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2008 RMA proposal, Wayne County Outreach - 1

Wayne County Farmers Outreach and Assistance:2008 RMA Community Outreach and Assistance grant proposal

PROJECT SUMMARY: WAYNE COUNTY FARMERS OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE.................................3

PROJECT DESCRIPTION.........................................................................................................................................4

1. CIRCUMSTANCES.................................................................................................................................................41.1. Wayne County, North Carolina..................................................................................................................41.2. The Center for Environmental Farming Systems - CEFS..........................................................................51.3. Wayne Local, Sustainable Foods Initiative - WLSFI.................................................................................61.4. Proposals and Support...............................................................................................................................7

2. OBJECTIVES........................................................................................................................................................8Objective 1: Production and Economic Risk reduction EDUCATION.................................................................8objective 2: Training Practicum for Hands-On EXPERIENCE...........................................................................8Objective 3: Producer/Public marketing and educational ENGAGMENT..........................................................8

3. IMPLEMENTATION...............................................................................................................................................83.1. Implementing Objective 1: EDUCATION..................................................................................................8

3.1.1. risk management workshops.................................................................................................................................83.1.2. targeted farmer trainings.......................................................................................................................................9

3.2. Objective 2: Implementing EXPERIENCE...............................................................................................103.2.1. the producers.......................................................................................................................................................103.2.2. the sites................................................................................................................................................................11

3.3. Objective 3: Implementing ENGAGEMENT............................................................................................113.3.1. know your research, know your resources..........................................................................................................113.3.2. know your farmers, know your food system.......................................................................................................12

3.4. Staff...........................................................................................................................................................123.4.1. Full time New Farmer Project Manager..............................................................................................................123.4.2. Contractual WLSFI coordination and project Evaluation and Dissemination....................................................12

4. EVALUATION.....................................................................................................................................................134.1. Evaluation Description.............................................................................................................................13

4.1.1. Communication:..................................................................................................................................................134.1.2. Numbers Impacted:.............................................................................................................................................134.1.3. The Stories:..........................................................................................................................................................134.1.4. Dissemination and replicable materials:..............................................................................................................14

4.2. Project Logic Model.................................................................................................................................15

PROGRAM DELIVERY PLAN...............................................................................................................................17

5. TIMELINE...........................................................................................................................................................17Fall 08 – design and early implementation.........................................................................................................17Winter 08/09 – continuation and addition of programs.......................................................................................17Spring 09 – continuation, accessment and future planning................................................................................17Summer 09 – last stage and future direction.......................................................................................................17Fall 09.................................................................................................................................................................17

STATEMENTS OF WORK.......................................................................................................................................18

6. TABLES..............................................................................................................................................................186.1. Statements of Work – Objective 1.............................................................................................................186.2. Statements of Work – Objective 2.............................................................................................................196.3. Statements of Work – Objective 3.............................................................................................................206.4. Statements of Work – Documentation and Evaluation.............................................................................21

BUDGET: OMB STANDARD FORM 424A...........................................................................................................23

BUDGET JUSTIFICATION.....................................................................................................................................25

6.5. Non-Financial Benefit:.............................................................................................................................28

KEY PERSONNEL....................................................................................................................................................28


7. PD: DR. NANCY CREAMER...............................................................................................................................287.1. c.v..............................................................................................................................................................28

8. CO-PD: STEVE MOORE.....................................................................................................................................318.1. c.v..............................................................................................................................................................32

COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS...............................................................................................................34

9. CONTRACTUAL SERVICES FOR STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION, PROJECT ADMINISTRATION, EVALUATION, AND DISSEMINATION................................................................................................................................................34

9.1. Contractual justification.........................................................................................................................................359.1.1. Contractual Coordinator and Evaluator...............................................................................................................359.1.2. Contractual Coordinator: cv................................................................................................................................35

10. LETTERS OF SUPPORT.....................................................................................................................................3910.1. NC A&T SU Extension & FACT Program.............................................................................................3910.2. Wayne County Extension........................................................................................................................4110.3. Heifer International................................................................................................................................4210.4. Wayne Community College....................................................................................................................4310.5. Mount Olive College...............................................................................................................................4410.6. CASTLES after-school Program............................................................................................................4510.7. Wayne County Public Library – Community Garden Program.............................................................4610.8. Goldsboro Chamber of Commerce, Travel & Tourism Division...........................................................47

CURRENT AND PENDING SUPPORT..................................................................................................................48

11. PD CURRENT AND PENDING: NANCY CREAMER............................................................................................4812. CO-PD CURRENT AND PENDING: STEVE MOORE...........................................................................................49

OMB STANDARD FORM LLL................................................................................................................................50

AD 1047........................................................................................................................................................................51

AD 1049........................................................................................................................................................................52

APPENDICES.............................................................................................................................................................53

