Behind the Scenes: Professional Development through PIF’s Farmer Education Program
PIF’s Farmer Education Program trains Houston’s new American farmers to develop their businesses using a triple-bottom-line sustainability framework. This means teaching smart methods that make farming a sustainable lifestyle for growers and our planet. Read on to learn how we do it!
While the Farm Share was paused last August, PIF took advantage of the time to develop farmer business and agricultural skills. August was an active time for programming, filled with conferences, workshops, and dedicated time for planning and reflection.
For many, planning, reflection, and professional development are a normal part of work and life. But for farmers who have spent 10 years feeding their community 52-weeks each year, this time was anything but usual. And it was not taken for granted. We made the most of the Farm Share break and are entering into the fall season reinvigorated. We are ready to grow smarter and serve our community better than ever.
Remember the fellowship. It is more [beneficial] than money. Because what we saw and what we learned…it stimulates us to see far. [And to understand] how we can do more and earn more money.
The First Annual PIF Farmer Retreat
This year we piloted an intensive 4-day workshop series – the PIF Farmer Retreat – designed to meet the technical production challenges and advance the business goals of PIF’s new American farmers. We covered topics ranging from how to track and analyze farm profit to how to use new tools to reduce labor.
In Focus: The Lean Farm
While most often applied to industrial processes, ‘lean’ principles can also help farmers identify and eliminate waste in their operations. PIF’s lead trainer and Farm Programs Manager, Rachel, introduced lean concepts to PIF’s growers and is currently working individually with each farmer to integrate applicable concepts to the farm.
Peer-to-Peer Mentorship
Creating a strong peer-to-peer learning network amongst farmers is a core tenant of PIF’s approach to farmer training. We believe in a bottom-up, worker-led approach to rejuvenating our local food systems. That’s why many sessions were led by PIF farmers or other new American farmers like Ai Hla.
Good Business
In partnership with The Alliance’s Financial Opportunities Center, PIF is working individually with our growers to introduce best-practices for small business management. During the Farmer Retreat, we shared tools for tracking and analyzing farm profit and set individual business savings goals.
PIF is reaching more new American farmers than ever before.
In addition to continuing to provide professional development opportunities to current PIF farmers, we actively seek other opportunities to connect with practicing and aspiring new American farmers. We welcomed Esperance, a member of FAM’s Shamba Ya Amani Community Farm to our workshop series. And we were joined by our friends from the American Sudanese Chamber of Commerce in a visit to the farm owned by Ai Hla, who arrived from Burma as a refugee and has been farming for Houston for over 5 years.
Spotlight: Farmer Ai Hla
Before moving to Houston, Ai Hla was a farmer in eastern Burma. After fleeing from violence in his native country and living in a refugee camp, Ai Hla resettled to Houston. Through hard work and perseverance, he found a way to continue his profession in his new community. Today he is growing bigger and better than ever before. He owns his farm near Rosharon, TX, where he grows and sells fresh vegetables for Burmese communities throughout the US.
PIF farmers enjoyed meeting him and learning from his experience during the 2021 Farmer Retreat. Aspiring growers in the American Sudanese community were particularly inspired by his ability to independently secure farmland. They’re still in touch and hope to continue learning from him in the coming seasons.
Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) Conference
Before the PIF Farmer Retreat, we joined our sustainable farming peers throughout the state for a 2-day conference in San Marcos, hosted by the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. Farmers learned about topics ranging from soil health to marketing and food safety best-practices. And of course, we enjoyed spending time in the good company of fellow farmers and indulging in Texas barbecue.
We are grateful to our partners at HOPE For Small Farm Sustainability and the Small Producers Initiative of Texas State University for providing scholarships and travel stipends. Their partnership enabled eight PIF farmers to participate in this state-wide event. Asante!
As a small farmer, gathering with other farmers is very important. You learn what others are doing and what everyone’s common needs are.
Thank You | Merci | Asante
This programming is made possible by the USDA’s Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program and H-E-B. Thank you for enabling Houston’s new American farmers to achieve their ambitions. Your contribution in paving the way towards a green, healthy, and inclusive Houston.
