Delta Council

MISSISSIPPI DELTA COUNCIL FOR FARM WORKERS OPPORTUNITIES (MDC), A MINORITY-FOUNDED AND -RUN NON- PROFIT IN CLARKSDALE, MS, WILL LEAD THE DELTA RFBC TO DELIVER GROW DELTA, FEED DELTA, BUY DELTA. DRAWING ON MDC AND KEY PARTNERS EXPERIENCE SERVING MORE THAN

MIGRANT ADULT

MIGRANT ADULT

MIGRANT ADULT

NATIONAL FARMWORKER JOBS PROGRAM

NATIONAL FARMWORKER JOBS PROGRAM

MIGRANT ADULT

NATIONAL FARMWORKER JOBS PROGRAM

NATIONAL FARMWORKER JOBS PROGRAM

THE DELTA FOOD SYSTEM PARTNERSHIP IS OUR NEXT STEP IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM,BUILDING ON THE ORGANIZING,RECRUITMENT,TRAINING,AND CAPACITY BUILDING EFFORTS THE PARTNERS HAVE CONDUCTED DURING THE LAST DECADE. FOCUSING ON BUILDING AN EQUITABLE,SUSTAINABLE,AND RESILIENT REGIONAL TRADE NETWORK IN THE DELTA REGION (FROM MEMPHIS TO JACKSON),THE PARTNERSHIP WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING NEEDS: LOCAL SELF-ORGANIZATION,TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY SELF-AWARENESS AND COHESION IMPROVED TRAINING AND INFRASTRUCTURE,TO GROW VOLUME WHILE IMPROVING PRODUCT INTEGRITY HELPING PRODUCERS,FOOD BUSINESSES,AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES THINK AND WORK TOGETHER BY BUILDING AND EMPOWERING RELATIONSHIPS - AND TRUST -THROUGHOUT THE FOOD VALUE CHAIN THE PARTNERSHIP WILL MEET THESE NEEDS BY: INVESTING IN ORGANIZING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPANDING OUR EXISTING COMMUNICATIONS AND FARMQMS QUALITY MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND IMPLEMENTING AN ANCHOR FARM PROGRAM WITH THE PARTNERSHIP AS A DISTRIBUTION INTERMEDIARY EXPANDING THE COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE BUILT WITHIN THE REGIONAL FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN OUR WORK PLAN WILL PROCEED ON THREE TRACKS: COMMUNITY AND CONTENT,SCALE AND INTEGRITY,AND MARKET FACILITATION. LED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA COUNCIL FOR FARM WORKERS OPPORTUNITIES (MDC),WHICH HAS A FIFTY-YEAR HISTORY PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE,OUR TEAM INCLUDES UP IN FARMS,UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI'S COMMUNITY FIRST RESEARCH CENTER FOR WELLBEING AND CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT,CHATHAM UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR REGIONAL AGRICULTURE,FOOD,AND TRANSFORMATION (CRAFT),DRA RESOURCES,SOUTHERN RURAL BLACK WOMAN'S INITIATIVE,AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE.

