The Farm Micro-Enterprise Development Program in the mid-Ohio Valley: Can extended season high tunnel production increase agricultural self-employment?

The Farm Micro-Enterprise Development Program in the mid-Ohio Valley: Can extended season high tunnel production increase agricultural self-employment?

Summary

High tunnels give growers a competitive advantage in year-round markets by extending the growing season from six months to nine months. High tunnels are affordable to build and there are many cost share programs for famers. However, near Huntington there is not a working model to demonstrate the feasibility of this season extension technology. The goal of this project is to create a learning site and business plan that could serve as a model for other growers in our region. In addition, data collection will reveal profitability in relationship to management and weather conditions. 

Huntington has increased the marketability of local produce through the launch of the Wild Ramp. This year round market has increased demand for local products, especially fruits and vegetables. The Wild Ramp market since 2012, has returned over $1 Million of revenue to approximately 120 farmers. Unlimited Future, Inc. supports this growing enterprise by increasing farmer knowledge of business principles and management.

The vision for a job training and hand-on education center for area farmers that would lessen the risk and entry cost for farmers is being created. This was possible through the ongoing farmer focused training development and syndicated funding from federal and state agencies and private philanthropy.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Complete seasonal data collection to show management practices, weather condition and market sales.
Data collection wrapped up in May for the off-season. The results for the model site have been complied into excel. Next step is to compile sales data and production data from all three sites and start the comparative analysis.

2. Develop farm vendor business training to introduce business management principles and promote financial sustainability. 

1. Unlimited Future received technical assistance from Appalachian Center for Economic Networks. Leslie Schaller is a food business specialist. This assistance developed three new programs targeted at farmers and food businesses trying to capitalize on local food trends. These programs include: Food/Farm Technical Assistance, Planning for Profit Adapted for the Farm, and Collaborative and Cooperative Marketing Strategy. These programs have been tested through smaller workshops and in 2016 will be conducted as a training series.
2. Hosted MarketReady with Tim Woods from University of Kentucky on September 22, 2015 in cooperation with WV Department of Agriculture. This full day training focused on increasing the retail marketing skill set for farmers.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Jan-May 2015: Ongoing Data Collection 

March-August 2015: Program development for farm and food specialization

July-December 2015: Beginner Farmer and Rancher, Specialty Crop Block Grant, Power Initiative Funding, Greater Kanawha Valley Foundations funding received.

October 2015: Training program launched in Wayne County.

November 2015: Job Training Candidates Hired (2).  High Tunnel Incubator moved to permanent home. 

December 2015: Training program expansion to Lincoln County and Mingo County.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Unlimited Future with the guidance received from Appalachian Center for Economic Networks the Micro-farm Enterprise Development was funded for a trial year with the POWER initiative, USDA-NIFA Beginner Farmer and Rancher, and Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation. Of course, this would not have been possible without several awesome partners; Coalfield Development Corp (a job training program), The Wild Ramp (outlet for local foods), and Robert C Byrd Institute (Innovations in Agriculture Program). This collaboration raised over $800,000 and launched a job training program for disadvantaged and low resource beginner farmers in three counties. The vision for this SARE program was to increase the agricultural knowledge and presence of Unlimited Future in the hopes of launching a job training program in agriculture. The partnerships and increased capacities gained during this SARE experience have been valuable toward the actualization of this goal.

Collaborators: