To improve access to capital programs and services both in person andvirtually to align and leverage public and private sources of capital toencourage increased investment in sdfrs

The Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) was awarded a $750,000 Project Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Office of Advocacy and Outreach through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers program (CFDA 10.443). The overall goal of the grant is to improve access to capital programs and services for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs).

CDFA will partner with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation (NASDA) to create a nationwide partnership between state development finance agencies and departments of agriculture. This partnership, called the CDFA-NASDA Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital Program, will provide education, research, and networking resources to help SDFRs access capital programs. CDFA and NASDA will develop culturally significant programming accessible both in-person and virtually, showcasing effective ways to leverage public and private capital and encourage investment in SDFRs. Technical assistance will also be delivered to Hispanic, Native American, and Hmong farmers in Minnesota and New Mexico through a train-the-trainer model.