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INVESTIGATOR: Sohn, S.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
FUTURE HARVEST INCORPORATED: A CHESAPEAKE ALLIANCE FOR SUST
1114 SHAWAN RD, STE 1
COCKEYSVILLE, MARYLAND 21030

ENSURING BEGINNING FARMERS` LONG-TERM COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, of Maryland's 12,400 farms, 20 percent are owned by people 65 years or older - a percentage that rises with the addition of farms owned by 55-65 year olds. With agriculture the largest industry in Maryland, contributing 350,000 jobs, the mass loss of farmers and their expertise in the upcoming 5-10 years, coupled with land-access obstacles for new farmers, could create a labor and farming vacuum with grave effects on the state's economy. What's more, agriculture remains the single largest source of sediment and nutrient pollution to the Chesapeake Bay, contributing 40% of nitrogen and 50% of phosphorus, according to the Chesapeake Bay Program. Much of this can be reduced by farmers well-trained in cover cropping, drip irrigation, buffers, rotational grazing, and other conservation innovations that also allow them to remain profitable.Ensuring New Farmers' Long-Term Commercial Success: A Comprehensive Beginner Farmer Training Program for Maryland project will develop and implement a comprehensive program for first-year and intermediate-level farmers that includes: 1) a supportive mentor community and resources for farmer success over the long haul; 2) specialized training in grazing, urban farming, and restaurant marketing for those interested; 3) a market outlet for new Baltimore area farmers, Chesapeake Farm to Table, which is set up to work with and train new farmers; and 4) needs-based mini-grants and flexible apprenticeship scheduling to meet needs of socially disadvantaged and low-income farmers. The project aims to grow a new farmer workforce well-trained in practices that ensure long-term economic success, reduce agricultural pollution to the Chesapeake Bay, and build soil health.

OBJECTIVES: The overarching long-term goal of the Ensuring New Farmers' Long-Term Commercial Success: A Comprehensive Beginner Farmer Training Program for Maryland project is to provide beginning- and intermediate-level programming to grow a new farmer workforce well- trained in practices that ensure long-term economic success, reduce agricultural pollution to the Chesapeake Bay, and build soil health.Four objectives will support this long-term goal:* To ensure beginning farmers' long-term commercial success* To grow more new, well-trained farmers in the Chesapeake region* To add specializations -- urban, grazing as well as rural* To build a producer support network