final 2501 program brief

Meet the FarmersAlabama, South Carolina

and Montana 2Massachusetts 3Alabama 4Florida 6New Mexico 7North Carolina, South Carolina

and Michigan 8

The OASDFR has served more than 100,000 rural constituents.The Outreach and Assistance Program for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) is a historic and remarkably successful program adopted in Section 2501 of the 1990 Farm Bill. It was part of a years-‐long effort to halt land loss by diverse producers traditionally underserved by the US Department of Agriculture.

Many community-‐based organizations, 1890 and 1994 land grant institutions, and Hispanic Serving Colleges and Universities fought to ensure that this vital program as well as other equity and access provisions were developed and passed in the Minority Farmers Rights section of the 1990 FarmBill and subsequent legislation. In the 2008 Farm Bill, the program began to achieve broader success with increased funding. Notably in FY 2010 and 2011, the OASDFR Program awarded a total of $38 million in

competitive grants. The program has served more than 100,000 rural constituents and has been an invaluable resource for the more than 35 states.

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2012

OA

SDFR

2501PROGRAM

Small and diverse farmers in more than 35 States have benefited from the 2501: Outreach and Assistance Program for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR)

Farm Bill

In the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress expanded the 2501; OASDFR Program with direct funding of $75 million for 4 years, an investment that has opened the doors of the USDA to thousands of new producers who are now contributing to the economic base of their towns and cities, and providing fresh food to diverse communities across the nation. The 2012 Farm Bill now being considered on the Senate floor first eliminated, then restored a fraction of the program’s funding ($25 million over 5 years) and made Veteran Farmers and Ranchers eligible for the program. Veteran Farmers and Ranchers face many of the same needs for one-on-one technical assistance the 2501 program has provided for years, and many of our nation’s diverse veteran producers are already served by the program.

HELP this important work continue. Ask your Senators to support Senator Tom Udall’s Amendment with full funding for the 2501 program, and Senator Sherrod Brown’s amendment to provide support to related programs in order to successfully impact the lives of these farmers and their communities. .

Support the Outreach and Assistance Program for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers

Historic program helps USDA reach forgotten farmers

Results from market assessments found that the popularity of White Sweet Potatoes is 50% greater than the conventional orange flesh Sweet Potatoe that the general public is accustomed to consuming. African American Producers in Alabama and South

Carolina Build Links to Premium Markets

Rural Advancement Fund (RAF) of the National Sharecroppers Fund, which has worked with African American producers since 1937, has established a new collaboration with World Farmers, Inc., the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives and Tuskegee University in launching the Georgia’s Sweet Potato Project that assists African-‐American farmers in Alabama and South Carolina with the commercial production of sweet potatoes and the identiZication of premium markets for sale in the Northeast.

American Indian Youth Open their Eyes to Indian Agriculture Beyond their Communities

Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) (Billings, MT) – IAC convened 154 American Indian Youth, with 109 chaperones and 1192 other American Indian leaders from 2010-‐2011 to provide education and information on a wide range of USDA programs and services. According to IAC, the youth participants, in their evaluations, noted that “the outreach effort opened their eyes to Indian Agriculture beyond their communities, exposed them to many programs in USDA they had never heard of prior to their attendance and the majority were excited to put their new-‐found knowledge to work in an effort to grow safe healthy food for their families and communities.”

Examples of rancher success stories include stories utilizing: EQIP, Conservation Stewardship Program, Organic CertiZication, Livestock Risk Protection, and the Non-‐Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Other presentations included: Ethno-‐Botany used for School and Community gardens, Farm to School Lunch Projects, Animal Disease Traceability, Agroforestry, and Getting Your Cows to Eat Weeds.

Compiled by the Rural Coalition 2012 pg.2

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OASDFR helps the

Flats Mentor Farm

Provide Technical Assistant Training in:

1. Equipment Use

Such as small tillers, BCS rototillers and weedwackers.

