Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience: In Quarter 1, to hire new Project staff, we formed a hiring committee of 5 people including Project Director and Co-Director; 75% of them were farmers, 75% business owners, 75% women and 50% people of color; 50% experienced farmers, 25% beginning farmer, which developed an outreach and recruitment strategy that targeted a National audience through listservs, other farm service providers, farmers, farm educators, extension agents, farmer trainees and in person recruitment at two farm-related conferences with high diversity in race, gender, class, farm experience and culture including the Northeast Incubator Farmer Training Initiative Conference (held in Ithaca, NY Nov 2019) and the Black Urban Growers Conference (held in New York City Oct 2019). Finding two excellent candidates, we ultimately hired a Manager of Farmer Training Programs and a Programs Manager, 1 a black woman of color and 1 a white woman. Farmer Training Program: The new employees prioritized building relationships by going to community events, setting one on one meetings and farm visits and expanded the Project's Advisory Committee to have more black, indigenous, and people of color leaders. This Committee, now 16 individuals, met biweekly in March and April to determine goals for the Farmer Training Practicum's target audience, determined to be specifically Black, Indegenouse, People of Color participants that are aspiring farmers with no previous farm experience and BIPOC Farmer Mentors. The Advisory Committee continues to meet monthly to plan the programs curriculum, host farm structure, future funding and more. Community Farm: currently stewarded by 10 families and one independent not-for-profit, engages an estimated 30 people regularly who come out to the farm to take care of the crops: 8 families are ethnic Karen refugee families from Burma These families are mostly young couples, and both male and female counterparts work regularly on the farm. Often cousins, friends, siblings, parents, aunts and uncles come out to participate in farm work. Younger children are often present as well. 1 farmer is a white woman from the US 1 farmer is an Armenian immigrant (male) 1 farm enterprise is Ability in Bloom, a non-profit educational organization for people with developmental ability, that trains roughly 20 adults annually in farm and flower-growing and marketing skills. Their core crew is made up of 6 adults with disabilities, most of whom are white men. Programs & Workshops: Audiences targeted and engaged in programs and workshops this Period with on par with the goals. See next section. ? October 1 2019 - Sept 30 2020 Diversity* Farming Status Total Number events Total attendees POC Women/NB Low income** Explorers Beginning Experienced 2019 Workshops 2 19 3 16 3 7 8 4 2020 workshops 2 43 13 21 9 12 12 4 2019 FFJ 3 180 63 32 51 64 94 22 2020 FFJ 8 546 209 207 136 82 163 31 Farm Biz course (cohort) 9 11 2 8 0 2 7 2 Incubator Farm 30 24 4 30 19 11 0 2019 Events 6 166 44 0 20 19 28 9 2020 Events 7 465 45 0 18 81 48 18 Total numbers 37 1460 403 288 267 286 371 90 Percentage of total attendees 100.00% 27.60% 19.73% 18.29% 19.59% 25.41% 6.16% * While we ask demographics a question on registration forms for programs, it's part of a list of optional questions we call "Aspects of Diversity". We have found if we require these questions, our registration form feels exclusive and invasive, yet when they are optional, people tend to indicate race, culture or gender but don't check any boxes related to their income level. **We continue to find time and time again that it's difficult if not impossible to know if audience members are limited-income. Changes/Problems:After multiple meetings and efforts to purchase West Haven Farm in Quarter 1 & 2, a family wanted to buy it. Carlos and Lorena Aguillera have been organic farmers in the region for years, Carlos also working to support farm worker rights. Groundswell decided to withdraw our purchase offer and support this incredible Latino family to buy the farm. The Aguillera's are mentor farmers in the Farmer Training Program and our search to purchase land and run a working farm continues. Since the West Haven Farm purchase did not proceed as planned, and Covid 19 delayed our search from April - October, our group of stakeholders and the Farmer Training Advisory Committee decided we would host the Farmer Training Program (FTP) as a decentralized training program on 4 regional host farms. Some of the challenges that this brings up is the loss of revenue from West Haven that would have matched the cost of what this grant would cover for participants' stipends. With participants rotating to 4 different farms, we also have an unexpected cost to compensate the 4 host farmers. Another challenge that has arisen is the unpredictability of where things will be in a year based on COVID 19 and how to have the foresight to create a program that is adaptable to conditions beyond our control. In Q4, we restarted our strategic planning process to find new land for Groundswell's farm and hope to have more to report next Year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Groundswell supported 4 Incubators farmers to attend Emerging Farmers Conference in Saint Paul, MN in January - fully interpreted in multiple languages. Farmers saw friends and family they hadn't seen since refugee camps in Thailand more than ten years ago which rekindled community connections. New knowledge was gained on growing practices including Mushroom Log Cultivation, Low-Budget