Evaluating and strengthening the TEAMs program for current and aspiring vegetable farm managers

Commodities

Practices

A growing number of diversified vegetable farm owners are eager to integrate management positions on their farms as a way to stabilize their businesses and improve their quality of life. However, farmworkers who aspire to these management positions want and need support to build their confidence and competence as leaders. Created in 2021 to address this demonstrated demand, the Training and Education for Aspiring Managers (TEAMs) program provides farmworkers throughout the north central region and beyond with an opportunity to build their skills in leadership, communication, intercultural competence, and conflict management. Over time, three programmatic priorities have emerged. They include: 1) to conduct a comprehensive outcome evaluation; 2) to identify program adjustments based on evaluation data and participants’ needs; and, 3) to provide TEAMs farmer trainers with professional development in effective online facilitation strategies and techniques for supporting adult learners. As part of addressing these priorities, this project will also convene TEAMs farmer trainers for a Working Retreat – allowing for in-person evaluation review, discussion, and professional development. TEAMs is already an established program, and addressing these identified needs will ensure that it remains a resource grounded in farmers’ needs and reflective of the unique and evolving challenges they face.

Our core project objectives include:

1. Conduct an initial outcome evaluation to measure the impact of the current version of the TEAMs program;
2. Incorporate data-driven, participant-informed content adjustments into the program’s four sessions;
3. Increase farmer trainers’ confidence and skills in the areas of group facilitation and online content delivery for adult learners; and,
4. Conduct a second outcome evaluation to measure the impact of the revised TEAMs program and inform future efforts.