2. Business Development and Marketing

3. Market Competition vs. Cooperation The farmers at Flats Mentor work together to have only one Flats Mentor stand and each of the 40 Farmers Markets in the Boston area, cooperating to sell different assortments of fruits of vegetables instead of similar fruits and vegetables in competition with each other. Income for farm families at the Flats has steadily increased.

4. Risk Management

The producers at the Flats are trained in methods to reduce risks from production and flooding, even in the absence of insurance products that work for the diversity of specialty crops produced.

Immigrant Farmers Develop Successful Family Farms Providing Ethnic Fruits and Vegetables High in DemandMany of the immigrant and refugee farmers at the Flats Mentor Farm (FMF) in Lancaster Massachusetts are recent arrivals native to Africa, Asia, Brazil and Mexico who are trying to use their extensive agricultural skills and knowledge to develop successful family farm enterprises to sell culturally appropriate fruits, vegetables and herbs to diverse North American markets, speciZically Farmers Markets and other direct marketing outlets. Flats Mentor Farm has worked with hundreds of socially disadvantaged immigrant and refugee farmers to access EQIP and other NRCS – USDA programs. As a result of 2501 funding, Flats Mentor Farm has been able to build farmer capacity by increasing Farmers Market participation from 18 immigrant farmers to 35, improving the overall quality of produce for market and providing comprehensive technical assistance trainings to farmers.

IMPORTANT CASE STUDIES

In 2010, Eight (8) mostly Asian immigrant producers were helped through the application process by Flats Mentor Farm, qualiGied for high tunnels, which were constructed and allowed the producers to better utilize resources especially in the wake of the 2011 hurricanes when they were able to restart production.

An immigrant woman farmer from Burundi who expressed interest in applying for a high tunnel was assisted throughout the NRCS application process by Flats Mentor Farm including initiating and fulGilling qualiGication, establishment and maintenance requirements.

Hmong farmers have been mentored for over 25 years at the Flats Mentor Farm (FMF) and are now mentoring recently arrived African refugee farmers.

60 New African Farmers are farming at

Flats Mentor Farm this year.


RESULTS of the 600 farmers and landowners that participated:

Only 15% have successfully utilized USDA programs in the past during the program more than 450 producers were matched with relevant USDA program to address their resource needs such as FSA, NRCS and others.

Producers also participated in three CO-‐OP One-‐on-‐One trainings (group focused) working with Rural Cooperative Development staff of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives

More than 50 homeowners were referred to the PLBA-‐HDC for housing assistance.

26 Forest Landowners to the Federation’s Forestry Program.

5 non-‐farm businesses referred to Tinancial institution like Seedco Financial, and the local Small Business Administration.

Alabama State Association of Cooperatives (ASAC) Helps Remaining African American Family Farmers and Landholders Fully Utilize their Land Base

African American family farmers and landholders in eight western Alabama Black Belt counties and four adjoining counties who were historically underserved and discriminated against long ago lost faith in the US Department of Agriculture.

With support from the Outreach and Assistance Program for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, the Alabama State Association of Cooperatives (ASAC) is reconnecting producers in the Black Belt counties of Pickens, Sumter, Choctaw, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, and Wilcox; the four (4) adjoining counties, Clarke, Monroe, Washington and Dallas (Figure 1) with the ofZices, programs and services of USDA. As a result, producers are more likely to use these programs and services to retain, expand and fully utilize their land base, and are building cooperatives, housing and other ventures that expand the economic base of their communities.

The Alabama State Association of Cooperatives (ASAC) is the Alabama afZiliate of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and has been engaged in technical assistance and support for cooperatives and credit unions in the state since 1970. A signiZicant part of our mission is outreach, technical assistance, education, resource development and other services to the African-‐American farmers, landowners and rural community residents who comprise the membership of these cooperatives, credit unions and other self-‐help non-‐proZit associations.

The 2501 Program is the foundation for much of the assistance we provide to farmers and other rural residents in the areas of record-‐keeping, credit, conservation, cooperative development and other technical services.