Oysters, Growing Mushrooms in Straw, Growing Premium Asparagus, Seed Saving, Soil Health, They learned some nuances around cross-pollination, fertility from manure. Two farmers are interested in pursuing this further and one enrolled in an intensive train-the-trainer program offered by Cornell Small Farms Program. Groundswell staff supported 16 farm service providers through 1-1 technical support guidance in their organizational equity development. All were interested in Groundswell's process to develop our equity statement and system of accountability. Immediate impact is knowledge and awareness gained about the complexities of race and privilege, and how these differences apply at the individual, organization and institutional level. As we continue to provide guidance to other service providers on this work - and continue to learn through our own process - we are considering developing a more formal community of practice for service providers who are actively engaging in equity and their farm business support work. The Farming for Justice Discussion group was one method to create this community of practice, but it is clear there is a demand and interest in something more interactive. All of the training & Professional Development we have provided has been focused on our organizational equity work, its impact on program and organizational development. While we still have a significant amount of work to do within Groundswell, we have been uniquely operating in this integrated space of farmer training and food system equity as a service provider for several years. 218 attendees total, Known Farming Status and Demographics: 75 beginning farmers, 110 total farmers known, 60 farm service providers, 2 immigrants, 10 low income earners, 34 people of color. How Equity Shapes Groundswell: Building an Organizational Equity Statement, Northeast Incubator Farmer Training Initiative (NIFTI) Conference Presentation; After the presentation, attendees understood more deeply why equity development is necessary, that their fears were often realistic, and that the challenges they feared were normal, and we were able to walk them through the process of dismantling racism in their organization. The impact on our audience extended from a change of knowledge, to a change of condition within their upper organizational structure, through destigmatising beliefs around organizational equity development. Several attendees followed up with us to discuss more by phone one on one. Agriculture, Land Theft, & Race Presentation, Cornell University: Student and adult participants all expressed they received and processed the information deeply, which was exemplified by their immediate change of perspective on the importance of regenerative agriculture, and the role that agro-chemical companies perpetuate food insecurity. One student was so taken by our work, he inquired about working with Groundswell and is scheduled to join our team as an intern in January 2020. Dismantling White Supremacy in Food & Farming Organizations, National Good Food Network Conference, New Orleans. Outcomes included collaborating with two new organizations to plan and present; NESAWG and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, made several contacts to follow up with for future collaboration and supporting food system equity work. Unfortunately, the Conference was cut short because Covid travel restrictions were just beginning. Centering Racial Equity in Your Organization or Foundation, Community Food Funder Presentation. Gave new exposure for Groundswell to a National group of organizations and funders. Beginner Farmer Course Intro to Land theft and Agriculture, Cornell Small Farms Presentation. First time we were asked to present to/for Cornell Small Farms. This is a good opportunity for Groundswell to connect with a large National group of beginning farmers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We are just completing year 1, so results are not being disseminated at this point. We have conducted extensive outreach efforts to promote the new Farmer Training Program regionally through in-person networks of staff, Groundswell Leadership and the Farmer Training Program Advisory Committee as well as dozens of online networks including social media, Farming for Justice Group, and listservs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In person workshops and activities will depend on Covid-19 status and restrictions. We will continue to try to hold planned programming if it can be offered effectively through a virtual platform, or through very small groups practicing social distancing. Objective 1. Provide multiple pathways for inexperienced growers to explore farming Because in-person workshops are on hold, we are using this open time in fall and winter to step back and analyze and redevelop as needed our program structures, fees, goals, expectations of instructors, recruitment and evaluation strategies. The Programs Manager is leading this work with Project Director guidance and support. Host monthly Farming for Justice Discussion Groups virtually Working with Land Access Planning Group to consider holding an online series on land access and tenure options in the Finger Lakes. Continue to recruit and outreach to land owners. Assess options for holding some of the Women on the Land Workshops if they can be outside and socially distanced. We think hunting basics and chainsawing are options. The Farmer Training Advisory Committee continues to meet regularly (about 1/month) as the curriculum for the Farmer Training Program is being