An official website of the United States government.
Primary Objective #1: Provide training and technical assistance to growers seeking to minimize microbial food safety hazards for fresh fruits and vegetables. <BR> a. Goal: Adapt USDA Agricultural Marketing Service educational materials in Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices into training curriculum for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and pilot test curriculum with growers participating in Prize of the Harvest Cooperative activities. <BR>b. Goal: Demonstrate GAP and GHP at the Prize of the Harvest packing/cooling/shipping facility in eastern North Carolina. <BR>c. Goal: Introduce socially disadvantaged farmers to the USDA Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Matrix at their farms. <BR>d. Goal: Provide technical assistance to Operation Spring Plant staff that will visit socially disadvantaged farms to provide guidance to growers seeking to implement GAP and GHP on their farms. <BR>Outcomes: A GAP/GHP educational curriculum that meets the needs of socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers will be developed. This curriculum will be field-tested, peer- reviewed, and 100 (2 per state) will be made available to other institutions and organizations who want to implement a similar program in other states and regions across the country. Growers (50) from Prize of the Harvest and other NC "socially disadvantaged" cooperatives and associations will learn good agricultural and handling practices minimize microbial food safety hazards for fresh fruits and vegetables. Forty farmers will implement new practices on their farms to minimize contamination of produce. Fifty growers will complete the Audit Verification Matrix. Twenty-five farmers will adjust infrastructure and practices to address deficiencies.<BR><BR> Primary Objective #2: Train socially disadvantaged fruit and vegetable growers in best management business practices that promote participation in USDA programs and reduce risk associated volume production of these crops for wholesale vendors.<BR> a. Goal: Conduct computer training program in completing applications for FSA, RMA, NRCS, and other USDA programs electronically. <BR>b. Goal: Conduct training in crop insurance alternatives for socially disadvantaged producers, in particular the AGR Lite insurance program, recordkeeping associated with insurance alternatives, and the completion of the IRS Schedule F form. <BR>Outcome: A total of 350 socially disadvantaged farmers will enroll in computer training programs that demonstrate the use of the Internet for accessing and completing USDA agency application and other forms. Thirty farmers will submit forms to USDA agencies on-line. Twenty-five farmers who have heretofore not filed Schedule F will complete one for year 2010. Farmers that are participating in Prize of the Harvest and other NC cooperatives that purchase risk management insurance will increase in number by 25 percent.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The purpose of this project is to conduct outreach and technical assistance to 350 socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (USDA's) producers over a three-year period for participation in U. S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) programs and services. The Project will commence September 1, 2009 and culminate on August 31, 2012 and be implemented in North and South Carolina. Two specific objectives will be addressed: (a) producer audiences (for example, producer's ability to market fresh produce, specialty crops, and dairy); (b) the type of outreach and assistance needs associated with available and appropriate USDA and other agricultural programs. The project is designed to conduct numerous community/outreach meetings and one-on-one farm visits in target counties to explain USDA programs and services as well as programs and services afforded through North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State Universities. Technical assistance will also be provided in forage management, pond development and management, loans, cost-share, and grant applications. Short course studies will also be provided on overall farm management. Moreover, there will be hosted agricultural field days, workshops and conferences to enhance knowledge, skills and abilities of USDA. These farmers and ranchers will also be trained in record keeping and alternative enterprises. The target population for participation in this project will include, but not be limited to, women, African Americans, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Asians, youth, and other socially disadvantaged individuals seeking assistance. The primary goals are to help producers cope with risk, increase farm profitability, enhance incomes and remain sustainable.
<P>
APPROACH: Today's volatile agricultural market requires that farm managers employ the use of farm management software to increase yield and limit expenditures. Small farms, especially, need every advantage technology have to offer when competing in a market where family farms are quickly being obliterated by commercial enterprises. The best farm management solutions to date are for small producers to use the same farm management program. Therefore, the Executive Director and support staff will adhere to the items outlined in the aforementioned timetable to implement a management plan for this project. Action steps will be taken to monitor each of the items listed to assure compliance and also to ensure that the participants receive the maximum instructions and services possible. If there are any major deviations noted, a revision will be made to the items listed on the timetable. All the subjects/topics indicated will be presented and as new techniques and other materials are forthcoming, they too will be presented. The applicant agency has assembled a cadre of professionals to provide the training. These professionals are truly concerned about the livelihood of the participants. They will also devote whatever time and efforts are necessary for the participants to learn and achieve effective methods to reduce risks and enhance their fiscal wellbeing.