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Innovative Approaches for Meeting the Needs of Underserved Farmers in Maryland

Okarsamaa L. Brooks-White, M.S., AFC®

Summary

Abstract

Very often, underserved populations including minority, socially disadvantaged farmers, and new immigrant entrepreneurs are not familiar with the vast array of USDA programs and services. Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Risk Management Agency (RMA), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and land-grant university Cooperative Extension programs have made technical and financial assistance services available to small and limited-resource farmers. However, these special audiences have somehow refrained from participating in these programs and services for several reasons including schedules conflict, communication failure, lack of trust and information sharing. In some cases, funds are limited, making it difficult to ensure programs continuity. Such clientele must be cautiously approached using creative and innovative methods. This paper aims at (1) introducing new audience not vested in traditional Cooperative Extension and USDA services; (2) discussing ways and means used to effectively reach new audience through trainings, workshops and on farm visits; and (3) discussing collaborative efforts between two institutions that leverage resources to meet the needs of the new audiences.

Details

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