Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture Inc

THIS RENEWAL STANDARD BFRDP PROJECT BUILDS UPON A SUCCESSFUL BFRDP GRANT (PD: KELLY COLEMAN, AWARD 2016-03325-2009). HALF (50%) OF THE BUDGET WILL BE DEDICATED TO SERVING SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED OR LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS (0% FOR MILITARY VETERANS). THE LEAD AGENCY (CISA) WILL MANAGE THIS STATE-WIDE PROJECT THROUGH AN ESTABLISHED NETWORK OF THREE COLLABORATING AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBOS): BERKSHIRE GROWN, CENTRAL MASS GROWN, AND SOUTHEASTERN MA AGRICULTURAL PARTNERSHIP. 94% OF FEDERAL FUNDS WILL GO TO CBOS.OUR LONG-RANGE GOAL FOR THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF BEGINNING FARM BUSINESSES IN MASSACHUSETTS BY PROVIDING TAILORED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO AT LEAST 420 BEGINNING FARMERS IN THE FOLLOWING TOPIC AREAS: DIVERSIFICATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES (PRIORITY G), NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (PRIORITY F), ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS TRAINING (PRIORITY C), AND FINANCIAL AND RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING (PRIORITY E). ACTIVITIES INCLUDE 60 WORKSHOPS, 18 NETWORKING EVENTS, AND ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE TO 315 BEGINNING FARMERS, PLUS DETAILED PROGRAM EVALUATION. AFTER PARTICIPATING, FARMERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ON-GOING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PEER SUPPORT THROUGH THE COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES ARE: 90% OF PARTICIPANTS (378/420) "MODERATELY INCREASE" KNOWLEDGE AND 65% (273/420) "SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE" KNOWLEDGE IN THE AREAS OF MARKETING, BUSINESS PLANNING, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, DIVERSIFICATION, OR NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT; 35% (147/420) IMPLEMENT A BUSINESS CHANGE AS A RESULT OF TRAINING; 35% (147/420) WILL MEET OR EXCEED THEIR FARM'S FINANCIAL GOALS; AND 50% OF PARTICIPANTS (210/420) WILL CONFIRM THAT PARTICIPATION CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR ABILITY TO KEEP FARMING. THE SUCCESS OF THESE OUTCOMES WILL IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND FOOD SECURITY OF THE REGION.

PEER TEACHERS: A KEY CONNECTION BETWEEN IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FARMERSAND USDA AND LOCAL RESOURCES: “PEER TEACHERS: A KEY CONNECTION BETWEENIMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FARMERS AND USDA AND LOCAL RESOURCES.” THE GOAL OFTHIS PROJECT IS TO ACCELERATE THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF FARMSOPERATED BY REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT FARMERS IN THE SPRINGFIELD,MASSACHUSETTS METRO AREA (HAMPDEN COUNTY) AND TO ASSIST THOSE FARMS INPARTICIPATING IN USDA PROGRAMS. INVESTING IN REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT PEERTEACHERS IS AN ENDURING RESOURCE TO THE REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT FARMINGCOMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, LEADING TO MORE PRODUCTIVE FARMSAND GARDENS AND INCREASED FRESH FOOD ACCESS IN DIVERSE URBANNEIGHBORHOODS. PEER TEACHERS WILL SERVE AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN TRADITIONALSERVICE PROVIDERS AND THE USDA AND IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FARMERS,PROVIDING TRAINING IN FARMERS’ NATIVE LANGUAGES AND WITH ANUNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CULTURAL AND FARMING BACKGROUNDS. THEACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES OF THE CURRENT PROJECT WILL ENABLE FARMERS TOMAKE SOUND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS ON CURRENT AND FUTURE LAND, ENHANCE THEPRODUCTIVITY OF THEIR EFFORTS, AND ACCESS USDA PROGRAMS. AS A RESULT,FARMERS WILL BRING A BOUNTY OF FRESH, CULTURAL PRODUCE INTO THE FOODDESERTS WHERE THEY LIVE WELL INTO THE FUTURE.

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THIS STANDARD BFRDP PROJECT BUILDS UPON SUCCESSFUL BFRDP GRANTS (PD: KELLY COLEMAN, AWARD 2016-03325-2009 & AWARD 2020-70017-32420). HALF (50%) OF THE BUDGET WILL BE DEDICATED TO SERVING SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED OR LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS (0% FOR MILITARY VETERANS). THE LEAD AGENCY (CISA) WILL MANAGE THIS STATE-WIDE PROJECT THROUGH AN ESTABLISHED NETWORK OF FOUR COLLABORATING AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBOS): BERKSHIRE GROWN, CENTRAL MASS GROWN, NORTHEAST HARVEST, AND SOUTHEASTERN MA AGRICULTURAL PARTNERSHIP. 82% OF FEDERAL FUNDS WILL GO TO CBOS. OUR LONG-RANGE GOAL FOR THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF BEGINNING FARM BUSINESSES IN MASSACHUSETTS BY PROVIDING TAILORED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO AT LEAST 600 BEGINNING FARMERS IN THE FOLLOWING TOPIC AREAS: PRIORITIES 1-7 AND 14 (FARMING PRACTICES, SUCCESSION STRATEGIES, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LAND ACQUISITION, FINANCIAL AND RISK MANAGEMENT, NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, DIVERSIFICATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES, AND FOOD SAFETY AND RECORDKEEPING). ACTIVITIES INCLUDE 60 WORKSHOPS, 21 NETWORKING EVENTS, AND ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE TO 190 BEGINNING FARMERS, PLUS DETAILED PROGRAM EVALUATION. AFTER PARTICIPATING, FARMERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ON-GOING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PEER SUPPORT THROUGH THE COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES ARE: 90% OF PARTICIPANTS (540/600) MODERATELY INCREASE KNOWLEDGE IN THE AREAS OF MARKETING, BUSINESS PLANNING, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, DIVERSIFICATION, OR NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT; 50% (300/600) IMPLEMENT A BUSINESS CHANGE AS A RESULT OF TRAINING; 45% (270/600) WILL MEET OR EXCEED THEIR FARM'S FINANCIAL GOALS; AND 75% OF PARTICIPANTS (450/600) WILL CONFIRM THAT PARTICIPATION CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR ABILITY TO KEEP FARMING. THE SUCCESS OF THESE OUTCOMES WILL IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND FOOD SECURITY OF THE REGION.

