Beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers struggle to access land and capital to build infrastructure and assets critical to operating economically viable farms. The project “Connecting Massachusetts' Underserved and Beginning Producers to Safety Net and Farm Support Programs” trained producers on strategies to improve access to grant, cost-share, and loan programs. Technical assistance supported producers to mitigate financial risks and alleviate production risks through asset acquisition and farm safety net programs.
Educational activities included seven workshops, farmer networking events, the development of a Risk Management and Capitalization Decision Tool, individual technical assistance, business advising, and grant application support services provided to farmers participating in the New Entry’s farm training program. Risk management curriculum was incorporated into existing business planning and crop production courses. Our target audience was Northeast Massachusetts beginning and socially disadvantaged specialty crop farmers underexposed to risk management and crop insurance options.
The results: 1,087 participants gained knowledge/understanding of state/federal grant and loan programs and made strategic risk management and capital investment decisions. 13 producers reported having submitted/planned to submit applications to grant and loan programs. 139 unique producers registered and attended workshops, 58 attended in person drop-in registration sessions, and 98 participated in individual advising sessions. 792 additional individuals accessed online resources through workshop recordings and published fact sheets.