Tri-County Agricultural Cooperative

Tri-County Agricultural Cooperative is a small, minority-owned agricultural cooperative and community development corporation located in Charleston, Mississippi, registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) since 2011. The organization focuses on supporting underserved farmers and ranchers, particularly those from socially disadvantaged and veteran backgrounds, with a primary mission of enhancing agricultural opportunities in rural Mississippi. Registered as a for-profit organization, the cooperative is strategically positioned to receive federal grants and provide critical support to agricultural communities through educational and technical assistance programs.

Through multiple federal grant awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tri-County Agricultural Cooperative has consistently delivered comprehensive services across several key programs, including the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers program, Rural Cooperative Development Grants, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, and Conservation Stewardship Program. The cooperative provides education, training, technical assistance, and hands-on support to farmers and ranchers, with a strong emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices, soil health, farm and forest management, and accessing USDA programs. Collaborating with partners such as Mississippi State University Extension, Alcorn State University, USDA-NRCS, USDA-FSA, and USDA-RD, Tri-County has been awarded multiple grants ranging from $175,000 to $763,800, targeting specific objectives like enhancing agricultural knowledge, improving farm management skills, and supporting conservation efforts. Their work specifically targets socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers in Mississippi Delta counties, with a goal of increasing participants' ability to develop viable and sustainable agricultural businesses.