As demand for organic produce remains strong and consumer interest in CSA and other direct markets continues to rise, farmers-especially those who have been historically underserved-need support in…

The Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a $1,092,952 Project Grant under the Regional Food System Partnerships program to Fairshare CSA Coalition Inc. on October 31, 2021 for a period ending October 30, 2024.

The grant will support the Midwest Vegetable Grower Support Network, a partnership focused on delivering training, education, technical assistance and community support services to diversified vegetable growers across eight Midwestern states. Services will include assistance with organic production practices, business planning, marketing for community supported agriculture and other direct markets, and navigating organic certification processes. The Network aims to address gaps in access to critical support for underserved farmers, especially through leveraging partners' strengths to provide language accessible resources.

Two subawards totaling $120,000 will support outreach and education efforts. The University of Wisconsin will contribute staff support and translation services. A new vegetable educator based in Milwaukee will work to establish local support systems and provide targeted outreach to urban and Milwaukee-area farmers.

As demand for organic produce remains strong and consumer interest in CSA and other direct markets continues to rise, farmers-especially those who have been historically underserved-need support in key areas in order to more fully participate in these markets, fortify their businesses, and build resiliency. However, many midwestern producers are spread out geographically and often lack access to the community and critical support services they require locally. The midwest vegetable grower support network aims to address these needs. A partnership that consists of TA and farmer partners and focuses on supporting organic production practices, this network will operate as a training andcommunity-building hub supporting diversified vegetable growers in 8 midwestern states: WI, MN, IA, MO, IL, MI, OH, and in. By leveraging partners' unique strengths, the network will deliver language accessible training and education in priority areas, including technical assistance, business planning and marketing support for CSA and other direct markets, and assistance with navigating certification and endorsement processes-all while creating a peer to peer community that growers want and value.