APPEENDIX A. FACT SCREENING APPLICATION......................................................................................................53APPENDIX B. CEFS UNIT FLYERS.............................................................................................................................54

small farm unit....................................................................................................................................................54Organic Research unit........................................................................................................................................55Alternative Swine unit.........................................................................................................................................56Pasture-based Dairy unit....................................................................................................................................57Farming Systems Research unit..........................................................................................................................58Pasture-based Beef unit......................................................................................................................................59

Appendix C. CEFS Fall Festival agenda 2007........................................................................................................60


PROJECT SUMMARY: WAYNE COUNTY FARMERS OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE

Our goal is to increase the number of, and, production by, small, diversified, farmers in Wayne County, NC by addressing risk reduction through a replicable program that links innovative production training with creative direct marketing opportunities for limited resource, transitioning, and aspiring farmers. Laying the foundation for launching more economically sustainable small-scale farm enterprises requires promoting sound risk management solutions in both production and marketing, particularly to these traditionally underserved populations. For Wayne County and others in NC to establish a robust and economically accessible local food system, more land needs to come under cultivation, more trained people are needed to work that land, more distribution channels need to be created for locally grown food, and more community knowledge is needed to foster a commitment to small and local farmers. Through this project, we will develop a replicable model of how to build asset-based efforts that can be utilized and particularized by counties statewide.

Three major objectives form the core of our proposal:1.) to provide accessible production and economic risk reduction education through an extensive production and marketing workshop series run by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, as well as additional business planning, tax assistance, and record keeping workshops offered in partnership with extension, local colleges and institutions and the assistance of RMA;2.) to provide a training practicum for hands-on experience in diversified growing practices, risk management, farm development, and marketing through “lab” training program for student farmers enrolling in the new sustainable agriculture curriculum at Wayne Community College (a result of the WLSFI) and limited resource and other new or transitioning producers; and 3.) to build strong producer/public marketing and educational engagement through producer-to-producer and producer-to-consumer “twilight farm tours,” forging strong producer links to both agricultural research which offers sound production guidance, and also to consumers who’s knowledge and commitment to local foods builds steady market demand

Wayne Local Foods Initiative, a partnerships of public and private organizations and businesses, individuals and youths, farmers and Ag organizations, is collaborating to advance the availability and accessibility of local and sustainable foods to our entire population. This proposed, one year RMA project is vital to developing the producer component of that initiative: through the activities proposed here, CEFS and key partners will advance sound risk management strategies to current and aspiring farmers, as well as outreach that will foster consumer knowledge and strong markets. This project establishes the initial educational components essential to creating a corps of beginning farmers and burgeoning farming enterprises. In alignment with RMAs goals, our priorities are to reach producers of Priority Commodities, particularly Specialty Crops, and also to provide limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and other traditionally underserved producers, including aspiring farmers, with the training, opportunities, and assistance necessary to understand and implement economically viable farms through planning and practices that begin with sound Risk Management decisions. In doing so, we will develop a replicable model that will not only build a vibrant farming system in Wayne County, but will also provide a guide for other counties across NC and beyond as we collectively work to strengthen the equity and


health of a locally based agricultural economy.


PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1. CIRCUMSTANCES

1.1. WAYNE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Wayne County has a very strong agricultural history and a growing interest in the production and consumption of local sustainably produced foods. We have 25 commercial horticulture farms (includes vegetable, orchard, specialty herb and berry production), nearly 550 commercial animal or animal product farms (approximately 180 cattle producer, 100 goat producers, 250 hog producers, one goat cheese farm, and one honey producer), and nearly 150 farms dedicated to commercial commodity crops. However, Wayne County, and North Carolina as a whole, face significant challenges that can be met and resolved by rebuilding the diminishing agriculture system in Wayne County. In 2005, NC lost 1,000 farms, tying Florida and Tennessee for fist place in the nation (U.S. Department of Agriculture). Agriculture employs 17% of North Carolina’s workforce and contributes $68 billion to the economy (NC Agriculture Commission). In Wayne County, the agriculture and agribusiness food industry represents 21% of county revenues, approximately $648 million (Howard Scott, Wayne County Extension Director). Nearly 20% of Wayne County residents get their income from agriculture, and we rank third for total cash receipts (NCDA&CS, 2005). Our county is positioned fourth in the state for hog and pig production and third for turkey production (NCDA&CS, 2006). While agriculture is very important to the county, it is distressing to note that there isn’t currently even one farmers market enabling Wayne County residents can buy direct from producers.

Unfortunately, Wayne County is following the national trends of diminishing number of farms. The average of farmers in NC is now 57 years, and fewer young people are willing or able to take over family farm enterprises. Nationally, the number of entry-level farmers replacing retiring farmers dropped 30% in the last fifteen years (Center for Rural Affairs). In Wayne County, the average age of farmers is 54 and increasing. According to the 1987 Census of


Agriculture, there were 971 farms in Wayne County. By the 2002 census, the number of farms dropped to 722. This census also reported that immigrants are the fastest growing sector of farmers today, and Hispanic farmers are the fastest growing demographic group of new farmers in the country. The number of Hispanic farmers increased by 50% between 1997 and 2002 (from 33,340 to 50,000) (US census, 2002). In Wayne County, 6.6% of residents are Hispanic, and many have come from agricultural backgrounds. While many may have experience in various aspects of agriculture, they face many challenges trying to become farmers and landowners in the US. These numbers support that farmers from traditionally underserved populations are repeatedly at greatest risk and seem least likely to retain family farms or choose farming as a career path.

