Despite the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s diversity of programs, resources, and services — and its substantial budget, staff, and infrastructure — farmers too often feel overwhelmed by all the paperwork required to apply for funding, cost-share, and loans.

This disconnect is especially relevant to those who have been historically underserved by USDA, such as people of color and small-scale, diversified farmers.

For these and other groups, RAFI’s commitment to education and assistance has taken shape in large part through its longstanding Farm Advocacy program, which assists farmers experiencing financial crises. We’ve helped hundreds over the years access USDA programs and loans that allow them to keep farming.

Yet COVID-19 showed that more support for farmers was needed. New payment programs such as the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) grants popped up to help farms survive — though once again, the same underserved groups had lower application rates. Someone needed to cut through the jargon and acronyms to explain clearly how things worked, who might be eligible, and how to apply. Too many farmers didn’t even know that the programs existed.

So in 2021 we launched Resources for Resilient Farms (RfRF) to provide both plain-language education and training as well as attentive, one-on-one technical assistance. By walking applicants through the forms, not only did we see more successful submitted applications, but some of those same farmers became experts themselves, generously helping others apply.

And while RAFI provides support to all farmers, RfRF partners closely with our Farmers of Color Network, particularly when it comes to engaging with USDA’s FSA (on loan programs and farm numbers) and Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS (on conservation cost-share programs like EQIP and CSP).

Substantial roadblocks are common. These programs can often require a clear understanding, extensive paperwork, access to farm and financial records, site visits with USDA staff, and other procedural steps. RfRF staff members and consultants keep farmers from getting tripped up or discouraged. We aim to “level the playing field” and make sure that USDA program participation and dollars as distributed actually reflect the diversity of U.S. farmers and farm operations. RAFI collaborates with consultants and contractors in the Southeast U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico to provide region-specific assistance, tailored to the agricultural production in each locale.

Increasing the number of underserved farmers who can access USDA programs is only half the equation. The other half is exploring how USDA programs could be improved in design or implementation. While RAFI’s connections with local, state, and national USDA staff allow us to call the government’s attention to a specific farmer case issue and find a quick resolution, we’re also often able to identify patterns across cases and advocate for broader change. For example, this year we submitted a public comment on limitations of an NRCS conservation practice that had kept a number of NC farmers from being able to implement silvopasture management practices.

By having positive, open lines of communication with USDA agencies, our technical assistance work can inform policy suggestions to make programs work better for all farmers.

Trusted Navigators

Jaimie McGirt, Agricultural Conservation and Market Access Manager, and Otis Wright, Farmer Resources Coordinator, are members of RAFI’s RfRF team who bring their expertise in NRCS conservation and FSA loan programs to help farmers across the Southeast U.S.

“Historically,” says Wright, “there has been so much distrust and even fear among farmers about going to ‘the Government’ for assistance. These feelings have been passed down through generations. But you know, everyone at some point needs a guide, a friend. As trusted navigators our job is to assist and advocate for these folks. I’m glad I’ve been blessed to play this role for the people who make the world go round.”

McGirt nods. “Mostly I listen to understand their farm conservation and infrastructure goals, consider how NRCS might be a fit now or in the future, and set our course forward. It’s very customized, as it needs to be.

“Farmers’ interest in NRCS support — especially financial assistance via EQIP and CSP programs — sometimes outsizes a local agency’s capacity to deliver all the services that NRCS says they offer. This is in part due to short staffing, misinformation, new field staff still training and learning, and the sheer number of conservation practices and technical specifications that farmers expect them to know. RAFI’s approach is to provide accurate and transparent information and to provide as much one-on-one assistance for farmers as possible. Being able to visit a producer in this navigator capacity has proven valuable. Every time I’m able to visit the farm, especially when it’s with the producer and NRCS at the same time, it’s like a communication bridge forms,” McGirt explains.

Wright jumps in. “FSA can be a very complicated service provider. A lot of its language isn’t user friendly and — let me say it — sometimes the agent isn’t so friendly either. The navigator can act as a mediator between the farmer and the agent and help build the relationships that FSA aims to have. For example, a navigator can help a farmer decipher the difference between discrimination and program constraints. Sometimes a farmer thinks an agent is being mean or unfair, but the agent may simply be citing rules to help the farmer avoid getting into a financial bind with the government. The navigator can clear up this confusion.”

Wright goes on, “I’ve been an advocate for farmers for over 14 years now. I feel like this is my calling. I feel like I’m doing my service to the men and women whose shoulders I stand on as a farmer myself.”

McGirt chimes in, “When I started working with RAFI, I spent months researching every detail of the NCRS program. I called colleagues, spoke to field staff, national economists, and conservation specialists. I wanted to do the legwork that farmers don’t always have time or energy for, then simplify everything to help them through the application process. I had to master every detail, understand every riff.”

She laughs. “I love this project.”

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Lisa Misch, as Managing Director of Programs, ensures that RAFI’s on-the-ground work leads toward a thriving, sustainable, and equitable food system. Lisa also chairs RAFI’s Direct Service team. Prior to joining RAFI, Lisa served as the AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer at the College of Menominee Nation in Keshena, WI, and worked on small farms in the Midwest and internationally.