Progress 04/01/23 to 03/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP)proposes a cooperative agreement focusing on business management, decision supportivestrategies; business structures; and disseminating educational materials. The Smart Growth Business Center for Farmers, an internal resource of the LLPP, provides legal consultation and representation to underserved farmers and limited resource producers in North Carolina on agricultural enterprise issues such as: entrepreneurship, ownership, business entity formation, and cooperative business development. The LLPP expanded services to build the capacity of underserved producers by engaging them in the creation of new processes and support systems that are needed to navigate future challenges within the distressed economy. The overarching objective is to strengthen the viability of agricultural economies, from surviving to thriving, especially in rural areas. The strategy is to create and/or re-position existing structures to support cooperatives, hubs, and alternative entry points in marketing opportunities by harnessing the growing power of local and regional food systems. The LLPP and local partners are identifying underserved producers to engage in the local food economy and with the assistance of North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, USDA program offices in the state and national program initiatives. The LLPP amplified its work to ensure agricultural groups are connected to information and can access emergent funding opportunities geared to conservation practices, regenerative agriculture, food security, and farm business innovation to address the long-term impacts of the pandemic, inflationary pressures and climate related disasters. Audience Emphasis Beginning producers Forest land owners Underserved agricultural producers Participants Served Total Number of Participants: 135 Total Number of Participants: 535 Steps taken to help participants (Measuring Outcomes 1-9): Through Smart Growth Business Center and through outreach programs, sharing information about USDA conservation programs. Conducting research and sharing information about conservation easements. Through Smart Growth Business Center and sharing information in outreach meetings about the various forms of business structures and considerations in choosing each of them (e.g., cooperatives in NC handout;"Is a Cooperative Right for You"handout). Additionally, sharing legal information with farmers about different business growth practices, such as open farm days through a guidance document with relevant considerations. Attending outreach meetings and coalition meetings (Operation Spring Plant, Carolina Farm Stewardship) to connect entities and organizations and facilitate sharing of best practices (e.g.,"NC Present Use Value"handout and numerous outreach materials). Co-hosting outreach meetings with Operation Spring Plant and participating in conferences, such as the NC Minority Farmers' conference, to collaborate with organizations in promoting market access. Providing legal assistance to nonprofits and community trusts on issues such as,"Do You Need a Will" handout;"Foreclosure Prevention Tips" handout),"Farm Leases","Trust Development","Conservation Easements"and other emerging topics for handouts. Researching and finding best practices for urban conservation easements or similar legal tools to support urban farms. For example, using the expanding the use of"How Good Is Your Title"handout to help with fundamental understanding of title issues for small town and urban farmers. Provided technical assistance through guidance documents, and handouts (e.g., disaster preparedness handout for heirs' property owners) as well as in outreach meetings to farmers directly and to farmer groups, such as the NC Minority Farmers Association. Collaborate with USDA state offices on their programs and services and invite and join them to outreach meetings to share information about their programs to individuals. Provide direct assistance to farmers interested in using USDA programs. Through direct legal and technical assistance, the creation of guidance documents, and outreach meetings and presentations, shared information about the core competencies and helped individual farmers and organizations with their plans and practices. The LLPP, FLAG, Intertribal Agriculture Council collaborate to produce tracks and manual to assist farmers, NGOs and CBOs working with farmers. Changes/Problems:Stories to Share: In a multi-year matter, the Land Loss Prevention Project developed, negotiated, and finalized a ground lease for a client cooperative to build a community grocery in an underserved area of a N.C. city. This year (2024), in a competitive process, the cooperative was selected by the county to receive $1 million to construct the grocery and fulfill the vision of expanding access to healthy food. The Land Loss Prevention Project is working with a farm-based non-profit to provide business consultation on a range of topics (example: value-added products, housing, bona fide farm status). This particular nonprofit provides, at no cost; housing, skills development and business training. LLPP provided resources related to local zoning ordinances, enrollment in the county program to reduce property taxes, and linkages to agricultural professionals to assist the nonprofit in valuing raw products grown on the land. The Land Loss Prevention Project is assisting a young producer seeking to develop an educational farm stay experience for non-farmers on his