In addition to farm and farmer losses, the city of Goldsboro and surrounding rural areas in Wayne County face significant general economic and social challenges. Approximately 51% of the population in Goldsboro is African American and 43% is Caucasian. The median family income is $34,000 (national average is $48,201) and only 38% of the population own the homes in which they live (versus a national average of 62.4%). Wayne County at large has a population of 114,000 and is 74% Caucasian and 26% African American. The median family income in the county is $39,500, and 65% of the population own the homes in which they live. Both Wayne County and the city of Goldsboro have poverty rates that are well above the national average: 19.2% for Goldsboro and 17.2% for Wayne County (U.S. Census Bureau).

1.2. THE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FARMING SYSTEMS - CEFSSited in the city of Goldsboro in the center of Wayne County, The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (www.cefs.ncsu.edu) was established in 1994 by NC State University, NC A&T State University, the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, partnering with several area NGOs. Today, CEFS is one of the nation’s largest centers for the study of environmentally sustainable farming practices. CEFS works closely with state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations (including Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Rural Advancement Foundation International, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, National Center for Appropriate Technology, Farm Bureau, and others), farmers, and citizens to provide sustainable agriculture research, education, and outreach programming. The development of CEFS is a national model for partnership, innovation, and interdisciplinary cooperation. Its creation was in response to the recommendations of a statewide taskforce that determined the first priority for sustainable agriculture was to develop a dedicated research station that focused on integrated, long-term farming systems research, and sustainable agriculture extension programming. The CEFS facility itself is located on a 2000-acre research

If we are concerned about food production, small farms are more productive. If our concern is efficiency, they are more efficient. If our concern is poverty, land reform to create a small farm economy offers a clear solution. The small farm model is also the surest route to broad-based economic development. If the loss of biodiversity or the sustainability of agriculture concern us, small farms offer a crucial part of the solution.

— Peter M. Rosset, Food First/The Institute for Food and Development Policy, "The Multiple Functions and Benefits of Small Farm Agriculture," FAO/Netherlands, September 1999.

http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/


farm owned by the NC Department of Agriculture, and operated in partnership with NC State and NC A&T SU. This facility provides an exceptional working environment where individuals, often narrowly focused within departments, can come together and work as interdisciplinary teams on important agricultural issues. In response to the current critical agriculture needs, the CEFS team and associated NGOs are now working to promote community-based food systems across the state. These efforts simultaneously involve a state-wide initiative and county-based local initiative. CEFS is currently organizing a 2009 NC Food Systems Summit, gathering leaders from diverse sectors together to develop an action plan rebuilding the local food economy. Last year, CEFS launched its community-based, model program in Wayne County.

1.3. WAYNE LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE FOODS INITIATIVE - WLSFI

On November 2nd of 2007, CEFS organized a meeting in Goldsboro with twenty community leaders—from public and private, for profit and not-for-profit, organizations and entities—to discuss current food system issues in Wayne County. Out of this meeting the Wayne Local, Sustainable Foods Initiative (WLSFI) was formed and continues to meet regularly, now involving more than thirty individuals and entities in regular community meetings. As of the Feb 29th, 2008 meeting, the following summary document was developed.

Wayne Local, Sustainable Foods Initiative:caring partners and youths, building a local, sustainable food system

Vision:A healthy, knowledgeable, and engaged community that through collaborative efforts and active leadership makes nutritious and affordable food accessible to all, protects the natural world through sound environmental practices, and supports a strong and growing local farming and business economy.

History:Aided a planning grant to the Center for Environmental Farming Systems from the office of extension and engagement at NCSU, diverse institutions and organizations, government and private, for-profit and nonprofit, began meeting in the fall of 2007 to develop a Wayne County Sustainable Local Foods Initiative.


Our Approach:We are seeking involvement by our entire community as we coordinate a network of projects that will comprise a strategic plan to pursue our vision for Wayne County. This will require an extensive outreach and education effort, and at present our intent is for youth to be the ambassadors of this initiative. By building on current successes—

those of the CASTLES community farm after-school, and the Wayne County Public Library’s Community Garden and community programming—

as well as community resources—such as the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, a 2000 acre facility that can offer hands-on youth and producer training opportunities; the WAGES commercial kitchen; The Wayne County Chamber of CommerceThe Wayne County Cooperative Extension Servicethe Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention work; and the Wayne County Charitable Partnership Inc.; and the county’s farmland preservation study—

we start from our own strengths.

