The document discusses the Outreach and Assistance Program for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR), which has helped over 100,000 small and diverse farmers since 1990. It provides examples of how the program has assisted immigrant, refugee, tribal, and minority farmers by providing training and helping farmers access markets. The document urges supporting continued funding for the program to help more disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

1. OASDFR
2501
PROGRAM
Small and diverse farmers in more than 35 States
have benefited from the 2501: Outreach and
Assistance Program for Socially Disadvantaged
Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR)
Historic program helps USDA reach forgotten farmers
The OASDFR has served Many
community-­‐based
competitive
grants.
The
program
organizations,
1890
and
1994
land
has
served
more
than
100,000
more than 100,000 rural grant
institutions,
and
Hispanic
rural
constituents
and
has
been
an
constituents. Serving
Colleges
and
Universities
invaluable
resource
for
the
more
fought
to
ensure
that
this
vital
than
35
states.
The
Outreach
and
Assistance
program
as
well
as
other
equity
Program
for
Socially
and
access
provisions
were
Meet the Farmers
Disadvantaged
Farmers
and
developed
and
passed
in
the
Minority
Farmers
Rights
section
of
www.flatsmentorfarm.org
fl t t f
Ranchers
(OASDFR)
is
a
historic
Alabama, South Carolina
and
remarkably
successful
the
1990
FarmBill
and
subsequent
and Montana 2
program
adopted
in
Section
2501
legislation.
In
the
2008
Farm
Bill,
Massachusetts 3
of
the
1990
Farm
Bill.
It
was
part
the
program
began
to
achieve
Alabama 4
of
a
years-­‐long
effort
to
halt
land
broader
success
with
increased
Florida 6
loss
by
diverse
producers
funding.
Notably
in
FY
2010
and
New Mexico 7
traditionally
underserved
by
the
2011,
the
OASDFR
Program
North Carolina, South Carolina
US
Department
of
Agriculture.
awarded
a
total
of
$38
million
in
and Michigan 8
2012
In the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress expanded the 2501; OASDFR Program with direct funding of $75 million
for 4 years, an investment that has opened the doors of the USDA to thousands of new producers who
are now contributing to the economic base of their towns and cities, and providing fresh food to diverse
Farm Bill communities across the nation. The 2012 Farm Bill now being considered on the Senate floor first
eliminated, then restored a fraction of the program’s funding ($25 million over 5 years) and made Veteran
Support the Outreach Farmers and Ranchers eligible for the program. Veteran Farmers and Ranchers face many of the same
and Assistance needs for one-on-one technical assistance the 2501 program has provided for years, and many of our
Program for Socially nation’s diverse veteran producers are already served by the program.
Disadvantaged and
Veteran Farmers and HELP this important work continue. Ask your Senators to support Senator Tom Udall’s Amendment with
Ranchers full funding for the 2501 program, and Senator Sherrod Brown’s amendment to provide support to related
programs in order to successfully impact the lives of these farmers and their communities.
.

2. Results from market
assessments found that
the popularity of White
Sweet Potatoes is 50%
greater than the
conventional orange
flesh Sweet Potatoe
that the general public
is accustomed to
consuming. African American Producers in Alabama and South
Carolina Build Links to Premium Markets
Rural
Advancement
Fund
(RAF)
of
the
National
Sharecroppers
Fund,
which
has
worked
with
African
American
producers
since
1937,
has
established
a
new
collaboration
with
World
Farmers,
Inc.,
the
Mississippi
Association
of
Cooperatives
and
Tuskegee
University
in
launching
the
Georgia’s
Sweet
Potato
Project
that
assists
African-­‐
American
farmers
in
Alabama
and
South
Carolina
with
the
commercial
production
of
sweet
potatoes
and
the
identiZication
of
premium
markets
for
sale
in
the
Northeast.
American Indian Youth Open their Eyes to Indian
Agriculture Beyond their Communities
Intertribal
Agriculture
Council
(IAC)
(Billings,
MT)
–
IAC
convened
154
American
Indian
Youth,
with
109
chaperones
and
1192
other
American
Indian
leaders
from
2010-­‐2011
to
provide
education
and
information
on
a
wide
range
of
USDA
programs
and
services.