BEYOND START UP: BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF MA BEGINNING FARMERS

OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO EXPAND MASSAHUSETTS# DIRECT PRODUCER-TO-CONSUMER MARKETS

EXPAND MA DIRECT PRODUCER TO CONSUMER MK

PROJECT TITLE: FOOD SAFETY SOLUTIONS FOR FARM OWNERS AND EMPLOYEESCOMMUNITY INVOLVED IN SUSTAINING AGRICULTURE (CISA)THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECT, CISA AND PARTNERS WILL PROVIDE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR FOOD SAFETY AND FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT (FSMA) COMPLIANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS, FOCUSING ON THOSE BUSINESSES THAT FALL OUTSIDE OF THE PRIORITY AREAS IDENTIFIED BY OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS. FAMILY FARM BUSINESSES IN MASSACHUSETTS OPERATE IN AN EXTREMELY CHALLENGING GLOBAL MARKETPLACE, WITH LITTLE CONTROL OVER THE COSTS OF INPUTS OR OF PRICES. RECENT INCREASES IN PEST PRESSURE AND ADVERSE WEATHER EVENTS LINKED TO CLIMATE CHANGE HAVE HEIGHTENED RISK OF CROP LOSSES, AND RISING INPUT COSTS AND LABOR EXPENSES HAVE PUT FURTHER STRAIN ON FARM PROFITABILITY. IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR MANY FARMERS TO INTEGRATE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT OUTSIDE SUPPORT. IN RESPONSE, CISA HAS INCREASINGLY PRIORITIZED FOOD SAFETY IN OUR FARM BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMMING.IN THIS PROJECT, WE WILL SUPPORT THREE TYPES OF BUSINESSES, INCLUDING:(A) SMALL FARMS THAT SELL AT LEAST 50% OF THEIR PRODUCTS DIRECT TO CONSUMERS;(B) FARMS AND AGGREGATORS DOING LIGHT PROCESSING OR PRODUCING VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS; AND(C) FARMS THAT MUST COMPLY WITH PRODUCE SAFETY RULE STANDARDS AND REQUIRE SUSTAINED, INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS.THESE SPECIALIZED AUDIENCES WILL RECEIVE TARGETED OUTREACH AND CUSTOMIZED EDUCATION TO MEET THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS. RESPONDING TO FARMER INPUT, WE WILL INCLUDE FOOD SAFETY TRAINING FOR FARM EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH LOW ENGLISH OR LITERACY SKILLS, PAIRED WITH ASSISTANCE DESIGNED TO HELP FARM MANAGERS AND CREW LEADERS IMPROVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS. OTHER METHODS OF SUPPORTING THESE FARMS WILL INCLUDE FARM VISITS AND PHONE CALLS; REFERRALS TO PARTNER AGENCIES AND OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION; CREATION OF AND SUPPORT FOR COMPLETION OF FOOD SAFETY PLANS; SUPPORT FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS; AND ADAPTATION AND/OR CREATION OF TRAINING MATERIALS AND SIGNAGE APPROPRIATE FOR WORKERS WITH LOW LITERACY AND/OR LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS.ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVES INCLUDE SUPPORTING FARMS IN ACCESSING AVAILABLE STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES AND TRAINING RELATED TO FSMA AND FOOD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS; INCREASING CISA STAFF AND PARTNER CAPACITY TO PROVIDE FOOD SAFETY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION TO SPECIALIZED FARM AUDIENCES; AND WORK WITH THE NORTHEAST CENTER TO ADVANCE FOOD SAFETY, MASSACHUSETTS FOOD SAFETY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL SERVICE PROVIDERS ON EVALUATION, OUTREACH AND DISSEMINATION.SUPPORTING THESE FARMS IN FINDING FOOD SAFETY SOLUTIONS WILL IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND REDUCE RISKS AND THE COSTS OF COMPLIANCE FOR FARM BUSINESSES, INCREASING THEIR ECONOMIC VIABILITY. IN ADDITION, THIS PROJECT'S FOCUS ON IMPROVING ON-FARM COMMUNICATION WILL CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS FOR FARM WORKERS.

ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY TO ENHANCE DIRECT MARKETS IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

RME OUTREACH

INVESTING IN DIRECT MARKETING FOR HAMPDEN COUNTY: BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL BUY LOCAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE CONSUMER AWARENESS AND BENEFIT FARMERS

RME OUTREACH

2014 EDUCATION AWARD

BUILDING THE CPAPCITY THROUGH TRAINING ON LAND ACQUISITION, MARKETING AND BUSINESS STRAGEGIES

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS - ARRA

EXTENDED SEASON DIRECT MARKETING PROJECT: EXPANDING DIRECT SALES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS THROUGH THE WINTER

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RBEG - NATURAL DISASTER TORNADO SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RBDG E REA

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

LOCAL FOOD BUSINESSES SERVING LOCAL COMMUNITIES: TECHNICAL ASISTANCE TO SUPPORT FOOD ACCESS AND BUSINESS PROFITABILITY