finalized, recruitment continues (until Dec 15), applications will be reviewed and participants selected by January 15th. The program is scheduled to start April 1 and is being planned for 4 people to help alleviate Covid challenges. Objective 2. Provide technical assistance, training, and incubation for beginning farmers to increase profitability We continue to offer 1-1 technical assistance in farm business planning, organizational equity development, land access & tenure, technical farming assistance In lieu of holding our in-person 10-session Grow Your Farm Business Course in early 2021, we will be offering 4 virtual workshops on farm business January - March and spend 2021 planning for the multi-session course to be offered through an online platform. We have already started looking into online platform options and have spoken to the Farm Beginnings group about their curriculum, Cornell Small Farms about their online platform and will continue doing some research. Support Incubator Farmers to file taxes for the first time. Continue working with Incubator Farmers to support the transition to the Community Farm with more skill building and technical assistance. Hold 2-3 more workshops on topics they request. Incubator Farm Manager begins doing less on farm upkeep in 2021 as the farmers take on this leadership. Objective 3. Connect beginning farmers to direct-to-consumer and wholesale marketing channels Continue working with Headwaters Food Hub and Urban Core to finalize design for walk-in cooler. Construction to begin in January 2021 with an expected operational date by April 1. Promotion and outreach for new cooler storage space for regional farmers. Groundswell continues connecting our network of BIPOC farmers to this wholesale opportunity. Liaison connection between Headwaters, Full Plate CSA and Incubator Farmers to continue crop production for 2021 wholesale markets. Objective 4. Generate revenue for Groundswell Center to sustain its programs long-term, thus reducing reliance on grant support Incubator Committee Retreat early in 2021 will consider strategic planning for farm expansion, finding new farmland and possibly a working farm. Incubator Farm Manager and Project Director are doing a strategic plan for identifying new farmland needs for Groundswell.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
IMPACT STATEMENT:While in-person serviceshalted March 2020 due to Covid-19, Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming, based in Central New York, engaged 1,460 participants in 37 unique programs/services between 10/2019 and 09/2020.Groundswell has been successfully transitioning our Incubator Farm to a Community Farm model, which has meant supporting increased autonomy and skill of the 26 individual farmers (11 businesses) there (80% of who are refugees). 9 of the farm managers learned to use the tractor this year and successfully did their own field work. 7 participated in a new produce aggregation effort Groundswell staff developed to support increased wholesale marketing opportunities. These farmers gained skill in harvesting and processing for wholesale and working cooperatively to meet wholesale supply demands anddoubled their farm's revenue. Our Farmer Training Advisory Committee which is planning the Farmer Training Program scheduled to launch in Spring 2021. OBJECTIVE 1. PROVIDE MULTIPLE PATHWAYS FOR INEXPERIENCED GROWERS TO EXPLORE FARMING (See Target Audience section for demographic specifics ) Meetings/Data CollectionTotal Individual Meetings/Interviews: 8, Total Unique: 22; Women: 11; Immigrant and refugee farmers: 12; Low Income: 12 Q1 and Q2, we worked with Cornell MPH programs to develop metrics and modes to gather information over the course of the project and concrete steps to answer the needs of the farmers as we transition the Incubator Farm to a Community Farm. Outcomes: Increased tractor trainings (7/9 farmers did their own spring field work with careful supervision). Impacts: Increased self-sufficiency and minimize dependency on Groundswell's farm manager Stakeholders started to consider the complexities of transition and how to continue providing support throughout the process. Farmers increased responsibilities to maintain equipment and farm cleanliness Public Events - 2 community, 8 volunteer with Solidarity Garden - 107 total: Impact: Increased knowledge and inspiration about land transfer, specifically in regards to Indigenous communities and Black communities Attendees left with a greater understanding about reparations and reconciliation - what these terms mean, examples of what these actions can look like, and how we might approach these actions as a community. Solidarity Garden at the Incubator Farm grew food for and requested by West Village Residents impacted by COVID 19 and in need of free produce. ? Workshops - 11 total Women on the Land Workshops 10/2019 Chainsaw Basics, 9 total participants Impact indicated on post workshop feedback forms: "now have confidence to use a chainsaw safely/understand troubleshooting a chainsaw and thus more likely to go into the field with one/" Outcome: Hope to offer a second level of this workshop in 2021 Farming for Justice Discussion, a monthly online forum free for farmers & service providers. Though asked, less than 10% complete feedback forms. A video and summary of each is posted to the Groundswell blog, eg. https://groundswellcenter.org/what-does-the-green-new-deal-mean-for-justice-farming/ Participants: 489, 51 refugees/immigrants, 124 low-income earners, 194 People of Color, 178 women, 152 beginning farmers, 