Goals: 1. Increase knowledge among consumers about links between food, agriculture,

nutrition, health2. Increase sustainably produced food accessibility and affordability for the entire

community3. Increase the number of economically viable, sustainable farmers, reaching out in

particular to socially disadvantaged and limited resource new and existing farmer4. Increase value-added processing and distributing enterprises5. Facilitate the next generation of sustainable, local agriculture and community leaders

1.4. PROPOSALS AND SUPPORT

This RMA one-year project proposal by CEFS advances the WLSFI goals of supporting sustainable producers, increasing consumer knowledge and local foods demand, and facilitating the next generation of agricultural producers/leaders. It is designed to work in conjunction with a WLSFI direct marketing project led by the Waynee County Chamber of Commerece that innovatively links community food project efforts with local producers to create institutional marketing outlets, value-added markets, and lay the foundation for developing a farmers market. We additionally have three youth projects, one established and two in development: a 3 acre after school farm/garden entering its third year of production, plans for a youth driven web-based e-magazine on agriculture and food systems, and plans for a state and regional youth Aggie/Foodie network. With the support of RMA through this funding, our efforts will provide opportunities for new agricultural growth, thus strengthening the future local agricultural economy in Wayne County and support traditionally underserved producers and communities in their struggle for livelihood and health. CEFS’s capacity and agricultural expertise allows it to lead the WLSFI goal to increase the number of economically viable farms in the county and surrounding areas by


providing outreach, education, experiential training, and support in various aspects of production and marketing risk reduction practices. We seek innovative tactics that will both aid socially disadvantaged farmers and encourage future generations of producers in creating and managing environmentally sound, socially just, and economically profitable farms that can successfully meet the growing demand for local, sustainably grown foods. We also see this project as a national and statewide model for county-based initiatives that can support and grow the number of local sustainable producers and markets.

2. OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVE 1: PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC RISK REDUCTION EDUCATION To provide accessible production and economic risk reduction education through an extensive production and marketing workshop series run by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, as well as additional business planning, tax assistance, and record keeping workshops offered in partnership with extension, two local colleges, other institutions and the assistance of RMA

OBJECTIVE 2: TRAINING PRACTICUM FOR HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE to provide a training practicum for hands-on experience in diversified growing practices, risk management, farm development, and marketing through “lab” training program for student farmers enrolling in the new sustainable agriculture curriculum at Wayne Community College (a result of the WLSFI) and limited resource and other new or transitioning producers

OBJECTIVE 3: PRODUCER/PUBLIC MARKETING AND EDUCATIONAL ENGAGMENTto build strong producer/public marketing and educational engagement through produceere-to-producer and producer-to-consumer “twilight farm tours,” forging strong producer links to both agricultural research which offers sound production guidance, and also to consumers who’s knowledge and commitment to local foods builds steady market demand

3. IMPLEMENTATION

3.1. IMPLEMENTING OBJECTIVE 1: EDUCATION

3.1.1. risk management workshopsThis workshop series is designed to provide practical knowledge and tools to both producers and Ag professionals. Within the established workshop series at CEFS, ten sessions will be specifically developed to target Risk Management practices. Sessions might include energy risks, irrigation and draught/flood water management, EQUIP application procedures, farm diversification, targeted sustainable and organic practices for specialty crops, and direct market development practices like farm-to-institution and CSAs. These workshops will not only offer a wide range of cutting edge information and materials to producers, but also create a forum for NC extension, land grant faculty, producers, and others agricultural and food systems professionals to exchange ideas, knowledge, and resources, strengthening relationships and fostering a community-based


network. A strong network equates a supportive community where farmers can better forge collaborative relationships and more easily seek often under-used assistance. Limited resource and/or aspiring farmers will extend this networking through attendance at two conferences, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (North and South Carolina) and the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (13 states in the south), where they will be exposed to both information and peer connections, plus have the possibility of presenting their experiences at poster sessions and speak on workshop panels.

The CEFS “Seasons of Sustainable Agriculture” lecture series is was initiated in 2006 and has an excellent history of attendance, some workshops drawing 100 attendees; careful topic selection and speaker identification will ensure risk management topics and publicity. These topics will be submitted to RMA for review and we will incorporate suggestions before implementation. A broad community advertising of these workshops, with the help of extension and our NGO network, will help ensure succeessful outreach to target producers. The CEFS workshops are generally attended by producers from all over the state, so our reach with the workshop series will be statewide. Evening and weekend workshops will all be free of charge, and workshops with a registration fee will have an easy scholarship application process, allowing limited resource producers interested in conference attendance coverage of their travel and registrations costs. We intend for food for these meetings to be provided though our corresponding direct marketing project: Wayne Community: Growing Farmers, “Growing Markets” where local lunches for the workshop series will be catered by youth producers, further illustrating possibilities for innovative marketing and growth potential.

Regional conference attendance will be provided to limited resource producers, and interest in attending these meetings will be solicited through the Sustainable Ag course, practicum, as well as in outreach efforts/publicity for the workshop series. Meetings for shareback will be incorporated into the regular WLSFI meetings, bring home both the practical tools learned by producers and the excitement generated in networking experiences with other producers and professionals.

