National Young Farmers Coalition

AGRICULTURE IS AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BEDROCK OF THE UNITED STATES, YET FOR DECADES, FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND FARMWORKERS HAVE ENDURED GROWING CHALLENGES THAT INCREASE THEIR LEVELS OF STRESS. THE SUICIDE RATES AMONG MALE FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL MANAGERS IN 2012 AND 2015 WERE 44.9 AND 32.2 PER 100,000, RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE WAS 12.9 IN 2012 AND 13.7 IN 2015 (MURPHY ET AL., 2015, 2017). ALTHOUGH MANY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NORTHEAST PROVIDE SOME OF THESE SERVICES, UNTIL THE 2019 LAUNCH OF THE FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK - NORTHEAST (FRSAN-NE), THEY WERE NOT EFFECTIVELY WORKING TOGETHER AND WERE UNABLE TO EASILY CONNECT A FARMER CLIENT WITH THE ARRAY OF SERVICES NEEDED TO FULLY ADDRESS THEIR CRISIS.THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FARM STRESS ASSISTANCE IN THE NORTHEAST REGION BY ENHANCING AND EXPANDING AN EXISTING NETWORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS. THROUGH THIS NETWORK, SERVICE PROVIDERS WILL BUILD CAPACITY TO EFFECTIVELY SERVE THEIR FARM CLIENTS UTILIZING A DIVERSE ARRAY OF TRAININGS, RESOURCES, BEST PRACTICES, AND NETWORK-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES. IN ADDITION, THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE STRESS ASSISTANCE NEEDS OF FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND FARMWORKERS BY EXPANDING THE EXISTING ONLINE CLEARINGHOUSE AND HELPLINE TO MORE EFFECTIVELY CONNECT FARMERS WITH RESOURCES, DEVELOPING FARMER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOLS, AND CONDUCTING A COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN TO RAISE FARMER AWARENESS OF STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES. FINALLY, THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE SUPPORTED BY A STRONG EVALUATION PROCESS AND CLEAR STRUCTURES FOR SHARING AND DISSEMINATING THE RESOURCES DEVELOPED. TOGETHER, THESE ACTIVITIES WILL PRODUCE AN EDUCATED AND ESTABLISHED NETWORK, IMPROVEMENTS TO FARMER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ACROSS THE REGION, AND A REDUCTION IN SUICIDE RATES.

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** AGRICULTURE IS AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BEDROCK OF THE UNITED STATES, YET FOR DECADES, FARMERS AND RANCHERSHAVE ENDURED GROWING CHALLENGES THAT INCREASE THEIR LEVELS OF STRESS. THE SUICIDE RATES AMONG FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL MANAGERS IN 2012 AND 2015 WERE 44.9 AND 32.2 PER 100,000, RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE WAS 12.9 IN 2012 AND 13.7 IN 2015 (MURPHY ET AL., 2015, 2017). ALTHOUGH MANY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NORTHEAST PROVIDE SOME OF THESE SERVICES, UNTIL THE 2019 LAUNCH OF THE FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK - NORTHEAST (FRSAN-NORTHEAST), THEY WERE NOT EFFECTIVELY WORKING TOGETHER AND WERE UNABLE TO EASILY CONNECT A FARMER CLIENT WITH THE ARRAY OF SERVICES NEEDED TO FULLY ADDRESS THEIR CRISIS.THE FRSAN-NORTHEAST PROJECT WILL SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FARM STRESS ASSISTANCE IN THE NORTHEAST REGION BY ENHANCING AND EXPANDING AN EXISTING NETWORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS. FRSAN-NORTHEASTS WORKS TOGETHER TO BUILD AND EQUIP A NETWORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL HEALTH OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, WORKERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES ACROSS THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES INCLUDING RI, CT, ML, WV, NH, ME, MA, VT, PA, NY, DE, AND WASHINGTON DC. ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION AND AN ADVISORY TEAM, FRSAN-NORTHEAST AIMS TO INCREASE USER-FRIENDLY SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR YOUNG AND BEGINNING FARMERS.

