Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** in communities across the…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** in communities across the country, new american and immigrant farmers face unique challenges when IT comes to starting and maintaining successful farming businesses. They often lack the resources and infrastructure to start farm businesses, and even when established, these farmers struggle to compete with subsidized large-scale industrial producers with much lower production costs due to their reliance on chemicals, large-scale mono-crop production, and government subsidies. These issues extend beyond the agricultural sector, impacting our economy and society at large. When small farms flourish, they contribute to local economies, create job opportunities, and help diversify the agricultural landscape. Their success also allows for more locally grown produce in our markets, benefiting our environment by reducing carbon footprints associated with long-distance transport of goods. Our project aims to directly support these farmers in a variety of practical and essential ways, giving themthe tools they need to cultivate a prosperous farm and business. We will match growers with available farmland, provide educational programs to improve their agricultural skills, and assist them in navigating the market to sell their products. We will also connect growers with resources from the USDA and other partner organizations, hosting workshops, facilitating farmer exchanges, and creating a resource map of local agricultural services. Our goal is to empower new american and immigrant farmers so that they can succeed in their agricultural businesses. This will not only benefit the individuals we work with: by aiding in the creation of thriving, diverse local farms, we support the growth of robust local economies, enhance the sustainability of our food systems, and foster greater inclusivity within the agricultural sector.