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8 <br />2010 Tobacco-Communities Reinvestment Fund <br />Community Applicatio~Central Region <br />two years, the lack of an on-site, available tractor and basic farm equipment greatly limited <br />critical farm activities such as primary and secondary tillage, cover crop planting, bed-shaping, <br />mulch and drip tape laying, and weed management. <br />The Center will also contract with apart-time mentor farmer to reinforce the mentoring capacity <br />of the program and allow for targeted expansion of trainings and workshops. Specific duties of <br />this mentor include support for planning the 8-week training program as well as the <br />independent workshops held throughout the year. The mentor farmer will serve as the primary <br />contact for apprentice farmers during their active farming at the Breeze Farm, and be <br />responsible for scheduling farm activities including tillage, cover crop planting, planting bed <br />establishment, site maintenance, special tours, as well as provide oversight for weed, disease, <br />and insect control. <br />The PLANT program has an impressive record of successful implementation of its existing <br />programs in 2008, 2009, and 201.0. Evaluations and program feedback is very supportive and <br />strongly supports expanding available site for growing at the Breeze Farm. New farmers from <br />a variety of backgrounds find the PLANT program very beneficial, yet have identified the great <br />benefits of a mentor farmer on site for afew=hours each week during the growing season. <br />Apprentice farmers from previous programs have successfully utilized the marketing <br />knowledge- obtained from the Breeze Farm_ to pursue sales of their produce at local farmers <br />markets, to local restaurants, on-farm stands, and community supported agriculture programs. <br />Additional-efforts will be-made to facilitate-Breeze Farm graduate farmer efforts to identify <br />available land for purchase and / or lease so that they can transition ftom the Breeze Farm to a <br />more permanent farm tenure situation. <br />3. Describe in detail your plan for completing your project. Tell us what specific tasks need to- <br />be completed and give dates by which you will complete those tasks. <br />Task Time frame <br />Workshop Series Janua ~ Februa <br />E ui ment Purchase March throe h June <br />Well Drilling /Pond Construction Janua & February <br />O en House June <br />Report November <br />Page 7 of 19 <br />