Progress 05/01/23 to 04/30/24
Outputs
Target Audience:During this period, we reached Small-scale and family Farmers & Ranchers TA Providers for small-scale and family Farmers & Ranchers in over 20 states in the southeast, the south central states, the southwest, Califonia, the mid Atlantic, New England and Great Lakes states. These farmers and ranchers produced fresh vegetabls and fruit, cow and calf operations and some row crops. Changes/Problems:American Indian Mothers: Due to the historical and continuous practice by lenders, agency management, both government and tribal, American Indian tribal landowners, ranchers, farmers and producers, are reluctant to hear any "training", "assistance", "new programs" talk. This is a major hurdle and the 'Keepseagle' case has opened some doors, however it only opened a crack. We have to be face-to-face and be in spaces of trust to be heard. Our newsletters, emails and power points are not really working, so we intend to be more face-to-face. Campesinos Unidos de California: The greatest concern for the farm workers and ranchers is the changing and unpredictability of weather conditions. The farm workers and ranchers are concerned because there is substantially less produce harvested due to the bad weather Compañeras Campesinas: A notable issue is that farmers have not been able to effectively communicate with FSA representatives. When farmers ask for assistance at offices, or over the phone, they are told that someone would get back to them with more information or with assistance. However, no one ever gets back to them. Cottage House: Noteworthy changes in our approach included bringing expertise directly to the fields to address gaps in foundational farming skills among new farmers. Additionally, we recognized and responded to the critical need for physical assistance, offering practical aid in tasks like fencing and irrigation installation to support farm sustainability and productivity. Kansas Black Farmers Association: Challenges: Getting farmers to fill out surveys and return their responses. Getting more farmers to our meetings and then applying for the programs, grants, and opportunities. They do not trust the USDA. During wheat harvest season for Kansas, the time frame is not conducive for our farmers to attend the conference or anything in June and early July. We also determined we need to have a session that is strictly on writing the grants and having the information needed to complete the applications. Getting farmers to take time off to attend the farm field days and everyone wants a high tunnel now! Administration is stretched thin and trying to be there for each of these groups and incorporating their programming has been overwhelming. La Mujer Obrera: We have found that access to land for farming is extremely challenging for farmworkers to become small farmers or to start a community garden. Some of this is related to affordable land, and others due to quality of land or neighboring farms' use of heavy pesticides and chemicals that drift. Access to Education: Lideres Campesinas has discovered that many of the women we serve do not have access to nearby schools for their children. Some of the members note that they need more resources in rural areas that invest more in clean water, scholarship funds for loans for the undocumented community, unemployment, more labor protections. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Because of the character limit, we've included limited details about the training opportunities & sorted them according to their main topic. The topics are: - Risk Management, - Record-Keeping & Business Planning, - Land Access, Protection, Succession, - USDA & Other Federal Programs/Networking/Assistance, - Ag, Food, & Conservation Skills. Risk Management - 05/06/2025, Elba, AL: Cottage House Inc., final Developing Personal Risk Management Plans & Marketing Strategies class. 75 participants. - 05/18/2023, SC: - RAF, webinar to provide info to farmers on accessing USDA programs & services, including the ERP Phase 2. - 05/28 - 07/14/23, KS: KBFA, 1:1 sessions with farmers to provide information on ERP Phase 2 - 06/14/2023- 8 1:1 farm visits conducted, each about one hour. Farmers were provided information on USDA programs, risk management practices, including conservation practices, land access & planning, & tax planning. - 07/06/2023: Edgecomb County, NC: OSP, meeting on the ERP. 15 participants. - 07/06/2023, KS: KBFA, Belongingness at KBFA Youth Educational Programs Presentation with Kansas State Research & Education Summer Fellows at the Summer Fellows Research Closing Symposium, covering a variety of topics including rural development & community strengthening, food security, risk management, & conservation practices. 55 participants - 11/29/2023 - ERP & Farm Business Resources- including resources for tax planning, & information on farm risk management considerations. 18 participants - 12/20/2023 - ERP & Farm Business Resources- including resources for tax planning, & information on farm risk management considerations. 