Project Overview
The primary goals of this project are to increase the number
of farm startups in Indiana and to assist beginning farmers and ranchers,
particularly small farmers and Veterans, in improving their business or production
practices. During the three-year project, we delivered 21 farm tours 11
day-long workshops that were open to the general public. We delivered 4 farm tours
and 2 workshops that were developed specifically for military veterans. Each
tour included a morning session focused on a particular topic relevant to beginning
farmers and an afternoon tour of a farm. The workshops were developed by
Extension Educators and Purdue University staff and addressed multiple topics
relevant to BFRs. We led 5 field trips to premiere farms and programs outside
Indiana. Each field trip was attended by BFRs and Extension Educators. We
provided support and training to 62 Extension Educators during annual workshops
that focused on the needs of beginning farmers and military veterans and on
ways to work with these groups.
We also developed a website specifically for BFRs in Indiana
and evaluated each event as well as conducted a final survey of all participants.
Cumulatively, we provided programming to over 1000 participants. Our final survey of participants suggests that
nearly a third of prospective farmers who attended our events started farming and
over 80% of attendees who were already farming indicated that they changed
their farming practices after attending our events. Our program has improved
infrastructure that will support beginning farmers, increased their access to
training and educational materials, and developed a community of Extension
Educators and farmers.
Number of Participants: 873
Promotional Materials
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
Educational Materials
There are no educational materials available for this project.
Reports & Evaluations
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.
Describe any unexpected results of the project:
How would you improve the project if you were to do it again?
What were the keys to success for your participants?
Individual Stories / Examples of Success