Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the expansion and integration…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the expansion and integration project is a two state project that will provide education and support to 90 new and beginner women and black farmers each year in west georgia and the mississippi delta. The goal of the project is increase women and black operated farm businesses through farm business expansion and new market access. The project WIL also lead to increased fresh food in local communities. The three year project budget is $741,894 with 90 percent of the budget being used to serve women and black farmers.project partners include university of georgia, alcorn state university, minority cooperative of sustainable growers, soil health institute, american farmland trust and other local farm businesses who will deliver an extensive farm to market training program. The project objectives are:1. Outreach and ENGAGEMENT2. Support farm business EXPANSION3. Support market INTEGRATION4. Access market opportunitiesexpected outcomes over the 3 year project term include:60 farmers receiveproduce safety training CERTIFICATION50 participants create farm safety PLANS90 increase in knowledge of farm business expansion and market integration TECHNIQUES75 percent of participants diversify crop using lessons LEARNED80 percent of participants apply knowledge and skills aqcuired through the PROJECT80 percent of participants gain access to new market OPPORTUNITIES50 percent of participants access USDA FSA or USDA PROGRAMS55 percent of participants increase farm income through new market access and expansion by the end of the project TERM60 percent of farmers receiving a good agricultural practices farm audit receive approval