According
to
IAC,
the
youth
participants,
in
their
evaluations,
noted
that
“the
outreach
effort
opened
their
eyes
to
Indian
Agriculture
beyond
their
communities,
exposed
them
to
many
programs
in
USDA
they
had
never
heard
of
prior
to
their
attendance
and
the
majority
were
excited
to
put
their
new-­‐found
knowledge
to
work
in
an
effort
to
grow
safe
healthy
food
for
their
families
and
communities.”
Examples
of
rancher
success
stories
include
stories
utilizing:
EQIP,
Conservation
Stewardship
Program,
Organic
CertiZication,
Livestock
Risk
Protection,
and
the
Non-­‐Insured
Crop
Disaster
Assistance
Program.
Other
presentations
included:
Ethno-­‐Botany
used
for
School
and
Community
gardens,
Farm
to
School
Lunch
Projects,
Animal
Disease
Traceability,
Agroforestry,
and
Getting
Your
Cows
to
Eat
Weeds.
Compiled by the Rural Coalition 2012 pg.2

3. OASDFR helps the Hmong
farmers
have
been
Flats Mentor Farm mentored
for
over
25
years
at
the
Provide Technical Flats
Mentor
Farm
Assistant Training in: (FMF)
and
are
now
mentoring
recently
1. Equipment Use arrived
African
refugee
farmers.
Such as small tillers, BCS
rototillers and
Immigrant Farmers Develop Successful Family Farms
weedwackers. ! Providing Ethnic Fruits and Vegetables High in Demand
2. Business Development Many
of
the
immigrant
and
refugee
farmers
at
the
Flats
Mentor
Farm
and Marketing (FMF)
in
Lancaster
Massachusetts
are
recent
arrivals
native
to
Africa,
Asia,
Brazil
and
Mexico
who
are
trying
to
use
their
extensive
3. Market Competition vs. agricultural
skills
and
knowledge
to
develop
successful
family
farm
enterprises
to
sell
culturally
appropriate
fruits,
vegetables
and
herbs
Cooperation
to
diverse
North
American
markets,
speciZically
Farmers
Markets
and
other
direct
marketing
outlets.
Flats
Mentor
Farm
has
worked
with
The farmers at Flats Mentor hundreds
of
socially
disadvantaged
immigrant
and
refugee
farmers
to
work together to have only access
EQIP
and
other
NRCS
–
USDA
programs.
one Flats Mentor stand and
As
a
result
of
2501
funding,
Flats
Mentor
Farm
has
been
able
to
build
each of the 40 Farmers
farmer
capacity
by
increasing
Farmers
Market
participation
from
18
Markets in the Boston area, immigrant
farmers
to
35,
improving
the
overall
quality
of
produce
for
cooperating to sell different market
and
providing
comprehensive
technical
assistance
trainings
to
assortments of fruits of farmers.
vegetables instead of similar
fruits and vegetables in IMPORTANT
CASE
STUDIES
competition with each other.
In
2010,
Eight
(8)
mostly
Asian
immigrant
Income for farm families at producers
were
helped
through
the
the Flats has steadily application
process
by
Flats
Mentor
increased. Farm,
qualiGied
for
high
tunnels,
which
were
constructed
and
allowed
the
producers
to
better
utilize
resources
4. Risk Management especially
in
the
wake
of
the
2011
hurricanes
when
they
were
able
to
restart
production.
The producers at the Flats
are trained in methods to An
immigrant
woman
farmer
from
reduce risks from production Burundi
who
expressed
interest
in
and flooding, even in the applying
for
a
high
tunnel
was
assisted
throughout
the
NRCS
application
process
absence of insurance by
Flats
Mentor
Farm
including
initiating
products that work for the and
fulGilling
qualiGication,
establishment
60 New African Farmers are farming at
diversity of specialty crops and
maintenance
requirements. Flats Mentor Farm this year.
produced.
