Project Overview
The Alabama Beginning Farms (ABF) Program at Auburn University was
initiated in 2015 as a partnership between two nonprofit agencies, three
producer organizations, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System/Auburn
University as the backbone organization. This project is specially
geared toward low resource farmers and military veterans getting into farming.
As part of the ABF program, we have conducted a statewide Stakeholder meeting
in Montgomery, AL, and documented the needs of producers statewide
through event and newsletter surveys on a continued basis. ACES/AU has also developed a project
logo, website, and a broad communication and educational toolkit that include the Farming Basics electronic curriculum and mobile phone app. Crotovina and
Farmscape Solutions, along with additional Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs),
have developed a unique farm planning tool adapted from the Vermont New Farmer
Program. From 2015-2018, ABF program has reached 1,824 participants directly via 45 educational events and 90 educators/crop advisers via 6 professional development events. We have completed 33 webinars reaching 495 trainers/educators and 93 publications consisting of handbooks, slide
charts, bulletins, posters, blog articles, independent magazine & newspaper
articles. Two social media channels have 1,725 subscribers while the E-newsletter reaches 2,635 subscribers indicating large increase in demand for information and wide support from the farming communities across Alabama. Overall, 82 farmers have started farming, we have helped 120 farmers start farming, and improved farming success of 77 small producers many of whom are low-resource and veteran farms. We have reached 70% white, 20% black (including the Black Belt of AL), and 10% Hispanic & American Indian communities who self-identify as 59% male and 41% female. The ABF has saved $506,00 to small producers in consultancy fees and saved $2.5 million worth of crop statewide. Overall return on investment (ROI) is estimated to be 10:1 which is increasing annually.
Number of Participants: 1824
Promotional Materials
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Educational Materials
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Reports & Evaluations
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Individual Stories / Examples of Success