Providence Farm Collective Corp

PROVIDENCE FARM COLLECTIVE (PFC) WAS FOUNDED IN 2019 TO CULTIVATE FARMER-LED AND COMMUNITY-ROOTED AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS, AND TO EMPOWER ACCESS TO FOOD AND FARMLAND. PFC HAS BOTH INCUBATOR FARMERS, THOSE ACTIVELY WORKING TO START THEIR OWN FARM BUSINESS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION PLOT FARMERS, THOSE GROWING COLLABORATIVELY TO MEET INTRA-COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY NEEDS.ALTHOUGH THE POPULATION OF ERIE AND NIAGARA COUNTIES DECLINED BY MORE THAN 16% BETWEEN 1970 AND 2010, URBANIZED AREAS INCREASED BY 78%, OR 166 SQUARE MILES, DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD. AS THE POPULATION HAS DECREASED, CONVERSION OF FARMLAND TO HOUSING HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED. ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE, ERIE COUNTY LOST 38% OF ITS FARMS AND 36% OF ITS FARMLAND BETWEEN 1969 AND 2012. THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF A FARM IN ERIE COUNTY WENT FROM JUST OVER $400,000 IN 2012 TO NEARLY $700,000 IN 2017, MAKING THE COST OF FARMLAND ALONE PROHIBITIVE. THESE CONDITIONS THREATEN THE RESILIENCY OF NEW YORK'S FOOD SYSTEMS AND THE VIABILITY OF FARMING IN OUR REGION (2017 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE: NEW YORK; ERIE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND PROTECTION PLAN OFFICE OF AGRICULTURE, N.D.). THESE PRESSURES FACING FARMERS AND FARMLAND IN WESTERN NEW YORK ARE NOT UNIQUE, THESE STRESSORS EXIST THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. TRAINING BEGINNING FARMERS FOR SUCCESSFUL FARM BUSINESS OPERATION AND CONNECTING NEW ENTRY FARMERS TO LAND ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES ARE ESSENTIAL STEPS TOWARDS ADDRESSING THIS CRISIS.PFC PROVIDES THE ONLY INCUBATOR FARM PROGRAM IN THE REGION, SO OUR PROJECT STANDS ALONE IN MEETING THE DEMAND FOR COMPREHENSIVE, INTENSIVE HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR BEGINNING FARMERS. BY SUPPORTING BEGINNING FARMERS IN STARTING AND IMPROVING SMALL FARM BUSINESSES THAT UTILIZE ECOLOGICALLY RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES, THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTES TO THE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE OF AGRICULTURE IN WESTERN NEW YORK.THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE VIABILITY AND SUCCESS OF BEGINNING FARMERS BY DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A ONE-YEAR PRACTICUM-BASED TRAINING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES HANDS-ON AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION, INDIVIDUALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, MENTORSHIP, AND CONNECTIONS TO LOCAL FARMING NETWORKS. ENGAGEMENT OF OUR TARGET AUDIENCE LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THREE OBJECTIVES:1.DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A ONE-YEAR PRACTICUM TRAINING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES BEGINNING FARMERS WITH HANDS-ON AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES;2. PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH SUCCESSFUL LOCAL FARMS AND AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONALS; AND3. PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND MENTORSHIP TO SUPPORTBEGINNING FARMERS IN PRODUCTION SKILLS, FARM SYSTEMS OPERATIONS, AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.THROUGH THE PRACTICUM AND AN EXPANDED 5-YEAR INCUBATOR PROGRAM, BEGINNING FARMERS WILLEXPERIENCE PERSONALIZED TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP WITH LOCAL FARMERS THAT IS HANDS-ON, ONE-ON-ONE OR SMALL-GROUP, AND DESIGNED TO PUT FARMERS ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS. CORNELL COOPERATIVE,EXTENSION AND LOCAL FARM PARTNERS WILL DELIVER ADVANCED INSTRUCTION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS SUPPORT CURRICULA REFINEMENT. PFC FARMLAND AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH MARKETS WILL BE LEVERAGED THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM.THE OUTCOMES AND IMPACT OF THIS PROJECT INCLUDE: 60 NEW FARM START UPS, 100 PARTICIPANTS WHO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES, FARM OPERATIONS, AND FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, 50 PARTICIPANTS WHO IMPROVE FARM BUSINESS PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING CAPACITY, 50 FARMERS WHO IMPLEMENT A LEARNED CROP PRODUCTION PRACTICE TO IMPROVE FARM OPERATIONS, 40 FARMERS WHO IMPLEMENT A LEARNED BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PRACTICE TO IMPROVE FARM OPERATIONS AND 40 PARTICIPANTS WHO STRENGTHEN PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT NETWORKS AND ACCESS AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES THROUGH PFC PROGRAMING.

