Agricultural News
Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers and Ranchers, and Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project Partner to Continue to Increase Opportunities for Minority Farmers & Ranchers
Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:30:31 CDT
The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) and the Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project (OBHRPI) are continuing their partnership to increase participation in USDA programs among veterans, minority farmers and ranchers. This time, the partnership has been expanded to include Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers and Ranchers (TASFR). The focus of the project continues to be providing information, training, funding opportunities, and technical assistance to minority and veteran producers. The project's goals include to improve the communication and relationship between veteran and Socially Disadvantaged (SDA) producers and the USDA, to increase the participation of veteran and SDA producers in USDA programs including ownership and operating loans via FSA, conservation programs such as EQIP, to empower veteran and SDA producers to participate on local FSA, conservation district, and local working group boards.
OACD President Larry Wright said about the project, "OACD is successful at making connections and creating partnerships. Our grassroots delivery of conservation practices has proven most effective. We are excited to announce an opportunity we now have to collaborate with some great organizations and individuals in Oklahoma and Texas to reach underserved communities. Working together we will improve delivery of USDA programs and effectively increase conservation of our natural resources while assisting individuals in most need of these services."
The CARE project will also focus on providing interesting, hands on training opportunities about conservation and agriculture practices that are co-presented with peers. Project partners are committed to providing minority and veteran producers with leadership opportunities to encourage their participation in conservation at the local, state, regional and national level.
Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers and Ranchers (TASFR) Executive Director Igalious "Ike" Mills states, "We are excited about participating in the CARE Project and developing a partnership with USDA agencies and other CBO's in Texas and Oklahoma. Our main focus is providing critical Outreach information and technical assistance for Socially Disadvantaged (SDA) minority and veteran landowners in rural communities in Texas and other states as well."
Sarah Blaney, OACD Executive Director led the effort to author a new grant that would expand the reach of the CARE Project and continue to focus on the more than 18,000 minority ag producers in Oklahoma, according to the most recent Ag Census. Blaney said, "Conservation Districts were designed to be the connection between local farmers and the federal government following the Dust Bowl. It is our belief that conservation districts are a natural bridge for veteran and minority farmers/ranchers to access information and resources from USDA-NRCS."
At the time of the last Ag Census, Oklahoma ranked 2nd in the nation for farms operated by American Indians and 14th in the nation for farms operated by African American producers. Approximately 12% of Oklahoma's farms and ranchers are managed by minority producers.
OBHRPI President Willard Tillman said, "I think this is a great project, that will build a better partnership between USDA and the farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma to address some of the concerns and issues."
The project is a two-year, multi state initiative that will specifically target counties in Oklahoma and Texas that have a substantial population of minority and veteran agriculture producers/prospective producers.
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