Building sustainable farm businesses for socially disadvantaged andveteran farmers and ranchers: the overall goal of this project is toequip socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers…

Building sustainable farm businesses for socially disadvantaged andveteran farmers and ranchers: the overall goal of this project is toequip socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers (SDVFR) innorth carolina with the tools and skills needed for them to buildsustainable and profitable farm businesses, while increasing theirparticipation in U.S department of agriculture (USDA) programs. Expectedresults of the project, are an enhanced economic opportunities and animproved quality of life of SDVFR, their families, and communities. Thesupporting objectives are: 1) improve awareness and increaseparticipation among sociallydisadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in USDA farm programs andservices. 2) improve the knowledge and skills of SDVFR in farm financialand business planning, and management. 3) enhance the abilities forsdvfr to transfer, own and retain farmlands successfully. 4) enhance theknowledge of sdvbfr in identifying and adopting environmentally soundand profitable alternative farm enterprises through innovative andcost-effectiveproduction practices. 5) increase marketing activities for SDVFR, identify new markets, connecting them to existing markets, and assistthem with effective marketing strategies. The project will involveactivities in planning, production and marketing of tested andmarketable high value crops and livestock. Using outreach, training, and technical assistance approach, a variety of topics will beaddressed to provide SDVFR with the information and skills needed forthem to sustainably operate successful farm businesses, while increasingtheir participation in USDA programs and services. The project targetssocially disadvantaged and veteran farmers andranchers in fourteen north carolinian counties.