DESCRIBE ANY UNEXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT:

2nd: Each participant has their own experiences and with these specialty workshops, farmers markets, and larger events, it is great to see the cross-pollination that happens between participants. Farmers have been very eager to support one another in overcoming the challenges they are encountering, be it weather, a certain pest, or pricing of products. We would like to be able to capture all these interactions, but when relationships start forming naturally between participants, it is out of our hands.  

3rd Report: While there is strong evidence for the “campesino a campesino” or peer-to-peer teaching methods, it is always a delight to witness the willingness of farmers to share their experiences and knowledge with others. The exchange of advice and best practices between different practitioners can be so much more valuable than lecture-styled training. 

We would like to conduct a farm visit in the winter to demonstrate ways of extending periods of cultivation but have been encountering issues with setting dates. We thought winter would be an ideal moment for farmers, but many of the farms that can grow winter crops have been busy with the holidays. We are hopeful of getting their attention in the new year. 

4th Report: We conducted a farm visit to a local organic farm called Zephyr Farm in early February to demonstrate ways of extending periods of cultivation. They have successfully received NRCS funding for their high tunnels and through the visit got to share that experience and answer many questions that farmers had. We also had the chance to see their propagation house and they shared their methods of crop and seed planning. Despite outreach efforts and holding the tour after working hours, only two farmers arrived. However, this allowed for an intimate conversation and created a stronger relationship with local farmers who operate at the same Farmers Markets.

5th Report: We have had a couple of positive and negative results. When doing the workshops we ran into a couple of hiccups, from having a last-minute cancellation from the mushroom specialist to not having our participant numbers met, we hope to have better results next quarter (by changing dates and creating more activities for our participants). 

On the positive side, our outreach to farmers for the Farmers Market has been successful, with 5 new farm vendors selling at the Forest Grove and Cornelius Farmers Markets and a retention rate of 100% from 2022. We have a total of 63 vendors at Forest Grove and 24 vendors at Cornelius for the 2023 market season. Numbers indicate that for next season we might need to provide more booth spaces as our markets continue to grow.  

Final Report: The freshest insight, most surprising discovery, was how the participants reflected upon the regenerative agriculture program (education, farmers market, specialty workshops, technical assistance). They expressed “Es mi terapia (it’s my therapy). We knew growing your own food has a beneficial impact on your nutrition and overall happiness, but the findings we discovered through our interviews went deeper."  

Members’ migraines were disappearing; planting, growing crops and nurturing life (for home gardens and for agricultural business) became a form of self-care and a stress-reducing tool. It also is a form of generational healing and connecting to traditions.  

One member shared that before the show, she was depressed and didn't socialize as much. Now, she feels more connected and happy because of growing her own vegetables in the community garden.  

HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE PROJECT IF YOU WERE TO DO IT AGAIN?

2nd:We learned a lot after the Dia del Agricultor Latino conference around the community’s preferences around the workshop topics and the way they are presented. For example, tandem sessions made people feel like they did not get all the learning in the day, and they would like to have more interactive workshops. We also realized that our participants advance every year in their learning; therefore, the workshops should also advance in terms of their content. In other words, if we do another bee keeping workshop, we should ensure that the information presented is different from previous years. 

3rd Report: While we do employ various culturally responsive teaching methods, we would want to incorporate more hands-on learning activities throughout the courses and workshops. People are excited to participate in these types of workshops and they walk away eager for the next one.  

4th Report: To support attendance, we are working to create a routine with our farm specialty workshops by hosting them every 3rd Sunday of the month in the afternoon. Similarly, thanks to feedback we have received through the course and outreach efforts, we will be organizing an intensive Regenerative Agriculture course series that will take place over 4-6 weekends in September and October. Monday nights are a viable option for many, but not all. We hope by offering these Saturday sessions, there will be more people who are able to participate. 

In the course, we also will no longer provide a hybrid model. Zoom participants did not feel like they could be integrated into the class conversations, and it was difficult for staff to accommodate virtual participants with hands on activities. Given the style of the course, we will no longer offer that as an option. 

5th Report: We have had a consistent group of 11 or 12 graduates per cohort of the Regenerative Agriculture course, but we hope to have more. We are creating a more aggressive marketing campaign for participant outreach, including a social media strategy.  

What we are also hoping to achieve in the winter term is to have not 1 but 2 courses (one directed for a specific agricultural group that has requested a special session just for them). This is in negotiations currently.  

Regarding workshops we are trying to find the most suitable day and time for the participants, as sundays seem to be a bit complicated especially during summer season. We are evaluating doing them during the week or earlier in the day.  

