Underserved producers face numerous barriers to accessing USDA programs, including lack of: knowledge of USDA programs; language skills, time, resources, and sufficient support; trust in the federal government; fundamental business administration skills; and farm viability and secure land tenure. American Farmland Trust’s (AFT) proposed project, Growing Equity, will improve successful participation in USDA programs and services by increasing the quality and quantity of business technical assistance (BTA) provided to underserved farmers and ranchers across the nation. Through two objectives, 1) Increase underserved producer access to USDA programs through expanded outreach, coaching, and BTA and 2) Increase underserved producer access to USDA programs through expanded education and networking for BTA providers, AFT will achieve the following:
1) 11,500 underserved producers receive outreach about USDA programs and services.
2) 1,650 underserved producers receive coaching services to support them in considering and applying for USDA programs.
3) 165 underserved producers receive standard BTA services to increase their overall viability.
4) 22 BTA service providers form a network that increases knowledge, skills, and capacity to conduct effective outreach, coaching, and BTA to underserved producers.
5) 250 BTA providers have increased knowledge and skills to conduct effective outreach, coaching, and BTA to underserved producers.
By funding BTA providers to work specifically with underserved producers and by supporting the continuing education of BTA providers, this proposal will help underserved producers better access USDA programs, which will in turn create a stronger, more inclusive, more viable, and more resilient farm sector.