PROGRAM PURPOSE AWARDTO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY OF ELIGIBLE MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS (MSFWS) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS TO OBTAIN OR RETAIN UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT, STABILIZE THEIR UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT AND ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY, INCLUDING UPGRADED EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE, AND HOUSING GRANT RECIPIENTS WORK TO MEET A CRITICAL NEED FOR SAFE AND SANITARY PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY HOUSING. GRANTEES MAY BE ANY ENTITY FAMILIAR WITH THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES OF MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS. CONGRESS APPROPRIATES SEPARATE FUNDING FOR NFJP EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING GRANTS AND FOR NFJP HOUSING GRANTS. GRANTS RUN ON A PROGRAM YEAR FROM JULY 1ST SEPTEMBER 30TH AND A GRANT COMPETITION IS HELD EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR STATE SERVICE AREAS.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMEDTO ENSURE THAT ALL SERVICES ARE FOCUSED ON THE CUSTOMERS NEEDS, SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH A CASE MANAGEMENT APPROACH EMPHASIZING CUSTOMER CHOICE TO INCLUDE: BASIC AND INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER SERVICES TRAINING SERVICES - ELIGIBLE MSFWS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RECEIVE CAREER SERVICES PRIOR TO RECEIVING TRAINING SERVICES YOUTH SERVICES, AS AVAILABLE IN THE WIOA YOUTH PROGRAM RELATED ASSISTANCE SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS WHICH INCLUDES SHORT-TERM DIRECT ASSISTANCE THAT HELPS FARMWORKERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO RETAIN THEIR AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT OR TO PARTICIPATE IN CAREER OR TRAINING SERVICES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. NFJP HOUSING GRANTEES PROVIDE FARMWORKERS WITH HOUSING ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR EMERGENCY AND TEMPORARY HOUSING. OTHER INDIRECT ASSISTANCE INCLUDES LEVERAGING SERVICES TO INCREASE OR MAINTAIN HOUSING STOCK AVAILABLE TO FARMWORKERS AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR UNDERSERVED FARMWORKER COMMUNITIESDELIVERABLES EXPECTED OUTCOMEALL WIOA ADULT FUNDED PROGRAMS REQUIRE STATES TO COLLECT AND REPORT DATA TO DOL ON PERFORMANCE MEASURES. THE TARGETS FOR THE STATES ARE NEGOTIATED BETWEEN DOL AND THE STATES. WIOA PROGRAMS HAVE PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES OF EMPLOYMENT RATE SECOND QUARTER AFTER EXIT, EMPLOYMENT RATE FOURTH QUARTER AFTER EXIT, MEDIAN EARNINGS SECOND QUARTER AFTER EXIT, MEASURABLE SKILL GAINS, CREDENTIAL ATTAINMENT RATE, AND EFFECTIVENESS IN SERVING EMPLOYERSINTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES)ELIGIBLE MIGRANT FARMWORKER WHOSE AGRICULTURAL LABOR REQUIRES TRAVEL TO A JOB SITE SUCH THAT THE FARMWORKER IS UNABLE TO RETURN TO A PERMANENT PLACE OF RESIDENCE WITHIN THE SAME DAY AND A LOW INCOME SEASONAL FARMWORKER WHO FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OUT OF THE 24 MONTHS PRIOR TO APPLICATION FOR THE PROGRAM WHO HAS BEEN PRIMARILY EMPLOYED IN AGRICULTURAL OR FISH FARMING INDUSTRIES THATS CHARACTERIZED BY CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT OR UNDEREMPLOYMENT. ELIGIBLE MSFW YOUTH IS AGED 1424 WHO IS INDIVIDUALLY ELIGIBLE OR IS A DEPENDENT OF AN ELIGIBLE MSFW.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIESYES, GRANT RECIPIENTS CAN SUB TO OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