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** AGRICULTURE IS AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BEDROCK OF THE UNITED STATES, YET FOR DECADES, FARMERS AND RANCHERS HAVEENDURED GROWING CHALLENGES THAT INCREASE THEIR LEVELS OF STRESS. THE SUICIDE RATES AMONG FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL MANAGERS IN 2012 AND 2015 WERE 44.9 AND 32.2 PER 100,000, RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE WAS 12.9 IN 2012 AND 13.7 IN 2015 (MURPHY ET AL., 2015, 2017). ALTHOUGH MANY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NORTHEAST PROVIDE SOME OF THESE SERVICES, UNTIL THE 2019 LAUNCH OF THE FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK - NORTHEAST (FRSAN-NORTHEAST), THEY WERE NOT EFFECTIVELY WORKING TOGETHER AND WERE UNABLE TO EASILY CONNECT A FARMER CLIENT WITH THE ARRAY OF SERVICES NEEDED TO FULLY ADDRESS THEIR CRISIS.THE FRSAN-NORTHEAST PROJECT WILL SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FARM STRESS ASSISTANCE IN THE NORTHEAST REGION BY ENHANCING AND EXPANDING AN EXISTING NETWORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS. THE NETWORK WORKS TOGETHER TO BUILD AND EQUIP A NETWORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL HEALTH OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, WORKERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES ACROSS THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES INCLUDING RI, CT, ML, WV, NH, ME, MA, VT, PA, NY, DE, AND WASHINGTON DC. ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION AND A LEADERSHIP BOARD, FRSAN-NORTHEAST AIMSTO INCREASE USER-FRIENDLY RESOURCES AND SERVICES FOR ALL FARMERS IN THE REGION.

BUILDING A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK FOR FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE IN THE NORTHEAST.

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS NEED CREDIT TO LAUNCH AND GROW THEIR FARM BUSINESSES. USDA FSA LOANS CAN HELP FARMERS INVEST IN IMPORTANT INPUTS AND EQUIPMENT, PURCHASE FARMLAND, BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE ON THEIR FARMS, AND MORE. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ARE LARGELY NOT ENGAGED WITH USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY LOAN PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP. AND DUE TO TO DECADES OF DOCUMENTED DISCRIMINATION AT USDA, MANY DO NOT TRUST THAT THE AGENCY HAS THEIR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART. AND FOR YOUNG FARMERS, MANY OF WHOM ARE FIRST-GENERATION FARMERS, THEY DO NOT HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF WORKING WITH THE AGENCY. IN OUR 2017 NATIONAL YOUNG FARMER SURVEY, WE FOUND THAT 30% OF FARM OWNER RESPONDENTS WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH USDA PROGRAMS. FORTY PERCENT THOUGHT THE APPLICATIONS AND PAPERWORK WERE TOO BURDENSOME. AND 28% SAID THEIR LOCAL USDA HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH. TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE ACCESS TO FRESH, LOCAL FOOD WE MUST ENSURE THESE FARMERS HAVE ACCESS TO THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP.YOUNG BIPOC FARMERS NEED ADDITIONAL OUTREACH AND INFORMATION TO DECIDE TO APPLY TO FSA PROGRAMS, CONNECT WITH THEIR FSA OFFICE, AND SUPPORT FILLING OUT THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK FOR THE PROGRAM. AS AN ORGANIZATION WITH A LOT OF TRUST WITH YOUNG, BIPOC FARMERS, WE ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO INTRODUCE THESE FARMERS TO USDA FSA PROGRAMS. THROUGH PHONE CALLS, EVENTS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA, FARMERS WILL LEARN ABOUT USDA FSA, WHAT LOAN PROGRAMS BEST SERVE YOUNG FARMER NEEDS, AND HOW TO APPLY. OUR PARTNER IN THE SOUTHEAST, RAFI, WILL PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS AND SUPPORT FARMERS IN FILLING OUT THE APPLICATIONS.THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF OUR PROJECT IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG, BIPOC FARMERS SUCCESSFULLY UTILIZING FSA LOAN PROGRAMS. ONCE THESE FARMERS HAVE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AND ARE IN THE SYSTEM, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH FSA FOR YEARS TO COME AND EVENTUALLY GRADUATE TO COMMERCIAL CREDIT. WITH THE CAPITAL THEY NEED TO LAUNCH AND GROW THEIR FARM BUSINESSES, WE'LL ALL BENEFIT FROM THE QUALITY FOOD THEY ARE ABLE TO GROW.