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF PFC'S BFRDP PROJECT IS TO EMPOWER REFUGEE, IMMIGRANT, AND BLACK BEGINNING FARMERS WITH NEEDED RESOURCES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ENTER AND CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE THEIR SUCCESSES IN FARMING BY REFINING PFC'S BEGINNING FARMER TRAINING INITIATIVES IN COLLABORATION WITH CORNELL PARTNERS. ACCORDING TO FEEDBACK AND A SURVEY, THE MOST COMMON METHODS FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING IDENTIFIED BY REFUGEE, IMMIGRANT, AND BLACK BEGINNING FARMERS ARE PERSONALIZED, HANDS-ON, AND LANGUAGE-ADAPTIVE DEMONSTRATION IN THE FIELD AND TEACHING IN THE CLASSROOM, PLUS THE USE OF VISUAL RESOURCES. FARMERS EXPRESSED NEEDING TO LEARN ABOUT LIVESTOCK AND CROP FARMING PLUS FARM BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. THESE FARMERS PRIORITIZE BUILDING INTER- AND INTRA-COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS PLUS EARNING INCOME THROUGH FARMING. INCLUDED IN THEIR DEFINITIONS OF SUCCESS FOR THEIR FARMS ARE BEING ABLE TO FEED THEIR COMMUNITIES AND CONNECT WITH THEIR CULTURE. THUS, OUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVES ARE TO A) INCREASE PFC STAFF KNOWLEDGE AND CAPACITY SO STAFF CAN BETTER MEET THE EXPRESSED LEARNING NEEDS OF REFUGEE, IMMIGRANT, AND BLACK FARMERS AND B) EMPOWER SUCH FARMERS TO ENTER OR IMPROVE THEIR SUCCESSES IN FARMING THROUGH ACCESS TO LAND, PERSONALIZED EDUCATION, AND MARKET OPPORTUNITIES WHILE BUILDING COMMUNITY, NOURISHING THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND CONNECTING WITH THEIR CULTURE.TO ACCOMPLISH ITS LONG-TERM GOAL, THE PROJECT WILL EMPLOY METHODS IN WHICH FARMERS ARE SUPPORTED IN CREATING ANNUAL INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLANS AND PARTNERS AT CORNELL TRAIN PFC STAFF ON TOPIC BASICS. THROUGH FARMERS' EDUCATION PLANS AND INCREASED STAFF KNOWLEDGE AND CAPACITY, PFC STAFF WILL BETTER PROVIDE BASIC PERSONALIZED EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP TO FARMERS THAT IS HANDS-ON, LANGUAGE-ADAPTED, AND ONE-ON-ONE OR SMALL-GROUP. PARTNERS WILL LIKEWISE REFERENCE FARMERS' EDUCATION PLANS TO DELIVER ADVANCED INSTRUCTION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS SUPPORT CURRICULA REFINEMENT AND PRODUCTION OF VISUAL LEARNING MATERIALS. PFC FARMLAND AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH MARKETS SERVING LOW-INCOME, LOW-ACCESS COMMUNITIES WILL BE LEVERAGED THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM. IN TOTAL, 200 UNDER-RESOURCED FARMERS WILL BE SERVED AND FOUR STAFF MEMBERS WILL BE TRAINED.