3.1.2. targeted farmer trainings

We will facilitate Wayne County offerings for records keeping, schedule F and tax training through the Small Business Center (SBC) offerings, and Farmers Adopting Computer Training (FACT). FACT offers computer literacy skills in Excel, Web search for Federal Farm programs, email for marketing communication, and even basic website construction. Record keeping programs, such as the Iowa State livestock application (available for dissemination), are vital to everything from filing schedule Fs to federal assistance applications. Most are constructed in Excel, allowing producers who already have basic Excel training, or who acquire such in FACT-type training, to become proficient in as little as four hours; we will arrange these workshops through SBC and offer them at the CEFS Small Farms Unit computer lab, Mt. Olive College agribusiness school, and Wayne Community College. Language barriers can compound computer


illiteracy or a lack of software proficiency; for example, many outreach materials and assistance information and programs are not provided in Spanish, a language spoken by many of the South’s aspiring farmers. We will examine the needs of our Wayne County producers and aspiring producers to seek ways to address the specific needs of producers in our area in hopes of confronting issues like the digital divide as well as cultural and language barriers.

Community outreach will be necessary to solicit the interest of a minimum of twelve limited resource producers in order to implement a FACT course at the local community college. Once twelve producers are identified, NCA&TSU extension will coordinate with the community college to arrange the course. SBC workshops can be arranged on any topic for fewer producers. Outreach to connect with Spanish speaking producers or aspiring producers can be facilitated through the support of Heifer representative, and this effort has already been initiated. Mount Olive College has expressed interest in providing agribusiness education in association with this grant, so we will coordinate with them as well.

3.2. OBJECTIVE 2: IMPLEMENTING EXPERIENCE

3.2.1. the producersStructured as a living-laboratory component for new sustainable ag student farmers at the community college program, this Practicum will serve the needs of both new growers seeking hands-on experience and also farmers who are transitioning to new crops or organic methods but seek to minimize their risks by getting hands-on experience before making changes in or expanding their own enterprise. By bringing together new and experienced growers, the Practicum offers a setting where aspiring farmers can be connected with mentors, as well as where a group of producers with similar interests may develop cooperative growing and marketing ideas.

Soliciting interest in the practicum will be partially implemented through the efforts of Wayne Community College through their marketing of their new sustainable agriculture curriculum and courses. Because this is a new program however, and because our target is specifically limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and traditionally underserved populations, much community outreach will be required and this will be done in conjunction with the WLSFI efforts. Cooperative Extension and Heifer International will provide some assistance, but much of this will be individual referrals and face to face meetings with producers or those interested in becoming producers, across the county at the places they farm and frequent. Once participants are enrolleed, the New Farmer Project Coordinator will develop programming in response to particular needs, be that developing mentor connections and/or supporting cooperative interests, etc. articipants will come into the course knowing they play a role in a bigger project and initiative and will have opportunities for planning future projects toward supporting theier long-term success.


3.2.2. the sitesThis practicum will focus on such practices as diversified production, water conserving irrigation methods, low input strategies for building soil, sustainable pest management, and season extension options—demonstrated at the CEFS 2000 acre facility, the three-acre CASTLES youth after-school program, and on farmers’ fields. CEFS extensive existing infrastructure for diversified farming systems will expose participants to numerous options and give them experience working in conditions that have been carefully planned and implemented over the last dozen years. Additionally, the practicum will also give participants exposure to conditions and challenges on new farms and farming projects within Wayne County, thus exposing practicum participants to a variety of production demands including farm infrastructure planning and development that reduce risk by design.

Implementation of demonstrations for the CEFS component falls within already existing CEFS staff activities, though depending upon participating students’ needs, new projects or individual growing plots may be developed, as the students will determine much of thee activities based on their particular needs and interests. Implementation of practicum visits to community food projects and new farms will require the New Farmer Project Coordinator and the consultant coordinator to establish connections based on contacts made soliciting participant growers (see implementing the growers above) as well as participants developing community food projects. CASTLES after school farm has a new relationship with CEFS through the WLSFI activities, as does the Wayne County Public Library community garden, and both of these sites offer teaching opportunities for practicum students. What kinds of risk management projects are taught will vary dramatically depending on numerous site factors (site, weather, support, environmental degradation, etc) so materials and supplies will have to be acquired as suits projects at hand.

Additionally, the possibility of developing sites for the use of the students for their own “incubator farm plots” is highly likely as are other join student projects. This would allow for substantial additional marketing and growing experience. Interviews with site managers and students will aid in a needs assessment and other projects are equal option, all based on student needs and what will aid their success beyond the course. They may decide to develop a cooperative toward financial risk reduction, develop an incubator to support business development, create a formal mentorship program, etc.

3.3. OBJECTIVE 3: IMPLEMENTING ENGAGEMENT

3.3.1. know your research, know your resources A “twilight tour” series will provide engagement between producers and the work being done at CEFS. CEFS sited tours, open to anyone but targeted to producers, will provide a season-long series of walking tour and discussion about the fields in production and current research projects. Producers will be encouraged to ask questions and guide the direction of discussion toward their needs and interests. CEFS is an international resource for ag professionals and producers; increasing the connections between this asset and local producers maximizes exposure to optimal growing strategies and risk reducing


tactics.