The 8 counties in Alabama where AAC is working include half of all the remaining African-American farmers in the state (included in the latest 2007 Census of Agriculture). This area is also the “cradle of the civil rights movement in Alabama and America” where the historic Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March was held in 1965.

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Rural Development

and the Allen

FamilyReceiving less than 1,000 a month on SSI-Disability payments, Mr. Thomas Allen of Marengo County was living in a trailer with his sister’s family after a divorce. With ASAC’s help, Mr. Allen was able to secure

a $53,164, 33-year Section 502 Housing loan to build a two bedroom home for him and his two children that live with him part-time, on three acres of family owned land. His monthly payment for the house is $232.84, which includes an escrow fund for taxes and insurance. Interest on the loan is at 3.25%, which makes his home affordable and comfortable on a small income.

Mr. Thomas is proud of his new home that a local African-American contractor who provided employment for a local crew of construction workers built. They are now working for other families we have assisted in securing USDA Rural Development loan funding for housing new construction and major rehabilitation. None of this would be possible without the outreach and technical assistance provided in the 2501 program.

The Ellington Family FarmElijah and Joyce Ellington live in the Sumterville Community of Sumter County, Alabama adjoining the Mississippi state line. They own less than 100 acres in several plots. When ASAC began working with this family they had a small cattle herd (less than 20 brood cows) and used most of their land for hay and pasture. Mr. Ellington is an over-the-road truck driver, who is often away from home for several days at a time. Mrs. Ellington was a homemaker who was interested in farming operations that she could handle without everyday assistance from her husband.

Through the ASAC’s 2501 program, we helped this family to devise and develop a farm and conservation plan for the full productive utilization of their land. We helped the Ellingtons secure cost share assistance from USDA Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) for a woodland grazing program for goat production and a

one acre plasticulture vegetable site with a hoop house for extending the growth season for vegetables.

The Ellingtons received over $30,000 in 90%cost share assistance from NRCS to develop these farm enterprises, which Mrs. Ellington handles while her husband is away at his truck driving job that include:- goat fencing - fertilization & improvement - animal shed & feeding - pipeline and watering - water meter - hoop house - plasticulture with micro-irrigation - one acre

The Ellingtons have improved their livelihood and quality of life through these programs. They are involved in organizing a goat producer cooperative and vegetable marketing enterprises in west Alabama. They have assisted their grandchildren and other community youth in goat shows and other community building activities.

The Ellington’s Farm in Alabama


Farmworkers of Florida creates mutual benefits amongst Small Family Farm Latinos and USDAHundreds of Small Family Latino Farmers in Central and South Florida are Provided Critical Outreach and information regarding the range of USDA programs, services and initiatives for socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers. The program for outreach to these producers was launched by the The Farmworkers Association of Florida (FWAF) in Apopka, Florida, an organization that has been building power for farmworkers and farmers in Florida for over 25 years. Many of these producers had never approached USDA offices in the past. Others had approached USDA for assistance in disasters but had not been educated of the need to sign up for disaster or insurance program before losses, and to report losses afterwards.

National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association and Rural Coalition helped FWAF establish direct relationships with USDA offices to resolve issues that arose and to educate producers. FWAF also assisted Latino family farmers with successfully navigating the process to register their farm with USDA and to apply for programs with Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources and Conservation Service.

One Latino farmer with long experience in disaster programs has been accepted as Minority Advisor on

one county committee in the southern part of the state and will run for a regular seat in the next county committee election. Another was elected to Zill an open seat on a Conservation District Board and will run for that seat in the next election. In central Florida, the District Conservationist is working with FWAF to educate producers on how the completion of a conservation plan can help them meet state requirements to reduce chemical runoff from fern production into waterways. To date, the program has been mutually beneZicial to both USDA and the Latino family farm community in Florida: USDA now has a better understanding of the unique needs of Latino family farmers in Florida and the Latino family farm community have begun to participate in USDA programs, and have also identiZied the collective needs of their community and the importance of community organizing in the development of farm cooperatives.