16 participants - 01/2024, Washington, DC: RC Winter Forum,USDA representatives discussed ERP, 250 participants Record-Keeping & Business Planning: - 05/18/23, Cordova, SC: In-person meeting on accessing USDA programs & services, including applying for a farm number & the agricultural census. Also: financial & tax planning. 23 participants. - 05/23, 05/30, 06/06, & 06/20/23 - KBFA, webinars about USDA programs, production, credit or access to capital, rural development, risk management, market planning, land access, among others. Speakers from: NRCS, Rural Coalition, Kansas Rural Centers, Rural Development, Cargill, General Mills, Kansas Council of Cooperatives, The Land Institute, & Kansas State University Food Safety Extension. 431 views + live participants. - 06/26/23, Bowmen, SC: - In-person workshop on USDA programs, forest planning & agroforestry, market planning & access, tax planning, conservation practices, selling trees for different production, including chips, timber, plywood, & paper, where to find help selling for the best price, having timber thin, cruising timber, gov agencies where farmers can find help with questions. 46 participants. - 07/26/23, KS: KBFA - symposium on USDA programs, rural development & community strengthening, market planning & access, land access & planning, financial planning, & business planning. 55 participants - 07/27/23, Hill City, KS: KBFA - meeting on financial planning, land & market access, USDA programs, credit & access to capital, market planning & access, land access & planning, financial planning & business planning. - 08/08/23, KS, KBFA - Presentation for Kansas State Research & Extension Summer Fellows about rural development & market planning & access. 5 participants. - 08/08/23, KBFA - Podcast with Diana Collingsworth, covering USDA programs & services, rural development, & market planning & access - 08/17/23, Granville County, NC, OSP: "What's In Your Toolbox" meeting, covering market production. 15 Participants. - 08/28/23, Orangeburg County, SC, RAF: FSA staff member presented on cooperative development. USDA offices & & programs available with an emphasis on land conservation programs. 37 participants. - 09/01/23, Dothan, AL: Cottage H, Farmer educational class on organic transition and certification. Urban farming practices, & financial assistance through FSA. 25 participants - 09/26, 28, & 30/23, NC: OSP- market development & food distribution workshops. 36 participants. - 09/29/23 - Lideres Campesinas, panel of small agricultural entrepreneurial farmers. 46 participants Land Access, Protection, Succession - 05/10/23, SC: 6 1:1 farm visits, USDA programs, production, risk management, & conservation. "10 Ways to Save your Land" resource shared. - 05/31 - 06/01/23, Sophia, NC: "Resourceful Communities - Exploring the Intersection of Land, Power, & Resiliency" workshop on conservation, land acquisition, & land retention. 95 participants. - 06/14/23, 8 1:1 in-person farm visits USDA programs, risk management practices, conservation, land access & planning, & tax planning. - 09/01/23, Dothan, AL: Cottage house, Farmer educational class on estate planning, surveys & wills. 25 participants. - 11/02/23, Wewoka, OK: OBHRP's 23rd Annual Small Farm Conference, one main focus was the concerns of Eastern Red Cedar invading 850 acres of land per day. A professor from Oklahoma State University addressed these concerns. - 12/08 & 12/09/23 - OSP, Zoom meeting on land & practical solutions to accessing land. 175 participants. USDA & Other Federal Programs/Networking/Assistance - 05/03/23, Red Springs, NC: AIMI's mid-year conference. USDA programs were discussed in-depth - 05/10/23, Orangeburg & Bamberg Counties, SC: Workshop on Accessing USDA programs & services, Rural development/rural community strengthening, & other Non-USDA topics included tax planning. 14 attendees - 05/10/23, Chickasaw Nation Community Center, Ada, OK: USDA NRCS, FSA, OTCAC Conservation Workshop - 05/22/23, Orangeburg, SC: In-person meeting on USDA programs & services, including crop insurance, GAP certification, & ERP Phase 2, 40 participants. - 08/16/23, Utuado, PR: Companeras Campesinas, Meeting on DFAP which included topics like finding your farm number & records. 20 participants - 08/28/23, Las Marías, PR: Companeras Campesinas, meeting on NRCS programs & services. . 11 participants. - 09/22/23, South Carolina State University: Farmers Forum hosted by the South Carolina State University's 1890 Research & Extension Service. Programs available at FSA, NRCS, RD, NASS, & NIFA through the USDA were discussed. 18 participants from RAF. Ag, Food, & Conservation Skills: - 05/13/23 -Cottage House Inc, "Green Edge Gardens High Tunnel Planting Guide," 20 Participants. - 05/18/23, NC: Prawn production workshop - 05/27/23 - Cottage House Inc., annual food safety webinar for farmers. 