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK: A LAND AFFORDABILITY CALCULATOR & NATIONAL LAND ACCESS TRAINING SERIES TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS SUCCEED

BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK FOR FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE IN THE NORTHEAST

THE FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT (FSMA), IN PARTICULAR THE PRODUCE SAFETY RULE (PSR), DIRECTED FARMERS ON IMPROVING THEIR FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES AND ENFORCED NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR FARMING OPERATIONS. HOWEVER, THE NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION'S ENGAGEMENT WITH OVER 1,500 FARMERS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS REVEALED THAT THERE REMAINS A RELATIVE UNAWARENESS OF WHAT FSMA DICTATES AND ITS APPLICABILITY TO SMALLER FARMS. WHILE MANY OF THESE FARMERS ARE NOT FULLY COVERED BY THE PSR, THEY WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE FOOD THEY GROW IS SAFE FOR THE FAMILIES THAT BUY THEIR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. ADDITIONALLY, KNOWING HOW TO COMPLY WITH NEW RULES ALLOWS THEM TO SAFELY EXPAND THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY FARM.THE FOOD SAFETY EXPERT TEAM AT NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION AND NATIONAL FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION PROPOSE TO CONDUCT ANNUAL PRE-HARVEST SEASON PRODUCE SAFETY TOURS FOR THEIR EXTENSIVE NATIONAL NETWORK OF FARMERS. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED GUIDANCE TO BEGINNING FARMERS WHO OFTEN DO NOT REACH FSMA COMPLIANCE THRESHOLDS BUT NONETHELESS RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ROBUST FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES FOR A HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL FARM BUSINESS. TIMED TO PRECEDE EACH REGION'S GROWING SEASON, WE WILL OFFER A SUITE OF TOURS, ONLINE COURSES, AND FARMER-GENERATED CONTENT THAT WILL PREPARE FARMERS TO IMPLEMENT PRODUCE SAFETY PROTOCOLS BEFORE PRODUCTION BEGINS, WHEN THEY HAVE BANDWIDTH TO FOCUS ON IMPROVEMENTS AND BEFORE CRITICAL INVESTMENT DECISIONS.THE PRODUCE SAFETY TOURS WILL FEATURE A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING: A PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE (PSA) DAY-LONG CURRICULUM; SHORTER MINI-WORKSHOPS DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY FOR BEGINNING FARMERS; GROUP ON-FARM WALK-THROUGHS TO HELP ATTENDING FARMERS CONNECT THEORY WITH PRACTICE; AND ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTING SESSIONS TO SUPPORT FARMERS AS THEY PREPARE THEIR PRODUCE SAFETY PROCESSES FOR THAT GROWING SEASON. THESE TOURS WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A WINTER ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURED WITH FARMERS GROUPED IN PEER COHORTS THAT WILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO PRODUCE INDIVIDUAL FARM PRODUCE SAFETY PLANS THAT WILL THEN BE REVIEWED BY OUR EXPERTS. THESE TOURS AND ONLINE COURSES WILL ALSO SERVE TO SURFACE FARMER-GENERATED AND PRACTICAL RESOURCES THAT WILL BE SHARED ONLINE FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

DEVELOPING FARMER OWNED TECHNOLOGY INFRA

READY FOR THE BIG TIME: CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION AGRICULURAL SUPPLY CHAIN