In Central Florida, the District Conservationist is working with FWAF to educate producers on how the completion of a conservation plan can help them meet state requirements to reduce chemical runoff from fern production into waterways.

“Our farmers have all the knowledge they need to farm, the only thing that is missing is the access and outreach in our language.

Since FWAF started outreach with this program we have reached 120-130 mostly Latino producers in Miami alone.”- Elvira Carvajal (Organizer FWAF)


“The acequias of the present-day Southwest combine Moorish traditions with Native American irrigation and agricultural techniques. They have shaped the landscape, culture, and communities of mestizos, genizaros, and mexicanos (collectively referred to as the Indo-Hispanic people).”

-Paula Garcia Executive Director (NMAA)

Marisela Trujillo A producer in Chimayo, NM, a village famous for its Zlavorful chile. Although there is a rich agricultural history in the area, Marisela and most other farmers in the area had never participated in USDA. Marisela requested assistance from NMAA to assess the needs on her small farm and to advise on USDA programs. After some consultations with NMAA staff, Marisela was successful in securing assistance through the NRCS-‐EQIP program to line a pond and to construct a high tunnel for season extension. Her farm operation is now in its Zirst season using the high tunnel for season extension and water from the pond for drip irrigation.

Elaine Montaño

Elaine lives in Anton Chico in Guadalupe County, New Mexico. She had applied unsuccessfully for USDA programs in the past to help her with erosion control and land leveling. After a local workshop on USDA programs hosted by NMAA, Elaine contacted NMAA staff for assistance. NMAA staff obtained her permission to review her Zile with NRCS and

was able to learn the reasons her application was denied. With some consultation from NMAA, Elaine completed the necessary paperwork by the required deadlines. Her application for the EQIP program was accepted and she is now in the process of implementing erosion control practices on her land.

Linsey Padilla A new entry farmer from Dilia, New Mexico purchased 100 acres of irrigated land that had been fallow for many years. He was in need of USDA resources to clear and level the land and to install a pipeline but he was reluctant to apply because he believed that USDA programs were only for larger growers. NMAA staff informed him about the eligibility requirements and advised on the application process. When he approached NRCS initially, they were short staffed and advised him to return after the deadline for EQIP. After NMAA intervention and contacting the District Conservationist directly, Mr. Padilla was invited back immediately to submit the application. He has since been accepted into the program and his project is well underway.

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New Mexico Acequia Association NMAA (Santa Fe, NM) has

introduced numerous socially disadvantaged farmers to a range of NRCS

programs and services, specifically the successful EQIP Cost Share

Program.

FARMER TESTIMONIALS from the New Mexico Acequia Association (NMAA)

Marisela Trujillo


Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) Works to Eliminate a Legacy of Discrimination

The 2501 grant afforded the Land Loss Prevention Project, the opportunity to connect with African-‐American farming communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Michigan. By offering workshops to potential Pigford II claimants, we were also able to share information about the various USDA services available to these communities.

Due to outreach in North Carolina, LLPP were able to identify thousands of African-‐American farmers who appear to have erroneously been denied eligibility to Zile claims. However, our efforts created an opportunity for a more promising outcome for these farmers. In part due to the numerous shortcomings of the Pigford claims process, LLPP observed a lingering perception of limited access to USDA programs and services in these communities.

While county level ofZices and staff could be available, the community believes these services are not fully accessible which undermines their consumption of the full range of services that are offered. By creatively and consistently engaging African-‐American farming communities which continue to perceive gaps in USDA services at the local level, the 2501 program can truly eliminate the legacy of discrimination.

Through surveying current and prospective Latino farmers in North Carolina, LLPP identified a substantial technological divide in accessing information about USDA programs and services. For example, some USDA website links that purportedly connect to resources in Spanish actually connect to English-‐only resources.

Savi Horne, Executive Director of LLPP with 2501

Technical Assistance Workshop Participants

While rural communities as a whole experience limited Internet availability, many current and prospective SDFRs have additional barriers related to linguistically appropriate

resources and access to technological training.