45 participants - 06/17/23, Granville County, NC - Indoor mushroom production Workshop, 14 participants - 06/27/23, Hall City, KS: KBFA, meeting on Sustainable Practices, Perception on Conservation & Adaptation, - 07/05/23, CA - Lideres Campesinas visited a farm in the aftermath of his family's loss of over 80 acres due to recent flooding. - 07/11/23, Elba, AL: Cottage House, class on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) planting, harvesting, safety, production practices, conservation practices, info on NRCS, & receipts for service. 25 participants - 08/05/23, Camden, AL: Cottage House, class on conservation topics & programs. 25 participants - 08/21/23 - Lideres Campesinas & The Vingard, virtual forum with vineyard workers about pesticides, wildfires, & more - 08/25/23 - Lideres Campesinas, how to can & bottle fruits & vegetables. 40 participants - 09/08/23 - KBFA, Regenerative Ag Podcast/Webinar on conservation practices, business planning & market planning & access. 25 participants - 09/01/23, Dothan, AL: Cottage House, class on Urban Farming practices & hoop houses. 25 participants How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated to communities of interest via the following methods: Results were shared with the 250 participants at the Rural Coalition Winter Forum in January 2024 in Washington DC. American Indian Mothers, Inc: AIMI has been working to expand access to FSA staff as the farmers have stated they have limited access to the FSA. AIMI has also increased their 1:1 meetings with farmers. AIMI has distributed flyers, brochures, and materials on helping farmers access USDA programs and services at their monthly meetings and at 1:1 farmer meetings. Cottage House, Inc: Cottage House Inc. conducted a series of outreach activities for ERP Phase 2, including phone calls, which were held Monday to Friday from noon to 1pm CT. They also mailed out 4,000 copies of flyers to farmers in north, south, east, west, and central Alabama. Cottage House also worked with their FSA State office Representative who ran the ad in the local newspaper and held a Zoom call to assist farmers and answer questions. Results from these efforts are disseminated through our community meetings and collaborations with other organizations sharing similar goals, ensuring broader awareness and engagement within the agricultural community. Kansas Black Farmers Association: Dissemination of information is done via Email blast, flyers posted on our website and social media. Presentations at our quarterly meetings. La Mujer Obrera: Information on USDA and relevant programs are shared through community meetings and one- on-one conversations with members. The next period La Mujer Obrera will focus on integrating more people to grow tomatoes in pots. However, an ongoing challenge is the impact of the heat and seeing the change of planting seasons. Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project: OBHRPI partnered with the Muscogee Conservation District to recruit small and family farmers and ranchers for the course that involved farm planning, marketing, and risk management assessment. OBHRPI manages a farmer contact list where opportunities and results are disseminated. During this period OBHRPI developed and distributed: four (4) Community Meeting Flyers/Communications and forwarded five (5) Ag industry related communications to the OBHRPI Contact List. After updates during this period the contact list now consists of 370 individuals and organizations. For the OBHRPI Rural Economic Development Conference, the Marketing/Tech Support Team advertised the conference on the OBHRPI website and developed and distributed nine individual invitation letters to USDA Representatives, Speakers, and Special Guest of the Conference. The OBHRPI Website was updated to announce/advertise the conference as well as facilitate registration for conference attendance. A Zoom Webinar was set up for the Conference to accommodate the remote conference speakers and participants. "Save the Date" Advertisements were developed and distributed to the OBHRPI Contact List. Operation Spring Plant: June 28-30 OSP staff, media, and farmers conducted farmer outreach in various counties in NC to increase markets for farmers, specifically Co-Op Development. Rural Advancement Fund: We disseminated program results through in-person meetings, zoom calls, workshops, one-on- one, flyers, and our website depending on what our farmers need and ask for. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?American Indian Mothers: Due to the historical and continuous practice by lenders, agency management, both government and tribal, American Indian tribal landowners, ranchers, farmers and producers, are reluctant to hear any "training", "assistance", "new programs" talk. This is a major hurdle and the 'Keepseagle' case has opened some doors, however it only opened a crack. We have to be face-to-face and be in spaces of trust to be heard. Our newsletters, emails and power points are not really working, so we intend to be more face-to-face. Campesinos Unidos de California: The greatest concern for the farm workers and ranchers is the changing and unpredictability of weather conditions. The farm workers and ranchers are concerned because there is substantially less produce harvested due to the bad weather