allocated to underserved farmers, which also included beginning farmers and military veterans. In addition to these microloans, the FSA also aims to provide a portion of all loan funds to historically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is a union of associations advocating for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. While the NSAC has worked on programs to advance agriculture as a whole, they have developed and championed initiatives supporting minorities and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program provides grants to socially disadvantaged farmers, including African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans and Hispanics. Administered by USDA (and financially supported by NSAC), this program seeks to overcome historic discrimination by providing funding for minority farmers to own and operate farms, as well as providing them with assistance in farm management, financial management and application and bidding procedures. Diversity in the workplace has proven to yield significant value to society as a whole, and an emphasis on greater inclusion
such as leadership development, educational opportunities, job readiness training and internship placement and permanent employment, with a special emphasis on agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. Another longtime advocate for diversity and inclusion within agriculture is the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA). In order to better serve traditionally disadvantaged communities of farmers and ranchers, the FSA has developed a number of initiatives like the operating and ownership microloan programs. Farmers are awarded these microloans to purchase farm land, expand an existing farm, implement soil and water conservation practices, as well as to cover start-up expenses. Nearly 80 percent of these loans were
in agriculture will result in a stronger, more creative and innovative industry in the future. Achieving a more complete inclusion in agriculture will not happen overnight, but as the recent growth in minority farmers demonstrates, we can expect the trend to accelerate. Indeed, with the support of organizations like MANRRS, USDA and NSAC, diversity is more attainable than ever. You might think we are farmers, too.
That’s what it’s like to work with a marketing team that really gets you. And we do. No matter what your role in the farm-to-market supply chain, you need a strong marketing partner who understands your business if you want meaningful results. TMD Creative delivers those results through solid strategy, compelling stories, fresh ideas, and 20 years of experience in the ag industry.
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