land. The farmer had concerns about the application of local zoning ordinances and wanted clarity if a potential use would be in compliance with local law. The Land Loss Prevention Project is assisting an elder farmer seeking to address land access issues and establish grazing area for his cattle. The farmer utilized one route historically and wanted to explore the viability of a different access that did not have to cross over a creek. LLPP provided information about the types of access permitted by law and the process for securing access. Longstanding LLPP client that had previously faced farm foreclosure shared the history of attempts on applying for USDA farm loans through an application under the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP).Client was approved for the maximum settlement and shared with attorney staff that their biggest plan was to purchase a 'new' used (1980s model) tractor, as they had previously spent a substantial amount of time and money repairing others. The Land Loss Prevention Project is assisting a returning farm business client with additional issues as the farmer seeks to expand their services through processing, advertising, and additional distribution channels. The Land Loss Prevention Project is working with a farmer who inherited family land and wishes to identify funding resources to support the farm's sustainability. LLPP attorneys consult with the farmer to determine needs and then works to advise the farmer about appropriate local, state and federal resources and programs that could help the farmer to protect the land and build their enterprise. The Land Loss Prevention Project is working with an elder owner of heir property, formerly a tobacco farm that is now woodlands. LLPP attorneys will begin the process by determining the full extent of ownership and then advising the family about options for next steps related to property tax reduction programs, possible entity formation and/or engaging with USDA agencies like NRCS or FSA. LLPP worked with a beginning farmer, under 25, to develop a lease agreement that created stable land tenure for use of property for land that will be provided to the farmer by a local church for vegetable production. LLPP provided legal assistance to a farmer facing several and continued challenges by a neighbor that was trying to utilize local zoning ordinances to prevent their farm operation. LLPP is providing support to an elder that is a co-owner of family land and wants to eventually establish a forest management plan and enroll land in tax reduction programs. LLPP is working with a group of siblings that co-own property that is currently rented as farmland to evaluate options for long term stability of ownership, like an LLC. The LLPP's engagement often seeds new opportunities, such as expanding access to estate planning to combat land loss and advance generational asset preservation and transfer. A multi-year credit-related agricultural matter that concluded successfully. In an ongoing matter, the LLPP continued to provide intensive legal services to a food cooperative working toward the establishment of a community grocery store and gathering space. The community leaders seek to advance food security, sustainable economic development, and agency within an underserved urban area. Their work is bearing fruit and the cooperative's membership visioning session with an architect took place with a groundbreaking celebration. This continues to be an ongoing matter. In an uplifting news a law student extern had been working throughthe 22007 application with a farmer in Virginia and in the interview process, he shared some of his current frustration with the local NRCS office and the process of applying for one of the programs. He shared that when he called to inquire about the status of his application (that had been pending for several months) and never could speak with anyone. The Law Extern was able to provide him with the number and he actually connected with the agent, but after setting up an appointment got a letter that the meeting was cancelled because they ran out of funds. He was rather surprised when the agent showed up at his house--he was able to complete a conservation plan and was told he'll be able to get a greenhouse (which was denied last year). This farmer is 70 and has a vision impairment, so all of this has been very difficult for him. I believe the Extern's direct support, by providing him with accurate information about the program and enabled him to contact the agent, was probably a big part of why this came together. The Extern wentabove and beyond the scope of the 22007 application and made a difference for this farmer. The farmer was a highly successful awardee under the Discrimination in Financial Assistance program The LLPP and its Team of professionals and law students, led awards made to farmers under the Discrimination in Financial Assistance Program in North Carolina. The Inflation Reduction Act (2022), the IRA's Discrimination in Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) provided $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 1, 2021. LLPP received DFAP project-related funds to assist in providing education and technical assistance to potential claimants. DFAP applications were accepted from July 7, 2023, to January 17, 2024. Program awards were made in 2024. Here are the state-based results, to which LLPP contributed in N.C., with notable benefit to applicants: https://22007apply.gov/award-distribution.html. The LLPP-organized team and its subcontractor handled 126 applications, delivering millions in relief to farmers. We are extremely proud of our efforts and trust of the farmers whom we served in this regard. