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INVESTIGATOR: Scott, S.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
NORTH-SOUTH INSTITUTE
5400 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE, SUITE 508
DAVIE, FLORIDA 33328

BUNDLING SELECTED USDA PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION OF COOPERATIVE APPROACH TO ENHANCE BEGINNING FARMERS IN DEVELOPING VIABLE FARMS IN TREASURE COAST COUNTIES (MARTIN, ST. LUCIE, INDIAN RIVER) IN FLORIDA

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The project's long term goal is to bundle USDA Programs and offer them using a cooperative development approach to increase the participation of 35 New and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (BFR) in three selected Treasure Coast counties in Florida, by providing education, outreach, technical assistance and training in production and marketing of selected specialty crops, small livestock and honey bee enterprises over a three year period. The ultimate goal is to use the principles of cooperative development, leadership and management to form an agribusiness cooperative to serve 35 out-grower farms owned and operated by beginning unserved producers. This project has been developed and directed as a partnership with the group who has been undergoing cooperative development assistance for the past year. The project plan will be implemented in three phases over 36 months: Phase I- Information dissemination, Cooperative development, & Planning, Phase II- Training and Technical assistance, and Demonstration and Phase III- Asset acquisition assistance and Evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term Goal and Supporting ObjectivesThe long term goals of the project is to assist in developing a production and marketing cooperative with 35 out-grower beginning farmers in 3 southern counties in Florida, by providing education, outreach, technical assistance and training to Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (BFR) in cooperative development and production and marketing of agricultural products over a three year period. This will be done by building their capacities and strengthening their skillsets in production and marketing and enhancing their abilities to participate in USDA programs. This goal is developed consistent with the NIFA focus BFRDP Project Type entitled "Standard Grant." In ensuring the achievement of this goal, three (3) supportive objectives have been proposed that correspond with 10 BFRDP priority areas as demonstrated below:Objective (1) Provide technical assistance and training in cooperative development, leadership and management, production and marketing strategies to enhance land stewardship by beginning farmers and ranchers. The activities to be implemented are: basic livestock and crop, honeybee farming practices (Priority A); innovative farm, ranch land transfer strategies (Priority B); natural resource management and planning (Priority E); Assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in placement/acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers (Priority K) and farm safety and awareness (Priority M). A key part of this delivery methodology will be the use of the extension method of Farmer Field School Days at the Institute Training site, the on-farm demonstration sites including Farming System Research farm site,Objective (2) Provide technical assistance and training in business/cooperative management and decision support strategies that enhances the financial viability of beginning farmers and ranchers. This include activities that focus on entrepreneurship and business training (Priority C); financial and risk management training (including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit) (Priority D); and mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships (Priority H); and Resources and referral (Priority I). A key delivery methodology will be the use of the Cooperative SiteObjective (3) Provide technical assistance and training in marketing strategies that enhance the competitiveness of beginning farmers and ranchers. The major activities will include entrepreneurship and business training (Priority C); diversification and marketing strategies (Priority F); mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships (Priority H); Resources and referral (Priority I). A key delivery methodology will be the use of the Cooperative Site and the Direct Marketing Linkage Program.