conditions. There has been a significant increase in droughts, flooding and fires. Compañeras Campesinas: A notable issue is that farmers have not been able to effectively communicate with FSA representatives. When farmers ask for assistance at offices, or over the phone, they are told that someone would get back to them with more information or with assistance. However, no one ever gets back to them. Cottage House: Noteworthy changes in our approach included bringing expertise directly to the fields to address gaps in foundational farming skills among new farmers. Additionally, we recognized and responded to the critical need for physical assistance, offering practical aid in tasks like fencing and irrigation installation to support farm sustainability and productivity. Kansas Black Farmers Association: Challenges: Getting farmers to fill out surveys and return their responses. Getting more farmers to our meetings and then applying for the programs, grants, and opportunities. They do not trust the USDA. During wheat harvest season for Kansas, the time frame is not conducive for our farmers to attend the conference or anything in June and early July. We also determined we need to have a session that American Indian Mothers: Due to the historical and continuous practice by lenders, agency management, both government and tribal, American Indian tribal landowners, ranchers, farmers and producers, are reluctant to hear any "training", "assistance", "new programs" talk. This is a major hurdle and the 'Keepseagle' case has opened some doors, however it only opened a crack. We have to be face-to-face and be in spaces of trust to be heard. Our newsletters, emails and power points are not really working, so we intend to be more face-to-face. Campesinos Unidos de California: The greatest concern for the farm workers and ranchers is the changing and unpredictability of weather conditions. The farm workers and ranchers are concerned because there is substantially less produce harvested due to the bad weather conditions. There has been a significant increase in droughts, flooding and fires. Compañeras Campesinas: A notable issue is that farmers have not been able to effectively communicate with FSA representatives. When farmers ask for assistance at offices, or over the phone, they are told that someone would get back to them with more information or with assistance. However, no one ever gets back to them. Cottage House: Noteworthy changes in our approach included bringing expertise directly to the fields to address gaps in foundational farming skills among new farmers. Additionally, we recognized and responded to the critical need for physical assistance, offering practical aid in tasks like fencing and irrigation installation to support farm sustainability and productivity. Kansas Black Farmers Association: Challenges: Getting farmers to fill out surveys and return their responses. Getting more farmers to our meetings and then applying for the programs, grants, and opportunities. They do not trust the USDA. During wheat harvest season for Kansas, the time frame is not conducive for our farmers to attend the conference or anything in June and early July. We also determined we need to have a session that is strictly on writing the grants and having the information needed to complete the applications. Getting farmers to take time off to attend the farm field days and everyone wants a high tunnel now! Administration is stretched thin and trying to be there for each of these groups and incorporating their La Mujer Obrera: We have found that access to land for farming is extremely challenging for farmworkers to become small farmers or to start a community garden. Some of this is related to affordable land, and others due to quality of land or neighboring farms' use of heavy pesticides and chemicals that drift. Access to Education: Lideres Campesinas has discovered that many of the women we serve do not have access to nearby schools for their children. Some of the members note that they need more resources in rural areas that invest more in clean water, scholarship funds for loans for the undocumented community, unemployment, more labor protections.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments organized by the partner organizations who led them: ? American Indian Mothers ? Developed curriculum for business planning & development for farmers to help with land ownership and agribusiness ? Met monthly with representatives from USDA about how to further support farmers ? American Indian Movement ? Hired grant coordinator to manage the TA project. ? Hosted & attended 13 events to represent food sovereignty & environmental protection. Raised awareness on impact of climate change on traditional food sources (buffalo, wild rice, wild turnips, medicinal plants). ? Participated in ? 6 planning meetings around land use/access re: funerary items on federal, public, & private lands ? Meetings to plan our youth events in Minnesota ? Hosted 4 training activities for harvest, community engagement, and protection of natural resources. 