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INVESTIGATOR: Blumhagen, S.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
301 5TH AVE SE
MEDINA, NORTH DAKOTA 58467

FARRMS: GROWING TOGETHER

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Immigrant Development Center, in partnership with FARRMS*, Medina, North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota Extension will increase the number and sustainability of Red River Valley's emerging farm enterprises through internship opportunities, education and mentoring. A 4-stage farmer-training model will include experience working in a Growing Together community garden as a beginning step for those who may have little experience in (northern) agriculture. Growing Together is a faith-based garden ministry that provided 42,000 pounds of food to 150 participating New American families last year. Utilizing a community organizing model to recruit and support new farmers in the Fargo/Moorhead Metro area, at least 50% of the trainees will be new Americans, women, veterans, socially disadvantaged, or developmentally disabled adults. A local New Farmer Learning Circle and New Farmer Task Force will support recruitment, identification of barriers and provide translation or access to materials from USDA Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program-funded Tufts University project in order to build farming skills for those needing assistance with developmental learning issues, literacy or English as a Second Language.

OBJECTIVES: Utilizing a community organizing model to recruit and support new farmers in the Fargo/Moorhead Metroa area, at least 50% of those involved in the training will be new Americans, women, veterans, or developmentally disabled adults. A local learning circle will help identify barriers, provide translation or testing of materials materials from BFRDP funded ISED Solutions and Hawthrone Valley Farm designed to build farming skills for those needing assistance with developmental learning issues, literacy or ESL. Program Objectives: 1) Train 50 new/beginning farmers in ND or Western Minnesota in business, marketing, & sustainability; 2) Establish a Fargo/Moorhead Advisory/Organizing group to support recruitment; establish incubator farm opportunities, and guide program; 3)Establish a F/M metro area FARRMS intern learning circle as a subgroup of the statewide FARRMS training to integrate new Americans, veterans, special needs, and female beginning farmers into the FARRMS program. 4) Obtain, test, and modify existing farmer training materials from Farm Beginnings® training materials to meet the specific needs of those involved in the internship program with regard to literacy, ESL, developmental learning challenges, etc.; 5) Provide adapted materials, experiences, as needed; 5) Modify Growing Together toolbox used to guide the development of new community garden sites; 7) With Lutheran Social Services staff support, launch new Growing Together gardens in two other cities working with LSS refugee communities; 8) Attend Farm Beginnings® collaborative meetings.

APPROACH: A local New Farmer Learning Circle and New Farmer Task Force will support recruitment, identification of barriers and provide translation or access to materials from USDA Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program-funded Tufts University project in order to build farming skills for those needing assistance with developmental learning issues, literacy or English as a Second Language.

