Whitaker Small Farm Group Inc

THE PROJECT WILL PRIMARILY BE DELIVERED WITHIN THE USDA STRIKE FORCE INITIATIVE COUNTIES IN EASTERN NC. THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 521 IS A MAJOR COLLABORATOR ASSISTING WITH RECRUITMENT. THIS PROJECT WILL HAVE A DELIVERY PLAN THAT IS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS FACED BY NEW BEGINNING VETERAN FARMERS. THIS INCLUDES USING EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING THROUGH APPRENTICESHIP AND MENTORING ON A MODEL FARM, CLASSROOM-BASED WORKSHOPS, AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO BUILD KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED TO MAKE WELL INFORMED BUSINESS DECISIONS AND TO OPERATE SUSTAINABLE AND PROFITABLE FARMS.WSFG WILL CONDUCT A 6-MONTH "LEARNING BY DOING" APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM ON TWO MODEL FARMS FOR 72 VETERANS. THE TRAINING MODEL IS DESIGNED TO HAVE VETERANS SHADOW THE HOST FARMER TO UNDERSTAND REAL FARMING EXPERIENCE BY PARTICIPATING IN MANY ASPECTS OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION AND FARM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.WE WILL PROVIDE PROGRESSIVE TRAINING THROUGH A BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ACADEMY. A MULTIFACETED TRAINING SESSION DESIGNED TO EQUIP PARTICIPANTS TO IMPROVE ON THEIR BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SKILLS, LEARN TO ADD VALUE TO RAW PRODUCE AND EXPLORE BEE KEEPING AS AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF INCOME. THE TRAINING IS GEARED TOWARDS BEEKEEPING CERTIFICATION.WE WILL INCREASE AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION IN USDA PROGRAMS BY PROVIDING AGGRESSIVE OUTREACH, FACILITATE ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE WITH APPROPRIATE AGENCY SPECIALIST AND, ASSIST IN APPLYING FOR PROGRAM ASSISTANCE. WE ESTIMATE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 360 VETERANS THROUGH OUR CONNECT VETERANS TO AG. RESOURCE SUMMITS.

TO PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING THROUGH APPRENTICESHIP AND MENTORING ON A MODEL FARM, CLASSROOM BASED WORKSHOPS AND HANDS ON ACTIVITIES TO BUILD KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL OF SDFRS REQUIRED TO MAKE WELL INFORMED BUSINESS DECISIONS AND OPERATE SUSTAINABLE AND PROFITABLE FARMS.

EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING TO ADVANCE THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL VIABILITY OF NEW BEGINNING, FARMERS IN USDA STRIKE FORCE COUNTIES OF EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

BUILDING THE AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURIAL CAPACITY OF SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING AND PROGRESSIVE MENTORSHIP

HANDS ON TRAINING FOR LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS AND WOMEN TO PRODUCE HIGH VALUE EXOTIC INDOOR MUSHROOMS AND GREENHOUSE PRODUCE IN EASTERN NORTH CAROL

COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE

HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND VETERAN FARMERS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

SPECIALIZED HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR BEGINNING, SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED, LIMITED RESOURCE, WOMEN AND VETERAN FARMERS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN NC

EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING TO ADVANCE SDFRS NORTH CAROLINA