL 1 2.00 6/1/2016 Shorter AL 1 2.00 6/8/2016 Prattville AL 1 2.00 5/23/2016 Prattville AL 1 2.00 2/18/2016 Tuskegee AL 100 8.00 2/19/2016 Tuskegee AL 100 8.00 12/4/2016 Opelika AL 50 8.00 12/5/2016 Opelika AL 50 8.00 12/6/2016 Opelika AL 50 8.00 12/3/2017 Opelika AL 50 8.00 12/4/2017 Opelika AL 50 8.00 12/5/2017 Opelika AL 50 8.00 2/16/2017 Tuskegee AL 100 8.00 2/17/2017 Tuskegee AL 1 8.00 2/15/2018 Montgomery AL 100 8.00 2/16/2018 Montgomery AL 100 8.00 12/3/2018 Opelika AL 50 8.00 12/4/2018 Opelika AL 50 8.00 12/2/2018 Opelika AL 50 8.00 9/4/2017 Selma AL 1 2.00 10/10/2017 Selma AL 1 2.00 10/18/2017 Marbury AL 1 2.00 10/20/2017 Marbury AL 1 2.00 10/23/2017 Marbury AL 1 2.00 10/3/2017 Prattville AL 1 2.00 10/5/2017 Prattville AL 1 2.00 10/24/2017 Selma AL 1 2.00 10/26/2017 Selma AL 1 2.00 11/13/2017 Marion Junction AL 1 2.00 11/1/2017 Tuskegee AL 1 2.00 10/17/2017 Tuskegee AL 2 2.00 10/11/2017 Marion AL 1 2.00 11/21/2017 Marbury AL 1 2.00 11/23/2017 Marbury AL 1 2.00 11/27/2017 Hayneville AL 2 2.00 6/13/2018 Tuskegee AL 2 2.00 6/20/2018 Tuskegee AL 3 2.00 6/27/2018 Tuskegee AL 3 2.00 8/22/2018 Tuskegee AL 3 2.00 8/24/2018 Tuskegee AL 3 2.00 8/28/2018 Tuskegee AL 3 2.00 8/29/2018 Tuskegee AL 3 2.00 7/5/2018 Clanton AL 1 2.00 9/11/2018 Clanton AL 1 2.00 7/7/2018 Marion AL 1 2.00 8/22/2018 Marion AL 1 2.00 7/19/2018 Clanton AL 1 2.00 8/6/2018 Clanton AL 1 2.00 8/24/2018 Clanton AL 1 2.00 8/27/2018 Clanton AL 1 2.00 8/10/2018 Montgomery AL 1 2.00 2/12/2018 Hope Hull AL 1 2.00 5/28/2018 Hope Hull AL 1 2.00 7/5/2018 Hope Hull AL 1 2.00 8/6/2018 Hope Hull AL 1 2.00 9/24/2018 Hope Hull AL 1 2.00 1/4/2018 Marion Junction AL 1 2.00 1/9/2018 Marion AL 1 2.00 1/16/2018 Marion AL 1 2.00 3/5/2018 Marbury AL 1 2.00 2/15/2018 Marion AL 1 2.00 3/8/2018 Notasulga AL 1 2.00 3/14/2018 Selma AL 1 2.00 10/2/2018 Selma AL 1 2.00 10/23/2018 Selma AL 1 2.00 4/10/2018 Dothan AL 2 2.00 10/18/2018 Enterprise AL 1 2.00 11/6/2018 Marion AL 2 2.00 11/12/2018 Hayneville AL 1 2.00 11/19/2018 Verbena AL 3 2.00 7/21/2018 Hayneville AL 20 4.00 8/25/2018 Tuskegee AL 15 4.00 Actions for Year 1 For 2016, 1 new farmer and 7 beginning farmers were served. Contact numbers for total farmers served/total number of socially disadvantaged farmers is as follows: a. Group meetings and conferences: 424/363 b. one-on-one production and technical assistance meetings: 96/89 c. farm management training: 62/51 Actions for Year 2 For 2017, 4 new farmers and 6 beginning farmers were served. Contact numbers for total farmers served/total number of socially disadvantaged farmers is as follows: a. Group meetings and conferences: 1,025/787 b. one-on-one production and technical assistance meetings: 378/305 c. farm management training: 82/66 Actions for Year 3 For 2018, 15 new farmers and 6 beginning farmers were served. Contact numbers for total farmers served/total number of socially disadvantaged farmers is as follows: a. Group meetings and conferences: 1,025/787 b. one-on-one production and technical assistance meetings: 378/305 c. farm management training: 82/66 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Promotional Materials BFRDP Training Workshop Beginning Farmers and Ranchers/All Farmers and Ranchers in Lowndes and Surrounding Counties BFRDP Workshop Beginning Farmers and Ranchers/All Farmers and Ranchers in Macon and Surrounding Counties What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Steps Steps taken to help participants 1. Meet periodically farmers. 2. Discuss the necessity of a comprehensive record keeping system for both production and financial records. 3. Check to make sure loan application is complete and covers the needs of the farm plan.