PROGRAM PURPOSE AWARDTO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY OF ELIGIBLE MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS (MSFWS) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS TO OBTAIN OR RETAIN UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT, STABILIZE THEIR UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT AND ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY, INCLUDING UPGRADED EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE, AND HOUSING GRANT RECIPIENTS WORK TO MEET A CRITICAL NEED FOR SAFE AND SANITARY PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY HOUSING. GRANTEES MAY BE ANY ENTITY FAMILIAR WITH THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES OF MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS. CONGRESS APPROPRIATES SEPARATE FUNDING FOR NFJP EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING GRANTS AND FOR NFJP HOUSING GRANTS. GRANTS RUN ON A PROGRAM YEAR FROM JULY 1ST SEPTEMBER 30TH AND A GRANT COMPETITION IS HELD EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR STATE SERVICE AREAS.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMEDTO ENSURE THAT ALL SERVICES ARE FOCUSED ON THE CUSTOMERS NEEDS, SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH A CASE MANAGEMENT APPROACH EMPHASIZING CUSTOMER CHOICE TO INCLUDE: BASIC AND INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER SERVICES TRAINING SERVICES - ELIGIBLE MSFWS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RECEIVE CAREER SERVICES PRIOR TO RECEIVING TRAINING SERVICES YOUTH SERVICES, AS AVAILABLE IN THE WIOA YOUTH PROGRAM RELATED ASSISTANCE SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS WHICH INCLUDES SHORT-TERM DIRECT ASSISTANCE THAT HELPS FARMWORKERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO RETAIN THEIR AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT OR TO PARTICIPATE IN CAREER OR TRAINING SERVICES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. NFJP HOUSING GRANTEES PROVIDE FARMWORKERS WITH HOUSING ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR EMERGENCY AND TEMPORARY HOUSING. OTHER INDIRECT ASSISTANCE INCLUDES LEVERAGING SERVICES TO INCREASE OR MAINTAIN HOUSING STOCK AVAILABLE TO FARMWORKERS AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR UNDERSERVED FARMWORKER COMMUNITIESDELIVERABLES EXPECTED OUTCOME ALL WIOA ADULT FUNDED PROGRAMS REQUIRE STATES TO COLLECT AND REPORT DATA TO DOL ON PERFORMANCE MEASURES. THE TARGETS FOR THE STATES ARE NEGOTIATED BETWEEN DOL AND THE STATES. WIOA PROGRAMS HAVE PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES OF EMPLOYMENT RATE SECOND QUARTER AFTER EXIT, EMPLOYMENT RATE FOURTH QUARTER AFTER EXIT, MEDIAN EARNINGS SECOND QUARTER AFTER EXIT, MEASURABLE SKILL GAINS, CREDENTIAL ATTAINMENT RATE, AND EFFECTIVENESS IN SERVING EMPLOYERS.INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES)ELIGIBLE MIGRANT FARMWORKER WHOSE AGRICULTURAL LABOR REQUIRES TRAVEL TO A JOB SITE SUCH THAT THE FARMWORKER IS UNABLE TO RETURN TO A PERMANENT PLACE OF RESIDENCE WITHIN THE SAME DAY AND A LOW INCOME SEASONAL FARMWORKER WHO FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OUT OF THE 24 MONTHS PRIOR TO APPLICATION FOR THE PROGRAM WHO HAS BEEN PRIMARILY EMPLOYED IN AGRICULTURAL OR FISH FARMING INDUSTRIES THATS CHARACTERIZED BY CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT OR UNDEREMPLOYMENT. ELIGIBLE MSFW YOUTH IS AGED 1424 WHO IS INDIVIDUALLY ELIGIBLE OR IS A DEPENDENT OF AN ELIGIBLE MSFW.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIESYES, GRANT RECIPIENTS CAN SUB TO OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