Twilight tours at CEFS will require staff time and publicity efforts already in place. Profiles of aspiring and other farmers may be posted on the WLSFI site to facilitate promotion and exposure. Evaluation cards, site visits, etc will be required

3.3.2. know your farmers, know your food systemA consumer targeted “twilight tour” series will take place at a local farm or community food project site. Tours offered for consumers will include an informal discussion around such topics as community gardens, the importance of buying local, heath and nutrition, backyard composting, home seed saving, basic elements of the food system, farm-to-school programs, CSAs and similar public topics. These discussions will be led by new and aspiring farmers, giving them practice in public relations and exposure to elements of marketing and outreach—useful in the field, as part of diversifying income, and at farmers’ markets, where communication skills can increase sales. Strengthening developing links with community food stakeholders helps develop markets for local foods while correspondingly reducing marketing risks and uncertainties for producers. Know Your Farmer campaigns across the country have shown that increased knowledge and awareness of local food systems change buying habits. Consumer demand reduces economic risk.

Twighlight tours at community sites will require coordination with WLSFI partners, so as to arrange dates convenient to both the location and the producer/s who will lead the tour. Additionally, dates that correspond to recent practicum projects to provide items of discussion would be ideal. These tours will need a broad publicity effort in neighborhoods, at community centers, at schools, in restaurants, etc. Aspiring producers who will lead the tours will also need review of topics and perhaps even practice with the New Farmer Project Coordinator. Evaluation cards, site visits, etc will be required.

3.4. STAFF

3.4.1. Full time New Farmer Project ManagerA search would be required to fill this position; our focus would be on aspiring farmers or young ag professionals already in Wayne County, and we would also place a high priority on Spanish proficiency. Because this is a one year funded grant, we would proceed with this hire as quickly as possible. We would also begin to seek funding to make this a long-term Wayne-county based position. County officials are already engaged in the WLSFI, and as they begin to realize the economic development and job creation potential of rebuilding their local food system infrastructure (including farmers and markets), we believe they will be interested in supporting this effort monetarily.

3.4.2. Contractual WLSFI coordination and project Evaluation and DisseminationCoordination at this level is needed in order to ensure the long-term impact of projects and continuation of progress towards a vibrant food system and farming community, as well as work based in specific projects, including coordination of diverese stakeholders, and administration, evaluation, and dissemination of particular projects. This staff is


presently in place and currently working on WLSFI activities at 20 hours per week through August.

4. EVALUATION

4.1. EVALUATION DESCRIPTION

An extensive formative and summative plans will be developed in the first month of the program and continually updated. Formative evaluation techniques such as interim surveye tools and informal and formal interviews, based on community participatory design practices, will allow for ag students and participants to have a large say in the direction of particular program: incubator development, co-operative development, etc. For summative reports and continual evaluation a Logic Model will be used (included is initial logic model framwork), as will qualitative interviews and summaries, plus evaluative assessment tools to monitor as well as deliver quantitative assessment numbers useful in determining the numbers and conditions increased, created, impacted, etc. The overall evaluation will assess the effectiveness of interlinking programs as designed in this project, with awareness of the relation to other WLSFI projects, and will provide wide dissemination and replicable materials of all components.

4.1.1. Communication:All producer as well as community/consumer participants will be encouraged to participate in WLSFI community meetings (monthly) and thus have active role in formative design discussions. The WLSFI has a public Wiki site (http://waynecountyfoodinitiative.wikispaces.com/ ) where regular updates and documentation of all projects are recorded regularly, plus the site allows for community dialogue of ongoing projects and related topics.

4.1.2. Numbers Impacted:Outputs of producer participation numbers at workshops, events, tours, and activities will be monitored and logged, plus made available for public review on the wiki site. Easy to complete surveys will address knowledge increase and reception of tours and more indepth surveys will access workshops, classes, and participant experience, as well as solicit participant input on needed assistance and topics of interest.

4.1.3. The Stories:Contractual WLSFI Coordinator site visits and interviews will allow for consumer feedback on farmer stories that can provide case studies, promotional material, consumer outreach pieces, and/or marketing materials for participating limited resource and aspiring farmers.

http://waynecountyfoodinitiative.wikispaces.com/


4.1.4. Dissemination and replicable materials:An Executive Summary and well as a general project overview portfolio will be available on the CEFS’s and WLSFI websites, the former of which is viewed by a large national and an international audience. A youth group WLSFI documentary project on local food systems projects will not only provide photo documentation of projects, but will also be used to engage youths from other parts of the state and the southeast in discussion about this project and others, further disseminating the model and its results.


