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INVESTIGATOR: Dominguez, C.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
La Semilla Food Center
P.O. Box 2579
Anthony, NEW MEXICO 88021

TRAINING AGROECOLOGICAL FARMERS FOR A HOTTER, DRIER FUTURE IN THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT: INCREASING REPRESENTATION AND OPPORTUNITY

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: With support from the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program (BFRDP), La Semilla proposes to enhance the success and sustainability of beginning farmers in the colonia areas of the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion by providing them with the knowledge, skills, tools, and network needed to make informed agroecological decisions. We will provide 1) practical education, 2) immersive training, 3) contact with an established network, and 4) access to an economically viable market to sell their produce. These efforts are set to meet objectives 2.1 and 2.2 of the FY2018-2022 USDA Strategic Plan:Objective 2.1: Provide an effective Financial Safety Net for Farmers and Ranchers to Sustain Economically Viable Agricultural Production and Support Rural Jobs and Economic Growth.Objective 2.2: Increase Agricultural Opportunities and Support Economic Growth by Creating New Markets and Supporting a Competitive Agricultural System.In 2011, La Semilla received a 12-acre donation of farmland to develop La Semilla Community Farm, an education and demonstration farm guided by agroecology and organic principles where many activities of the proposed project will take place. Through this project, La Semilla's long-term goal is to remove individual and systemic obstacles for socially-disadvantaged and colonia farmers of the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion and to provide them with every opportunity they deserve to prosper and thrive.

OBJECTIVES: La Semilla proposes to enhance the success and sustainability of beginning farmers in the colonia areas of Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion by providing them with the knowledge, skills, tools, and network needed to make informed agroecological decisions. We will provide practical education, immersive training, contact with an established network, and access to an economically viable market to sell their produce.Short-Term GoalsThe proposed project will demonstrate the following goals for low-income and/or socially-disadvantaged beginning farmers from underserved communities in the region:increase the number of beginning farmers with knowledge of desert farming and agroecology;leverage agricultural opportunities for farmers by connecting beginning farmers with long-standing farmers for networking and apprenticeshipsLong-Term GoalsThe proposed project will enhance the sustainability of beginning farmers by increasing the number of viable farms, creating farm-to-market opportunities, and supporting a competitive agricultural system.