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1029 Vermont Avenue Suite 601 Washington DC, 20005

Check our Webpage for updates!

http://ruralco.org

to speak on behalf of farmers

when the up coming Farm Bill

comes to debate. So that’s

what I have been doing.

A: So cool, tell me how it felt to spend the summer with this coalition of rural folks, in an urban city.

M: We are an office of all la-

dies here, which sounds terrify-

ing, but it’s actually really great.

We have a great group of

women. We all get along and

it’s been so much fun. We had

such, I have had such a great

summer here and I’m going to

miss everybody.

A: Are you going to recom-mend it to future interns to come through?

(continued from pg. 2) M: With the Rural Coalition I

have been working a lot with organizing a lot of their meet-

ings. They had the assembly,

out in Oklahoma, which was a

large success and they are also

preparing for their Gala, which

is coming up in December.

I’ve been working on a lot of

small projects for them includ-

ing some research on hy-

drofracking as well as research

for industrialized hemp. With

American Sustainable Business

Council, I have been working

with them on their Sustainable

Agriculture policy and princi-

ples, which is really how that

over laps into Latino Farmers

and Ranchers and Rural Coali-

tion. We are trying to come up

with a strong group of voices

M: Oh definitely. I think one

of the nicest things about

working for Rural Co. is: yes,

you get some intern work…

doing copying, you know of-

fice stuff, but there are actu-

ally… each one of the women

I have worked with has indi-

vidually come up to me and

made sure I was enjoying my

experience, making sure that I

got to do something that I

found was interesting, which

for me was going on the Hill.

So, I got sent to as many hear-

ings as Tracy could dig up. So,

I’ve had a great summer here.

For more on this interview

check out the YouTube video:

http://bit.ly/qMFT4p

Staff Highlight : American Sustainable Business Council’s (ASBC) Sustainable Agriculture Intern

Phone: 202-628-7160 Fax: 202-393-7160 E-mail: [email protected]

RURAL COALITION has moved!

Interns: Marguerite Conroy’s and Laura Valdes End of Internship Staff Lunch, Washington, D.C. (Left to Right: Marguerite Conroy, Lorette Picciano, Tracy McCurty, Rudy Arredondo, Mapy Alvarez, Laura Valdes and Angela Adrar)

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@ruralco

BECOME A MEMBER The Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural is an alliance of farmers, farmworkers, indigenous, migrant and working people from the United States, Mexico, Canada and beyond working together to-ward a new society that values unity, hope, people and the land.

Together we work to: • Educate rural communities to influence and ACT on policy.

• Bring equitable access and fair returns for our diverse small farmers, ranch-ers, and rural communities.

• Establish just and dignified working conditions for farmworkers.

• Care for the earth & bring safe and healthy food to consumers.

• Build unity & beneficial relationships in this country and beyond.

With strong roots in the movements for human, civil, indigenous and Farmworker rights, Rural Coalition members share the belief that rural communities everywhere can have a better future. The Rural Coalicion Newsletter: “Plow to Print” is published several times annually. Share your comments and suggestions with [email protected]. We want to hear from you and share your stories.

Contact:1029 Vermont Ave, NW, Suite 601

202-628-7160Washington, DC 20005http://ruralco.orgFor more information contact:

The Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural is an alliance of farmers, farmworkers, indigenous, migrant and working people from the United States, Mexico, Canada and beyond working together toward a new society that values unity, hope, people and the land.

One of the most grassroots oriented and culturally diverse of rural organizations, our coalition has for more than 30 years linked our some 70 grassroots member organizations to serve as a critical advocacy voice of African-American, American-Indian, Asian-American, Euro-American, Latino and women farmers, ranchers, farmworkers and rural communities in the US. Together we seek to build a more just and sustainable food system which brings fair returns to minority and other small farmers and rural communities, establishes just and fair working conditions for farm workers, protects the environment and brings safe and healthy food to all consumers.


http://ruralco.org

http://ruralco.org

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