PROGRESS: 2016/08 TO 2019/08
Target Audience: Audience Emphasis Immigrant producers Organic producers Small farms Women Participants Served Record the total number of unique participants who participated in your program: Total Number of Participants: 684 Enter the actual cumulative number of participants who as a result of your program: Started farming: Target - 25, Actual - 38 Helped prepare to start farming: Target - 50, Actual - 72 Improved farming success: Target - 25, Actual - 38 Changes/Problems: Project Comments What were the keys to success for your participants? Outreach, strong partnerships, adaptability, and making provisions to ensure our programs were accessible were all keys to participant success. Development of peer support networks is also important. Describe any unexpected results of the project: We though the Learning Circles would be more popular than they were. The Growing Together Leadership workshop had really good turnout and we were pleased that so many people were interested in that unique approach to community gardens. Many of the participants we served are interested in farming but don't have the time or land access to pursue a farm business. How would you improve this project if you were to do it again? We'd put more planning and time earlier on into adaptation of the Farm Beginnings curriculum for participants who do not speak or write in English or who do not read or write in their own language. We had a lot of staffing challenges and challenges with communication among partners. I think this could be addressed by spending more planning time at the beginnings of the project, establishing a clearly understood shared mission and vision for the project and ensuring it is in writing. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Year 1: In the first year of this project, FARRMS held an 8-session Farm Beginnings course, placed interns on working farms across North Dakota, held monthly Learning Circle sessions for peer support, and convened an advisory group called the New Farmer Task Force Year 2: In year 2 (8/15/2017 - 8/14/2018) FARRMS again held an 8 session Farm Beginnings course, placed interns on working farms across North Dakota, held monthly workshops, and continued to convene the New Farmer Task Force on a monthly basis. We also worked to increase the number of community gardens using the Growing Together communal gardening model. Farm Beginnings: In the first year, 21 individuals enrolled and 12 completed the course. (57% course completion). In the second year, 25 individuals enrolled and 19 graduated (76% course completion). Of those that graduated, 15 were New Americans, recruited through Lutheran Social Services (LSS). Twelve were from Bhutan, one from DRC, one from Tanzania, one from Somalia. Among the group from Bhutan, most did not speak English and there were varying levels of literacy in their own language. LSS provided interpreters at each session (part of their in-kind match). Another adaptation was that some written worksheets and evaluation forms were done by group discussion with the interpreters. Most sessions lent themselves well to adaptation. The lessons on farm taxes and insurance did not lend themselves to translation or adaptation. Interns: In the first year 17 interns enrolled and only 10 completed the internship (59% retention). In the second year 9 enrolled and 9 completed the internship (100% retention). We improved retention by revising the expectations around # of hours per week (reduced from 40 to 25), changed from a model where interns lived on the farm to a non-residential model, improved orientation and the handbook, implemented a learning plan for each intern, assigned weekly readings on food systems and sustainability and focused on community building among the interns. While they had one or two potlucks in the first year, in the second year they had 4 monthly farm tours that included a group work project, a meal, and social time. We are building community by giving them opportunities to learn together, work together, eat together, and play together. In year one we struggled with attendance at Learning Circles. Most Farm Beginnings students worked and did not have another free day a month to attend a Learning Circle. In year two we offered educational workshops in place of Learning Circles and had good attendance. New Farmer Task Force. The New Farmer Task Force continued to meet monthly in Year 2. However, attendance declined and some members reported that the group lacked clear vision and direction. For numerous reasons, the contractor who had been facilitating the Task Force had her contract terminated in April 2018. A consulting firm was brought in to conduct re-visioning sessions in summer 2018 and we created a new position description and began recruiting a new facilitator for the New Farmer Task Force (hired in Year 3, fall 2018). We published and began sharing the Growing Together Gardens Toolkit, a guide for those interested in replicating Growing Together's communal gardening model. We also offered a training workshop in March 2018 followed by two phone conference sessions. Year 3: We faced significant challenges as we started our third year. The Project Director was suddenly and unexpectedly diagnosed with leukemia in September 2018 and the new facilitator for the New Farmer Task Force was still being hired. The Director of Educational Programs was the sole staff member during September and October 2019. Farm Beginnings was again held in Fargo with 7 participants. Participation may have been lower because we were short-staffed and unable to spend as much time on recruitment. Or it may have been that we had reached capacity for the number of students in Fargo interested in the course. All 7 completed the course and reported high satisfaction with the course. Although we reached out through Lutheran Social Services, no New Americans enrolled in this session of Farm Beginnings. The internship program had 15 interns participating, a significant increase. The internship program used the same format as 2018 and again had a high completion rate with only one leaving the program early. We again offered monthly educational workshops on a variety of topics from plant production to regenerative grazing. A new facilitator was hired for the New Farmer Task Force and they resumed monthly meetings in January 2019. They worked on defining a shared vision and participated in planning and coordination for a one-day pop-up farmers market for New Americans in 2019. Growing Together Community gardens continued to mentor new startup communal gardens. We placed 4 interns with Growing Together in 2019. Steps Steps taken to help participants FARRMS will continue recruiting New Americans and other underserved populations for our programs. FARRMS offered Farm Beginnings annually. (3 courses, each 8 sessions) FARRMS offered the internship program annually and encouraged graduating interns to enroll in Farm Beginnings. FARRMS recruited Farm Beginnings graduates as presenters to Farm Beginnings and to be intern hosts. FARRMS offered monthly Learning Circles and educational workshops. FARRMS convened monthly New Farmer Task Force meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Steps Steps taken to help participants FARRMS will continue recruiting New Americans and other underserved populations for our programs. FARRMS offered Farm Beginnings annually. (3 courses, each 8 sessions) FARRMS offered the internship program annually and encouraged graduating interns to enroll in Farm Beginnings. FARRMS recruited Farm Beginnings graduates as presenters to Farm Beginnings and to host interns. FARRMS offered monthly Learning Circles and educational workshops. FARRMS convened monthly New Farmer Task Force meetings. Deliver: Total Meetings: 23 Total Meeting Participants: 305 Total Webinars: 1 Total Webinar Participants: 4 Total Website Visits: 0 Total Online Course Participants: 0 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