2 of our training sessions targeted youth and 1 event included federal partners, US Forest Service/USDA & National Park Service. ? Campesinos Unidos de California ? Through webinars, group meetings, and 1:1 sessions, provided farm workers with referrals, information, & TA about mediation, legal education and USDA programs. Accumulated stories about farmworkers who have transitioned to farmers ? Compañeras Campesinas ? Grown hubs from 8 to 11. Hubs create spaces across PR for farmers to learn about USDA/FSA programs & share their experiences & concerns; group provides input & feedback on how to resolve concerns. ? Accompanied farmers to meetings at USDA offices, ensuring a productive experience. Farmers exhibited more confidence & empowerment dealing with ag needs ? Cottage House, Inc. ? Facilitated FSA farm ID acquisition for 20 farmers through direct assistance ? Educated farmers on crop insurance policies and facilitated certification for prospective crop insurance agents ? Conducted biweekly community meetings across various locations, enhancing participation by providing meals to attendees ? Organized field demonstrations by expert instructors on pest identification, soil testing, and water quality assessment ? Established a partnership with Tuskegee University laboratories to process soil and water samples at no cost to farmers ? Maintained consistent meeting attendance, averaging 10-20 participants per session, ensuring widespread community engagement ? Kansas Black Farmers Association ? Hosted 15 minute podcast on USDA programs and services, rural development, & market planning ? Revamped Farm Survey to include questions about organics ? Increased the # of farmers & friends of farming to 190+ with addresses, phone #s, and emails. ? Introduced new & beginning farmers to organic farming certification program ? Held 6 farm Field Days, Introduced farmers to techniques, practices, crops, & USDA programs such as high tunnels, watershed restoration ? @ Enough IS Enough Farm Bill Tour - had 33 participants ? Trained 4 on Heirs Property @ USDA & Alcorn State Heirs Property Training ? Introduced to EQIP and Conservation programs @ Small Farms Conference ? 5 farms were selected for soil testing by Western SARE/CSU/KBFA teams. ? Buffalo Seed Company: meeting hosted by Miami Conservation District & KC Farm School at Gibbs Road. Provided valuable insights into historical seeds, organic seed cultivation, and produce management ? Switzer/KSU Agriculture Camp for Youth ? 31 youth, 4 Senior Counselors (HBCU Fellows), 3 Junior Counselors (2 farmers) ? 3 farmers applied for FSA loan, 1 succeeded; 1 enrolled in CRP and 1 completed a Conservation Easement agreement to protect Prairie Chickens on 100 acres for 10 years ? Heirs Property & Small Farm Conference were excellent training sessions ? La Mujer Obrera ? Internal study consisted of the following: ? May: ? Conversation with John Sprawl from University of Texas at El Paso ? Workshop at Tierra es Vida about native desert plants and the fountain project that showcases the levels of plants in an ecosystem. Planted flowers at our community garden to attract pollinators ? June: technical study (fertilization, types of soil, care for tomato plants) Community meetings focused on: ? tomato plants distributed. June & July: learning to care for tomatoes ? June: Tomato plants were distributed to the focus group that includes 5 community members, follow up with documentation ? Líderes Campesinas en California ? Found that 43% of farmworkers we spoke with don't know how to access the TA they needed to go from farmworker to farmer ? Developed a statewide directory of small farmers in California & connected with them to provide assistance with USDA programs & more ? Assisted Coalicion de Pequeños Agricultores (~30 farmers, formerly farm workers) to become incorporated as a non-profit, & supported them in accessing funds for 25 acres ? Participated in various panels advocating for less pesticide use ? Organized meetings re: cooperatives development ? Hosted & organized annual convening. Held focus groups re: environmental, food distributions. Acting as a bridge between small farmers & funding opportunities ? Continued to partner with Madre Tierra, organizing nation-wide workshops to help understand the process of farmworkers becoming small-scale farmers in their backyards & grow the size of their land. Had 42 members join these workshops ? Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project ? Assisted farmers with Heir property, Farm Numbers, Financial Management, Tax Planning, Risk Management, and implementing Climate Smart Practices ? FSA Admin Zach Ducheneaux gave keynote address at the 18th Annual Rural Economic Development Conference. Various presenters covered USDA programs, Heir Property, BFRDP, Cooperative Development, & Climate Smart Practices ? OBHRPI provided Ecdysis Foundation with 16 of 18 farming sites on which they will perform soil testing ? Met with Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes to discuss regenerative ag. ? Met with Langston University Ag Dept officials to discuss partnership to provide TA to rural small farmers ? 