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Delivery Total Meetings: 94 Total Meeting Participants: 7726 Total Webinars: 12 Total Webinar Participants: 942 Total Website Visits: 0 Total Online Course Participants: 300 Total One-to-one Meeting Entries: 2 Total One-to-one Meeting Participants: 22 Meetings 5/6/2022: Franklinton, NC -- Number of Attendees 40 5/20/2022: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 175 8/29/2022: Faison, NC -- Number of Attendees 40 9/19/2022: Louisburg, NC -- Number of Attendees 35 10/27/2022: Elm City, NC -- Number of Attendees 75 10/30/2022: Rocky Mount, NC -- Number of Attendees 40 11/5/2022: Durham, NC -- Number of Attendees 120 12/6/2022: Las Vegas, NV -- Number of Attendees 1400 12/8/2022: Lumberton, NC -- Number of Attendees 97 12/14/2022: Red Spring, NC -- Number of Attendees 20 2/20/2023: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 110 2/24/2023: Chapel Hill, NC -- Number of Attendees 50 3/2/2023: Raleigh, NC -- Number of Attendees 12 3/6/2023: Raleigh, NC -- Number of Attendees 95 3/21/2023: Winston-Salem, NC -- Number of Attendees 20 3/25/2023: Pittsboro, NC -- Number of Attendees 75 3/28/2023: Greensboro, NC -- Number of Attendees 50 1/13/2023: Raleigh, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 1/18/2023: Washington, DC, DC -- Number of Attendees 250 2/22/2023: Henderson, NC -- Number of Attendees 120 3/8/2023: Washington, DC, DC -- Number of Attendees 25 3/30/2023: Salisbury, , NC -- Number of Attendees 18 4/18/2023: Southport, NC -- Number of Attendees 50 5/2/2023: Raleigh, NC -- Number of Attendees 45 5/23/2023: Oxford, NC -- Number of Attendees 45 6/15/2023: Creedmoor, NC -- Number of Attendees 175 6/15/2023: Oxford, NC -- Number of Attendees 10 6/24/2023: Kitrell, NC -- Number of Attendees 45 6/26/2023: Greenville, NC -- Number of Attendees 60 7/18/2023: Faison, NC -- Number of Attendees 20 8/23/2023: Rose Hill, NC -- Number of Attendees 87 8/23/2023: Hurdle Mills, NC -- Number of Attendees 20 8/31/2023: Warrenton, NC -- Number of Attendees 20 8/11/2023: Hamer, SC -- Number of Attendees 25 8/30/2023: Petersburg, SC -- Number of Attendees 15 9/14/2023: Greensboro, NC -- Number of Attendees 5 9/8/2023: Beaulaville, NC -- Number of Attendees 10 9/9/2023: Yanceville, NC -- Number of Attendees 12 9/6/2023: Winston-Salem, NC -- Number of Attendees 14 9/10/2023: Yanceville, NC -- Number of Attendees 15 9/20/2023: Raleigh, NC -- Number of Attendees 25 9/26/2023: Greensboro, NC -- Number of Attendees 25 9/28/2023: Wilmington, NC -- Number of Attendees 45 10/17/2023: Greensboro, NC -- Number of Attendees 30 10/19/2023: Blowing Rock, NC -- Number of Attendees 90 10/25/2023: Rocky Mount, NC -- Number of Attendees 90 10/26/2023: Rocky Mount, NC -- Number of Attendees 90 10/28/2023: Wake Forest, NC -- Number of Attendees 60 11/11/2023: durham, NC -- Number of Attendees 20 11/12/2023: Durham, NC -- Number of Attendees 20 11/11/2023: Charlotte, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 12/8/2023: Oxford, NC -- Number of Attendees 20 1/13/2024: Durham, NC -- Number of Attendees 100 1/17/2024: Durham, NC -- Number of Attendees 20 1/17/2024: Washington, DC, DC -- Number of Attendees 350 2/19/2023: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 2/19/2023: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 2/19/2023: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 2/19/2023: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 2/19/2023: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 2/19/2023: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 2/19/2023: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 2/19/2024: New Bern, NC -- Number of Attendees 150 2/22/2024: Lake Forest, IL -- Number of Attendees 90 3/1/2024: Mt Olive, NC -- Number of Attendees 60 1/22/2024: Greensboro, NC -- Number of Attendees 40 3/14/2024: Conetoe, NC -- Number of Attendees 60 3/23/2024: Louisburg, NC -- Number of Attendees 16 3/23/2024: Pittsboro, NC -- Number of Attendees 42 3/28/2024: Durham, NC -- Number of Attendees 30 Webinars 7/27/2022: Number of Attendees 108 7/28/2022: Number of Attendees 11 4/4/2022: Number of Attendees 75 9/15/2022: Number of Attendees 103 3/30/2023: Number of Attendees 18 2/22/2024: Number of Attendees 15 One-to-one Meetings 4:Topics Accessing USDA programs and services, Agricultural production skills, Financial management skills, Risk management, Food security, Number of Attendees 7 3:Topics Financial management skills, Risk management, Financial planning, Tax planning, Transition and estate planning, Number of Attendees 15 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Promotional Materials: Cooperatives in North Carolina Estate and Succession Planning Is A Cooperative Right for You? NC Present Use Value Program Brochure Smart Growth Business Center for Farmers Information on Inflation Reduction Act 22007 Estate Planning for Adults Communities of Interest: farmers farmers cooperatives agriculture-based commuinity based organization land grant institutions What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The LLPP is engaging deeply with farm leaders, participants, community-based organizations, local and regional non-governmental organization to scale agricultural economic development in historically underserved communities. We expect to continue to build further regional partnerships within that larger circle.The LLPP will continue to further new work within its collaborative circle in rural communities and with NCA&TSU. Scalable rural farm business will be broadened through increase access to regional resources. The USDA will need to continueinvestments in community-based and non-profit service providers needsfor the betterment ofcontinuing farmers and in the future generation of young and new beginning farmers.