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INVESTIGATOR: Mawby, H.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
DAKOTA COLLEGE AT BOTTINEAU
105 SIMRALL BLVD
BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA 58318

PROVIDE OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO NORTH DAKOTA NATIVE AMERICANS AND VETERANS BEGINNING FARMERS.

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture (ECH) at Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) proposes a project to provide outreach, education and technical assistance to North Dakota Native Americans and veterans beginning farmers and connect them with the USDA resources thereby positively affecting their success rate in establishing a successful farm business. Veterans comprised of 8% of the state's population whereas Native Americans comprised of 5% of the state's population. Agricultural producers in North Dakota face challenges. North Dakota is a very rural and sparsely populated state. The vital economic force in North Dakota is agriculture and the state's motto is "Strengthening from the soil" which is on the coat of arms and Governor's flag. Urban farmers with access to markets, often lack access to land and rural farmers with access to land often lack access to sustainable markets. Veterans and Native Americans face challenges with family, physical, or mental barriers that prevent them equitably participating in new ventures with confidence. Often to overcome these barriers, specifically tailored education and guidance is necessary. Although government has implemented some grant and loan programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers, beginning Native American and veteran farmers are not always aware of the full potential of these government programs. Thus, it is of utmost importance to provide outreach and education as well as technical support to such farmers to provide guidance in overcoming the hurdles encountered towards establishing a successful farming business.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this project is to provide outreach workshops and individualized instruction to Native Americans and veterans wishing to begin agricultural ventures in specialty crop production in North Dakota. The goal will be achieved by fulfilling the following objectives:1. assist Native American and veteran farmers in owning and operating successful farms by creating specifically tailored educational materials and handbooks that include images familiar to these special populations2. improve participation among beginning Native American and veteran farmers in USDA programs that will improve success by introducing prospective program participants to the availability, guidelines, and steps to enrollment3. build relationships between current and prospective farmers who are Native Americans or veterans and local, state, regional, and national resources by providing within the presentation and handbooks the contact information and specific program information.Supporting objectives include at least 60 veterans and Native Americans attending agricultural opportunities workshops during the project period, 5 new veteran and Native American owned operations beginning production and/or sale of specialty crops, and at least 90% of workshop participants demonstrating that they understand the resources and programs available to them and the opportunities for marketing and sales of agricultural products in North Dakota. In order to achieve these goals and objectives the ECH will partner with North Dakota's Tribal Colleges and Veterans Affairs personnel to provide six farm beginnings workshops for Native Americans and veterans across the state. Workshops will be held online with follow up with in person technical assistance available to interested participants. Workshop presentations and curriculum will be specifically tailored to Native Americans and veterans and explain the specific and unique resources available to each group. Whenever possible, local resources will be included in presentations and workshops. The project will impact at least 60 veterans and Native Americans who are considering beginning or expanding and agricultural venture through outreach workshops and will provide additional education and training in a personalized program for 5 farmers. Additionally, Veterans Service providers and Tribal Colleges across the state will become more intimately aware of the opportunities in agriculture and the resources available to veterans through government programs as they collaborate with the ECH to host outreach workshops. Moreover, ECH will publish handbooks with information about the USDA programs associated with beginning farmers and ranchers and the contact information and resources available through the Tribal Colleges, Veteran Service Offices, and ECH.