IMPACT: 2015/09 TO 2018/08
What was accomplished under these goals? Results: What Producers Learned, Achieved, Applied Result Topic Producer action When measured Est # Act # How verified? 1. Farmer understood need for record keeping system, he developed a loan package for FSA; he decided to apply for a loan Product and enterprise diversification Implement 2016 1 1 loan is approved 2. Farmer understands need for record keeping to increase laon request to apply for a farm ownership loan Product and enterprise diversification Understand 2016 1 1 loan application developed 3. Understood need to assistance in filling out loan application, developed loan package, decided to submit loan application. Livestock Decide 2016 1 1 Decision made on application 4. understand need for a good record keeping system, and perhaps eventually move to a computerized system (versus handwritten); develop loan package; decided to submit loan package;implement approved loan package Business and strategic planning Implement 2016 1 1 Farmer develops a systematic record keeping system; loan package approved. 5. Understood need to start out "small" to develop a credit history and then to expand; developed a smaller-scale farm plan; decided to turn in loan application. Livestock Decide 2016 1 1 decision made on loan application 6. Understand the need for credit management and a good credit report to apply for USDA farm loans Acquiring and managing credit Understand 2016 1 1 when credit score improves 7. Revision and completion of farm ownership loan and farm operating loan Financial records and analysis Decide 2017 1 1 Loans are approved 8. Farmer wants to start out on his own Business and strategic planning Implement 2017 1 1 Loan was approved 9. Revise and finalize loan package for operating expenses Business and strategic planning Decide 2017 1 1 Loan is approved 10. Develop farm plans and applications for farm ownership loan and farm operating loan Business and strategic planning Develop 2017 1 1 Loans are approved 11. Inspect land for purchase Product and enterprise diversification Understand 2017 1 1 Farm and loan plans developed 12. Gain information on farm planning and microloan program Business and strategic planning Understand 2017 1 1 Farm and loan plans develped 13. Expansion of small cattle operation Business and strategic planning Develop 2017 1 1 Develop plan to improve credit, revise farm plan, and apply for micro loan 14. Develop improved farm management plan Livestock Develop 2017 1 1 farm plan and record keeping practices improved. 15. Follow up on loan application Interpersonal, family, and business relationships Understand 2017 1 1 Understand reasons for youth loan holdup. 16. Farm ownership and operating loan packages revised and submitted Business and strategic planning Implement 2018 1 1 Loans approved, farm plan implemented 17. Begin farming Business and strategic planning Develop 2018 1 1 develop farm plan, loan plan, start farming. 18. Begin farming Business and strategic planning Develop 2018 1 1 Develop farm plan, apply for loan, begin farming. 19. review recordkeeping and marketing plans Analysis of market fundamentals Understand 2018 1 1 Record keeping system and marketing plans revised 20. Start independent farm operation Business and strategic planning Understand 2018 1 1 Independent farm plan developed and loan application submitted 21. Start of independent cattle operation Business and strategic planning Develop 2018 1 1 Farm plan developed and loan package developed 22. Protect and increase productivity of land Conservation Understand 2018 1 1 Get information and technical assistance on NRCS conservation stewardship program 23. Improve record keeping and farm management Livestock Implement 2018 1 1 Farm financial and production systems become more efficient 24. Technical assistance for farm plan and loan application Business and strategic planning Develop 2018 1 1 farm plan developed and loan application submitted 25. Farm and business plans developed Business and strategic planning Understand 2018 1 1 understand nature of LLC/Co-op, farm plan and business plans developed 26. Start independent farm operaton Business and strategic planning Develop 2018 1 1 Farm plan and loan application developed and submitted 27. Independent farm operation Business and strategic planning Develop 2018 1 1 Farm plan and loan package developed and submitted 28. Youth Farmer Experience Livestock Understand 2018 1 1 Youth develops farm plan and youth loan application 29. Beginning farmer with production and loan plan Business and strategic planning Develop 2018 1 1 Beginning farmer develops farm plan and loan application 30. Farm established Business and strategic planning Understand 2018 1 1 Farm plan and loan application developed 31. Youth farmer experience Livestock Understand 2018 1 1 Yoouth develops farm plan and youth loan application 32. Improved farm production Livestock Implement 2018 3 3 Farm record keeping improved 33. Clearing of credit history improves chances for loan approval Business and strategic planning Understand 2018 1 1 Loan application approved

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2015/09 TO 2018/08
No publications reported this period.