In the innovative and competitive agri-food business environment there is increasing need for improved beginning farmer training materials, especially those concerning financial skills and business literacy. To address this need the Farm Credit Council and the Wallace Center at Winrock International are executing the “Evaluating and Improving Educational Instruments and Outreach (EIEIO) for Beginning Farmers,” establishing a new Beginning Farmer and Rancher Educational Enhancement Team (EET). The EET, targeted in the Southern region, is improving beginning farmer and rancher (BFR) training programs’ ability to provide financial education, enhancing their success. The EET accomplishes its goals through a Community of Practice that links experienced business and financial literacy experts with BFR training staff.

The Community of Practice is a mechanism for networking and communication, enabling participants to share best practices, identify obstacles and test new approaches in a supportive, facilitated environment. It is improving the effectiveness of BFR training programs by engaging a team of experts to evaluate the content, gaps, suitability, and effectiveness of delivery methods. This team of experts is developing tools to evaluate BFR financial skills curricula, including curriculum content, teaching methods, technology, and educational outcomes. The project will distribute the Community of Practice’s learnings in a Trainer’s Resource Guide available nationally.