Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance

OBJECTIVES & COLLABORATORS: THE OPSF FARMER TRAINING PROGRAM, LED BY AN NGO/CBO AND INPARTNERSHIP WITH EXTENSION, LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND ESTABLISHED FARMS ACROSSTHE STATE WILL PROVIDE EXPERT PRODUCER TRAINING IN BASIC LIVESTOCK AND CROP FARMING PRACTICES,ENTREPRENEURSHIP, BUSINESS SKILLS, LAND ACCESS, FINANCIAL PRACTICES (INC. BENCHMARKING), RISKASSESSMENT, DIVERSIFICATION/MARKETING STRATEGIES, FOOD SAFETY, RECORD KEEPING, AND CORRECTIVEACTIONS. OPSF WILL SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE DISTINCT CULTURAL AND CLIMATE REALITIES UNIQUE TO THERURAL DEEP SOUTH PROJECT AREA.OUTCOMES: THE OPSF PROGRAM WILL GENERATE STRONG REGIONAL INTEREST AND AN AVERAGE OF 50-100PROGRAM APPLICATIONS PER YEAR. PARTICIPANTS WILL GAIN NEW KNOWLEDGE AND IMPROVED SKILLS(RELATING TO THE OBJECTIVES) FOR INCREASED AGRICULTURAL AND BUSINESS LITERACY. THE OPSF PROGRAMWILL GRADUATE 25 PARTICIPANTS PER YEAR, 20 OF WHOM WILL START OR EXPAND FARMING OPERATIONS. ATLEAST FIVE GRADUATES WILL BE REFERRED TO THE BAS PROGRAM FOR ADVANCED BUSINESS COACHING EVERYYEAR. THIS PROGRAM PIPELINE WITH STRONG TIES TO EXTENSION RESEARCH, EXPERT STAFF, REGULATORYAGENCY RELATIONSHIPS, AND NATIONAL EXPERTS, WILL LEAD TO IMPROVED REVENUE AND INCREASED INCOMESFOR PARTICIPANTS AND MORE LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD AVAILABLE WITHIN THE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM.

CENTER FOR INNOVATION

CENTRAL LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE WILL REINFORCE AND EXPAND PARTNERSHIPS TO CATALYZE BETTER MARKET ACCESS AND FARM BUSINESS VIABILITY FOR RURAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA. THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED BY IMPROVING FARMER SUCCESS AND VENDOR RETENTION THROUGH TRAINING ON FOOD SAFETY COTTAGE FOOD LAWS AND BUSINESS FINANCIAL LITERACY. THIS PROJECT WILL RECRUIT MARKET VENDORS FOR TRAINING AND EXPAND THE APPEAL OF THE MARKET THROUGH A VARIETY OF INNOVATIVE OUTREACH AND PROMOTIONAL STRATEGIES AND FAMILYORIENTED COMMUNITY EVENTS. THE RESULTS OF THIS PROJECT ARE ANTICIPATED TO YIELD IMPORTANT FINDINGS AND STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO RURAL FARMERS MARKETS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TO PROVIDE OUTREACH, SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO NEW ANDBEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

FARMERS MARKET PROMOTION PROGRAM

CENTRAL LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

SYSTEMATIC CAPACITY BUILDING FOR RURAL FARMERS MARKETS: INCENTIVIZING CUSTOMERS, VENDORS, AND LEADERS

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP OPPORTUNITY GRANT

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP OPPORTUNITY GRANT