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Outcomes: Work to provide farmers and owner producer groups with sustainability strategies for diversification and value-added income Topic:Agricultural production skills Act #:9 Assist on issues involving farmers and owner producers in business structures Topic:Agricultural production skills Act #:10 The LLPP will form and provide transaction support to farms, cooperatives, food hubs, regional food system through SmartGrowth Business Center.? Topic:Rural development / Rural community strengthening Act #: 8 Assist Community-based organizations, in engaging with farmers to grow food for local markets. Topic:Market planning and access Act #:5 Providing legal assistance to non-profits and community groups as the need arises. Topic:Rural development / Rural community strengthening Act #: 8 Exploring legal infrastructure to support growth and development of urban and small-town agriculture. Topic:Business planning Act #: 3 Providing technical assistance to agricultural entrepreneurs, farmers, farmers groups and non-profits Topic:Accessing USDA programs and services Producer action:Understand Est #: 300 Act #: 0 Collaborating to increase access and participation in USDA program and services Topic:Accessing USDA programs and services Act #:10 LLPP's workplan will include activities involving core competencies in financial literary, recordkeeping, access and participation in USDA programs and services, market planning and technical support. Topic:Accessing USDA programs and services Act #:20 The Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) addressed legal matters in the following areas: agricultural; environmental; real property; consumer protection; wills/estate planning; compliance; zoning, municipal services, and related issues; bankruptcy as a last-resort alternative to foreclosures (farms and/or homes); and business/agricultural business issues. The SmartGrowth Business Center addressed a variety of matters including those involving rural economic development and farmers' cooperatives. The Land Loss Prevention Project is working with a farm-based non-profit to provide business consultation on a range of topics (example: value-added products, housing, bona fide farm status). This particular client is providing a valuable service in the community and working directly with individuals to increase their personal well-being. The nonprofit works to build skills for their client base in a land-based business, using products that they grow themselves. LLPP is providing technical support to appropriately reflect the value of raw products, to ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, and to show eligibility for county status as a bona fide farm. This nonprofit's multi-faceted mission is essential to the well-being of their program participants, and LLPP is providing legal assistance to assist them in compliance efforts with local and state planning/development ordinances. The Land Loss Prevention Project is assisting a young producer seeking to develop an educational farm stay experience for non-farmers on his land. This farmer has been established for several years in a rapidly growing and was seeking insight on his obligations under local zoning and permitting ordinances. LLPP staff researched the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to determine whether he is exempt from any obligation pursuant to his status as a farm as well as to ensure that he is aware of obligations and can make plans in compliance with state and local law. LLPP continued its engagement around heir property policies, implementing advancements, and furthering knowledge through outreach and access through direct legal advocacy as well as technical assistance to ensure that producers can participate in gains achieved in the 2018 Farm Bill. In 2024, there were four marker bills in Congress addressing heir property issues, signs of growing interest and momentum concerning the challenges and opportunities associated with co-ownership. One of the marker bills advances the opportunity for funding in states that enact the UPHPA for, among the provisions, it is important to note that heirs' property entanglement is problematic in disaster situations within families. This situation is being borne out with recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. It is felt that scaling adoption of the UPHPA and expansion of existing authority in the 2018 Farm Bill program would assist in disaster recovery efforts. Describe any unexpected results of the project: Legal representation, technical assistance, and outreach have continued successfully throughout a year informed by the pandemic's ebb and flow, the recession and the challenges and losses concentrated in historically underserved communities. As a response to the constant threat of further erosion, the LLPP enlarged our collaborative work to further sustainable communities and opened opportunities to provide technical assistance, education, and other support to bolster food access and federal resources to assist limited resource farmers and private foundation initiatives