Compiled by the Rural Coalition 2012 pg.3

4. IPSUM: Vivamus est ipsum,
RESULTS vehicula nec, feugiat rhoncus,
accumsan id, nisl.
of the 600 farmers and
landowners that
participated:
Only
15%
have
successfully
utilized
USDA
programs
in
the
past
during
the
program
more
than
450
producers
were
matched
with
relevant
USDA
program
to
address
their
Alabama State Association of Cooperatives (ASAC) Helps
resource
needs
such
as
FSA,
Remaining African American Family Farmers and
NRCS
and
others.
Landholders Fully Utilize their Land Base
Producers
also
participated
in
three
CO-­‐OP
One-­‐on-­‐One
African
American
family
farmers
and
landholders
in
eight
western
trainings
(group
focused)
Alabama
Black
Belt
counties
and
four
adjoining
counties
who
were
working
with
Rural
historically
underserved
and
discriminated
against
long
ago
lost
Cooperative
Development
faith
in
the
US
Department
of
Agriculture.
staff
of
the
Federation
of
Southern
Cooperatives
With
support
from
the
Outreach
and
Assistance
Program
for
Socially
More
than
50
homeowners
Disadvantaged
Farmers
and
Ranchers,
the
Alabama
State
Association
were
referred
to
the
PLBA-­‐ of
Cooperatives
(ASAC)
is
reconnecting
HDC
for
housing
assistance. producers
in
the
Black
Belt
counties
of
Pickens,
Sumter,
Choctaw,
Greene,
Hale,
26
Forest
Landowners
to
the
Marengo,
Perry,
and
Wilcox;
the
four
Federation’s
Forestry
(4)
adjoining
counties,
Clarke,
Monroe,
Program. Washington
and
Dallas
(Figure
1)
with
the
ofZices,
programs
and
services
of
5
non-­‐farm
businesses
USDA.
As
a
result,
producers
are
more
referred
to
Tinancial
institution
like
Seedco
likely
to
use
these
programs
and
Financial,
and
the
local
Small
services
to
retain,
expand
and
fully
Business
Administration. utilize
their
land
base,
and
are
building
cooperatives,
housing
and
other
ventures
that
expand
the
economic
base
of
their
communities.
The
Alabama
State
Association
of
Cooperatives
(ASAC)
is
the
Alabama
The 8 counties in Alabama
afZiliate
of
the
Federation
of
Southern
Cooperatives
and
has
been
where AAC is working include
engaged
in
technical
assistance
and
support
for
cooperatives
and
credit
half of all the remaining
unions
in
the
state
since
1970.
A
signiZicant
part
of
our
mission
is
outreach,
African-American farmers in
technical
assistance,
education,
resource
development
and
other
services
the state (included in the
to
the
African-­‐American
farmers,
landowners
and
rural
community
latest 2007 Census of
residents
who
comprise
the
membership
of
these
cooperatives,
credit
Agriculture). This area is also
unions
and
other
self-­‐help
non-­‐proZit
associations.
the “cradle of the civil rights
movement in Alabama and
America” where the historic The
2501
Program
is
the
foundation
for
much
of
the
assistance
we
provide
Selma to Montgomery Voting to
farmers
and
other
rural
residents
in
the
areas
of
record-­‐keeping,
credit,
Rights March was held in conservation,
cooperative
development
and
other
technical
services.
1965.
Compiled by the Rural Coalition 2012 pg.4

5. The Ellington’s Farm in
Alabama Rural Development
and the Allen
Family
Receiving less than 1,000 a
month on SSI-Disability
payments, Mr. Thomas
Allen of Marengo County
was living in a trailer with
his sister’s family after a
divorce. With ASAC’s help,
Mr. Allen was able to secure
The Ellington Family Farm one acre plasticulture vegetable site
with a hoop house for extending the a $53,164, 33-year Section
Elijah and Joyce Ellington live in the
growth season for vegetables. 502 Housing loan to build a
Sumterville Community of Sumter two bedroom home for him
County, Alabama adjoining the and his two children that
The Ellingtons received over
Mississippi state line. They own less live with him part-time, on
$30,000 in 90%cost share three acres of family owned
than 100 acres in several plots.
assistance from NRCS to develop land. His monthly payment
When ASAC began working with
these farm enterprises, which Mrs. for the house is $232.84,
this family they had a small cattle which includes an escrow
Ellington handles while her husband
herd (less than 20 brood cows) and fund for taxes and
is away at his truck driving job that
used most of their land for hay and insurance. Interest on the
include: loan is at 3.25%, which
pasture. Mr. Ellington is an over-the-
- goat fencing makes his home affordable
road truck driver, who is often away
- fertilization & improvement and comfortable on a small
from home for several days at a income.
