ENHANCED FARMING AND MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFUGEE AND NATIVE AMERICAN FARMERS IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST

Goals/ObjectivesProject goals include increasing the number of refugee and Native American farmers through the expansion of three current incubator farm sites (from 15 to 18 acres), and the development two other rural incubator farms (6 new acres). Increasing the probability of successful and sustainable refugee and Native American farmers by providing opportunities to gain farming experience, as well as providing workshops and technical assistance in production, marketing, food handling and safety, financial management, USDA programs, and more. Program farmers (91) will participate in over 60 workshops and receive 1500 hours of technical assistance annually. Additionally, they will be provided with assistance in developing new products, new markets, adopting new technologies.Objective 1: Provide small-scale urban incubation, including land, training, technical assistance, and market access for 75refugee and New American farmers on the expanded IRC SLC Redwood and Wheadon Farms, and the CRIC Logan Farm to support farmers in starting successful small farm businesses.Objective 2: Continue development of 3 peri-urban and urban incubator farms for 75 producers, including providing training and technical assistance on perennial crops and season extension techniques, to refugee and New American FarmersObjective 3: Support 50 farmers in accessing large-scale markets and increasing revenue through training, technical assistance, market planning, and market access.Objective 4: Assist 16Native American farmers by developing small-scale farm incubators on two rural sites in S. Utah/N. Arizona, building on best practices developed by IRC-New Roots, CRIC, and USU for working with socially disadvantaged farmers and sustaining successful training, management, and marketing systems.