Project Grant 20234940040885

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SMALL FARM OUTREACH PROGRAM, PROPOSES TO PROVIDE OUTREACH, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED, VETERAN, BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS (SDVBFR) IN VIRGINIA, 4 COUNTIES IN MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE, AND 60 COUNTIES IN NORTH CAROLINA. THESE AUDIENCES HAVE BEEN TRADITIONALLY UNDESERVED AND HAVE BEEN PLAGUED BY SEVERAL BARRIERS SUCH AS: HIGH START-UP COSTS, LIMITED ACCESS TO CREDIT, LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ON LAND ACQUISITION AND TRANSITION, LACK OF SKILLS IN FINANCIAL PLANNING, LACK OF PRODUCTION SKILLS, AND LIMITED ACCESS TO EXISTING AND VIABLE MARKETS. AS A RESULT, THIS PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO BUILD SUSTAINABILITY AND EMPOWER SDVBFR, BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE TOOLS AND SKILLS NEEDED FOR THEM TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS IN OWNING AND OPERATING SUSTAINED FARM BUSINESSES. A HOLISTIC APPROACH (PLANNING, PRODUCTION, AND MARKETING) IS USED TO ENLIGHTEN AND EDUCATE PARTICIPANTS. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO TOPICS SUCH AS: 1) BASIC LIVESTOCK, FOREST MANAGEMENT AND CROP FARMING PRACTICES, 2) INNOVATIVE FARM/RANCH AND PRIVATE NON-INDUSTRIAL FOREST LAND TRANSFER STRATEGIES, 3) ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS TRAINING, 4) AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR VETERANS, 5) FINANCIAL AND RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING, 6) FARM SAFETY AND AWARENESS 7) ASSIST SDVBFR IN ACQUIRING LAND FROM RETIRING FARMERS/RANCHERS, AND 8) DIVERSIFICATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES, AND 9) NETWORKING, MENTORING, APPRENTICESHIP AND INTERNSHIPS OPPORTUNITIES. WE WILL USE THE WHOLE FARM PLANNING CURRICULUM DEVELOPED BY VIRGINIA TECH'S BEGINNING FARMER COALITION AS THE MAIN TOOL TO TRAIN ALL ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM, AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTING A BEGINNING FARMERS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. VSU WILL COLLABORATE WITH ALL PARTNERS.