Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The overall goal for the Tuskegee University Small Farmer Outreach, Training, and Technical Assistance Program is to conduct outreach and technical assistance to encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to own and operate farms and ranches; and to provide information on loan application and farmer programs. Specific objective are (1) to develop and implement programs so that eligible farmers and their family members may apply for and acquire farm ownership, farm operating, equipment, housing, and youth loans; (2) to develop and enhance business management and marketing skills for USDA borrowers; (3) to develop the financial documentation of the farm and other applicable rural enterprises to the point where the owner graduates to a commercial lender; (4) to develop a long-range base for self-sustaining farm business analysis services through existing associations and institutions; and (5) to increase service to and participation of other socially disadvantaged and minority farmers and their family members, specifically Native American and Hispanic/Latino farm families. The overall outcome of the 2501 program will be an increase in participation by socially disadvantaged and minority farmers in USDA programs. Specific outcomes will be an increase in information dissemination, applications and awards for loans for farm ownership, farm operation, equipment, housing, and youth-operated businesses, an increase in farm numbers, farm operating capacity, and an increase in farm family income.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The overall goal for the Tuskegee Small Farmer Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program is to conduct outreach and technical assistance to encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to own and operate farms and ranches, and to provide information and application and bidding procedures, farm management, and other essential information to participate in agricultural programs. The specific objectives of the program are: to develop and implement programs so that eligible farmers and their family members may apply for and acquire USDA loans and other forms of assistance. Specific loan programs include: farm ownership, farm operating, equipment, rural housing, and youth loans. to develop and enhance business management and marketing skills for USDA borrowers. to develop the financial documentation of the farm and other applicable rural enterprises to the point where the borrower graduates to a commercial lender. to develop a long-range base for self-sustaining farm business analysis services through existing associations and institutions. to increase service to and participation of other socially disadvantaged and minority farmers and their family members, specifically Native American and Hispanic/Latino farm families. The overall outcome of the 2501 program goal and objectives is an increase in participation by socially disadvantaged and minority farmers in USDA programs. Specific outcomes will be an increase in: information dissemination, applications and awards for loans for farm ownership, farm operation, equipment, housing, and youth operated businesses. farm numbers, farm operating capacity. farm family income.
Project Methods
Tuskegee University will work closely with USDA staff and others as needed, in identifying the number and location of small and limited resource farmers and socially disadvantaged persons in the state who might benefit from participation in the Project. Upon agreement with USDA staff, Tuskegee University will concentrate its outreach program for the socially disadvantaged in those areas that have the greatest number of potential socially disadvantaged applicants (SDA). Tuskegee University specialists will work closely with USDA staff and area Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Agents to identify the number and locate participating farmers and farm families. The primary program area will be the 20+-county and expanding region, the "Black Belt," that Tuskegee University serves. These counties include Sumter, Greene, Pickens, Choctaw, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Dallas, Wilcox, Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Butler, Crenshaw, Montgomery, Pike, Bullock, Macon, Russell, and Barbour. From this region, and through consultation with Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension agents, and other partners, other farmers or group of farmers will targeted. There will be a concerted effort from the beginning to continue work with the different Native American Tribes in Alabama. It is very important that the farmers be selected carefully through a joint effort by FSA and the Tuskegee University based on: the desire to continue farming the willingness to work with USDA and Tuskegee University specialists the willingness to adopt new farming technologies and recommendations the farmer's prospects for a profitable operation These are the major considerations but there are certainly others. The Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program will involve three phases: information dissemination, including local newpapers, media, and extension outlets; and training and technical assistance, including loan assistance, for example, farm ownership, equipment, operating, and youth loans, record keeping, and farm production management.