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INVESTIGATOR: Taylor, F.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE
PO BOX 23813
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39225

ENHANCING THE SUSTAINABILITY AND VIABILITY OF BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS THROUGH TRAINING EXERCISES, MENTORING AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) is seeking funding from USDA to support its project, entitled "Enhancing the Sustainability and Viability of Beginning Farmers and Ranchers through Training Exercises, Mentoring and Outreach Programs". This project is designed to assist new and beginning limited-resource farm families in obtaining access to information, hands-on training exercises, mentoring and other outreach activities that will enhance their agricultural enterprises. WCSHC is requesting $566,601 in Standard Project BFRDP funding to support these efforts. Therefore, project funds will be used to provide in-depth training and services for 200 limited-resource beginning farmers and ranchers in communities through eastern Mississippi. At least ten percent (200) of program participants will be military veterans. WCSHC Board members have identified the need to assist a new generation of beginning farmer, ranchers and veterans as the organization's core focus during the next ten years. This project will be built upon successful efforts convened from the organization's programming efforts supporting local businesses and circulating wealth family-scale farms. It is our hope that this funding will help to sustain these efforts in the short term while we develop key strategies for long-term efforts. We expect to use this opportunity to further expand our organization's in-house capacity for education, training and mentorship among African-American beginning farmers and ranchers. Second, we expect to build a broader private-level funding stream (from local donors, foundations, state and local agencies, cooperation, supporters, beginning farmer and ranchers contributions as they succeed and achieve better economic outcomes) and from monthly and annual dues and other contributions by the cooperative members. This two-tiered strategy will enable us to continue beginning farmer training long after public support of these efforts is no longer available. Additionally, WCSHC will expand services to assist limited resource farmers, ranchers and veterans in the creation of pilot projects to expand, promote and improve inclusiveness for beginning farmers and ranchers. WCSHC beginning farmers and rancher's team members will provide training related to getting farming enterprises off-the-ground with plans and resources for expansion. WCSHC will reach out to this community through innovative social media work.

OBJECTIVES: The over-riding goal of this project is to educate and distribute research-based information that will influence the ability of least 200 new beginning farmers and ranchers to compete and thrive. Project participants will be exposed to issues that engage them in a model of learning through hands-on training, mentoring and outreach programs that enhance self-employment in farming ranching and forestry opportunities. They will have the ability to apply research-based information, solve new and complex problems, and use the knowledge in new situations. Our audience will be knowledgeable in both economic and ecological subjects and will have the tools to make better production, management and marketing decisions. This project will serve as a model for other organizations.Therefore, the specific objectives are to educate new beginning farmers and ranchers on:Knowledge, skills, and to stimulate hands-on training on sustainable agriculture production practicesDifferent market outlets /alternatives.Farm management (farm record keeping, farm/ business planning, legal support for farm and estate planning services)Farm financial information (access to capital, awareness and access to federal and state agricultural programs).