IMPACT: 2016/08 TO 2019/08
What was accomplished under these goals? Results: What Producers Learned, Achieved, Applied Result 1. Participants take part in exploratory events for various farming careers and techniques Producer action: Understand, Topic: Organic production When measured: At each event Estimated Number: 675, Actual Number: 684 How verified: Basic sign in sheets with name and email Result 2. New community gardens are established with the Growing Together model using the toolkit and mentoring Producer action: Implement, Topic: Vegetables When measured: Annually in July Estimated Number: 11, Actual Number: 10 How verified: Reported #s from community garden leader Result 3. Increase participation in community gardens as a first step in farming skill Producer action: Understand, Topic: Vegetables When measured: Annually in September Estimated Number: 40, Actual Number: 87 How verified: Post season survey of garden leaders Result 4. # of Interns who participate in 1 to 3 field trips, educational webinars, or social events anually Producer action: Implement, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: Annually in November Estimated Number: 18, Actual Number: 33 How verified: Annual Intern survey, intern enrollment and stipend records Result 5. # of students (Farm Beginnings, Farm Dreams, and Interns) whoe Use a skills competency checklist to create a personal growth plan Producer action: Develop, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: At the end of planning event Estimated Number: 45, Actual Number: 77 How verified: Attendance and growth plan review at events, Whole Farm Plans presented at end of Farm Beginnings, Intern Learning Plans created at orientation, Experience reports track growth Result 6. Participate in Farm Beginnings(R) whole farm management course Producer action: Implement, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: annually inNovemebr Estimated Number: 54, Actual Number: 51 How verified: Registrations received for Farm Beginnings(R) course Result 7. Create a farm plan as a capstone for Farm Beginnings(R) course Producer action: Develop, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: Annually at end of Farm Beginnings(R) course Estimated Number: 40, Actual Number: 38 How verified: Participants present farm plan and submit it to course facilitator Result 8. Farm Beginnings(R) graduates participate in 3 field trips, educational webinars, conferences, or networking social events annually Producer action: Implement, Topic: Product and enterprise diversification When measured: annually in November Estimated Number: 20, Actual Number: 12 How verified: Annual survey of all Farm Beginnings(R) graduates Result 9. Interns enrolling in Farm Beginnings(R) course Producer action: Implement, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: Annually in November Estimated Number: 10, Actual Number: 5 How verified: Registrations received for Farm Beginnings(R) course Result 10. Farm beginnings(R) graduates return to share their experiences with next year's class or mentoring interns Producer action: Implement, Topic: Mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships When measured: August 1, 2019 Estimated Number: 15, Actual Number: 26 How verified: Tracking intern placements and Farm Beginnings(R) presenters Result 11. New and existing farmers use the Learning Circle or educational workshops for peer support and mentoring Producer action: Implement, Topic: Interpersonal, family, and business relationships When measured: Each Learning Circle events Estimated Number: 20, Actual Number: 70 How verified: Attendance sheets with name and email will track discrete individuals Result 12. Establish a community of practice Learning Circle for beginning farmers Producer action: Implement, Topic: Interpersonal, family, and business relationships When measured: Tallied August 1, 2019 Estimated Number: 40, Actual Number: 58 How verified: Total hours of Learning Circle activities will be continually recorded Result 13. Community organizations invested in the success of local new and beginnings farmers through their partnerships with FARRMS: Growing Together and representation on Farmer Task Force Producer action: Implement, Topic: Interpersonal, family, and business relationships When measured: Tallied August 1, 2019 Estimated Number: 20, Actual Number: 19 How verified: Attendance of organizations at New Farmer Task Force meetings Result 14. New farms established Producer action: Implement, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: annually in August Estimated Number: 50, Actual Number: 38 How verified: Follow up surveys and interviews Result 15. 50% of training program participants are from socially disadvantaged populations Producer action: Implement, Topic: Business and strategic planning When measured: upon participant enrollment in program Estimated Number: 25, Actual Number: 177 How verified: Through FBC surveys, enrollment surveys, or observation

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2016/08 TO 2019/08
No publications reported this period.