The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation has launched its 2024-2025 Farm2Food Accelerator program, with new cohorts planned for Nevada, Virginia and Colorado.
The initiative builds on alumni success from previous years, supported by state Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds from the USDA, according to a news release.
The Farm2Food Accelerator is a 15-module training program designed to support small-scale, historically underserved farmers and food entrepreneurs. The program aims to strengthen business capacity and facilitate market expansion for value-added food products, supporting food safety best practices and operational resilience, according to the foundation.
“We are excited to expand the Farm2Food Accelerator program to new regions this year,” NASDA Foundation Senior Director Chris Jones said in the release. “With support from Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds, we look forward to empowering farmers and food entrepreneurs in Nevada, Virginia and Colorado, continuing our commitment to fostering a diverse and resilient agricultural landscape.”
The program covers core topics such as food safety, regulatory compliance, costing and marketing. Adapted to meet the unique needs of each producer community, the 2024-25 Farm2Food Accelerator features state-specific delivery methods which include a mix of self-paced learning, consultations with experts, local speakers, in-person networking events and live online discussions with experts, according to the release.
With funding from USDA’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program, the Farm2Food Accelerator also is expanding to include the development of a curriculum focused on supporting small-scale food producers in exploring viable pathways to export their goods to international markets, the foundation said. The 2024-25 Farm2Food Accelerator program will be conducted in partnership with state agricultural departments in Nevada, Virginia and Colorado.
