The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding $2.2 million to 16 organizations to educate historically underserved producers, small-scale farmers and others on farm risk management and climate-smart farm practices. The funding from USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) provides the resources for organizations, such as nonprofits and universities, to develop training and resources for producers on risk management options.
"This funding and these partnerships help us reach communities that have historically lacked access to training and resources. Our risk management education partnerships are part of USDA's broader efforts to ensure equity and access to programs," said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger while visiting the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a historically black college and university and one of the 16 organizations receiving funding. "Agriculture is risky business and beginning growers and livestock producers need to understand the importance of applying risk management practices to their businesses."
This $2.2 million investment for 2022 builds on a nearly $1 million investment in 2021. RMA advertised available funding in January 2022, and more than 50 organizations applied. Successful applicants provided comprehensive summary of work statements and budgets, and proposals that demonstrated an ability to partner with other entities to deliver training. Organizations receiving funding this year include nonprofits, historically black colleges and universities, and university extensions, among others.
For example, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will use the funding to provide financial, legal, and marketing risk education to underserved producers and limited resource producers in eastern and southwestern Arkansas.
In addition to the University of Pine Bluff at Arkansas, other recipients include:
Michigan State University -- Offers in-person networking and resource events for African American, beginning, and urban farmers to meet educators, lenders, and assistance providers.
Organic Trade Association -- Creates durable educational materials for organic producers in 19 states, including videos, online courses, podcasts, and webinars on crop insurance.
A strong farm safety net is key to sustaining and ensuring the success of American producers. Federal crop insurance helps farmers and ranchers manage risks that are part of agriculture, such as adverse weather and market fluctuations, strengthening the rural economy, especially after disasters.
Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov.
The announcement builds on other USDA efforts to ensure equity in program delivery. Earlier this month, USDA announced $10 million in taxpayer education and $4.5 million in Conservation Reserve Program Transition Incentives Program outreach and education. This funding will be used to help historically underserved producers increase their access to markets and capital that affect the ability to obtain land as well as support eligible institutions who serve underserved students build and sustain the next generation of agriculture workers.
Categories: Michigan, Business, Crops, Livestock