Educational Support for Increasing the Acceptance of Federal Nutrition Benefits by Maryland Farmers

Progress report for ENE23-180

ENE23-180 (project overview)
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2023: $190,073.00
Projected End Date: 09/30/2026
Grant Recipient: Agriculture Law Education Initiative
Region: Northeast
State: Maryland
Project Leader:
Megan Todd
Email
Agriculture Law Education Initiative
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Project Information

Summary:

Problem or Opportunity and Justification: 

Nutrition assistance feeds the hungry, stimulates the local economy, and is maximized through programs that match nutrition assistance spending at farmers markets. According to the USDA FY21 Year End SNAP Summary, farmers markets and direct marketing farmers experienced an increase in sales to SNAP shoppers during the pandemic. Both the state and federal governments have continually and incrementally increased the financial allocations for these types of programs, meaning nutrition assistance programs have the potential to offer a sustainable source of income for farmers who direct market.

However, according to the USDA 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices survey, only 106 of the 1,203 farms in Maryland that produce and sell food locally through direct marketing practices accept SNAP; only 191 participate in WIC FMNP. The administrative challenges that hinder farmers from becoming program retailers are commonly known by growers who have attempted the process: 1. there are multiple programs with varying standards, 2. the programs are difficult to apply for because applications are often lengthy and detailed, and 3. the programs can be difficult to administer due in part to varying technology standards and programmatic standards. 

Agricultural marketing professionals and extension agents are trusted advisors tasked with helping farmers understand and navigate the complex business of farming. Yet, according to Maryland agricultural service providers, the many programmatic requirements make it challenging for them to thoroughly understand the available federal nutrition programs. This lack of knowledge means service providers may fail to inform farmers about the economic and social opportunities food access programs represent. Furthermore, because service providers have inconsistent knowledge about the programs and the network of available resources, farmers without access to guided assistance may give up early in the application process. 

Solution and Approach: 

The goal of this project is to help service providers gain a common baseline knowledge of nutrition programs, equip them with plain-language materials to make the application process feel less overwhelming, and thereby empower more farmers to complete retailer applications for federal nutrition assistance programs. 

The Agriculture Law Education Initiative, partnering with the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, and the University of Maryland Extension SNAP-Ed Program, will educate service providers about the complexities of the nutrition assistance programs, equip them with detailed lesson plans to help them successfully shepherd farmers through the process of identifying which program(s) a grower may be an eligible retailers for, what information and steps are needed to successfully apply, what marketing strategies farmers can employ to attract benefits shoppers, and who they can contact for peer advice and technical assistance.

Performance Target:

 

Forty (40) agricultural service providers will provide education and assistance to fifty (50) farmers on how to apply for and accept federal nutrition assistance program payments, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Fruit and Vegetable Benefit Program (WIC-FVB) and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for Seniors and WIC participants. 

Twenty (20) of the farmers take the steps necessary (completing and submitting applications) to accept payments from one or more new forms of federal nutrition assistance programs.

Introduction:

Problem or Opportunity and Justification: 

Nutrition assistance feeds the hungry, stimulates the local economy, and is maximized through programs that match nutrition assistance spending at farmers markets. According to the USDA FY21 Year End SNAP Summary, farmers markets and direct marketing farmers experienced an increase in sales to SNAP shoppers during the pandemic. Both the state and federal governments have continually and incrementally increased the financial allocations for these types of programs, meaning nutrition assistance programs have the potential to offer a sustainable source of income for farmers who direct market.

However, according to the USDA 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices survey, only 106 of the 1,203 farms in Maryland that produce and sell food locally through direct marketing practices accept SNAP; only 191 participate in WIC FMNP. The administrative challenges that hinder farmers from becoming program retailers are commonly known by growers who have attempted the process: 1. there are multiple programs with varying standards, 2. the programs are difficult to apply for because applications are often lengthy and detailed, and 3. the programs can be difficult to administer due in part to varying technology standards and programmatic standards. 

Agricultural marketing professionals and extension agents are trusted advisors tasked with helping farmers understand and navigate the complex business of farming. Yet, according to Maryland agricultural service providers, the many programmatic requirements make it challenging for them to thoroughly understand the available federal nutrition programs. This lack of knowledge means service providers may fail to inform farmers about the economic and social opportunities food access programs represent. Furthermore, because service providers have inconsistent knowledge about the programs and the network of available resources, farmers without access to guided assistance may give up early in the application process. 

Solution and Approach: 

The goal of this project is to help service providers gain a common baseline knowledge of nutrition programs, equip them with plain-language materials to make the application process feel less overwhelming, and thereby empower more farmers to complete retailer applications for federal nutrition assistance programs. 