to expand existing resources. As noted above, the LLPP's technical assistance and leadership helped agriculturally focused and producer groups weather the economic fallout, with many turning to serve their own communities in an even more robust manner. The LLPP also focused its concentrated supportive services to meet the challenges of farmers dealing with access to FSA credit and programs. Outreach and technical assistance include information on the American Rescue Plan (ARP Technical Assistance Investment Program and the Inflation Reduction Act. The LLPP is working with multiple farming and farm-related organizations in NC which are exploring forming a non-profit together to allow for enhanced mutual support as well as collective funding to advance BIPOC-led agricultural initiative. The LLPP is assisting a new farm enterprise established by two veterans in addressing leasing a portion of land to another farmer and also connection to programs that may assist in growing their enterprise including the Present-Use Value Program. Further business services are contemplated. The LLPP and its Team under the Discrimination in Financial Assistance Program, led the state in awards to family farmers under this process. ARPTA Metrics Started farming: Target - 0, Actual - 14 Increased farm size or capacity: Target - 0, Actual - 6 Increased farm profits: Target - 0, Actual - 6 Received USDA benefits: Target - 0, Actual - 7 Applied for a USDA farm loan: Target - 0, Actual - 3 Received a USDA farm loan: Target - 0, Actual - 0

Publications

Progress 04/01/22 to 03/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience: Beginning producers Forest landowners Underserved agricultural producers Limited resource producers Students University faculty and staff Community members LLPP staff Service providers Changes/Problems:In terms of challenges faced in our farm communities, the LLPP continues to maintain its program of direct legal assistance as a point of intervention. This continues to beneficial for our clients and has helped us in preserving farms and livelihoods, in an ongoing matter, the LLPP continued to provide intensive legal services to a food cooperative working toward the establishment of a community grocery store and gathering space. The community leaders seek to advance food security, sustainable economic development, and agency within a grossly underserved urban area. Their work is bearing fruit and the cooperative had a groundbreaking in 2023. Rugged individualism is still engrained in southern agriculture where success is based on individual efforts and not the collective. The LLPP is planning sessions with farmers to explore collective structures to break through these cultural barriers. In other related engagement in 2022, an LLPP attorney participated as an invited Observer to the Uniform Law Commission's Drafting Committee on then-titled Tenancy in Common Default Rules. In ULC's work, the Observer has a distinct role. Per the Commission: "Observers are at the drafting table with the drafting committee in most meetings and participate in the discussion of the draft provisions. Observers are encouraged to provide written comments and suggestions to the chair or chair and reporter both during and between drafting committee meetings. Through these observer contributions, the drafting committee receives realistic advice as to problems and possible solutions, as well as ways in which the proposed act would affect interested parties." This effort will undergird efforts in the upcoming farm bill discussions on strengthening the current Heirs Property Relending Program. In terms of organizational challenges, the LLPP has addressed a critical need by the hiring of new staff attorneys. We are looking to add staff in positions of client interview specialist, communications consultant and contractors for business development and planning. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?On April 4, 2022, the LLPP Staff attorneys conducted and participated in a Continuing Legal Education webinar with optional in person attendance at the NC Bar Association (NCBA), in Cary, North Carolina. The webinar was sponsored by North Carolina Bar Association, Zoning, Planning, Land Use Section. The LLPP online presentation topic was on "Assisting Heir Property Owners: Challenges and Opportunities" and included information on heir property, foreclosure, partition, succession planning, business law solutions (e.g., entity formation), 2018 Farm Bill provisions, American Rescue Plan Act. On July 27, 2022, at the American Agricultural Law Association Conference, the LLPP had a webinar presentation with service providers for farmers and homeowners with 108 participants. The topics included heir property, foreclosure, partition, succession planning, business law solutions (e.g., entity formation), 2018 Farm Bill provisions and the American Rescue Plan Act. On September 15, 2022, the Financial Protection Law Center, North Carolina Justice Center, Pisgah Legal Services convened a webinar on "Tools and Strategies for Helping Lower-Income Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure or Home Loss as They Grapple with Post-Pandemic Economic Turmoil". This was a Continuing Legal Education accredited presentation at the N.C. Legal Services Conference. The LLPP presented with other service providers and client community representatives on state and Federal pandemic recovery programs, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, Zombie mortgages (homeowner concentration). On February 