Farm 2 Food Accelerator Looks To Help Women Succeed Grow In Agriculture

Thanks to funding via the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington are conducting a joint Farm 2 Food Accelerator program, which is now in its 2^nd year. Amy Gilroy with the Oregon Department of Agriculture said the program is designed to help women who have experience selling crafts directly to consumers, at a local farmers market for example.

"And they’re really ready to scale, they’re ready to grow, they’re ready to grow into whole sale markets or sell directly to retail, and the accelerator offers them an opportunity to connect with other women who may share in some of the common challenges across running and a business while juggling other responsibilities.”

Gilroy said participants in F2F go through a series of classes that cover a variety of issues, from testing their product, to food safety and getting their product into other markets, including British Columbia.

The funding for the Accelerator is set to expire later this year.

So, what’s next?

Gilroy says they are currently working to determine what the next chapter may look like.

“We’re already talking about what aspects of the accelerator have staying power in Oregon, and we’re looking at hearing from a lot of the entrepreneurs about what they would like to see next.  One area we know there’s a need for is some of the financial planning and financial coaching that a lot of these entrepreneurs need to understand their costs of production and really for them to think about where those profit margins are.”

Gilroy noted once the funding for the Accelerators dries up, ODA and other agencies may work with local providers to address those financial education concerns and questions.

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