Iowa Valley RC&D

Iowa Valley Rc&d (iowa Valley) Proposes to Establish a Culturally- and Experientially-diverse Beginning Farmer Training Hub for 104 Current and Aspiring Growers at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm (the Poor Farm) in Iowa City, Iowa, Through the Creation of the Reciprocal Mentorship Network (RMN) and the Career Exploration Program (cep). This Project Combines the Expertise of Three Agricultural Programs at the Poor Farm: the Global Food Project (GFP), Grow: Johnson County (growjc), and the Land Access Program (lap). by Providing Lap Commercial Farmers With Technical Assistance Consultations, This Project Will Infuse the RMN With New Knowledge Shared to Others on the Farm Through Mentorships With GFP Participants. This Project Also Establishes Three Urban Microfarms Operated by Teenagers in the Career Exploration Program, Motivating Them to Choose a Career in Farming Through a Curriculum Called Can You Dig It? This Project Supports Knowledge-sharing Across Scales and Experience Levels Through 48 On-farm Peer-learning Events. Anticipated Long-term Outcomes Include the Growth of Small Farm Businesses Owned by Lap Farmers, the Creation of New Farm Businesses by GFP Gardeners, and the Integration of Can You Dig It? Curriculum Into High School Career Exploration Programs. All Funds Will Be Allocated to Ngos, and 37% of the Budget for This Project Is Allocated to Serving Socially Disadvantaged and Limited Resource Audiences, Including the Global Food Project ($36,000), Teen Outreach Partners ($48,000), and Land Access Program Farmers ($37,500). Iowa Valley Has No Previous Bfrdp Projects.