Dev Monthly Report

Beginning Farmer Grant (Project Objectives & Deliverables)

• 1) Stakeholders planning workshop
  a) Responsibilities of various stakeholders will be established, and a comprehensive project delivery plan will be established
• 2) Outreach events
  a) 120 Socially disadvantaged farmers will be recruited to participate in the project
  b) 30 Veteran beginning farmers and ranchers will be recruited to participate in the project
• 3) Beginning orientation
  a) 150 SDVBFR will receive informational package
• 4) One-on-one home/ farm visits
  a) SDVBFR will have the opportunity to personally receive information, training and technical assistance from project staff
• 5) Land acquisition, transition and retention workshops
  a) 110 SDVBFR will increase knowledge to acquire and retain farm ownership
  b) 30 will actually acquire farm lands
  c) 85 will increase knowledge in land transition issues
  d) 45 will take proactive actions in order to avoid foreclosures
  e) 30 will put plans in place for farm transfer
• 6) Financial business planning and management workshops
  a) 50 SDVBFR will plan and keep appropriate farm records
  b) 30 will write business plans
  c) 70 will acquire enhanced financial planning and management skills
  d) 12 will successfully apply for FSA and other loans
  e) 7 veterans will benefit from special veteran programs
• 7) Conduct basic computer training
  a) 50 SDVBFR will acquire basic computer literacy
• 8) Conduct 15 production workshops
  a) 120 SDVBFR will increase their knowledge on high value alternative crops/livestock production b) 50 will identify and select at lease one enterprise
• 9) Conduct 12 hands-on farm demonstrations
  a) 40 will acquire or improve skills on land preparation techniques
  b) 30 will acquire skills to operate farm tools and equipment
• 10) Conduct 3 farm tours
• 11) Provide mentorship
  a) 70 will improve their farm incomes by at least 30% by the end of the project
  b) 80 will be equipped with information and skills to start and manage a farm business successfully
  c) 12 participants will start a farm business
  d) 3 veterans will start a farm business
• 12) Conduct 12 marketing workshops
  a) 80 SDVFR will apply strategies learned to improve their marketing skills
• 13) Conduct 6 market tours
  a) 30 will participate in existing markets
  b) 25 will enter new markets
  c) 40 will participate in direct marketing
• 14) Conduct 3 value-added and food safety workshops
  a) 30 will increase marketing potentials through value-added product development
  b) 50 will gain knowledge on food safety techniques and government rules and regulations
• 15) Conduct stakeholders' meetings for performance evaluation
• 16) Conduct 6-8 interactive webinars annually
  a) 100 SDVFR will gain knowledge of highlighted critical content areas
  b) 70 SDVFR will apply strategies learned to improve whole farm planning skills
  c) 60 farmer educators statewide will have increased knowledge of providing culturally -appropriate education and resources for and with SDVBFR in Virginia
• 17) Conduct summative capacity building evaluation to address SDVBFR needs