Groundswell Center For Local Food And Farming Inc

CENTRAL NEW YORK IS A BOOMING AGRICULTURAL REGION WITH 400 DIRECT MARKET FARMS WITHIN 30 MILES OF ITHACA; HOWEVER, ONLY 2% OF FARMERS IN THE REGION ARE FARMERS OF COLOR. 'EXPANDING THE INCUBATOR PARADIGM: CREATING PATHWAYS FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED BEGINNING FARMERS' IS A COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THIS DISPARITY THROUGH COLLABORATIVE LAND ACCESS, INTENSIVE FARMER READINESS TRAINING, DEVELOPING NEW MARKET CHANNELS, AND SUPPORT OF FARM ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR BEGINNING AND EXPLORING FARMERS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND REFUGEES. THE PROJECT BUILDS ON THE SUCCESS OF GROUNDSWELL CENTER FOR LOCAL FOOD & FARMING'S CURRENT FARM BUSINESS INCUBATION PROGRAMMING THROUGH FOUR DISTINCT APPROACHES; (A) ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY FARM FOR 40 BEGINNING FARMERS GROWING FOR COMMUNITY SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME; (B) TRANSITION A PROFITABLE LEGACY FARM TO A PRODUCTION-BASED TRAINING PROGRAM THAT OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR AN INTENSIVE FARMER READINESS PRACTICUM FOR 24 ASPIRING FARMERS AND FARM BUSINESS INCUBATION FOR 6 BEGINNING FARMERS; (C) OFFER HANDS-ON TRAINING IN FARMING, FOOD JUSTICE, AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT THROUGH FIELD DAYS, WORKSHOPS, AND COURSES FOR OVER 1,100 PARTICIPANTS; AND (D) CREATES A SUB-HUB FOR AGGREGATING LOCAL PRODUCE FROM 17 FARMS FOR REGIONAL WHOLESALE MARKETS. THESE APPROACHES WILL INCREASE THE RATE OF SUCCESS FOR ALL BEGINNING FARMERS AND PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS BECAUSE THEY EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN APPROPRIATE HANDS-ON TECHNICAL FARM TRAINING AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE.THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS PROJECT, "EXPANDING THE INCUBATOR PARADIGM: CREATING PATHWAYS FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED BEGINNING FARMERS" IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES, WOMEN, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR PRODUCING FOOD AND RUNNING VIABLE AND REGENERATIVE FARM BUSINESSES IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

SECTOR-BASED STRATEGIES

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.