24, 2023, the LLPP staff presented at the UNC-Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health's 44th Annual Minority Health Conference. The attendees were students, academics, urban gardeners, and community members. Written materials addressing: disaster relief, estate planning, heir property, foreclosure prevention. On March 2, 2023, LLPP Staff presented at NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, in a honors class small before 12 student agriculturalists. The presentation addressed historical land challenges, heir property, partition, American Rescue Plan Act, Inflation Reduction Act, 2018 Farm Bill. On March 21, 2023, LLPP staff conducted a small group presentation at Wake Forest University, School of Law, in an agricultural/food law class before students, and academics. The presentation addressed historical land issues; heir property; assistance for heir property owners; 2018 Farm Bill provisions, American Rescue Plan Act; Inflation Reduction Act. On March 30,2023, the LLPP staff presented at an online small group presentation to Catawba College conservation class. The participants numbered 18 people and included students and conservationists. Presentation addressed historical land issues; heir property; assistance for heir property owners; 2018 Farm Bill provisions; land trusts cooperatives; American Rescue Plan Act; Inflation Reduction Act. Evaluation Plan:https://rvs.umn.edu/Uploads/EvaluationsReports/65d56267-432e-4d49-b36e-644cdbd6e964.docx How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The LLPP inclusive of the SmartGrowth Business Center, has provided outreach and education extended to both client and professional communities and covering in a variety of its practice area, Written material addressing a range of land retention and utilization issues affecting farmers, homeowners, and landowners was created, updated and distribute distributed. Topics included organizational services, property interest preservation options, understanding land tenure, heir property, and limited liability company formation and cooperative development. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Direct legal assistance and advice continue to be the primary methods to meet the identified goals of farmers, landowners, and homeowners, inclusive of transactional support to form and support farm-based businesses. Technical assistance and collaborative policy innovation continue to form a robust part of our land retention and generational wealth-building strategy. Throughout 2022, vulnerable farmers were continuing to weather pandemic fallout; compounding multi-year losses from previous sequential hurricanes and a tropical storm; the summer's drought; and escalating expenses. Stabilizing businesses, supporting generational land tenure, and ensuring access to emergent opportunities available from local to federal initiatives was foundational to the work this year and was successfully accomplished in partnership with farmers steeped in resilience. The LLPP collaboratively has worked to champion greater providing access to agricultural programs and services for limited resource and socially disadvantaged producers and in 2022 and 2023, has been fortunate to participate in that access being utilized to further producer-driven initiatives. We are currently collaborating with policy partners for continuing gains for farmers and ranchers within the next Farm Bill. The LLPP will bolster efforts into the next reporting cycle, through direct legal representation, technical assistance, educational outreach, and collaborative policy innovation. The LLPP will continue to assist limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers to address their immediate and longer term legal needs, access funding to preserve and expand farm-based businesses and engage with USDA programs and services, participate in farmer-led networks for mutual aid, as well as pursue self-determination through informed policy engagement. Transactional legal assistance provided by the SmartGrowth Business Center will continue to help farmers proactively take steps to safeguard their enterprises through, for example, incorporation and contract formation. The LLPP will continue to address foreclosure defense and prevention, credit-related counseling, heir property management and estate planning. The LLPP will continue to provide support to farmers and landowners in property disputes to defend land tenure and security. The LLPP will continue its focus on multi-factor sustainability which promotes both community economic development as well as a healthy food system grounded in equity. The organization maintains a national toll-free assistance line which individuals, community-based organizations, and private attorneys can call for information, legal advice in N.C., and referral. The LLPP is planning to increase outreach to producers and to increase the awareness and understanding of the Inflation Reduction Act provisions concerning the USDA and addressing debt relief and farm loan discrimination. The LLPP is providing technical assistance to farmers in filing claims under the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP). The DFAP is a priority in the next reporting period as this process draws to a close on October 31, 2023. We continue to within our cooperator community and the community-based partners to amplify this critical outreach and technical assistance work.