Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: Hlubik, W.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
3 RUTGERS PLZA
NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08901-8559

RU READY TO FARM: GETTING ROOTED IN THE GARDEN STATE

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: New Jersey boasts productive, high-quality farmland located near some of the most densely populated and diverse markets in the world. Fruit and vegetable, nursery, floriculture, and greenhouse operations exist, along with strong public commitment to farmland preservation and agricultural industry development. However, successful continuance of agriculture in the "Garden State" depends upon developing a skilled next generation of farmers. The RU Ready to Farm: Getting Rooted in the Garden State program will expand the existing Rutgers Cooperative Extension RU Ready to Farm initiative to a multi-year, statewide program providing technical education, mentorship, and land access opportunities to beginning farmers.Phase I includes program establishment, advisory board assembly, hiring a coordinator, developing curriculum, and recruiting participants. In Phase II, trained facilitators will deliver basic and advanced educational modules through web-based primers, in-person instruction, and experiential learning. In Phase III, trained participants can obtain mentored farm-based apprenticeships; pilot their agricultural endeavors through a farm incubator program; or acquire acreage to launch their farm businesses through a land access program. Expected outcomes include increased technical knowledge, intention to utilize skills acquired, and intention to establish farm businesses in New Jersey. Each year, the program will reach at least 450 potential participants, receive 45-65 applications, and enroll at least 20 new participants, with most enrollees continuing to complete advanced training and access land in years two and three respectively. At least 18 participants are projected to join an existing agricultural enterprise, with at least 12 expected to launch their own farm business, contributing to ongoing agricultural success in the Garden State.

OBJECTIVES: Goal 1: Develop and deliver basic farm education modules to at least 20 prospective new and beginner farmers per year for the next 3 years. Goal 2: Starting in year 2, develop and deliver advanced farm education modules to at least 36 prospective new and beginner farmers by the end of the project termGoal 3: Facilitate the transition into active agriculture work for at least 30 participants, either through placement on a working farm or through starting their own small farm business on private land or at one of our farm incubator locations by the end of the project term. Goal 4: Develop clearinghouse website to consolidate recorded education modules and program resources and affiliate links within the first 6 months of the program.Goal 5: Conduct through and ongoing review of participant and farmer feedback collected during the course of the project in order to improve on developed material for future iterations of the program.

APPROACH: The project team will work closely with beginner farmer representatives to design program objectives, goals and activities. Efforts to deliver program content will include:Training ateam ofprogram facilitators to provide support to participants.Basic courses with complementary web-based and in-person elements.Advanced training modules focused on innovative crop systems and long-term business viability for roll out in the second year.Developmentand launch offarm business incubator sites to provide access to land and equipment for prospective beginner farmers.Working with beginner farmers to determine whether apprenticeship, incubator, or independent land leasing is the best option for them.Evaluation efforts will include:Pre and post education skills questionnaires to track impact of courses.Videotaped exit interviews with interested course participants which can be used to evaluate program effectiveness and promote future course sessions.Development offollow-up questionnaires that can be repeated at given intervals of 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years.Consult with farm mentors to determine if educational modules translated into on-farm competence.The project team will be monitoring participant actions and knowledgethrough surveys and interviews to establish a quanitative count of desired outcomes including:The number of program participants who go on to earn income from agricultural sales. Target: 12The number of program participants who intend to enter the agricultural workforce in the future. Target: 27The number of program participants who intend to continue their agricultural education. Target: 45The number of program participants who develop a functional farm business plan. Target: 27The number of current beginner farmers who intend to make substantive changes to their farming operation. Target: 18