Progress 06/15/23 to 06/14/24

Outputs
(N/A)

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Accomplishments Major objectives of the project • Enhance financial literacy among primarily row-crop farmers, • Increase awareness of and access to programs at USDA that benefit growth of the producers who are historically underserved and economically distressed, • Expose farmers to market planning and introduce value-added opportunities, • Continue to teach and enhance farmers/producers' critical production skills What was accomplished under these goals? NBGC engaged farmers through its Model Farm Field Day events, farmer meetings /workshops and one-to-one engagements. NBGC promoted, connected, and assisted farmers/producers in enrolling, completing applications and implementing USDA programs. Five Field Days were held this year - in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia. In total, nearly 800 individuals (including farmers, students, USDA officials, community leaders, etc.) attended the events. Field Days provided an opportunity for farmers to network with other farmers, to witness first-hand the benefits of the various USDA general and climate-smart specific conservation practices, and an opportunity to build famers confidence in enrolling and adopting the practices. Field Days also demonstrate how technologies and best practices can make farming more efficient, productive, sustainable and profitable. In addition to the Field Days, three regional meetings with farmers were held in Arkansas; Mississippi and Florida. In total, over 100 farmers participated. They all had the opportunity to engage directly with their local representatives from RMA, RD, NRCS and FSA and to learn more about the various USDA programs. It also provided an opportunity to enhance the relationships between the farmers and their local USDA officials. Key objective of the meetings was to fully and actively engage the officials by asking questions regarding programs, expressing their concerns, making recommendations on how to improve USDA services, etc. For example, farmers were advised to call and/or periodically stop by the USDA office to check on status of an application. NBGC also held its annual meeting in December 2023. The nearly 400 registered participants at the meeting included farmers, landowners, agri-businesses, universities, students, local and national government officials, etc. The meeting featured the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsack, as well as key leaders from NIFA, FSA, RD and NRCS who all gave updates on USDA programs including opportunities under the USDA Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities and value-added opportunities. At the FSA and NRCS exhibitor tables, farmers learned more about USDA products, services and enrollment processes including completing the DiscriminationFinancial Assistance Program Section 22007 Program application. A major accomplishment this past year was assisting farmers/ranchers in enrolling and/or implementing USDA programs. A list of the USDA programs along with numbers reflecting how many "unique"farmers/producers received outreach and/or technical assistance in accessing or applying for specific programs is as follows Agency Program Cumulative # reached and/or receiving assistance RMA Crop Insurance 190 NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) . 295 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) 295 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 295 Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) 90 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) 240 Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities 200 RD Housing programs 115 Business and Community Development 115 Energy Progrrams 115 FSA Farm loan programs 295 Emergency Relief 170 Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) 195 Disaster Assistance Programs - Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) 85 Organizationally, over the past year, NBGC Board of Directors (BOD) and staff members continued to meet with key legislators and USDA leaders in Washington DC and in various states. The purpose of the meetings were to discuss the new farm bill in addition to reviewing and discussing the status of USDA current and future programs, including those under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In support of NBGC's next generation of farmers program and NIFA's efforts to cultivate the next generation of diverse food and agricultural professionals (NextGen), nearly 100 high school and university students attended the Model Farm Field Day in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. USDA, non-government and private sector organizations shared scholarship, internship, shadowing, and job opportunities.

Publications

Progress 06/15/22 to 06/14/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this Project is Black farmers, with a primary focus on Black row crop farmers. Specifically, this target group includes conventional farmers/crop producers, limited resources producers, and underserved agricultural producers. Representing the unique needs of this target audience and with funding from NIFA, the National Black Growers Council (NBGC) continued to serve as a valuable resource with a focus on provisions to overcome cumulative effects of being historically denied. During this reporting period, the organization strived to create opportunities for Black farmers and served as an advocate for actions needed to ensure Black farm families have equitable opportunities to thrive. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this reporting period, NBGC conducted educational and technical assistance programs and activities, primarily through 10 Model Farm Field days, two regional meetings, its annual meeting and one-on-one engagement with farmers. The focus was to help eliminate barriers that producers face in realizing meaningful technical federal assistance; assist USDA in addressing longstanding systemic discrimination; respond to the immediate need for direct agribusiness planning, increase production efficiencies, market opportunities, enrollment and implementation of USDA program and services, etc. Members of NBGC believe in forming partnerships with each other, with majority farmers, and with corporations, because together, we all contribute to the global food supply. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The technical results are being disseminated via the Model Farm Field Day events. During this reporting period, nearly 300 unique individuals participated and received information on the technical results and benefits of enrolling and implementing USDA programs. At the annual meeting, nearly 350 attended and were briefed on various programs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? To enhance financial literacy among row crop farmers Encourage farmers to attend financial literacy workshops and webinars. Assist farmers in the application process to access FSA and other financial institutions farm loans. To increase awareness and access to USDA programs Encourage farmers to attend NBGC Model Farm Field Days, regional meetings, training sessions. Provide one-on-one support and assistance in enrolling and implementing USDA programs. To improved and increased market opportunities Expose farmers to marketing and value-added opportunities Provide the needed technical assistance in developing cooperatives, farm operation diversification. Promote adoption of select practices and technologies Demonstrate to farmers the benefits of the practices and technologies. Provide mentoring opportunities - experienced farmers/beginner farmers.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During this reporting period, NBGC Provided opportunities to enhanced financial literacy among row crops farmers, Increased awareness of and access to programs at USDA that benefit growth of the producers who are historicallyunderserved and economically distressed, Exposed farmers to market planning and introduced value-added opportunities, Continued to teach and enhance farmers/producers' critical production skills through 10 Model Farm Field Day events, one-to-ones with farmers and directengagements with agri-businesses and USDA local representative. A major accomplishment this past year was assisting farmers/ranchers in enrolling and implementing the USDA programs, mainly the various practices under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). In addition to one-to-one engagements, NBGC sponsored ten Model Farm Field Days which provided an opportunity for farmers to network with other farmers, to witness first-hand the benefits of the various conservation and climate smart practices, and to build their confidence in the programs. In addition, the Model Field days demonstrate how technologies and conservation best practices can make farming more efficient, productive, sustainable and profitable. Organizationally, the NBGC Board of Directors (BOD) and three staff members met with key USDA leaders in Washington DC in June 2023. The purpose of the meeting was to review and discuss the status of USDA current and future programs, including those being considered under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This meeting was an excellent opportunity for NBGC and key USDA leaders to sit face-to-face and have an open dialogue. This dialogue enhanced NBGC BOD's ability to confidently and actively promote and articulate USDA's programs and services. Also, while in Washington DC, NBGC board members met with legislators to discuss and share NBGC's priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. Feedback from legislators and staffers indicated that the meetings with NBGC were extremely beneficial as they draft the new farm bill.

Publications