Project Overview
The Orange County Partnership for Young Children (OCPYC) began operating the Transplanting Traditions Community Farm (TTCF) in 2010 as an incubator farm for refugee farmers in NC and has
developed a comprehensive five-year program education plan to meet the
multi-tiered needs of limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers from
entry level to graduation. The goals for the proposed grant are to 1) Increase
the number of farmers operating farm businesses in N.C. 2) Increase profit and
marketing opportunities and independence for farmers 3) Assist farmers as they
progress in the incubator from entry to advanced levels and graduation. 4) Improve
farmer’s production practices.
TTCF leveraged its expertise in working with low literacy refugee
farmers with the strength and joint capacity of its community partners and collaborators
to ensure the success of the proposed grant.
TTCF expanded the farm to eight-acres and allowed 10 new beginning
farmers to enter the program. Intermediate and advanced farmers expanded businesses
and profit by 75%. This expansion required additional agricultural
educational programming which TTCF fulfilled through adding additional educational
opportunities to the multi-tiered needs of the entry, intermediate and advanced
level farmers who participate in the incubator. These educational programs included classroom trainings, hands-on trainings,
technical assistance in the field, field trips to local farms and participation
in the local Carolina Farm Stewardship Association annual conference.
TTCF worked with partner organization NC State University to
develop a database for tracking farmer advancement and educational program
metrics and worked with Dr. Dara Bloom and Dr. Annie Hardison-Moody on improving
evaluation methods and analyzing data metrics.
TTCF worked with partner organization RAFI (Rural Advancement Foundation
International) to provide business planning and business analysis for advanced
farmers nearing graduation.
4. Additional partners: NC State University and Rural Advancement Foundation
International.
5. 100% of funds are allocated to NGOs, CBOs and SAEOs
6. 100% of budget allocated to socially disadvantaged, limited-resource
farmers
Number of Participants: 61
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Individual Stories / Examples of Success