Outcome of Bilingual farmer training and mentorship program

This project aimed to provide options to the Latino immigrant community in central Iowa with a Start Your Own Farm/Empiece Su Propia Granja class through the local community college. After the training, ten "farm units" were formed which produced food throughout the 2009 growing season. Over $3,500 of vegetables were marketed from the farm plots, mostly at the Des Moines Farmer's Market. The project was highlighted in over 30 news articles and speaking engagements. Benefits to the new farmers included the formation of a strong peer network. Some students have begun selling cooperatively as a way to provide a greater quantity and variety of products in their direct marketing.