SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR AGRICULTURAL READINESS aka SOAR1

SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR AGRICULTURAL READINESS aka SOAR1 Provide outreach education and technical assistance to 30 to 40 underserved women landowners in Mississippi equipping them to grow specialty crops to help reduce the growing health disparities in food deserts using USDA programs and services For 8 years Mississippi has been the hungriest state with the highest rates of food insecurity due to high poverty and food deserts ranking it #2 as the least healthy state Fifteen workshops were conducted addressing the specific needs of the farmers including barriers they face during participation in the programs providing them with best practices for optimal outcomes The objectives are designed to help farmers identify their niche and improve upon their skills while establishing sustainable businesses Also they are encouraged to form alliances with other farmers and organizations to reduce food insecurity