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INVESTIGATOR: Martin, J. L.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
UNIV OF CONNECTICUT
STORRS, CONNECTICUT 06269

SOLID GROUND 2: WEAVING TOGETHER EXPERT TRAININGS AND PEER NETWORKS FOR SUSTAINED BEGINNER AND ADVANCED-BEGINNER FARMER SUCCESS IN CONNECTICUT

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The lifecycle of UConn Extension's Solid Ground Training Program has reached mid-stage and many of the initial beginning farmer clients are now in year 6-10 with more defined skill needs, such as advanced IPM and agriculture mechanics for cost-saving maintenance and construction projects on the farm. Early stage beginning farmers (0-5 years)are isolated from each other. As they encounter knowledge and skill gaps they have limited time and must be selective about which trainings to attend in person. Advanced-level beginning farmers (6-10 years)need a peer support system to help each other through personal challenges and business setbacks, and could serve as a leadership development opportunity. There are also persistent gaps in appropriate training for farmers of color in cities, most of whom rely on community-based urban gardening networks in place of traditional agriculture service providers; there is a related need for trainers that understand the experience of urban farmers (from similar backgrounds). Finally, for too many beginning farmers,particularly those with limited resources or without a farm family background, the effort to find stable land tenure near their base of customers is extremely challenging and emotionally draining.In Solid Ground 2, UConn Extension's long tradition of serving agriculture producers is integrated with 6 partners and 11 collaborators to generate new learning opportunities that 1) responds to different skill gaps in production and farm management for advanced-level and early-stage BF; 2) leverages the capacity of organizational partners to meet the needs of beginning farmersthat are unmet through existing trainings; and 3) addresses farmland access needs of beginning farmers. Developed by and for beginning farmers, this shared project represents a major investment in the growth and leadership of Connecticut's beginning farmercommunity. We will leverage our existing Solid Ground Training program to generate new digital resources, experiential training, and one-on-one technical assistance. We will partner with two school-based agriculture organizations in Nonnewaug and Rockville to deliver more agriculture mechanic trainings. Experienced leaders atNew CT Farmer Alliance and Connecticut'sNortheast Organic Farming Association will launch a new peer-to-peer learning opportunity called Farmer Circles that will help beginning farmers support each other. Experts in urban farming at Love Fed Initiative will train farmers of color in Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford.A regional non-profit, Land For Good, will coordinate a series of matchmaking events for farm seekers and farmland owners. This project's long-term goal is to increase the durability of the next generation of farmers by improving their ability to withstand disruption and shocks (social, environmental, financial) through more advanced skills, convenient learning tools, and stronger peer support networks.

OBJECTIVES: Goal 1 - Build upon the accomplishments of the Solid Ground Program to deliver increasingly relevant, high quality training that respond to BF skill gaps at the appropriate level.Objective 1.1: Offer new training opportunities targeting advanced-level BF, emphasizing agriculture mechanics, pest/disease management, and farm infrastructure projects.Objective 1.2: Develop more convenient and accessible learning tools focused on the fundamentals of small farm success for early-stage beginning farmers.Goal 2) Leverage the capacity, talent, and integrity of partner organizations to meet the needs of BFs that are unmet through Solid Ground trainings.Objective 2.1: Launch a peer-to-peer learning program targeting advanced-level BF that strengthens farmer networks and develops new leaders in the agriculture community.Objective 2.2: Offer POC-led training that responds to the highest priority skill gaps of community-based urban agriculture projects and their BF clients.Goal 3) Address the farmland access needs of beginning farmers.Objective 3: Increase BF opportunities to acquire farmland and provide technical assistance to farm seekers.