The Rend Lake College (RLC) Advancement of Beginning Farmers
and Ranchers Program will allow RLC to engage with beginning farmers and
ranchers throughout the eight Southern Illinois counties we serve and the
surrounding region. The goal of the project will be providing twenty
participants yearly interested in becoming farmers and ranchers with resources
that will help them succeed in becoming operators or owners of farms and
ranches. A series of five days workshops and field trips will be planned yearly
for participants that will focus on basic livestock, forest management, crop
farming practices, and financial risk management and planning (including the
acquisition and management of agricultural credit). Farm safety and hands on
experience with farm equipment repairs and basic operation will also be offered
as part of the educational days planned. Other subjects that will be addressed
in the workshops and field days will include: mental health resources, new
technology in farming, diversification and marketing strategies and other areas
participants may want included. We are able to offer these workshops with the
cooperation and matched in kind resources of a variety of committed regional
professionals. We propose that 60 participants will take part in the program
with 48 participants completing by the end of the three-year grant cycle. The
goal is for 16% of the completers to start or take possession of a farm
operation and 20% of new farmers will make positive changes to current farm
operations. Goals / Objectives To enhance food security, community development,
and sustainability. The major goals include: 1.) Provide beginning farmers and
ranchers with current knowledge of a wide range of farming topics. 2.) Teach
beginning farmers and ranchers some basic and advanced skills necessary to
manage and operate successful farms
The target audience for the
project are Beginning Farmers and Ranchers from the rural Southern Illinois
counties and region served by Rend Lake College. The target audience includes:
underserved groups, racial and ethnic minorities, economically, socially, and
educationally disadvantaged. We held seven educational
workshops/field trips targeted at individuals who have started a new farm,
plan on starting a new farm, or have acquired or plan on acquiring a farm. We
have used social media, college website, and print advertising to reach this
population along with sponsorships for ag related events.
We have accomplished all three of our goals this year through educational
events. Workshops, field trips, tours, etc. have been held for the target
audience of this grant. We have utilized advertising through social media,
website, sponsorships, and word of mouth to reach our target audience.
Initial survey results indicate these events have had a positive impact on farm
operations for our participants. Our goal was 20 participants for the first
year and overall, we had 57 unique participants that participated in one or
more events. Participants for events were open to others interested in Ag. We had
an unduplicated overall of number 126 with 45% (57 unduplicated) qualifying for
grant educational resources through workshops, field trips, and events.
Participants had the opportunity to receive two different industry
certifications, Anhydrous Ammonia testing and Pesticide testing. They were
able to gain some industry specific training through John Deere. Additional
farm operation resources were made available through visiting Dixon Spring
Research Center, National Farm Machinery Show, Weaver Farms, and attending the
Southern Illinois Beef Association (SIBA) workshop. The SIBA workshop featured
two guest speakers who are recognized experts in the Ag industry, David
Kleinschmidt and Travis Meeter.
Other outreach efforts are through sponsorships of the Agriland at DuQuoin
State Fair and American Thresherman Association Tractor Pulls. These events
reach state FFA chapters and others interested in farming and ranching
industry.
Anhydrous Ammonia Test - November 23, 2021 (17
participants)
John Deere Training and Demonstration - December 1,
2021 (19 participants)
Dixon Springs Research Center - January 28, 2022 (15
participants)
National Farm Machinery Show - February 17, 2022 (42
participants)
Weaver Farms (Pig and Dairy Farm- March 25, 2022 (16
participants)
Pesticide Testing - March 28, 2022 (18 participants)
Southern Illinois Beef Association Workshop - March 22,
2022 (71 participants)
Rotational Grazing - August 24, 2022 (24 participants)
Continuing with year two, our Young Farmers and Ranchers continued to have the opportunity to be involved in field days, seminars, and workshops that provided information as well as experience to help further their goal in owning or operating a farm. 22 students received their anhydrous ammonia applicators license and 20 received their private applicators license to allow them to apply pesticides on their farm.