La Cosecha
La Cosecha, a Spanish word for harvest, is a three-year project offering training for first and next generation socially disadvantaged Latino farmers so they can become successful farmers. The programming will be useful for current Latino farmers, farm laborers, the children of Latino farmers and farm laborers, and interested Latinos with non-farming backgrounds.
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Background Beginning Latino farmers are very important part of the farming community in Michigan. However, there are critical factors that affect their crop production including limited agriculture experience, and pests. Furthermore, linguistic, and business skill limitations, and a reduced access to markets affects their longevity as farm owners. La Cosecha project led by MSU in collaboration with Telamon Corporation, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development aims to assist and provide education and training tools to Latino farmers, next generation Latino farmers, farm workers, and Latinos from non-farming backgrounds. |
Objectives
- Increase the participation of Latino farmers in USDA programs (NRCS and FSA).
- Improve integrated crop management practices (fruits and vegetables) of beginning Latino farmers by incorporating IPM, pesticide education, irrigation techniques, and nutrient management into their agriculture practices.
- Provide farmers with the training to implement business management plans, marketing, and financial analysis.
- Provide crop diversification education to Latino farmers.
- Train the children of Latino farmers, farm workers, and interested Latinos with non-farming backgrounds to become successful farmers.
- Beginning Hispanic/Latino Farmers and Ranchers
- Latino farmers improved crop production and business security.
- Adoption of ICM/IPM practices and the use of tools deployed by MSU (pest monitoring, enviro-weather, alerts, and digital messages). Less pest damage was observed this year in comparison with previous years.
- Increase crop diversification from fruit production to vegetables.
- Pesticide education prepared farmers to past the tests and access the pesticide certification. In addition, training make emphasis in the responsible use pesticides, protection of the human health and environment including pollinators.
- Irrigation systems was implemented by many Latino farmers.
- Increase the number of farm workers, Latinos from non-farming background, and sons and daughters of Latino farmers, and farmworkers that want to be beginning farmers.
We appreciate the valuable support from the USDA for the NIFA BFRDP Award # [2020-49400-32429]. Additional support from Michigan State University (Dept. of Entomology, Migrant Student Services, and Extension), Telamon Corporation, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Graduate College (COLPOS).
