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Urban Growers Collective's Grower Apprenticeship program: Addressing Risk Management Education Needs of Beginning Socially Disadvantaged/Limited Resourced Farmers

Brandon Lov

Summary

Developing a curriculum for Risk Management Education can be especially difficult for Beginning, Socially Disadvantaged/Limited Resourced Farmers due to the farmers' lack of experience in operating farm businesses, unique needs based on the size and goals of their operations, and other systemic inequities that impact farmers ability to participate in programs. Additionally, curriculum must be responsive to industry conditions to prepare farmers for managing risks beyond the completion of a program.

This presentation will provide an overview of the program design, structure, and change in farmers' outcomes after participation in Urban Growers Collective's Grower Apprenticeship program, a multi-year program in Chicago, IL that incorporates hands-on practice and independent learning in Farm Foundational and Farm Business skills to reinforce risk management across multiple seasons. The Grower Apprenticeship program was developed across over 20 years of work in community food system development as both educators and farm operators by Urban Growers Collective, Growing Power-Chicago and Growing Power Milwaukee. To gauge effectiveness of program design and delivery, participants self-reported knowledge gains and program structure feedback through surveys which were then compared to qualitative assessments and observations by program facilitators. Findings from these process and outcome evaluations demonstrate consistent trends in risk management education needs for Beginning, Socially Disadvantaged/Limited Resourced Farmers and insights for other educators' program design and delivery.

Details

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