Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: Coleman, K.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
1 Sugarloaf Street
South Deerfield, MASSACHUSETTS 01373

IMPROVING MASSACHUSETTS BEGINNING FARMERS SUCCESS RATES THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE, TAILORED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: This renewal Standard BFRDP project builds upon a successful BFRDP Grant (PD: Kelly Coleman, award 2016-03325-2009). Half (50%) of the budget will be dedicated to serving socially disadvantaged or limited resource farmers (0% for military veterans). The lead agency (CISA) will manage this state-wide project through an established network of three collaborating agricultural community-based organizations (CBOs): Berkshire Grown, Central Mass Grown, and Southeastern MA Agricultural Partnership. 94% of federal funds will go to CBOs.Our long-range goal for this project is to improve the sustainability of beginning farm businesses in Massachusetts by providing tailored technical assistance to at least 420 beginning farmers in the following topic areas: diversification and marketing strategies (Priority G), natural resource management (Priority F), entrepreneurship and business training (Priority C), and financial and risk management training (Priority E). Activities include 60 workshops, 18 networking events, and one-on-one assistance to 315 beginning farmers, plus detailed program evaluation. After participating, farmers will have access to on-going technical assistance and peer support through the collaborating organizations. Primary objectives are: 90% of participants (378/420) "moderately increase" knowledge and 65% (273/420) "substantially increase" knowledge in the areas of marketing, business planning, financial analysis, diversification, or natural resource management; 35% (147/420) implement a business change as a result of training; 35% (147/420) will meet or exceed their farm's financial goals; and 50% of participants (210/420) will confirm that participation contributed to their ability to keep farming. The success of these outcomes will improve the economy and food security of the region.

OBJECTIVES: Through this grant, CISA and our Buy Local partners will offer expanded and improved technical assistance services to beginning farmers throughout Massachusetts. We will target farmers who are starting or who already own or operate a farm business and have fewer than 10 years of farming experience. Our long-range goal for this project is to improve the sustainability of Massachusetts' beginning farm businesses in order to maintain farmland and farm businesses, as current farmers retire. Our primary objectives and outcomes are:378 participating farmers (90% of 420) will "moderately increase" knowledge and 273 (65% of 420) will "substantially increase" knowledge in the areas of marketing, business planning, financial analysis, diversification, and/or natural resource management.147 participating farmers (35% of 420) will implement a business change as a result of the training.147 participating farmers (35% of 420) farmers will meet or exceed their farm's financial goals.210 participating farmers (50% of 420) will confirm this program contributed to their ability to keep farming.