Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: Ricci, L.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
QUIVIRA COALITION
1413 2ND ST STE 1
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 875053435

MENTORSHIP AND BEYOND: SKILLS, SUPPORT, AND RESILIENCE FOR BEGINNING RANCHERS AND FARMERS ON LARGE-LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS IN THE WEST

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Beginning ranchers and farmers on large-landscape operations in the arid and semi-arid West face unique barriers to entry. Ranch or farm businesses in arid regions require large acreage to successfully and sustainably operate. Ranch businesses in particular face high startup costs due to the capital required to purchase livestock and the land needed to sustain them. For young people pursuing careers in this sector, isolation has also been cited as a top challenge because of the large and dispersed nature of their operations. To address these needs, Quivira Coalition will partner with experienced ranchers and farmers who are using regenerative practices to host 8-month apprenticeships on large-landscape operations in NM, CO, WY, MT, and SD. Quivira will support this unique population of beginning ranchers and farmers by providing trainings and resources that can be remotely accessed on soil health, biological monitoring, land access strategies, farm business finance, and entrepreneurial skills. This project will also build a community of support for beginning ranchers and farmers through a monthly podcast, regional gatherings, Career Connections networking events, and trainings on communication and mentoring skills. Ultimately, these activities will prepare beginning ranchers and farmers for successful regenerative agriculture careers on large landscape operations in the arid and semi-arid West, increase the number of beginning ranchers and farmers in the region who receive skilled mentorship, and ensure that beginning ranchers and farmers in this region are supported post-apprenticeship for lifelong careers in agriculture.

OBJECTIVES: The major goals of this project are to: 1) prepare beginning ranchers and farmers (BFRs) for successful careers in regenerative agriculture on large acreage ranching and farming operations in the arid and semi-arid West, 2) increase the number of BFRs who receive skilled mentorship from experienced ranchers and farmers and 3) ensure BFRs are supported post-apprenticeship for lifelong careers in agriculture.Goal 1: Prepare BFRs for careers in regenerative agriculture on large-landscape operations in the arid and semi-arid West through introductory workshops, 8-month apprenticeships, and regenerative agriculture education webinars.Objectives: 1) Help BFRs with less than two years of ranching experience acquire the skills needed to apply for and participate in an apprenticeship in regenerative agriculture. 2) Increase the number of BFRs who apply for NAP apprenticeships in regenerative agriculture. 3) Train BFRs for the unique demands of ranching and farming on large-landscape operations in the west through immersive, 8-month apprenticeships with experienced ranchers and farmers. 4) Improve support and access to resources for geographically isolated BFRs in regenerative agriculture in the arid west, both within and beyond the scope of NAP. Goal 2: Increase the number of BFRs who received skilled mentorship from experienced ranchers and farmers on large landscapes in the arid and semi-arid West. Objectives: 1) Support both NAP and non-NAP mentors with best practices and training on effectively mentoring BFRs. 2) Increase the number of experienced ranchers and farmers who host BFRs for apprenticeships.Goal 3: Ensure that BFRs are supported post-apprenticeship for lifelong careers in agriculture in the arid and semi-arid West. Objectives: 1) Provide opportunities for BFRs to share their experiences with one another, to reduce feelings of isolation and build community among BFRs on large-landscape operations in the West. 2) Provide BFRs on large-landscape operations with continued support post- apprenticeship in order to address the gaps between apprenticeship, management, and ownership in years 3-10 of their careers. 3) Create opportunities to exchange knowledge and facilitate hiring BFRs on large-landscape operations in the west. ?

APPROACH: Quivira Coalition will work with an external evaluator, Matthew M. Mars, Ph.D., to document and evaluate project outcomes outlined in the chart below. Dr. Mars is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Leadership and Innovation in the Department of Agricultural Education, Technology and Innovation at The University of Arizona (UA). Dr. Mars will lead a team of graduate students to conduct a participatory evaluation of the project. The evaluation will build on the formative evaluation that was conducted in 2019 by Dr. Mars and Ms. Tyler Thorp, UA doctoral student, which greatly informed the design of this project.Dr. Mars's team will gather primary data from NAP apprentices, NAP alumni, and current and former mentors through participant interviews and focus groups. Interviews and focus groups will be conducted via telephone and in-person using a semi-structured interview protocol that will foster relevant conversations that while not specific to the scripted questions, nonetheless lead to richer data. Both a formative and summative evaluation approach will be used. Formative questions will build upon the evaluation that was conducted in 2019, and will allow Quivira to gain quick feedback about the effectiveness of current instructional strategies in order to continuously improve the program and best meet participants' needs. Summative data will also be collected, to measure the number of NAP alumni who are still pursuing careers in agriculture, are in management positions in agriculture, and who are continuing to stay in contact with other program participants.To gather quantitative data and measure program participation and impact, Quivira staff will administer participant questionnaires at the end of all trainings, workshops, and events. Dr. Mars's team will provide input on the design and administration of these instruments.Table: Reporting Measures OutcomeTarget #How MeasuredNumber of BFRs who continue with careers in ranching and large-landscape farming after completing a NAP apprenticeship60Interviews with NAP alumniNumber of NAP alumni in management positions in agriculture, indicating progression in their career in agriculture15Interviews with NAP alumniNumber of BFRs who improve their knowledge of soil health, land access strategies, financial management, and entrepreneurial skills401Interviews with NAP graduates; collection of NAP apprentice skills checklists; surveys of Supplemental Education call, Ranch 101 workshop, and Farm Commons legal training participants.Number of BFRs who receive skilled mentorship from experienced farmers and ranchers565Surveys of mentor training call participants; surveys of Mentor 101 trainings; interviews with NAP mentors.Number of BFRs who intend to stay in contact with other program participants, mentors, and Quivira Coalition and who contribute to building a network of farmers and ranchers in regenerative agriculture in the west.80Interviews with NAP graduates and alumni; number of active contacts in NAP alumni network; Number of alumni who attend the conference; surveys of conference attendees.Explanation of Outcomes:Survey results from the 2019 formative evaluation conducted by the UA under Dr. Mars's supervision found that over 90% of program alumni are continuing in agricultural careers post-apprenticeship. The hurdles to entering agriculture are large throughout the industry, but they are particularly high for BFRs hoping to start large-landscape livestock operations. Given the length of time it takes for a BFR to reach the stage of owner/operator in large landscape livestock operations, Quivira intends to measure several medium term impacts including the number of participants who stay on a career path in regenerative ranching or farming and the number who progress to leadership positions. Because this project also focuses on building a stronger community of regenerative agriculture practitioners in the West and increasing the use of apprenticeship for passing on knowledge to the next generation, Quivira plans to measure the number of BFRs who received skilled mentorship through the project and the number of participants who intend to stay in contact with their mentor or other program participants.