A Project of… EcoVillage at Ithaca Center for Sustainability Education Center for Transformative Action, Ithaca, New York Joanna Green June 25, 2012 Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming

Groundswell’s Mission… …is to engage diverse learners and empower them with skills, knowledge and access to resources so they can build sustainable land-based livelihoods and equitable local food systems. …is to engage diverse learners and empower them with skills, knowledge and access to resources so they can build sustainable land-based livelihoods and equitable local food systems.

Our programs …. provide intensive hands-on training and education for beginning farmers, community members and students involve collaboration with local farms, food businesses, organizations, agencies, schools, and colleges

Our Primary Farm Campuses West Haven Farm at EcoVillage in Ithaca Kingbird Farm in Berkshire Northland Sheep Dairy in Marathon The Good Life Farm in Interlaken Remembrance Farm in Trumansburg Sweetland Farm in Trumansburg

Groundswell Programs Summer Practicum in Sustainable Farming & Food Justice Summer Practicum in Sustainable Farming & Food Justice New Farmer Training Programs New Farmer Training Programs Sustainable Farming Certificate Program Sustainable Farming Certificate Program Finger Lakes CRAFT Finger Lakes CRAFT Farm Business Planning Course Farm Business Planning Course Mentor Training Mentor Training Farm Enterprise Incubator Farm Enterprise Incubator

Summer Practicum in Sustainable Farming & Food Justice On-farm experience plus classroom & field trips On-farm experience plus classroom & field trips Tompkins Cortland Community College Environmental Studies: ENVS 149 Tompkins Cortland Community College Environmental Studies: ENVS students students Enrollment options: 6 credits or non-credit Enrollment options: 6 credits or non-credit Instructors from local farms, organizations, colleges & businesses Instructors from local farms, organizations, colleges & businesses

New Farmer Training Goal Increase the number, diversity, profitability, and environmental sustainability of beginning farmers in our region. Increase the number, diversity, profitability, and environmental sustainability of beginning farmers in our region.

NFTP Vision We are creating an integrated, multicultural social and economic support network for beginning farmers and market gardeners, one that brings together people from different economic backgrounds and cultures to learn from one another and to strengthen our local food system.

Finger Lakes CRAFT Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training *

CRAFT Elements 7 Mentor Farms 7 Mentor Farms Member Farms Member Farms Farm Interns Farm Interns Beginning Farmers Beginning Farmers Aspiring Farmers Aspiring Farmers 7 farm tours, potluck gatherings 7 farm tours, potluck gatherings

Sustainable Farming Certificate Program April – November, 100 hours April – November, 100 hours 50 Core hours, including 7 CRAFT farm tours 34 Elective hours 16 hours of supervised on-farm work experience First year target: 12 trainees actual: 24 trainees

Farm Business Planning Course January through April, launched 2012 January through April, launched sessions, 24 hours classroom plus homework 8 sessions, 24 hours classroom plus homework Partners: Partners: Alternatives Federal Credit Union Business Cents Program Alternatives Federal Credit Union Business Cents Program Cornell Cooperative Extension Cornell Cooperative Extension 2012 Target: 6 trainees Actual: 17 trainees

Mentor Training Farmer to farmer mentor training and support Farmer to farmer mentor training and support

Farm Enterprise Incubator Affordable access to land, infrastructure, and mentoring Affordable access to land, infrastructure, and mentoring 10+ acres at EcoVillage, Town of Ithaca 10+ acres at EcoVillage, Town of Ithaca Fundraising Goal: $45,000 by 2013 For infrastructure: water supply, irrigation, deer fence, hoop house, toilet and wash facilities, and multi-purpose shed Fundraising Goal: $45,000 by 2013 For infrastructure: water supply, irrigation, deer fence, hoop house, toilet and wash facilities, and multi-purpose shed

Ingredients for Success - Outstanding Partners Outstanding farmer-educators Outstanding farmer-educators Tompkins Cortland Community College Tompkins Cortland Community College Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County Cornell University faculty and students Cornell University faculty and students Ithaca College faculty and students Ithaca College faculty and students USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Park Foundation Park Foundation Alternatives Credit Union Alternatives Credit Union Individual and business supporters Individual and business supporters

Program Revenues Summer Practicum Tuition Summer Practicum Tuition $250 - $850 per student $250 - $850 per student Certificate Program Tuition Certificate Program Tuition $125 - $800 per trainee, sliding scale $125 - $800 per trainee, sliding scale Farm Business Planning Tuition Farm Business Planning Tuition $50 - $300 per trainee, sliding scale $50 - $300 per trainee, sliding scale Finger Lakes CRAFT Membership Finger Lakes CRAFT Membership $25 - $50 per trainee $25 - $50 per trainee

Current Staffing Director ½ FTE Director ½ FTE New Farmer Training Coordinator ½ FTE New Farmer Training Coordinator ½ FTE Incubator Development Coordinator ½ FTE Incubator Development Coordinator ½ FTE Administrative Assistant ½ FTE Administrative Assistant ½ FTE Mentor farmers and other instructors are paid as contractors Mentor farmers and other instructors are paid as contractors