Wisconsin Ag Connection - Farm Center Creates New Program To Help Minority Farmers

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Farm Center Creates New Program To Help Minority Farmers
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/03/2008

To address the needs of the increasing number of women, minority and beginning farmers, the Wisconsin Farm Center has developed The Beginning and Minority Farmer Outreach & Assistance Program. The initiative is made possible through financing from a USDA Risk Management Agency grant.

The WFC says the program is designed to enable new and minority farmers to learn about potential risks associated with farming and how to manage those risks. Areas of risk covered in the program include financial, production, marketing and social.

Through workshops and personal consultation, either via telephone with Farm Center staff or one-on-one meetings with one of the four newly hired outreach workers, farmers will learn how to analyze risks in their farming operations and create strategies/tools to address those risks. Participants will have the opportunity to address issues such as: Lease/rental agreements, Direct marketing, Crop insurance programs, Production records management, Financial records management, Equity and loan options, Intergenerational farming, and much more more.

The Beginning and Minority Farmer Outreach & Assistance Program serves Hmong Farmers, Hispanic Farmers, Women Farmers and Beginning Farmers. Two Spanish Speaking Outreach Specialists were hired to work with Hispanic/Latino farmers and two Hmong Speaking Outreach Specialists were hired to work with Hmong farmers.

English speaking women and beginning farmers can get more information about the program by calling the Wisconsin Farm Center at 800-942-2474.

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