Project Grant 20207001732418

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CENTER FOR HORTICULTURE (ECH) AT DAKOTA COLLEGE AT BOTTINEAU (DCB) PROPOSES A PROJECT TO PROVIDE OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO NORTH DAKOTA NATIVE AMERICANS AND VETERANS BEGINNING FARMERS AND CONNECT THEM WITH THE USDA RESOURCES THEREBY POSITIVELY AFFECTING THEIR SUCCESS RATE IN ESTABLISHING A SUCCESSFUL FARM BUSINESS. VETERANS COMPRISED OF 8% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION WHEREAS NATIVE AMERICANS COMPRISED OF 5% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN NORTH DAKOTA FACE CHALLENGES. NORTH DAKOTA IS A VERY RURAL AND SPARSELY POPULATED STATE. THE VITAL ECONOMIC FORCE IN NORTH DAKOTA IS AGRICULTURE AND THE STATE'S MOTTO IS "STRENGTHENING FROM THE SOIL" WHICH IS ON THE COAT OF ARMS AND GOVERNOR'S FLAG. URBAN FARMERS WITH ACCESS TO MARKETS, OFTEN LACK ACCESS TO LAND AND RURAL FARMERS WITH ACCESS TO LAND OFTEN LACK ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE MARKETS. VETERANS AND NATIVE AMERICANS FACE CHALLENGES WITH FAMILY, PHYSICAL, OR MENTAL BARRIERS THAT PREVENT THEM EQUITABLY PARTICIPATING IN NEW VENTURES WITH CONFIDENCE. OFTEN TO OVERCOME THESE BARRIERS, SPECIFICALLY TAILORED EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE IS NECESSARY. ALTHOUGH GOVERNMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED SOME GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAMS TO HELP BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS, BEGINNING NATIVE AMERICAN AND VETERAN FARMERS ARE NOT ALWAYS AWARE OF THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THESE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. THUS, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION AS WELL AS TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO SUCH FARMERS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE IN OVERCOMING THE HURDLES ENCOUNTERED TOWARDS ESTABLISHING A SUCCESSFUL FARMING BUSINESS.