Slide 1

Growing Opportunities for Sustainable Small Farmers in Washington & Idaho TM Slide 2 Sustainable Small Farms are Environmentally sound Promoting biodiversity Preserving habitat Conserving natural resources Reducing dependence on fuel & chemical inputs Slide 3 Sustainable Small Farms are Economically viable Providing a living wage for farmers and farm workers Direct marketing, cooperatives, alternative cropsbuy local campaigns Slide 4 Sustainable Small Farms are Socially responsible Contributing to community food security Ensuring safety and a positive quality of life for producers and workers Slide 5 What is Cultivating Success TM ? A collaborative educational program for Idaho and Washington State Began in 2000 And funded through generous grants from: USDA Risk Management Agency, USDA SARE, USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants, and USDA CSREES Western Center for Risk Management Education Slide 6 Goal of Cultivating Success TM Create and implement educational programs to increase the number and foster the success of sustainable small acreage farmers and ranchers in Idaho and Washington. Slide 7 Achieving the Goals of CS Offer a series of courses that provide beginning and existing farmers with Planning and decision- making tools Production skills Support necessary to develop sustainable small acreage enterprises Slide 8 Achieving the Goals of CS Connect participants with farmers and expose them to real world situations Use a community-based, experiential approach Provide an optional Cultivating Success TM Certificate (Level I and Level II)- academic or community Slide 9 Target Audience Audiences Academic students New and experienced farmers Incl. Latino & Hmong farmers Agricultural professionals Slide 10 Locations Courses are offered through University of Idaho & Washington State University On Campus Compressed Video Online Hybrid ID and WA Cooperative Extension 25+ locations On farm Short courses Internships/Mentorships University Farms Slide 11 Collaboration with Producers Representation on CS Leadership Team (one from WA & ID) Guest instructors Primary instructors Farmer Mentors Program & Curriculum development Input at all levels and stages Slide 12 Program Modules Overview of Sustainable Small Farms* Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Business Module* Agricultural Entrepreneurship Farm Based Learning* On Farm Internship/Mentorship Sustainable Production Module Organic Gardening And Farming Organic Farming Practicum Ecological Soils Management Sustainable Small Acreage Livestock Production Sustainable Food Systems Module Science, Society And Sustainable Food Systems Field Analysis Of Sustainable Food Systems World Agricultural Systems Slide 13 Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Overview Course details Participants evaluate what type of small enterprise is right for them, complete a whole farm plan Mix of classroom lecture, guests speakers and farm tours Students have volunteered on a campus farm in exchange for credit Culturally adapted Latino and Hmong curricula available Slide 14 Slide 15 Agricultural Entrepreneurship: Building a Sustainable Small Farm Business Course details: The Next Step Hands-on, Ag focused business planning and market development Guest speakers are experienced practitioners from the community & region Students create a working business plan for their small farm enterprise Slide 16 Slide 17 On Farm Internship/Mentorship Participants work one-on-one with a farmer-mentor & Faculty or Extension coordinator Mutually agreed upon plan of study Hands-on experience in all aspects of production and marketing Seasonal or year-round, site specific Certified instructional mentors & farms 12 trained, 7 sites certified including UI & WSU organic farms Site-specific curriculum associated with the operation Slide 18 Slide 19 Program Results Over 25 locations at county Extension offices and college campuses in WA and ID have offered or are currently offering Cultivating Success TM courses Over 2000 participants have attended at least one Cultivating Success TM course Over 60 trained instructors since 2001 81% of participants are farmers, ranchers, or agricultural professionals Slide 20 Cultivating Success TM Women Leadership Team 10 members are all women, including both farmer representatives Instructors approximately 55% in WA and ID are women Students approximately 60% are women in WA and ID Slide 21 Students surveys reveal 100% increased their understanding of sustainable agriculture after completing Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching 100% of these students are likely to use what they learned on their farms or in their work 98% rated the program as effective in potentially increasing the number and success of small farms in ID and WA Slide 22 To Find Out More www.cultivatingsuccess.org Slide 23