4.2. PROJECT LOGIC MODEL

Project Activities Project Outputs Project OutcomesNew Knowledge

New Actions New Conditions

OBJECTIVE 1: PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC RISK EDUCATION

1. 10 CEFS RMA focused workshops: minimum of 200 attendees total and potential of 1000 (based on past attendance records from 20-100 per workshop)

2. 4 business, records, and tax 10 week workshops: 48 attendees

3. 4 producers attend CFSA conference in SC and 4 producers attend SSAWG conference in TN

4. Poster Presentation at CEFS Fall Festival: 1000 producer and consumer attendees in 07

5. Poster presentation at CFSA conference: 700 producer attendees

6. 2 shareback meetings following conferences: 40 attendees each totaling 80

Increase producer awareness of RMA strategies in marketing and production

Increased business and computer skills

Increase in ability to apply RMA strategies in production and infrastructure development

Increase in awareness of NC food systems and local farmers developments

Increase market demand for local foods

Increase in diversification /season extension / irrigation strategies among participating producers

Increased use of available support and resources, including mentors, ag professionals, and research and education facilities

Development of strategic marketing plansand direct sales by participating producers

Increase of communication between participating producers and consumers

The number of new or sustainable-production trained farmers in Wayne County begins to grow; strong links exist between producers and both their support resources and their consumers, and Wayne county demonstrates a growing demand for local foods as well as literacy and engagement in local food systems. All exists as a model system that can be replicated and particularized across NC and beyond.

OBJECTIVE 2: TRAINING PRACTICUM FOR HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

1. practicum curriculum at CEFS: 7-10 sessions involving 15 new or limited resource growers

2. practicum curriculum at community food projects or developing farms: 4-7 sessions involving 15 new or limited resource growers

3. practicum “projects”: small on-site risk management projects

4. long-term project: TBA (potential cooperative, incubator development, small business plan, lab


resource plan, etc) OBJECTIVE 3: PRODUCER /PUBLIC MARKETING AND EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

1. 10 CEFS Twilight Farm Tours with 150 attendees

2. 8 Community Twilight Farm Tours with 160 attendees

3. State-wide Summit participation: 5 aspiring farmer

5. WFI producer participation: 5 aspiring farmers

6. reporting of program to WFI meetings: 40 attendees (average)


PROGRAM DELIVERY PLAN

5. TIMELINE

FALL 08 – DESIGN AND EARLY IMPLEMENTATION Hire New Farmer Project Coordinator workshop series design twightlight tours and practicum curriculum and outreach commence tour series, and Sus Ag course with practicum access site needs and design Risk management projects CFSA conference: limited resource and new farmers attend and participate

WINTER 08/09 – CONTINUATION AND ADDITION OF PROGRAMS extension and SBC programs tours and practicum continues Practicum developed risk management projects on new sites Attend RMA PD and Civil Rights training SSAWG regional conference: limited resource/aspiring farmers attend Shareback meetings: SSAWG report for producers 6 month Reporting on WFI website and to NC SUMMIT team

SPRING 09 – CONTINUATION, ACCESSMENT AND FUTURE PLANNING

tours and practicum continues workshop series Practicum students’ future planning project Present report on PD meeting and Civil Right Meeting at WFI community meetings Poster presentation at CEFS Festival (previous years held in Fall and known as Fall

Festival)

SUMMER 09 – LAST STAGE AND FUTURE DIRECTION tours and Practicum continues workshop series Practicum developed Risk management projects Practicum students’ long-terem planning project

FALL 09 Final Report due Executive Summary Evaluation of Project and photos available on CEFS Website;

portfolio compiled and made electronically available {Poster presentation at CFSA conference (takes place after final reporting)}


STATEMENTS OF WORK

6. TABLES

6.1. STATEMENTS OF WORK – OBJECTIVE 1

OBJECTIVE #1 –PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC RISK REDUCTION EDUCATION

STATEMENT OF WORK

SUB-TASKRESPONSIBLE

ENTITY

COMPLETIONDATE

(# OF DAYS AFTER START DATE)

RMA ROLE

Sub-task 1.1: Plan workshop series

CEFS Oct-30 days RMA reviews agenda Workshop draft

Sub-task 1.2: CEFS Workshop series

CEFS Sep-Aug-continuous RMA invited to attend. 200+ producers attend 10 Risk Management focused workshops

Sub-task 1.3: Coordinate FACT course or other targeted workshop series

WLSFI Contractual Coordinator

Nov-90 days RMA reviews all materials support courses made available locally

Sub-task 1.4: FACT or SBC series

Extension Mar-210 days RMA invited to attend. 12 producers attend 10 week course OR 48 attend 4 workshops

Sub-task 1.5: 8 Producers to 2 conferences

Participating producers Feb-180 days RMA invited to review agendas

8 producers receive multi-day conference experience and networking experience at 2 regional conferences

Sub-task 1.6: Shareback meetings

CEFS, Participating producers

Mar-210 days RMA invited to attend 40 producers attend 2 shareback meetings

Sub-task 1.7: Poster presentation at CEFS Fall Festival

CEFS, Participating producers

Sep-360 RMA invited to attend 800+ producers and community members attend



OBJECTIVE #2 –TRAINING PRACTICUM FOR HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE STATEMENT OF WORK

SUB-TASKRESPONSIBLE

ENTITYCOMPLETION

DATERMA ROLE

Sub-task 2.1: Design Practicum

CEFS team and New Farmer Program Coordinator

Sept – within 30 days RMA will review all materials and approve agenda

Practicum curriculum for 14 hands-on RM focused course sessions

Sub-task 2.2: Practicum course on Sustainable Ag at CEFS

New Farmer Program Coordinator

Repeated: within 150 days and within 360 days

RMA invited to attend tours and/or review all materials presented at these events prior to the presentations.

