If you are an emerging farmer, we want to hear from you. Would you be prioritized in these programs under the new proposed language outlined below? (Note: For the full context of what is happening and why, please read our blog here.) If you would like to complete the form anonymously, please enter "Anonymous" in the first and last name boxes.
“Emerging farmers” are farmers from historically underserved communities including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, young and beginning farmers, and LGBTQ+ farmers.
The new proposed language that would replace prioritization of emerging farmers in certain MDA and RFA programs:
Keeps the existing definition for emerging farmer intact, which will be used for the Emerging Farmers Working Group and Emerging Farmers Office. Courts have continuously upheld targeting outreach and technical assistance toward historically underserved people.
Prioritizes farmers with limited land access AND/OR with a net farm profit under $75,000 in the previous year for the Beginning Farmer Equipment & Infrastructure Grant Program, Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, technical assistance grants, The Good Acre's LEAFF Program, and the cannabis social equity statute.
Defines limited land access as those farming under a lease or other rental arrangement of no more than three years in duration when the person leasing or renting the land is not related to the lessee or renter by blood or marriage; or farming by renting land from an incubator farm; or when access to land is constrained by tribal land ownership patterns, treaties, or federal and tribal laws and regulations, or no current lease or other rental arrangement.
Prioritizes farmers with no more than $100,000 in annual gross farm product sales AND/OR producers of industrial hemp, cannabis, or one or more specialty crop for the Farmland Down Payment Assistance Program.
Please contact Amanda Koehler, LSP Policy Manager with any questions or feedback at akoehler@landstewardshipproject.org.