5 community outreach meetings hosted in Okmulgee, Tatums, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Bristow in May. 329 individuals in total participated in these meetings which covered Heir Property & NAP ? Operation Spring Plant ? Supplied locally-grown food throughout several counties. 37 events reached 176 participants ? Held the NC Farmers Roundtable to discuss Increase sustainability for small & family Farmers. US Congressman Don Davis participated, and 45 farmers were in attendance. The Roundtable was held on May 5th ? Rural Advancement Fund of the National Sharecroppers Fund ? Held 1:1 meetings with farmers & visited 5 farms. Farmers were provided information on a variety of practices & programs; particularly EQIP, conservation practices, and FSA loans ? Continue to emphasize getting receipts for service when engaging with USDA. During this period, 11 of the 12 farmers we assisted received a receipt for service ? Of the farmers we served, 1 increased their farm's capacity, 4 applied for & received operating loans, & 7 received USDA benefits ? Started Internet Safety training with farmers ? Emphasized record keeping in all workshops ? Hosted 4 high tunnel construction efforts where we also covered seeds available, growing, marketing, & more. Provided training in installing irrigation systems (drip, flooding, sprinkle). Researched and provided information on costs, benefits, installation information and more about a variety of methods to install irrigation Hosted 3 workshops on climate smart practices
Publications
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Progress 05/01/22 to 04/30/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Beginning Farmers Established Retiring/transitioning producers Livestock Farmers Forest landowners Historically underserved farmers Community members Community Based Organizations Leadership Changes/Problems:We will adapt our timing to accomodate the need to complete 22007 Applications by the closing date of that round. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Hired Critical Positions Credit and Loan Specialist Technical Assistance and Outreach Program Associate Outreach & Technical Assistance Field Coordinator - Puerto Rico Technical Assistance Specialist - Risk Management & Record Keeping Technical Assistance Specialist - Recordkeeping Technical Assistant Field Coordinator Program Liaison to lead the TA to farmers Program Evaluator Program Manager Technical Assistance Specialist RC staff and partners collaborated to provide informal training to each other on different topic areas. For example, one of our partners provided training on the Schedule F and how to work with farmers to assist them with completing the form. RC Credit Specialist provided in-depth information on USDA-FSA loan programs and processes. RC communications specialist taught Canva and how to develop promotional materials effectively. Our legal partners provided training on how to complete an amicus brief. RC staff received Heirs Property training through a USDA funded training program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Rural Coalition (RC) and its partners have utilized various dissemination methods to get resources to our communities of interest. These include printed materials, websites, social media, including Youtube, and podcasts. Resources span a variety of production, business, food safety, and conservation topics areas. Additionally, Rural Coalition and our partners have been intentional about sharing resources on federal programs that benefit our communities. RC and its partners have also held numerous in-person and online workshops, webinars, and farmer calls to share information and resources with our communities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Rural Coalition, in partnership with our member organizations, will continue our longstanding efforts of advancing the interest of our communities through key federal policies, and capacity building through educational outreach, technical assistance services, training, one-on-one engagements with agricultural businesses, co-learning and employing innovative strategies and solutions. RC will continue to strengthen its efforts on building our farmers capacity and skills to make informed decisions regarding their operations, in order to increase financial stability. In order to make a holistic agricultural business decision, farmers continuously need support on a wide range of topics, including production, business, food safety, conservation, which we will continue to provide through this TA Investment Program. RC and its sub-partners will continue to increase its efforts in providing awareness and access to federal programs that are beneficial to the farmers and farmworkers we serve. It is clear through conversations with farmers, there are existing programs they are not familiar with and programs they are not taking advantage of, which we are working to change. Additionally, federal programs, including disaster relief programs, are constantly