15 producers attend 7-10 Sustainable Ag practicum and gain experience with diverse forms of RM strategies

Sub-task 2.3: Practicum course on Sustainable Ag at community sites


Repeated: within150 days and within 360 days

RMA invited to attend tours and/or review all materials presented at these events prior to the presentations.

15 producers attend 4-7 Sustainable Ag practicum and gain experience with implementing RM design projects; Projects implemented on new farms or community sites; community members involved

Sub-task 2.4: Access and Implement Practicum “projects” with Sus Ag students

New Farmer Program Coordinator and Contractual WLSFI Coordinator

within 360 days RMA invited to tour sites Small risk management infrastructure working demo projects, such as irrigation, season extension, etc on new or farm community sites

Sub-task 2.5: Design and begin a long-term impact “projects” with Sus Ag students and other interested participating Limited Resource Produceres

New Farmer Program Coordinator and Contractual WLSFI Coordinator

Within 360 days RMA will review plans TBA dependent on students (potential cooperative, incubator development, small business plan, lab resource plan, etc)



OBJECTIVE #3 – PRODUCER/PUBLIC MARKETING AND EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENTSTATEMENT OF WORK

SUB-TASKRESPONSIBLE

ENTITYCOMPLETION

DATERMA ROLE

Sub-task 3.1: Twighlight Farm Tours at CEFS


continuous RMA invited to attend tours and/or review all materials presented at these events prior to the presentations

150 producers attend 10 research facility tours

Sub-task 3.2: Twighlight Farm Tours at Community sites and small farms


continuous RMA invited to attend tours and/or review all materials presented at these events prior to the presentations..

160 consumers attend 8 site tours

Sub-task 3.3: WLSFI producer particpation

CEFS, Contractual Coordinator, participants

continuous RMA invited to attend 5 aspiring farmers participate in community food systems development

Sub-task 3.4: Outreach and Assistance project report to WLSFI

Contractual Coordinator, CEFS, participants

Mar – within 210 and Sep – within 360

RMA invited to attend. 40 attendees


6.4. STATEMENTS OF WORK – DOCUMENTATION AND EVALUATION

OBJECTIVE #4 – DOCUMENTATION & EVALUATION STATEMENT OF WORK

Sub-task ResponsibleEntity

CompletionDate RMA Role

Sub-task 4.1: Develop an evaluation plan and documentation system for project.

Contractual Coordinator Initial within 30 days and On-going

RMA will review

Sub-task 4.2: Prepare progress reports documenting project activities What has been accomplished that quarter Key insights Potential barriers or problems Reconfirm future plans

Contractual Coordinator and New Farmer Program Coordinator

Quarterly Read and respond to report as needed.

Sub-task 4.3: Maintain an activity log with the number of individuals attending events and workshops.


Quarterely Read and respond to activity log as needed.

Sub-task 4.4: attend PD and Civil Rights meetings

PD, Contractual Coordinator/New Farmer Program Coordinator

Feb – within 180 Hold meetings

Sub-task 4.5: Prepare a Financial Status Report, documenting the financial status of the project.

Contractual Coordinator Quarterly Read and respond to report as needed.

Sub-task 4.6: Prepare a “Request for Advance or Reimbursement,” accompanied by documentation. All funds must be expended prior to the project end date outlined in the Agreement.

Contractual CoordinatorQuarterly Review request and supporting

documents, approve for payment, forward to RMA Finance Office for processing.

Sub-task 4.7: Prepare final written report which will include: An executive summary A portfolio containing a log of dates, places, instructors, number of participants and instructional topics for all educational activities conducted, program agendas, curriculum, materials, documentation. A comprehensive summary evaluation of the overall project (promotional program, instructional materials, training delivery, success stories, and any recommendations from project partners that might contribute to improved educational programs in the future).

Contractual Coordinator working with Project Director and New Farmer Program Coordinator, and CEFS team

Before 90 days after completion of the project

Review report and issue project closeout letter to project leader.

Sub-task 4.8: Participate in conference calls with RMA personnel as requested.

New Farmer Program Coordinator and Contractual Coordinator

When requested. Request conference call.


7. LETTERS OF SUPPORT

7.1. NC A&T SU EXTENSION & FACT PROGRAM

7.2. WAYNE COUNTY EXTENSION

7.3. HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

7.4. WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

7.5. MOUNT OLIVE COLLEGE

7.6. CASTLES AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

7.7. WAYNE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY – COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM

7.8. GOLDSBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TRAVEL & TOURISM DIVISION

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