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Programs and Organizations
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- Photo by John Cosby Jr. |
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Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, National Agricultural
Library, USDA. Conducts free specialized literature searches
on various topics upon request, including limited-resource issues.
(301) 504-6559; afsic@nal.usda.gov;
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic
Appalachian Sustainable Development. Conducts sustainable
agriculture and forestry projects in southwest Virginia and eastern
Tennessee. Abingdon, VA; (276) 623-1121; asd@eva.org
Farm Services Agency, USDA. Administers farm commodity and
conservation programs and makes loans to farmers unable to obtain
conventional credit. One credit program places special emphasis
on loans to limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers
and ranchers. Washington, D.C.; (202) 690-1098; www.fsa.usda.gov
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Risk Management Agency,
USDA. Its Community Outreach and Assistance to Women, Limited
Resource and Other Traditionally Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
program funds community-based organizations and other programs geared
at “under-served” groups. (202) 690-2686; www.rma.usda.gov/news/2002/06/020620outreachkit.html
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund.
A service, resource and advocacy association for 25,000 low-income
families organized into more than 100 cooperatives in rural communities
across the South. (205) 652-9676; www.farmworkers.org/fscpage.html
Natural Resources Conservation Service Social Sciences Institute,
USDA. Integrates customer opinion and field work with science-based
analysis to apply human behavior to natural resource conservation
programs, policies, and activities. Web site includes relevant publications
such as “Core Conservation Practices: Adoption Barriers Perceived
by Small and Limited Resource Farmers.” www.ssi.nrcs.usda.gov/
New England Small Farm Institute. A private non-profit organization
supporting beginning farmers and sustainable small-scale agriculture
throughout New England. Belchertown, MA; (413) 323-4531; www.smallfarm.org
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Cooperative
Extension. Educational programs and outreach emphasize improving
quality of life for individuals and families without the financial
resources and educational backgrounds mainstream America enjoys.
(See also USDA Land Grant Universities below.) www.ag.ncat.edu/extension
Rural Action. Works to revitalize Appalachian Ohio. Trimble,
OH; (740) 767-4938; www.ruralaction.org
The Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural. An alliance
of over 90 culturally diverse community-based groups in the United
States and Mexico who collaborate to advance social justice and
sustainable development in rural areas. Washington, D.C.; (202)
628-7160; ruralco@ruralco.org
www.ruralco.org
Rural Development Center, Agriculture and Land-Based Training
Association (ALBA). Provides agricultural training to Spanish-speaking
immigrants of limited means. Salinas, CA; (831) 758-1469; http://www.albafarmers.org/
The Rural Development Leadership Network (RDLN). Supports
community-based development in poor rural areas through hands-on
projects, education and skills building, leadership development
and networking. www.ruraldevelopment.org
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program,
USDA. This nationwide grants program, administered by USDA-CSREES,
funds grants to researchers, educators and nonprofit organizations
to develop profitable and environmentally sound farming and ranching
strategies, including assistance to limited resource groups. (301)
504-5230; www.sare.org
University of California Small Farm Center. This statewide
program enhances the viability of small- and moderate-scale producers
by stimulating research and extension education in production systems,
marketing and farm management. Davis, CA; (530) 752-8136; sfcenter@ucdavis.edu;
www.sfc.ucdavis.edu
USDA Land Grant Universities. State partners of USDA’s
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES),
these universities provide technical assistance to farmers through
their extension programs. Go to http://www.csrees.usda.gov/about/partnerships.html
to get contact information for the universities in your state.
CSREES Small Farm Program. Housed in the Cooperative State
Research, Education and Extension Service agency, the program aims
to improve the economic viability of small farm enterprises through
partnerships with the Land Grant System and other sectors by facilitating
research, extension and education programs to meet the specific
needs of small farmers. Includes directories of state contacts.
Washington, D.C.; (800) 583-3071; asimon@csrees.usda.gov;
www.csrees.usda.gov/smallfarms/
USDA Small Farms Web Site. Web site intended to be a one-stop
gateway to resources, benefits and services offered by USDA for
small farmers. Direct link to small farm coordinators in each state.
www.usda.gov/oce/smallfarm
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