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INVESTIGATOR: Fanatico, A.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA 28608

GOING WHOLE HOG: SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK AND AGROFORESTRY TRAINING FOR MILITARY VETERANS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Since the post 9/11 wars, there is a new generation of U.S. military veterans. Many veterans have made great sacrifices, some suffering from injuries and trauma, and need assistance in transitioning to civilian life. At the same time, there is a need for a new generation of farmers in the U.S., especially with the growth of the local food movement across the country. Farming is a good career match for many veterans as the skills that made them successful in the military transfer to the farm. Agriculture is often healing work, based on nature and empowering people. In our nation, there is a critical need for sustainable agriculture education, training, mentorship, and networking support for veterans. Our team will address these problems as we build on prior BFRDP work that has supported hundreds of veterans through education and training opportunities, accomplished with university, nonprofit, government, farmer partners based in Arkansas. "Operation North Carolina" will expand to a new area, creating innovative partnerships led by the Department of Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University, including veteran farmers. We will develop innovative sustainable farming training modules that are available on-line with a focus on livestock, particularly swine and agroforestry. We will hold trainings for veterans that not only educate but also build relationships. We will feature team-based, hands-on workshops, customized internships, and advanced training. We will help veterans attend sustainable farming conferences, network, connect to resources, and provide on-going support. We will help veterans enter farming and become more successful (financially, socially, and environmentally). Our project will also contribute to larger social good. The work will contribute to increasing ecological of agricultural production and protecting environmental resources, while protecting livelihood and food security.

OBJECTIVES: Military veterans need support in transitioning to civilian life upon completion of their duty. At the same time, more farmers are needed in the U.S., especially with a focus on ecological production. Farming can offer a meaningful livelihoods to veterans. Community-based food systems can help connect veterans with their communities and also help ensure that consumers have equitable access to healthy local food. Our goals for this project are a) to help veteran farmers and other beginning farmers enter farming, b) to increase their success in farming (economic, social, and environmental), and c) increase the sustainability of farming and food systems. Objectives to reach our goals are:Develop website, materials, and training modules on sustainable agriculture. Enhance existing courses, add training modules for pastured and woodlot swine production and agroforestry practices to our New Farmer Online Education Program. Focus on successionally-developed agroecosystems with perennial forages, agroforestry, and livestock;Provide training opportunities for veterans with hands-on components, including workshops and Armed to Farm Boot Camp and customized internship opportunities;Provide mentoring and networking to support veterans as they enter farming and increase sustainability. Our work will increase sustainability of agricultural production, equity and social justice in food systems, while protecting natural resources.

APPROACH: Our methods are focused on several types of informal education and innovative training.On-line training materials and modules. Our materials are engaging and easily accessible on-line. We have an innovative curriculum with a strong focus on sustainable livestock production, particularly swine and agroforestry, and integrating with crops and agroforestry on diversified farms.Workshops, intensive "boot camp," demonstrations. We include some classroom instruction, but most of our training is hands-on. Veterans learn in a practical environment and also on working farms. Group and peer learning are used because veterans often work in teams.We support customized internships with new farmers and veteran farmers and find that learning in relationships can be very effective. Internships are also a useful experiential learning opportunity.We sponsor veterans in attending conferences for advanced training, networking, and on-going support. Our team has expertise in sustainable agriculture production, farm entrepreneurship, and equity in food systems, as well as knowledge of resources available to veterans, veteran culture, and communication. Farmer veterans on our team can empathize with fellow veterans. We will measure outputs during the project. (Methods of data collection and key milestones are in parentheses.)Number of farmers who participate in online modules (online tracking of views and downloads; 3 new modules developed each year; 10,000 views each year)Number of farmers to participate in workshops (document attendance numbers; 25-50 attendees each year)Number of interns and work hours (farmer mentor invoices; 1,300 hours each year)Number of farmers attending conferences (document attendance numbers; 60 veterans sponsored each year) We will also use post-training qualitative surveys to measure outcomes. (Key milestones are in parentheses.)Number of people who increase knowledge, skills, connect to resources, prepare to start farming (15,000 people over life of project)Number of new veteran farm start-ups (25 new farms over life of project)Number of farmers trained and networked (300 veterans over life of project)Number of trained farmers who create or improve farm plans, diversify/adopt sustainable practices (50-80%)% of trained farmers who observe increase in efficiency or sustainability of farm or enterprise (50-80%) Evaluation methods: We will use the data we collect during the project in order to revise our activities and increase effectiveness (adaptive management). For example, if we find that veterans are unable to implement more sustainable practices because they lack knowledge about financial resources for transitions, we can increase our focus on identifying and publicizing such resources. We also have an advisory panel composed of veteran farmers who help guide the project. They also act as a focus group to help us answer key questions and barriers. For example: What holds veterans back from farming? What holds them back from education and training? What holds them back from adopting sustainable practices? What holds them back from financial success? What thresholds do they need to overcome? An independent evaluator will conduct annual evaluations and liaise with project directors.