The Agriculture Law Education Initiative, partnering with the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, and the University of Maryland Extension SNAP-Ed Program, will educate service providers about the complexities of the nutrition assistance programs, equip them with detailed lesson plans to help them successfully shepherd farmers through the process of identifying which program(s) a grower may be an eligible retailers for, what information and steps are needed to successfully apply, what marketing strategies farmers can employ to attract benefits shoppers, and who they can contact for peer advice and technical assistance.

Cooperators

Click linked name(s) to expand/collapse or show everyone's info
  • Heather Hulsey (Educator)
  • Jocelyn Tidwell (Educator)
  • Amy Crone (Educator)
  • Sara Servin (Educator)
  • Jemall Pittman (Educator)

Educational Approach

Educational approach:

Accepting federal nutrition assistance is a complex, multi-step process that requires perseverance and ongoing support from knowledgeable and trusted advisors. The education plan is reflective of the need to both educate agricultural service providers about the nutrition assistance programs and provide them with the tools they need to support farmers in the process of applying and administering the programs. 

Engagement: 

Agricultural service providers will be invited by email and via social media to participate in this project. The Maryland agricultural marketing professionals are a tight-knit group of professionals who communicate with each other using a shared Facebook page and via email. The project team will engage these service providers using social media, email, and the project will be presented by a member of the project team at the AMPs annual summer conference. The University of Maryland county agricultural agents will also be engaged in the project via email. The project team will make efforts to recruit agricultural service providers before each year of  the project in which workshops will be held. Efforts will be made to also recruit agricultural service providers from related organizations that serve farmers, like the Farm Alliance of Baltimore and Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, that also organize and hold educational workshops for their members. 

The service providers will be assisted to overcome challenges they may face in applying the new knowledge, awareness, skills and/or attitudes gained through the project in a variety of ways. The project team will provide on-going technical support via email and phone. The project team will also hold webinars based on frequently asked questions and to provide an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning among project participants. The project team will consult with the Advisory Committee about providing ongoing technical support. Supporting the follow-up actions of the participants will be vital to the success of this project and we plan to provide supplies and materials to aid the participants in conducting their own trainings. 

Learning: 

The education program in year one will consist of 4 regional train-the-trainer workshops and in year two will consist of 3 regional train-the-trainer workshops, to teach ASPs how to guide farmers through the process of applying for and accepting federal nutrition assistance. Year one includes a half-day preconference workshop for both farmers and service providers attending the UMES Small Farms Conference in Somerset County, an event that focuses outreach for limited-resource, new and beginning, and underserved farmers. Funding will be available for up to 10 farmer $100 travel stipends to the Conference workshop.

The regional workshops will include a thorough explanation of the various federal nutrition assistance programs, how the programs are applied for and administered, including an overview of necessary technology for processing payments.  Educational resources created will highlight the programmatic differences and allow project participants to work through typical nutrition program acceptance scenarios. The educational scenarios will be based on an evaluation of regional use of nutrition benefits. Training will also address the social motivators (i.e. food equity and regional food system sustainability) for participation and potential stereotypes that may exist regarding shoppers using nutrition benefit programs. Project team will support the efforts of the ASPs by providing them with a detailed curriculum and a proposed calendar of educational outreach activities. An educational video will be also created, featuring Maryland farmers who successfully applied and currently accept nutrition benefit payments, as a resource service providers can use during their own training efforts. Video topics will include applicable methods for record-keeping and related documentation requirements.

Evaluation: 

Those who register will be requested to complete an online baseline assessment about their current knowledge and skills and learning needs, and indicate their commitment to the project learning goals. 

Service provider contact lists will be maintained throughout the project.  Service providers will be informed of the project goals and the performance targets at the beginning and throughout the project. 

Service providers will also be informed at registration that participation in the project will require them to participate in future evaluative interviews and maintain documentation of the educational activities they host as well as the actions taken by the farmers.  Specifically, service providers will be interviewed three months, six months, and one year following the workshop to assess whether support or technical assistance is needed and if any educational programs have been conducted or planned. Service providers will also be given a final verification survey in year three of the grant to assess how many educational activities have taken place and the impacts of those activities.