- animal shed & feeding
time. Mrs. Ellington was a
- pipeline and watering
homemaker who was interested in Mr. Thomas is proud of his
- water meter new home that a local
farming operations that she could
- hoop house African-American contractor
handle without everyday assistance
- plasticulture with micro-irrigation who provided employment
from her husband. for a local crew of
- one acre
construction workers built.
Through the ASAC’s 2501 program, They are now working for
The Ellingtons have improved their
we helped this family to devise and other families we have
livelihood and quality of life through assisted in securing USDA
develop a farm and conservation
these programs. They are involved in Rural Development loan
plan for the full productive utilization funding for housing new
organizing a goat producer
of their land. We helped the construction and major
cooperative and vegetable
Ellingtons secure cost share rehabilitation. None of this
marketing enterprises in west
assistance from USDA Natural would be possible without
Alabama. They have assisted their the outreach and technical
Resource and Conservation Service
grandchildren and other community assistance provided in the
(NRCS) for a woodland grazing
youth in goat shows and other 2501 program.
program for goat production and a
community building activities.
Compiled by the Rural Coalition 2012 pg.5

6. In
Central
Florida,
the
District
Conservationist
is
working
with
FWAF
to
educate
producers
on
how
the
completion
of
a
conservation
plan
can
help
them
meet
state
requirements
to
reduce
chemical
runoff
from
fern
production
into
waterways.
Farmworkers of Florida creates mutual one
county
committee
in
the
southern
part
of
the
state
and
will
run
for
a
regular
seat
in
the
next
county
benefits amongst Small Family Farm committee
election.
Another
was
elected
to
Zill
an
open
seat
on
a
Conservation
District
Board
and
will
Latinos and USDA run
for
that
seat
in
the
next
election.
In
central
Hundreds
of
Small
Family
Latino
Farmers
in
Central
Florida,
the
District
Conservationist
is
working
with
FWAF
to
educate
producers
on
how
the
completion
of
and
South
Florida
are
Provided
Critical
Outreach
and
a
conservation
plan
can
help
them
meet
state
information
regarding
the
range
of
USDA
programs,
requirements
to
reduce
chemical
runoff
from
fern
services
and
initiatives
for
socially
disadvantaged
and
production
into
waterways.
To
date,
the
program
has
beginning
farmers
and
ranchers.
The
program
for
been
mutually
beneZicial
to
both
USDA
and
the
Latino
outreach
to
these
producers
was
launched
by
the
The
family
farm
community
in
Florida:
USDA
now
has
a
Farmworkers
Association
of
Florida
(FWAF)
in
better
understanding
of
the
unique
needs
of
Latino
Apopka,
Florida,
an
organization
that
has
been
family
farmers
in
Florida
and
the
Latino
family
farm
building
power
for
farmworkers
and
farmers
in
community
have
begun
to
participate
in
USDA
Florida
for
over
25
years.
Many
of
these
producers
programs,
and
have
also
identiZied
the
collective
had
never
approached
USDA
offices
in
the
past.
needs
of
their
community
and
the
importance
of
Others
had
approached
USDA
for
assistance
in
community
organizing
in
the
development
of
farm
disasters
but
had
not
been
educated
of
the
need
to
cooperatives.
sign
up
for
disaster
or
insurance
program
before
losses,
and
to
report
losses
afterwards.
National
Latino
Farmers
and
Ranchers
Trade
Association
and
Rural
Coalition
helped
FWAF
establish
direct
relationships
with
USDA
offices
to
resolve
issues
that
arose
and
to
educate
producers.
