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INVESTIGATOR: Jones, R.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
WILLIAM S. DAVIES HOMELESS SHELTER, INC.
132 E 18TH ST SW
ROME, GEORGIA 301616342

DAVIES URBAN FARMER TRAINING PROGRAM: IMMERSIVE BEGINNING FARMER TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Urban agriculture has the potential to be a promising entry point for limited resource farmers, but many barriers to entry exist for limited resource farmers. The William S. Davies Homeless Shelter's Urban Farmer Training Program seeks to increase the number of farmers serving food insecure communities in Floyd County, Georgia by reducing barriers for new limited resource farmers to generate supplemental income through part-time urban farming. The program will leverage the Davies Shelter's existing farm and garden programs to train 10 new beginning farmers (at least 70% limited resource) and assist 5 new beginning farmers in starting their own urban micro-farm operation. The Urban Farmer Training Program will achieve these goals and objectives through an intensive Urban Farmer Boot Camp; paid on-farm apprenticeships; three public farming workshops; and farm start-up assistance in the form of rent-free land access, tools, coaching, and direct marketing of produce for at least 5 new urban farmers. Trainees will complete farmer skills self-assessments before and after the training program.

OBJECTIVES: The long-term goal of the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter's Urban Farmer Training Program is to increase the number of farmers serving food insecure communities in Floyd County, Georgia by reducing barriers for new limited resource farmers to generate supplemental income through part-time urban farming.The objectives of the Urban Farmer Training Program are to train ten new beginning farmers and assist five new beginning farmers in starting their own micro-farm operations.