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INVESTIGATOR: Bullock, F. D.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
3500 JOHN A. MERRITT BLVD
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37209

ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY, COMMUNITY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR BEGINNING FARMERS ,RANCHERS AND RETURNING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN TENNESSEE

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Tennessee State University (TSU) proposes a new partnership agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture - The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to provide services through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). The overall goal of proposed project is to provide education, outreach, training and technical assistance to Tennessee's beginning and limited-resource farmers and ranchers to enhance the sustainability of beginning farmers and ranchers through education, training, mentoring and outreach programs that enhance self-employment in farming, ranching and forestry opportunities.The number of small farms in the Tennessee continues to decline. According to the U.S. Census data, the number of farms in Tennessee in 2002, 2007 and 2012 declined from 87,587 in 2002; 79,280 in 2007; to 68,050 in 2012. Tennessee is ranked 11th in the nation for total number of farms, according to the 2012 USDA census data. In 2011, 70% of farms in Tennessee were small farms with annual sales of less than $10,000, according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The number of African-American farm operators in Tennessee were in 212 1,324 with total farm acreage of 107,819 acres, which is a slight increase from 2007. More than 743 farmers identified themselves as Hispanic; American Indian/Native in Tennessee operated 689 farms; Asians operated 164 farms; and Native Hawaiians operated 27 farms in the Tennessee region according to 2012 USDA Census data. The number of Women farmers in 2012 was 28,813 from all the ethnic/race groups listed above.Small farmers and producers of all races, nationalities, and both gender and military service status are facing challenges in developing and enhancing economic cash flows, stimulating stagnated farm income, increasing returns on investment through rural business development, building and protecting assets, developing an attractive product for marketing, enhancing education on environmental and conservation stewardship, and practicing risk management. Because of the changing structure of agriculture and the competitive financial system, socially and financially disadvantaged producers Tennessee are having a difficult time thriving in this economy. Because of the current farming environment in Tennessee, the geographical focus of this project is Tennessee. Target GroupsThe target group is farmers and ranchers who have not operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years. These small farmers must fall into at least one of the following categories. The percentages indicate the amount of program funds made available to the group:Limited-Resources and Socially Disadvantage beginning farmers orranchers ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35%Other eligible farm workers desiring to become farmers or ranchers ----- 30%Beginning farmers or ranchers who are military veterans-- ---------------- 35%

OBJECTIVES: The overall goal of proposed project is to provide education, outreach, training and technical assistance to Tennessee's beginning and limited-resource farmers and ranchers to enhance the sustainability of beginning farmers and ranchers through education, training, mentoring and outreach programs that enhance self-employment in farming, ranching and forestry opportunities.The number of small farms in the Tennessee continues to decline. According to the U.S. Census data, the number of farms in Tennessee in 2002, 2007 and 2012 declined from 87,587 in 2002; 79,280 in 2007; to 68,050 in 2012. Tennessee is ranked 11th in the nation for total number of farms, according to the 2012 USDA census data. In 2011, 70% of farms in Tennessee were small farms with annual sales of less than $10,000, according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The number of African-American farm operators in Tennessee were in 212 1,324 with total farm acreage of 107,819 acres, which is a slight increase from 2007. More than 743 farmers identified themselves as Hispanic; American Indian/Native in Tennessee operated 689 farms; Asians operated 164 farms; and Native Hawaiians operated 27 farms in the Tennessee region according to 2012 USDA Census data. The number of Women farmers in 2012 was 28,813 from all the ethnic/race groups listed above.Small farmers and producers of all races, nationalities, and both gender and military service status are facing challenges in developing and enhancing economic cash flows, stimulating stagnated farm income, increasing returns on investment through rural business development, building and protecting assets, developing an attractive product for marketing, enhancing education on environmental and conservation stewardship, and practicing risk management. Because of the changing structure of agriculture and the competitive financial system, socially and financially disadvantaged producers Tennessee are having a difficult time thriving in this economy. Because of the current farming environment in Tennessee, the geographical focus of this project is Tennessee.