being rolled out that we need to bring awareness to. RC and its partners will also bolster its effort in building relationships between farmers and their local offices. Currently, RC is providing outreach to farmers on the Inflation Reduction Act, which we intend to increase in the coming months. We are also providing technical assistance to farmers in filing claims under the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), which will continue to be a main focus over the next reporting period. One of the current major concerns of our farmers and ranchers is the impact of climate change on their operations. Producers are experiencing natural disasters at a much higher rate than previously and are finding it difficult to continue farming without critical relief, or risk management strategies to minimize or mitigate these impacts. RC and its partners over the next reporting period will increase educational outreach and programing, and technical assistance on crop insurance and other risk management strategies. We will also continue to work with the local conservation districts to increase conservation efforts on farms. Along with the above topic areas, RC has hired a credit specialist and record keeping specialist to ramp up education and technical assistance in the areas of record keeping, credit access, other critical tax planning and financial management, market access, and heirs property. All these areas continue to be of major concerns to our agricultural businesses. In addition to partnering with our member organizations, RC has, and continues to partner with other organizations, including USDA-NIFA Cooperators. This is to ensure we continue to maximize our reach and increase participation in this program, and more importantly, continue to connect with organizations that provide services and expertise that are outside of RC's wheelhouse. For example, RC will continue to partner with Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG) to provide our agricultural communities the legal expertise they need to successfully operate their businesses, as well as Land Loss Prevention Project to address heirs property issues.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
RC and our partners held over 35 in-person meetings providing education and technical assistance on topics including, accessing USDA programs and services, risk management, market planning and access, financial management, business planning, land access and planning, transition and estate planning, tax planning, aagricultural credit, conservation, etc. These meetings reached over 1,700 participants, covering numerous states. We also hosted over 20 webinars covering topics that include Accessing USDA programs and services, Risk management, Tax planning, Financial management skills, Market planning and access, Business planning, Agriculture credit or access to capital, Land access and planning, and Agricultural production skills. Over 1,200 participants joined the webinars. RC and its partners also reached over 100 farmers through one-on-one meetings addressing Accessing USDA programs and services, Risk management, Market planning and access, Business planning, Agricultural production skills, Rural development and Conservation practices. USDA & Other Federal Programs/Networking/Assistance Rural Advancement Fund held a meeting with the farmers and ranchers on a newly implemented program in partnership with South Carolina Department of Agriculture and USDA, focusing on purchasing from small growers. OSP held a NC Department of Agriculture state meeting to educate NCDA on the lack of communication between BIPOC farmers and NCDA offices, and express BIPOC farmers barriers and ways to alleviate them. Lastly, in March of 2023 they brought together different USDA Agencies to meet with producers - USDA Program Meeting with FSA, AG Marketing, and Rural Development - 25 attendees. In November 2022, OBHRPI hosted its 23rd Annual Small Farm Conference in Wewoka, OK. About 66 people attended per completed attendance form. Various speakers from USDA, NRCS, FSA, RD, and RMA also made presentations Response to the Debt Relief program under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act In response to the passage of the IRA of 2022, the Rural Coalition TA team, in collaboration with Farmers' Legal Action Group, Intertribal Agriculture Council, and Land Loss Prevention Project, developed the Farmers' Guide to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The guide provides farmers with all relevant information on debt relief through the IRA and is updated as USDA provides updates. Additionally, farmers' calls continue, to provide farmers with updates on the debt relief status. We have also provided coverage on our twice monthly member calls. RC submitted comprehensive recommendations to USDA's call for comments on Section 22007, Discrimination financial Assistance. Marketing Workshops/Activities RAF assisted growers to sign up to participate in the Holiday Farmer Market, hosted by South Carolina State University's 1890 Research and extension