Project Grant 20214940035953

THE KANSAS RURAL CENTER WILL MANAGE THIS STATEWIDE PROJECT THROUGH AN ESTABLISHED NETWORK OF COLLABORATORS--SOUTHWEST KANSAS, DOUGLAS, AND SEDGWICK COUNTY EXTENSIONS; COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBOS)--COMMON GROUND PRODUCERS AND GROWERS, KANSAS CITY YOUNG FARMERS COALITION, CENTRAL KANSAS YOUNG FARMERS COALITION, KANSAS FARMERS UNION; KANSAS BLACK FARMERS ASSOCIATION; AND NATIONAL NETWORKS--FARM BEGINNINGS COLLABORATIVE, WOMEN FOOD, AND AG NETWORK. THE LONG-RANGE GOAL IS TO DEVELOP A ROBUST, COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER (BFR) PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES BUSINESS PLANNING, IN-DEPTH EDUCATION ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES THAT INCREASE BIODIVERSITY AND RESILIENCY AND HELP MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE, INFORMATION ON ACCESSING LAND AND CAPITAL, AND SUPPORT AND COPING STRATEGIES FOR THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND FINANCIAL STRESSES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FOUR REGIONAL BFR LISTENING SESSIONS, ONE BFR NETWORKING AND EDUCATION CONFERENCE, AND FOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS TO CREATE A KANSAS-INFORMED CURRICULUM TO SERVE 150 FARMERS IN 2021-22, PLUS DETAILED PROGRAM EVALUATION.PRIMARY OBJECTIVES ARE TO 1) DEVELOP A BEGINNING FARMER/RANCHER CURRICULUM THAT FOCUSES ON LAND ACCESS AND BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS; 2) GATHER INPUT FROM 150 BEGINNING FARMERS, FARM TRAINING EXPERTS, AND CBOS WORKING WITH 25% SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS TO ENHANCE CONNECTIONS AND PROVIDE NEEDED RESOURCES FOR ASPIRING AND BFRS TO IMPROVE SUCCESS; 80% WILL REPORT LEARNING TO IMPROVE FARMING PRACTICES. THE SUCCESS OF THESE OUTCOMES WILL IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND FOOD SECURITY OF THE REGION.