Milestones

Milestones:
  1. Engagement: September 30, 2023.  45 service providers (AMPs, Extension agents, and others) receive a project announcement and invitation to attend a year 1 regional education workshop on federal nutrition benefit programs and farmer application processes. Planned workshop locations for year 1 include: a pre-conference hybrid workshop in November 2023 at the UMES Small Farms Conference in Princess Anne, MD; Frederick, MD; Elkton, MD; and a Capital region location easily accessible to Anne Arundel and Prince George's County agents.
    1. Completed: After feedback from advisory committee members and consultation with director of regional agricultural marketing professional meeting, the project team will focus on conducting one (1) statewide AMP/ASP training each project year, (a)to ease burden on workshop presenters from USDA, MDA, MarketLink, SMADC, SNAP-Ed, farmers, the Hughes Center, and ALEI and (b) increase potential for networking and brainstorming from attendees. 
  2. Learning: January 15, 2024. 20 service providers attend one of the workshops offered in four regional locations offered in year 1 and learn about the parameters for SNAP, WIC, FMNP/SFMNP benefits programs, how to assess farmer’s eligibility to participate in the programs, how to use the provided resources to help farmers begin and complete the applications for programs, trouble-shooting technical issues with payment terminals, and given a list of contacts and resources to reach out to for further technical assistance. Content would be amended based on any SNAP program changes in the 2023 Farm Bill. Workshop registration will include collection of contact information, a pre-training knowledge evaluation, and commitment to project learning goals.
    1. Completed: Project team hosted a preliminary workshop on November 2, 2023 at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Small Farms Conference with the speaker line up from ALEI, the Hughes Center, USDA, MDA, SNAP-Ed, MarketLink, SMADC. Several service providers attended and provided feedback on future trainings. Two farmers signed up to become authorized SNAP vendors, and one also signed up to accept FMNP/WIC and Money Market payments.
    2. In Progress: The 2024 meeting is scheduled for February 26, 2024 in Frederick, MD. Invitations will be sent to all county AMPs, economic development professionals, food policy councils, and other related organizations. Project fund savings can then be redirected to directly assist county AMPs with hosting their own regional workshops for farmers to learn and sign up as authorized vendors.
      1. Update: The planned February 2024 workshop was postponed due to low registration and conflict within another AMP meeting. A training was held in March 2024 instead (discussed below).
  3. Engagement: September 30, 2024. 45 service providers receive a project announcement and invitation to attend a year 2 regional education workshop on federal nutrition benefit programs and farmer application processes. Planned workshop locations for year 2 include: Leonardtown, MD; Hagerstown, MD; and Cockeysville, MD.
    1. Completed: Two Professional Development trainings were scheduled and promoted widely to community stakeholders in 2024 (discussed below in 4. Learning). Outreach efforts expanded to include county health department staff who are involved in piloting food access programs with local farmers and wanted more training on nutrition benefits. We are also making efforts to include emerging food councils and food access groups in the outreach for this project.  
  4. Learning: January 15, 2025. 20 service providers attend one of the workshops offered in three regional locations offered in year 2 and learn about the parameters for SNAP, WIC, FMNP/SFMNP benefits programs, how to assess farmer’s eligibility to participate in the programs, how to use the provided resources to help farmers begin and complete the applications for programs, trouble-shooting technical issues with payment terminals, and given a list of contacts and resources to reach out to for further technical assistance.  Content would be amended based on any SNAP program changes in the 2023 Farm Bill. Workshop registration will include collection of contact information, a pre-training knowledge evaluation, and commitment to project learning goals.
    1. Completed:
      1. November 2-4 2024, UMES Small Farms Conference Nested Farmer Sign Up Event
      2. March 15, 2024 In Person Professional Development Training - Baltimore County, MD Fair Grounds 
      3. July 2024 - Virtual Farmer Sign Up Event
      4. December 2-4, 2024 Online Professional Development Training
  5. Evaluation: April 15, 2024, July 15, 2024, April 15, 2025, July 15, 2025. Trained service providers are contacted after three months to check in for questions, and six months following the workshops are interviewed to report on education and/or consultations with farmers, and what further support or technical assistance they need to accomplish project goals.
    1. In Progress
  6. Engagement and Learning: September 30, 2024. Curriculum developed for this project is incorporated by trained service providers into existing University of Maryland Extension educational programs, including the online Food Ventures program, and presented during a Beginning Farmer Course targeted toward urban farmers.
    1. In Progress: Outreach in progress to Extension contacts to tailor content for Food Ventures and Beginning Farmer programs for inclusion in 2025.
  7. Engagement and Learning: May 30, 2026 (ongoing throughout project). 40 Service providers receive technical assistance throughout the term of the project. This will consist of questions asked and answered via phone, email or in person. Members of the project team will provide technical and staffing assistance as requested and provide printed binders of the educational materials to facilitate farmer learning and project objectives. The project team will also host webinars to provide an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and share Frequently Asked Questions and answers.
    1. In Progress
      1. Monthly Meetings - From April 2024 - October 2024, the project team hosted a monthly community of practice check-in and update meeting for the professional development workshop attendees and other interested service providers. The monthly meeting has been a time and "place" (over Zoom) for service providers to hear from a guest presenter, ask questions, and share insights and updates on event planning, program changes. For example, Maryland Farmer's Market Nutrition program switched to an App-based payment system in July 2024 that required changes in how farmers processed payments; Maryland Market Money program is expected to adopt a similar system in 2025. Monthly Meetings are scheduled to continue for January 2025 - October 2025. The goal is to establish a sustainable network and community of practice through the monthly meetings, supported by a project online webpage, that will sustainable carry forward into 2026 and beyond the end date of the project. 
      2. Project Landing Page - Project team has created a basic project landing page (using Google Sites - https://sites.google.com/view/mdfarmers4nutritionbenefits/home) to help disseminate information about the farmer sign up events that the project team and service providers organize. The webpage is a work in progress, and will eventually include full details on the goals of the project, project team members, advisory committee members, service provider networks, curriculum and webinar links to developed materials, and success case studies. Project team is exploring options to set up a Square-based webpage that would require a monthly maintenance fee.
      3. August 2025 Webinar Planning - ALEI's annual August Webinar series for 2025 will focus on the project curriculum and outreach efforts over 3-4 weeks. Webinars will be recorded and posted to ALEI's YouTube channel.
  8. Evaluation: January 30, 2025, January 30, 2026. 40 service providers are contacted and interviewed on project status one year following the workshops to report on contact and consultations with farmers, the initiation of benefits acceptance applications, application success rates, and marketing efforts taken by farmers to attract new customers.  Farmers who are positioned to accept these benefits on their own farms, farm stands, and CSA programs will have increased financial stability, while also ensuring continued access to local healthy foods for lower-income and vulnerable shoppers.
    1. In Progress: Dissemination of evaluation tools to service providers who attended professional development training is planned to begin in February 2025. As part of the community of practice monthly meetings, a Qualtrics survey link will be included to ask participants to report on their monthly consultations and other related actions with farmers in their jurisdictions. 
  9. Evaluation: July 15, 2026. 40 service providers complete and return the final verification survey to report contact and consultations conducted, the initiation of benefits acceptance applications, application success rates, and marketing efforts taken by farmers to attract new customers, if known. Farmers who are positioned to accept these benefits on their own farms, farm stands, and CSA programs will have increased financial stability, while also ensuring continued access to local healthy foods for lower-income and vulnerable shoppers.
    1. Not Begun

