176 - Powering Fields, Empowering Communities: An Evaluation of Agrivoltaics Farming and Its Sociocultural Footprint

Abstract Information: Black farmers in the United States have a rich and complex history that spans centuries. According to the 2017 US Census of Agriculture, Black farmers accounted for 1.4 percent of the country’s 3.4 million farmers. Black farmers primarily operate in the southeast and mid-Atlantic region. In particular, Florida ranks 7th among US states in Black farm producers, totaling 2,448 Black farmers. However, 46% of Black farmers are over the age of 55. Without effective interventions, the number of farmers is expected to decline, given the aging population. Coupled with the aging population is the historical systemic discrimination hindering their economic growth in agriculture that deprives the empowerment of communities of Black farmers. New technologies leading to more operational efficiencies, profitability, and ultimately increased wealth can change the life of the Black farmer. However, Black farmers do not have access to the knowledge necessary to benefit from emerging technologies such as agrivoltaics. This is particularly pronounced in the unequal distribution of government farm programs. Contributing to the urgent need for equitable programming and support, we evaluated the implementation of a groundbreaking agrivoltaics project. The vision for the project is to create regional economic impact in rural and remote communities using agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics innovatively combines solar energy and traditional farming. Agrivoltaics not only reduces energy costs but also offers opportunities for additional revenue generation by selling excess energy back to utility companies. Moreover, advancements in agricultural technology can streamline farming operations, freeing farmers to focus on strategic tasks. The organization leading the agrivoltaics project has capabilities that includes developing empowerment plans. As a result, funds were awarded to implement a demonstration site on a farm in northern Florida. Therefore, a formative evaluation was conducted on the agrvoltaic project that focused on Black farmers and land owners in northern and central Florida who have been disproportionately marginalized. By employing a formative evaluation approach, we aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the program delivery and fidelity. Also, the evaluation will position the organization to pursue additional funds to support the next phase of the agrivoltaic project. The evaluation had a three-fold purpose: 1) asses the project’s progress to meeting goals; 2) illuminate the strengths and weaknesses of the lead organization, fostering reflection and dialogue for further growth; and 3) establish the groundwork for scaling the project up. Stakeholders, including project managers and key team members participated in surveys and one focus group. Findings from the evaluation indicate that the organization has implemented the project with minimal delays and modification to the program plan. The leadership, project team, and organizational capacity emerged as crucial strengths for future success. However, enthusiasm for the program’s readiness for scalability was tempered with team members indicating moderate community support and the need for financial training. Recommendations include developing clear scalability, financial sustainability, communication plans, and implementing a monitoring and evaluation system. These actionable insights aim to guide the project towards sustainable growth and increased impact, addressing the pressing needs of Black farmers and their communities.