Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers | 2018 - 2020

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 buildings

MEGA’s demonstration farm in Shelby, MS

MEGA ICS Meeting

Collaborative Visions, NM - Cattle on the land of Sangre de Cristo Livestock Growers Association, a sister organization to Collaborative Visions

MEGA buildings

Sept 12 - Farming as a Business – Mileston Cooperative, Tim Lampkins – MS

SDFR Gourmet Greens

Mike Beatty (c), Director Office of Partnership and Public Engagement, and Starry Krueger, RDLN President, at OPPE Prosperity Council meeting in Philadelphia, May 2019

SDFR Gourmet Greens

New Mexico packaged greens

MEGA buildings

Sept 15 - Green Chili Canning Class NM

MEGA buildings

Mora County Chickens

MEGA ICS Meeting

At the Institute Community Services (ICS) Head Start meeting in Holly Springs, MEGA representatives were able to meet with Food Service directors to present opportunities for buying fresh food. There are fourteen counties and twenty-one Head Start centers involved as potential customers for MS Delta growers.

MEGA 2ndQ

Percy Baldwin (Marks Processing Plant), Sam McCray (Mississippi Delta Farmworker Council, and Eddye Johnson (Coahoma County Schools Food Service Director) discussed marketing with MEGA