PROVIDENCE FARM COLLECTIVE'S (PFC) IMPROVING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO FRESH,CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT FOOD FORIMMIGRANT,REFUGEE AND BLACK FAMILIES IN WESTERN NEW YORK PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE NEED OFMARGINALIZED AND LOW-RESOURCE FARMERS OF COLOR TO ACCESS MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES AND GENERATEECONOMICALLY VIABLE SALES OUTLETS THAT SERVE THEIR FOOD INSECURE COMMUNITIES VIA AGGREGATION AND DIRECTRETAIL. SPECIFICALLY,PFC WILL 1) BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BY HIRING A MARKETS MANAGER TO A) SCALE PFC'SPRODUCE AGGREGATION FOR FOOD BANKS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS DIRECTLY SERVING LOW-INCOME,FOODINSECURE COMMUNITIES AND B) EXPAND DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER SALES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PFC FARMERS BYESTABLISHING A RETAIL MARKET FOR PFC'S EIGHT DISTINCT COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO WITH SUPPORT FROMTHE WESTMINSTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (WEDI); 2) SUPPORT PFC FARMERS IN MARKETING ANDSELLING THEIR NICHE,TRADITIONAL CROPS,INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO AFRICAN MAIZE,AMARANTH,ROSELLE,HOTPEPPERS,AFRICAN AND ASIAN EGGPLANTS,TO ENHANCE FARMER PROFITABILITY. THROUGH THE PROGRAM,PFC'S IMMIGRANT,REFUGEE AND BLACK FARMERS WILL BE ASSISTED IN PROMOTING ANDCONDUCTING SALES OF THEIR LOCALLY PRODUCED,CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT PRODUCE TO HISTORICALLY UNDER-RESOURCEDCOMMUNITIES IN WESTERN NEW YORK THROUGH TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. BY UTILIZING A "LEARN,DO,TEACH" APPROACH,THE SOFT AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY MARKETPRODUCE DIRECTLY WILL BECOME SELF-SUSTAINING IN THE FUTURE AS KNOWLEDGE TAKES ROOT AND IS PROPAGATEDFROM FARMER TO FARMER. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM,FARMERS WILL BE TRAINED TO BE TRAINERS IN THE MARKETINGAND SELLING OF NICHE,LOCAL,CULTURALLY-RELEVANT CROPS. THIS COLLABORATIVE PROJECT WILL SUPPORT A MORE ROBUST,DIVERSE FOOD SYSTEM THAT PROMOTES HEALTH ANDEQUITY BY IMPROVING FOOD AND NUTRITION QUALITY,INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOODS,INCREASING ACCESS TO CULTURALLY RELEVANT FOODS,AND SUPPORTING BIPOC FARMERS IN SERVING LOCAL "LOWINCOME/LOW ACCESS" COMMUNITIES. FURTHERMORE,IMPORTANT CULTURAL TRADITIONS LINKED TO FARMING ANDFOOD,SUCH AS KULIMBULA (THE SOMALI BANTU AFRICAN MAIZE HARVEST FESTIVAL) WILL BE PRESERVED.

PFC'S GROWING TOMORROW'S FARMERS PROJECT ADDRESSES INTRACTABLE ISSUES OF FRESH FOOD ACCESS, FARMLAND ACCESS, AND ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL AND SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATION FOR LOW RESOURCE INDIVIDUALS IN THE WESTERN NEW YORK REGION. WITH FARMING AND BUSINESS MENTORSHIP AND HANDS-ON TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, BEGINNING AND ASPIRING FARMERS WILL ACQUIRE SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION AND SMALL FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE SUCCESS. BOTH QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DATA WILL BE COLLECTED THROUGHOUT THE 3-YEARS OF THIS PROJECT AND WILL TAKE THE FORM OF SURVEYS AND INTERVIEWS (PRESENTED IN EACH PARTICIPANT'S NATIVE LANGUAGE) ASSESSING PARTICIPANTS'WORKSHOP SKILLS ACQUISITION;QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS IMPROVED ACCESS TO CULTURALLY RELEVANT FOODS AND IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING; FARMER'S VEGETABLE YIELDS FROM YEARS 1 THROUGH 3; FARMER'S SALES AND EARNINGS RECORDS FROM YEARS 1 THROUGH 3. THROUGH THE PROVISION OF FREE FARMLAND AND FARMING EDUCATION TO LOW-RESOURCE POPULATIONS, PFC HOPES TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEM IN WESTERN NEW YORK. THIS PROJECT WILL HELP OTHERWISE LAND-LESS FARMERS GAIN A FOOTHOLD IN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM, DEVELOP FARM BUSINESSES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME, INCREASE CULTURALLY RELEVANT FRESH FOOD ACCESS FOR THEIR COMMUNITIESAND ULTIMATELY, EXPERIENCE AN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.