Enhancing Beginning, Limited Resource and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Success through the Introduction of Innovative Conservation Approaches and Technologies

The goal of the proposed project is to take an innovative and comprehensive approach to developing a long-term solution to ensure proven environmental technology and food security in the small-scale farm industry by linking underserved farmers with USDA/NRCS conservation programs and alternative market opportunities. The project is intended to enhance the sustainability and profitability of small-scale farm operations integrating conservation technology transfer and improved marketing strategies. The project is expected to improve the knowledge and skills of small-scale, limited resource farmers in incorporating conservation and production technologies, as well as alternative marketing strategies, into existing farm operations. The project will demonstrate technologies and strategies that can easily and relatively inexpensively be adopted by small-scale producers. The target audience for the project is beginning, limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers in north Florida. The project integrates proven conservation technologies, such as plasticulture and subsurface irrigation, and farm business and market development.