Initiative/partnership objectives: To promote the participatory sustainable development of underserved farming populations (small-scale farmers and families, women farmers, indigenous farmers, pastoralist, fishermen, etc.) and their communities through the development of participatory capacity building strategies that: 1) provide relevant participatory education, hands-on training, technical assistance and new-collaborations/partnerships, 2) enable organic farming systems (sustainable agriculture productivity, resilient agriculture, seed saving, extension/agricultural research), healthy resilient-sustainable local food systems, provides access to year-round nutrient rich fresh foods, and 3) enhance market opportunities, good quality value-added food, and small farm-resource/food security: Towards well-being, ending hunger, providing access for all, and a thriving sustainable development.

The StateWide Small Farm Program is an active participatory capacity building program designed to provide participatory education, hands-on training, and technical assistance to underserved farming populations and their communities in the areas of alternative agriculture systems-organic farming systems, alternative market development, sustainable food systems, and sustainable living to improve quality of life, well-being, and small-scale farm sustainability. We work together with underserved farming populations to identify needs, priorities, and provide solutions through strategies that enable access, gaining knowledge, and solution-ownership, encouraging a thriving sustainable development; Partner-collaborators assist in promoting organic farming systems and capacity building strategies that meet participant- identified needs and potential solutions (i.e. education/training benefits of organic agriculture, nutrition, food sovereignty, access to land, value-added markets, agricultural research and extension, etc.)

The StateWide Small Farm Program is an active participatory capacity building program designed to provide participatory education, hands-on training, and technical assistance to underserved farming populations and their communities. Capacity-building and technology transfer takes place on-farmers' farms and at community sites. Generally, participants take ownership in the implementation of the capacity building session due to participation in development and critical relevancy of knowledge, hands-on training, technical assistance- the message to enhance their livelihoods. The knowledge and gained training/technical assistance belongs to the farmers and their communities, and enables sustainable food systems, sustainable organic agriculture and enables steps toward ending hunger.

Participatory organic farming systems promote building healthy soils, healthy environments and supports resilient agricultural practices and animal care systems that maintain the ecosystem and adapt to extremes in climate conditions. Organic farming systems support the care and role of underserved farming populations, small-scale farmers, farm workers as critical solutions in their communities - to building sustainable food systems, food sovereignty, and enabling local access to nutritious good food. This initiative is governed through participatory capacity building efforts of the StateWide Small Farm Program, small farmers and partner collaborators.

StateWide Small Farm Program, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements-North America, and the Organic Farmers Association.