Milestone Activities and Participation Summary

Educational activities and events conducted by the project team:

1 Curricula, factsheets or educational tools
1 Online trainings
2 Published press articles, newsletters
2 Webinars / talks / presentations
2 Workshop field days

Participants in the project’s educational activities:

1 Extension
1 Researchers
3 Nonprofit
3 Agency
27 Ag service providers (other or unspecified)
5 Farmers/ranchers
5 Others
43 Farmers participated

Learning Outcomes

1 Agricultural service providers reported changes in knowledge, skills and/or attitudes as a result of their participation.
2 Farmers reported changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills and/or awareness as a result of their participation
2 Ag service providers intend to use knowledge, attitudes, skills and/or awareness learned through this project in their educational activities and services for farmers

Performance Target Outcomes

Performance Target Outcomes - Service Providers

Target #1

Target: number of service providers who will take action to educate/advise farmers:

40

Target: actions the service providers will take:

Forty (40) agricultural service providers will provide education and assistance to fifty (50) farmers on how to apply for and accept federal nutrition assistance program payments, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Fruit and Vegetable Benefit Program (WIC-FVB) and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for Seniors and WIC participants.

Target: number of farmers the service providers will educate/advise:

50

Verified: number of service providers who reported taking actions to educate/advice farmers:

10

Verified: number of farmers the service providers reported educating/advising through their actions:

43

Activities for farmers conducted by service providers:
  • 3 Workshops/field days
Performance target outcome narrative:

January 2025 - Performance target numbers are currently based on the number of service providers who have worked directly with the project team during monthly meetings after attending a professional development training and completed a farmer sign up event. Number of farmers who have taken steps is currently based on the sign-in tracking at each of the farmer sign up events.

Performance Target Outcomes - Farmers

Target #1

Target: number of farmers who will make a change/adopt of practice:

20

Target: the change or adoption the farmers will make:

Twenty (20) of the farmers take the steps necessary (completing and submitting applications) to accept payments from one or more new forms of federal nutrition assistance programs.

Verified: number of farmers who made a change/adopted a practice:

43

Additional Project Outcomes

3 New working collaborations
Additional Outcomes Narrative:

So far working collaborations have been established and strengthened with representatives from USDA SNAP, Maryland Extension SNAP-Ed, MarketLink, the Maryland Department of Agriculture Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, and SMADC Maryland Market Money program. Additionally, over the course of year 2 (2024), more collaborations with local health departments have led to synergistic planning between economic development and community-based food as medicine and community-supported agriculture initiatives. 

Success stories:

UMES Small Farms Conference 2023 - 2 farmers signed up to accept SNAP and/or WIC payments. That represents 10% of the overall project outcome goals.

INSERT Quote from EC Farm Market Manager

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Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.