27 experienced farmers. Example FFJ titles from 2020: "How Green is the Green New Deal in Ag", "Land Wealth Redistribution", "Federal Farm Program Access for Farmers of Color and Historically Underserved Groups" Outcomes: The formation of a large diverse network (<3,500) of service providers, farmers and activists. This network is used for recruitment of instructors, Leadership members and program participants. ? Partners & Collaborations: Northeast Farmers of Color Cayuga Nation ("Gayogohono") Finger Lakes Land Access Reconciliation & Reparations Working Group West Village Community Full Plate Farm CSA Resource Generation Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Dig In! Farm, Soul Fire Farm and dozens of regional and national farmers serving as presenters/instructors/advisory members Off Grid in Color Chef Kabui Headwater Food Hub Farmer Training Practicum (FTP): We recruited a total of 16 people to join our Farmer Training Advisory Committee which is planning the FTP. Facilitated by Groundswell's Manager of FTPs, this multicultural committee has spent 8 months planning and designing (and now recruiting for) the 6-month compensated FTP, open to aspiring farmers of color only, and scheduled to launch in Spring 2021.The FTP will take place on 4 host farms and the Groundswell Incubator farm.. The FTP will meet 3 days a week for 7 hrs a day. Two days will be spent at a host farm, each week the participants will be at a different host site, visiting each of the 4 host sites once a month. The other day will be an educational day through instruction and field trips, taking place at Groundswell Incubator farm or at local and regional farms.. This new model will continue to meet our goal of creating a pathway for aspiring farmers. Participants will leave the program knowing how to grow food from starting seed to saving seed, have exposure to a wide range of agricultural practices, and have enough information, resources and mentorship to pursue their next steps on their journey into agriculture. OBJECTIVE 2. PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, AND INCUBATION FOR BEGINNING FARMERS TO INCREASE PROFITABILITY Technical Assistance/Consultations: Groundswell staff met 1 on 1 with 4 beginning farmers and 1 experienced farmer seeking individual technical assistance and business support; plus 4 people seeking guidance on having their land farmed by others and 4 beginning farmers seeking farmland - this is part of our role as a NYS Regional Navigator with American Farmland Trust. Immediate outcomesincluded developing a relationship with the persons seeking input which builds Groundswell's network, providing resources and identifying next steps for them. With regards to business and technical support, specific resources and additional contact people were provided to the beginning farmer including but not limited to USDA grant and loan opportunities, local and regional support for financial guidance and credit building. 2 consultees enrolled in the Groundswell business planning course to be offered in Quarter 2. Other individuals will be followed up with in 6 months to find out longer term impacts/outcomes/business status. Participants: 39, 3 refugees/immigrants, 6 people of color, 20 women, 19 beginning farmers, 7 experienced farmers 4 farm visits documented farmers with professional photos made available to each farm business to assist with their promotional needs. COVID-19 Virtual Farmer Discussion w/ Central New York Young Farmers Coalition, led by farmers, Outcome: Resource list developed https://groundswellcenter.org/resources-for-farmers-during-covid-19/ OBJECTIVE 3. CONNECT BEGINNING FARMERS TO DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER AND WHOLESALE MARKETING CHANNELS Produce Aggregation Support in partnership with Urban Core and Headwater Food Hub: Participants: 11 farm businesses, all farmers of color Impact: Behavior change - aggregated produce requires more cooperation and shared knowledge than individual sales Aggregated produce sales to Headwater Food Hub, increasing ability to market wholesale crops to a regular and reliable buyer, with minimal transport by the farmers Incubator Farmers grew leeks sold wholesale to a local CSA, increased revenue impacted financial well being of each family. Farmers made enough money for the first time that they need to file taxes. Learned proper leek harvest & storage Increased marketing opportunities and connections to buyers Marketing for Wholesale workshop, 23 participants OBJECTIVE 4. GENERATE REVENUE FOR GROUNDSWELL TO SUSTAIN ITS PROGRAMS LONG-TERM, THUS REDUCING RELIANCE ON GRANT SUPPORT See Challenges section.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Field Days: Previously scheduled field days in partnership with NOFA-NY were cancelled in the 2020 season due to Covid-19. We hope to be able to schedule these in 2021.
Conference: NIFTI Conference: In November, 2019 Groundswell co-hosted the National Incubator Farm Training Initiative FIeld School Conference. The conference drew 80 participants from around the US. Groundswell provided local knowledge to encourage New Entry to support local businesses to meet conference needs.
NIFTI Conference Tour: 11/4/19: As part of the NIFTI Conference, 40-50 conference attendees attended a 90 minute tour of Groundswells Incubator Farm. Tour attendees were mostly managers and coordinators of incubator farm projects throughout the US; some came from start-up farms while others had many years experience with Incubator Farms.
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