Final Report: To make this project more effective and impactful in the future, we are considering the following next steps:  
*Deepening Community around Regenerative Agriculture – learning opportunities for all levels, plus events and workshops.  
*Access to Land – explore the possibilities of getting land back to start more agricultural businesses.  
*Access to Market – farmers markets and other outlets: CSAs, restaurants, grocery stores.

WHAT WERE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR YOUR PARTICIPANTS?

1st Report: One participant farmer learned how to properly label and keep records of her whole chickens on-farm sales. We reviewed the laws and requirements together and looked at total costs to understand how to better price her product. These chickens were eventually sold to distribute in our Farm to Pantry program. Next year, she hopes to expand those on-farm sales by making connections at the farmers market and other events.  

2nd report: Hands on activities and events, participatory workshops! Also, relationships. 

4th Report: One on one coaching and constant contact with our organization through the farmers markets or farm to pantry were key factors of success for our participants. Especially during the season, farmers do not always have the time to pick up the phone or write an email. By having constant communication with them, not only did they feel comfortable calling us when it was convenient for them, but they also would use deliveries as an opportunity to clarify some doubts they were having or share challenges they were facing. We became intimate with the products they had available and could support them in making connections with other market outlets or support them with ideas of how to improve different crop health and harvests in the next season.? 

In the same vein, we have decided to host more specialty workshops than previously proposed. We have heard from the community that they enjoy these specialty workshops, and consistency keeps them engaged in the program. 

5th report: One on one coaching and constant contact (via zoom/teams or telephone conversations) with our organization through the farmers markets have been key for a successful market access of our participants. Especially during the season, farmers do not always have the time to pick up the phone or write an email. By having constant communication with them, not only do they feel comfortable calling us when it was convenient for them, but they know they can access us regarding farming techniques, questions on requisites and expectations for market sales, and access to markets (new and diversified products, more booth space, possible participation in other farmer markets and or event opportunities). 

Farm inspections also help in providing them positive feedback and constructive recommendations in order to create a better and more accessible product.  

 

Final Report: The findings that encouraged us the most are the connection, the importance and the newfound relationship that people have with the soil. They have learned that there is life in the soil. From our participants 47% reported an increase in awareness due to the program from our survey, and each interviewee's faces lit up when we asked how they feel now that they know there's life in the soil.  

"It's wonderful to watch the plants grow... I feel like they're my kids", this shows their drive, their encouragement. Many expressed this deep, personal commitment and responsibility to protect that life through practices such as mulching or making their permanent garden beds using the doble cavado technique and using drip irrigation. This was especially important to ensure that future generations could live healthy lives. 

INDIVIDUAL STORIES / EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS / QUOTES

Stories

Adelante Mujeres has been working with one Community Garden in Maple Street, Forest Grove, to put to practice what is taught in the Regenerative Agriculture Courses. For the 2023 season, 26 registered participants, all former graduates, have signed up for the Garden use. This is a very large group comparable to other years, and they will be practicing or implementing what has been learned in this garden. 

Similarly, Adelante Mujeres has identified the need for a second space to keep implementing and training in agricultural practices, therefore has been working towards opening a new location also in Forest Grove for this purpose. The new site is located at the Juniper Garden Community, Forest Grove, and is currently under construction. The opening date is set for spring 2024, where we expect to have somewhere from 30-50 participants as well as have 2 learning spaces on the greenhouse and a learning plot. 

 

Final Report: One of our most successful stories is of Margarita Reyes, owner of Reyes Family Produce, as she is an example of perseverance and of leadership for her family and her community. Margarita Reyes is a local farmer who grows using sustainable practices. Her specialty includes a wide variety of peppers and tomatoes. She grows her vegetables in Forest Grove and is also part of the Adelante Mujeres Regenerative Agriculture Program. 

Margarita has been an avid participant in the Microenterprise, having attended most of our courses, such as: regenerative agriculture and cocinemos (food-based businesses). She also thrives as a vendor in our 2 Farmers Markets of Cornelius and Forest Grove and one of our active suppliers for our farm to pantry program. She makes use of our technical assistance and coaching for agricultural business development services, and now has become our newest Casa Qui participant (Adelante Mujeres’ storefront that promotes artisanal, natural, and culturally relevant products). 

When asked about the support she receives from Adelante Mujeres, she says, “right now everything feels perfect, I feel a lot more support and interest in my ventures.” She is looking forward to what’s to come, as she has more interest in continuing to grow and diversify, with the technical assistance and drive that Adelante Mujeres gives her. She hopes that soon we will be able to hel with land access, a sales and distribution strategy, where we can support throughout the year and not only during the market season. She wants to create value added products with her crops and hopes we will be able to provide her with that opportunity as well.} 

She aspires to reach a point where she can give back to the community, replicate what she has learned with Adelante, and support other beginning farmers to build and push their dreams forward. We look forward to see what the future holds.  

Quotes

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