USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement supported RDLN to work with Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers from 2016 to 2020. RDLN partnered with Mississipians Engaged in Greener Agriculture (MEGA) in Mississippi, headed by RDLN graduate Dorothy Grady-Scarbrough, and Collaborative Visions in New Mexico, headed by RDLN graduate Anita LaRan. The project has assisted small farmers with training in production, business practices, farm safety and related topics. In Mississippi, farm-to-school efforts are underway.
New Mexico participants are engaged in working wih several food-related cooperative initiatives. Here are some highlights from the project.
MEGA’s demonstration farm in Shelby, MS
Collaborative Visions, NM - Cattle on the land of Sangre de Cristo Livestock Growers Association, a sister organization to Collaborative Visions
Dorothy Grady-Scarbrough, MS, co-project director, with Kenya Nicholas, assistant deputy director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, USDA
With other groups, MEGA secured funding for a mobile market
MEGA opened a farmers' market across the street from its demonstation farm.