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Accomplishments of Goal, Objections and Methods ?During the reporting period, the Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) addressed legal matters in the following areas: agricultural; environmental; real property; consumer protection; wills/estate planning; civil rights; zoning, municipal services, and related issues; bankruptcy as a last-resort alternative to foreclosures (farms and/or homes); and business/agricultural business issues. The SmartGrowth Business Center addressed a variety of matters including those involving rural economic development and farmers' cooperatives. The LLPP assisted farmers, farm families and agriculturalists who produced soybeans, corn, cotton, tobacco, herbs, flowers, honey, open pollinated seeds, a range of fresh produce including grapes and blueberries; raised poultry and livestock; and grew fruit trees. The LLPP's robust engagement addressed many of the root causes of farm loss and diminution while opening up significant opportunities for sustainable growth within a more equitable food system. During 2022, Across the range of practice areas, the LLPP handled 350 matters and served clients residing in 73 of the state's 100 counties. Services performed addressed partition, estate planning, business entity formation and planning, farm leases, heir property co-management, and intensive debt restructuring. In 2022 the LLPP preserved property with a tax value of $2,894,621 for clients in credit-related matters alone. We reached over 898 people through outreach, inclusive of presentations, workshops, and staffed exhibits, often hosted by a range of local, state, and regional partners, and distributed more than 1,000 copies of written resources. The LLPP consistently provides viable options for future land retention and promotes viable farm operations and develops traction for cooperative enterprise developments. The thrust of our work is to undergird the sustainability of sustainable community development. Services performed continue to include creating operating agreements tailored to the needs of farming operations, gaining tax exempt status to establish non-profits and developing agreements for nonprofits creating urban farms in furtherance of community food justice programs. For example, the LLPP continues to provide ongoing legal support to a Wake County local food system and food sovereignty initiative by crafting legal instrument to secure future building of a community grocery store, cultivation of an urban farm on the property and a community gathering space. The LLPP is assisting a family of three generations of living heirs with formulating a land management plan with future inclusive use of conservation planning services of the USDA. The LLPP is proving legal support to fulfill their desire to create an LLC or trust to further consolidate title and decision making as they make plans for use of the land. In the first quarter of 2022, the Smart Growth Business Center, an internal resource of the LLPP, was awarded a 5-year grant agreement, spanning 2022-2077, through the USDA/NIFA to expand its services to build the capacity of underserved, limited resource farmers, ranchers and forest owners' engagement with USDA programs and services. The Smart Growth Business Center has been partnering with nationally recognized agricultural non-profits to provide technical assistance and outreach. The LLPP has further amply its outreach activities and technical assistance through longstanding partnerships with statewide nonprofit and community-based organizations. The LLPP conducted workshops; presentations; farmers outreach meetings with state offices of the USDA; attended regional meetings with USDA; conducted farmers outreach meeting with USDA; Webinars, landowners conferences and USDA cooperators meetings and participate in webinars with cooperators. The results achieved during this reporting period have been exceptional and the impact has been positive and wide ranging. The SmartGrowth Business Center continues to address a variety of matters including those involving rural economic development and farmers' cooperatives. The LLPP consistently provides viable options to further land retention and promote sustainable community economic development and handling a wide range of matters over the course of the period. Services include assisting a regional agriculturally- focused non-profit with creating a range of operational documents and counseling on requirements; developing a range of lease agreements; and working with multiple families in formulating a land management and consolidation plan for heir property to maintain land tenure. The LLPP also provided diverse foreclosure prevention intervention; ongoing multi-year advocacy addressing credit preserving livelihoods and land; estate and farm succession planning; and resolution of a variety of property disputes that impact integrity and full use of property. The LLPP, inclusive of the SmartGrowth Business Center, has provided outreach and education extended to both client and professional communities and covering a variety of its practice areas. Written educational material addressing a range of land retention and utilization issues affecting farmers, homeowners, and landowners was created and updated by the LLPP and distributed. As previously reported, materials were developed and, distributed on topics included organizational services, cooperative development, property interest preservation options, understanding land tenure, heir property, and the use of business structures, such as utility of limited liability company formation.

Publications