Disc value-added AG pmdg-BEG & SOC disadv farmers & ranchers

Newman Farms received a $176,513 Project Grant from the Rural Business Cooperative Services (RBCS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program (CFDA 10.771) awarded on September 17, 2025, with a completion date of September 17, 2027. This award supports the delivery of technical assistance services to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in Tennessee focused on value-added agricultural processing enterprises and cooperative development.

Under this grant, Newman Farms will provide hands-on technical assistance designed to help rural agricultural producers develop cooperatives and mutually-owned businesses. Services delivered through the award are expected to include feasibility studies, business planning, governance training, and operational support to assist in the startup, expansion, or improvement of cooperative structures and value-added agricultural initiatives. The award supports the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program's core mission of improving rural economic conditions by building sustainable cooperative and business structures for underserved agricultural populations in rural areas.