program. OSP conducted several workshops including vegetable marketing in Halifax, VA. 20 BIPOC farmers and landowners participated.They also held workshops for over 115 participants addressing creating new markets, supplying food desert markets, creating markets through Farm-to-School programs, and to local jails; and a Zoom workshop with over 175 participants to discuss the potential of food hubs as a market opportunity for farmers. Project partners in Alabama, in partnership with the National Crop Insurance Services and Association of Extension Administrators held a 6-course hybrid workshop to provide education and technical assistance to farmers on Farm Risk Management Plans and Marketing Strategies. The workshops were designed for historically underserved farmers. Tax, Finance, & Recordkeeping Workshops Rural Coalition and project partners provided several recordkeeping, tax and financial planning workshops including a tax planning farmer call early March with 50 producers. American Indian Mothers Inc. is if creating a training seminar on basic accounting for producers/farmers. Rural Advancement Fund (RAF) held workshops to provide information on documents needed to prepare personal and business tax returns, information on how to complete the documents, tax filing requirements, and assisted producers with filing their taxes. Operation Spring Plant (OSP) provided farmers with toolbox tax information kits at their national conference in January of 2023. Marketing Workshops/Activities Project partners conducted several outreach activities and workshops covering various marketing topics. RAF assisted growers to sign up to participate in the Holiday Farmer Market, hosted by South Carolina State University's 1890 Research and extension program. OSP conducted several workshops during the first two quarters of the project. Including vegetable marketing in Halifax, VA, where they provided information regarding the new formation of a cooperative for BIPOC vegetable farmers. There were 20 BIPOC farmers and landowners who attended the meeting. They also held workshops addressing creating new markets, supplying food desert markets, creating markets for underserved farmers through Farm-to-School programs, increasing access to other institutional markets, and creating markets for fruits and vegetables to local jails. A total of over 115 attendees participated in the aforementioned workshops. They also held a Zoom workshop with over 175 participants to discuss the potential of food hubs as a market opportunity for farmers. Project partners in Alabama, in partnership with the National Crop Insurance Services and Association of Extension Administrators held a 6-course hybrid workshop to provide education and technical assistance to farmers on Farm Risk Management Plans and Marketing Strategies. The workshops were designed for historically underserved farmers. Land Access, Protection, Succession In collaboration with the Ma-Chis Indian Tribe of Alabama. The workshop was held on August 6, 2022, in Elba, Alabama to provide farmers and landowners education on land protection and tenure. The event was attended by both landowners and farmers. Participants self-reported as American Indian and African American/Black and were in the age ranges of 25 to 65 or greater. There were 52 participants in attendance. A OSP held a Zoom meeting with 175 participants where they discussed land and practical solutions to accessing land, where possible. On December 8 and 9, 2022, they held a minority farmers and landowners conference to discuss and prevent land loss, Heir's property, USDA funding, Farm Bill priorities, with over 250 participants. In November 2022, OBHRPI hosted its 23rd Annual Small Farm Conference in Wewoka, OK. Production & Conservation Activities/Workshop BIPOC farmers and attendees learned the pros, cons, and how to begin vermicomposting. They also had Vermiculture Project site visits, in which there was demonstration of site preps, maintenance control, and development of markets. Partners hosted a mushroom inoculation demonstration, and created a new marketable vegetation demonstration. 10 producers also attended the NC AT&T Extension meeting to discuss Medicinal mushrooms and infrastructure, and the need for the continuation of research reviewed. Project partners hosted a webinar on seasonal maintenance of major fruit and vegetable crops to provide information necessary to ensure healthiness of products being grown, with 175+ attendees. Partners in Alabama held an on-site demonstration workshop on pruning peach trees with13 farmers Project partners hosted a workshop and demonstration on Climate Conservation- Cover Crop Implementation with the goal of increasing farmer knowledge and implementation of cover crops, over 30 farmers in attendance. Project partners in Alabama held a workshop on safe farm equipment operation and maintenance with 13 farmers.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Farmers Legal Action Group, "Farmers Guide to Inflation Reduction Act 2022 (IRA), "
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