Project Grant 20236703840107

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S (TCC) WAKULLA ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE (WEI), IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (UF-IFAS), THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA FARM BUREAU'S AGRICULTURE EDUCATION SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY (FFB-AEST) AND LOCAL SMALL PLOT FARMING EXPERTS, HAS DEVELOPED AND ESTABLISHED AN INNOVATIVE URBAN FARMING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM THE PANDEMIC IS THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR INCREASED ACCESS TO FRESH FOODS DUE TO SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, DEPLETING RESOURCES, AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. WITHIN OUR PROGRAM WE HAVE TRAINED FUTURE FARMERS ON SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES WHICH INCORPORATES EFFICIENCY BUT GENERATES HIGHER YIELD. FOR THIS GRANT WE PLAN TO EXPAND THE COURSE TO OFFER AEST INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS, THAT WILL BE STACKABLE CREDENTIALS FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND COLLEGE CREDIT. BY PREVIOUSLY PROVIDING SUCH TRAINING IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT WE CAN NOW EXPAND OUR EFFORTS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES (SMALL PLOT FARMING) WITHIN A COST-EFFECTIVE FRAMEWORK THAT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL FOR INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES REGARDLESS OF THEIR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND LOCATION (RURAL/URBAN). THROUGH THIS GRANT, WE WILL OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS AND TOOL KITS FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE THE BASIC SKILLS AND TOOLS NEEDED TO ALLOW THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL ENTERING THE WORKFORCE OR IN DEVELOPING THEIR OWN SMALL FARM BUSINESS. AS PART OF OUR MODEL WE PROVIDE ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING FOR STUDENTS TO GAIN THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEMSELVES AND FURTHER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THIS REGION BY STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES. STUDENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO ENTREPRENEURIAL TECHNIQUES THROUGH TCC'S SPARK BUSINESS PROGRAM.AGRICULTURAL TRAINING IS AN IMPORTANTASSET FOR COMMUNITIES TO ENCOURAGE FOOD INDEPENDENCE,INCREASE FOOD SECURITY,AND PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF INCOMEFOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED. WORKFORCE READY, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TRAINING,WITH A FOCUS ON BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS WILL INCREASE LOCAL FOOD AVAILABILITY FOR COMMUNITY CONSUMPTION THAT IS FRESH, NUTRITIOUS, AND AFFORDABLE.BY EXPANDING OUR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROGRAM, WEI LOOKS TO ADDRESS THE GAP BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AND NEW AGE FARMING BY TRAINING BOTH NEW AND EXISTING FARMERS IN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES. WITH INCREASING AGRICULTURAL RISKS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE, WE TRAIN FARMERS IN METHODOLOGY THAT WILL REDUCE HARMFUL CLIMATE IMPACTS, ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABILITY, AND INCREASE EFFICIENCY