“Our farmers have all the knowledge
FWAF
also
assisted
Latino
family
farmers
with
they need to farm, the only thing that is missing is
successfully
navigating
the
process
to
register
their
the access and outreach in our language.
farm
with
USDA
and
to
apply
for
programs
with
Farm
Service
Agency
and
the
Natural
Resources
and
Since FWAF started outreach with this program we
Conservation
Service.
have reached 120-130 mostly Latino producers in
Miami alone.”
One
Latino
farmer
with
long
experience
in
disaster
- Elvira Carvajal (Organizer FWAF)
programs
has
been
accepted
as
Minority
Advisor
on
Compiled by the Rural Coalition 2012 pg.6

7. FARMER TESTIMONIALS
from the New Mexico Acequia Association (NMAA)
Marisela
Trujillo
was
able
to
learn
the
reasons
her
application
was
denied.
With
A
producer
in
Chimayo,
NM,
a
some
consultation
from
NMAA,
village
famous
for
its
Zlavorful
Elaine
completed
the
necessary
chile.
Although
there
is
a
rich
paperwork
by
the
required
agricultural
history
in
the
area,
deadlines.
Her
application
for
Marisela
and
most
other
farmers
the
EQIP
program
was
accepted
in
the
area
had
never
and
she
is
now
in
the
process
of
participated
in
USDA.
Marisela
implementing
erosion
control
requested
assistance
from
NMAA
practices
on
her
land. Marisela Trujillo
to
assess
the
needs
on
her
small
!
farm
and
to
advise
on
USDA
Linsey
Padilla
programs.
After
some
consultations
with
NMAA
staff,
A
new
entry
farmer
from
Dilia,
“The acequias of the
Marisela
was
successful
in
New
Mexico
purchased
100
acres
present-day Southwest
securing
assistance
through
the
of
irrigated
land
that
had
been
combine Moorish
NRCS-­‐EQIP
program
to
line
a
fallow
for
many
years.
He
was
in
traditions with Native
pond
and
to
construct
a
high
need
of
USDA
resources
to
clear
tunnel
for
season
extension.
Her
and
level
the
land
and
to
install
a
American irrigation and
farm
operation
is
now
in
its
Zirst
pipeline
but
he
was
reluctant
to
agricultural techniques.
season
using
the
high
tunnel
for
apply
because
he
believed
that
They have shaped the
season
extension
and
water
from
USDA
programs
were
only
for
the
pond
for
drip
irrigation.
larger
growers.
NMAA
staff
landscape, culture, and
informed
him
about
the
communities of mestizos,
Elaine
Montaño eligibility
requirements
and
genizaros, and mexicanos
advised
on
the
application
(collectively referred to as
Elaine
lives
in
Anton
Chico
in
process.
When
he
approached
NRCS
initially,
they
were
short
the Indo-Hispanic
Guadalupe
County,
New
Mexico.
She
had
applied
staffed
and
advised
him
to
return
people).”
unsuccessfully
for
USDA
after
the
deadline
for
EQIP.
After
programs
in
the
past
to
help
her
NMAA
intervention
and
-Paula Garcia Executive
contacting
the
District
with
erosion
control
and
land
Director (NMAA)
leveling.
After
a
local
workshop
Conservationist
directly,
Mr.
on
USDA
programs
hosted
by
Padilla
was
invited
back
NMAA,
Elaine
contacted
NMAA
immediately
to
submit
the
staff
for
assistance.
NMAA
staff
application.
He
has
since
been
obtained
her
permission
to
accepted
into
the
program
and
review
her
Zile
with
NRCS
and
his
project
is
well
underway.
New Mexico Acequia Association NMAA (Santa Fe, NM) has
introduced numerous socially disadvantaged farmers to a range of NRCS
programs and services, specifically the successful EQIP Cost Share
Program.
Compiled by the Rural Coalition 2012 pg.7

8. ! Savi Horne, Executive Director of LLPP with 2501
Technical Assistance Workshop Participants
The Rural Coalition/Coalición
Rural is an alliance of farmers,
farmworkers, indigenous, migrant
and working people from the
United States, Mexico, Canada
and beyond working together
toward a new society that values
unity, hope, people and the land.
One of the most grassroots oriented
and culturally diverse of rural
organizations, our coalition has for
more than 30 years linked our some
70 grassroots member organizations to
Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) Works to Eliminate
serve as a critical advocacy voice of a Legacy of Discrimination
African-American, American-Indian,
Asian-American, Euro-American,
Latino and women farmers, ranchers, The
2501
grant
afforded
the
Land
Loss
Prevention
Project,
the
opportunity
farmworkers and rural communities in to
connect
with
African-­‐American
farming
communities
in
North
Carolina,
the US. Together we seek to build a South
Carolina,
and
Michigan.
By
offering
workshops
to
potential
Pigford
II
more just and sustainable food system
which brings fair returns to minority claimants,
we
were
also
able
to
share
information
about
the
various
USDA
and other small farmers and rural services
available
to
these
communities.
communities, establishes just and fair
working conditions for farm workers, Due
to
outreach
in
North
Carolina,
LLPP
were
able
to
identify
thousands
of
protects the environment and brings African-­‐American
farmers
who
appear
to
have
erroneously
been
denied
safe and healthy food to all
consumers.
eligibility
to
Zile
claims.
However,
our
efforts
created
an
opportunity
for
a
more
promising
outcome
for
these
farmers.
In
part
due
to
the
numerous
shortcomings
of
the
Pigford
claims
process,
LLPP
observed
a
lingering
perception
of
limited
access
to
USDA
programs
and
services
in
these
RURAL COALITION has moved! communities.
BECOME A MEMBER
The Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural is an alliance of farmers,
While
county
level
ofZices
and
working could
be
the
farmworkers, indigenous, migrant and staff
people from available,
the
community
1029 Vermont Avenue believes
States, Mexico, Canada and beyond working together to-
United these
services
are
not
fully
accessible
which
undermines
their
Suite 601
consumption
of
the
full
range
ohope, people and the re
offered.
By
creatively
and
ward a new society that values unity, f
services
that
a land.
Contact:
Washington
DC, 20005 consistently
engaging
African-­‐American
farming
communities
which
Phone: 202-628-7160
1029 Vermont Ave, NW, Suite continue
to
work to:
Together we perceive
gaps
in
USDA
services
at
the
local
level,
the
2501
Fax: 202-393-7160
601 program
can
truly
eliminate
the
legacy
on f
discrimination.
• Educate rural communities to influence and ACT o policy.
E-mail: ruralco@ruralco.org
• Bring equitable access and fair returns for our diverse small farmers, ranch-
202-628-7160 Through
surveying
current
and
prospective
Latino
farmers
in
North
ers, and rural communities.
Washington, DC 20005 Carolina,
LLPP
iand dignified working conditions fortfarmworkers.
• Establish just dentified
a
substantial
echnological
divide
in
accessing
Check our Webpage for
http://ruralco.org updates! information
about
USDA
programs
and
services.
For
example,
some
USDA
For more information contact: • Care for the earth & bring safe and healthy food to consumers.
http://ruralco.org website
links
that
purportedly
connect
to
resources
in
Spanish
actually
• Build unity & beneficial relationships in this country and beyond.
connect
to
English-­‐only
resources.
www.facebook.com/RuralCoalition With strong roots in the movements for human, civil, indigenous
and Farmworker rights, Rural Coalition members share the belief
youtube.com/user/ruralcoalition While
rural communities everywhereas
a
whole
experience
limited
Internet
that rural
communities
can have a better future.
@ruralco The Rural Coalicionmany
current
and
prospective
SDFRs
have
availability,
Newsletter: “Plow to Print” is published
several times annually. Share your comments and suggestions with appropriate
additional
barriers
related
to
linguistically
flickr.com/photos/ruralco angela@ruralco.org. Wend
ato hear from technological
training.
resources
a want ccess
to
you and share your
stories.
Compiled by the Rural Coalition 2012 pg.8
Staff Highlight : American Sustainable Business Council’s (ASBC)
Sustainable Agriculture Intern