PROJECT ABSTRACT: PROGRAM PURPOSE AWARDTO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY OF ELIGIBLE MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS (MSFWS) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS TO OBTAIN OR RETAIN UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT, STABILIZE THEIR UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT AND ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY, INCLUDING UPGRADED EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE, AND , HOUSING GRANT RECIPIENTS WORK TO MEET A CRITICAL NEED FOR SAFE AND SANITARY PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY HOUSING. GRANTEES MAY BE ANY ENTITY FAMILIAR WITH THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES OF MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS. CONGRESS APPROPRIATES SEPARATE FUNDING FOR NFJP EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING GRANTS AND FOR NFJP HOUSING GRANTS. GRANTS RUN ON A PROGRAM YEAR FROM JULY 1ST SEPTEMBER 30TH AND A GRANT COMPETITION IS HELD EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR STATE SERVICE AREAS.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMEDTO ENSURE THAT ALL SERVICES ARE FOCUSED ON THE CUSTOMERS NEEDS, SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH A CASE MANAGEMENT APPROACH EMPHASIZING CUSTOMER CHOICE TO INCLUDE: BASIC AND INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER SERVICES TRAINING SERVICES - ELIGIBLE MSFWS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RECEIVE CAREER SERVICES PRIOR TO RECEIVING TRAINING SERVICES YOUTH SERVICES, AS AVAILABLE IN THE WIOA YOUTH PROGRAM RELATED ASSISTANCE SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS WHICH INCLUDES SHORT-TERM DIRECT ASSISTANCE THAT HELPS FARMWORKERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO RETAIN THEIR AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT OR TO PARTICIPATE IN CAREER OR TRAINING SERVICES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. NFJP HOUSING GRANTEES PROVIDE FARMWORKERS WITH HOUSING ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR EMERGENCY AND TEMPORARY HOUSING. OTHER INDIRECT ASSISTANCE INCLUDES LEVERAGING SERVICES TO INCREASE OR MAINTAIN HOUSING STOCK AVAILABLE TO FARMWORKERS AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR UNDERSERVED FARMWORKER COMMUNITIESDELIVERABLES EXPECTED OUTCOME ALL WIOA ADULT FUNDED PROGRAMS REQUIRE STATES TO COLLECT AND REPORT DATA TO DOL ON PERFORMANCE MEASURES. THE TARGETS FOR THE STATES ARE NEGOTIATED BETWEEN DOL AND THE STATES. WIOA PROGRAMS HAVE PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES OF EMPLOYMENT RATE SECOND QUARTER AFTER EXIT, EMPLOYMENT RATE FOURTH QUARTER AFTER EXIT, MEDIAN EARNINGS SECOND QUARTER AFTER EXIT, MEASURABLE SKILL GAINS, CREDENTIAL ATTAINMENT RATE, AND EFFECTIVENESS IN SERVING EMPLOYERS.INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES)ELIGIBLE MIGRANT FARMWORKER WHOSE AGRICULTURAL LABOR REQUIRES TRAVEL TO A JOB SITE SUCH THAT THE FARMWORKER IS UNABLE TO RETURN TO A PERMANENT PLACE OF RESIDENCE WITHIN THE SAME DAY AND A LOW INCOME SEASONAL FARMWORKER WHO FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OUT OF THE 24 MONTHS PRIOR TO APPLICATION FOR THE PROGRAM WHO HAS BEEN PRIMARILY EMPLOYED IN AGRICULTURAL OR FISH FARMING INDUSTRIES THATS CHARACTERIZED BY CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT OR UNDEREMPLOYMENT. ELIGIBLE MSFW YOUTH IS AGED 1424 WHO IS INDIVIDUALLY ELIGIBLE OR IS A DEPENDENT OF AN ELIGIBLE MSFW.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIESYES, GRANT RECIPIENTS CAN SUB TO OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

NATIONAL FARMWORKER JOBS PROGRAM

AWARD PURPOSE TO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY OF ELIGIBLE MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS (MSFWS) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS TO OBTAIN OR RETAIN UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT, STABILIZE THEIR UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT AND ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY, INCLUDING UPGRADED EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE, AND , HOUSING GRANT RECIPIENTS WORK TO MEET A CRITICAL NEED FOR SAFE AND SANITARY PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY HOUSING. GRANTEES MAY BE ANY ENTITY FAMILIAR WITH THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES OF MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS. CONGRESS APPROPRIATES SEPARATE FUNDING FOR NFJP EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING GRANTS AND FOR NFJP HOUSING GRANTS. GRANTS RUN ON A PROGRAM YEAR FROM JULY 1ST – JUNE 30TH AND A GRANT COMPETITION IS HELD EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR STATE SERVICE AREAS ACTIVITIES PERFORMED TO ENSURE THAT ALL SERVICES ARE FOCUSED ON THE CUSTOMER'S NEEDS, SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH A CASE MANAGEMENT APPROACH EMPHASIZING CUSTOMER CHOICE TO INCLUDE: BASIC AND INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER SERVICES; TRAINING SERVICES - ELIGIBLE MSFWS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RECEIVE CAREER SERVICES PRIOR TO RECEIVING TRAINING SERVICES; YOUTH SERVICES, AS AVAILABLE IN THE WIOA YOUTH PROGRAM; RELATED ASSISTANCE SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS WHICH INCLUDES SHORT-TERM DIRECT ASSISTANCE THAT HELPS FARMWORKERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO RETAIN THEIR AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT OR TO PARTICIPATE IN CAREER OR TRAINING SERVICES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. NFJP HOUSING GRANTEES PROVIDE FARMWORKERS WITH HOUSING ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR EMERGENCY AND TEMPORARY HOUSING. OTHER INDIRECT ASSISTANCE INCLUDES LEVERAGING SERVICES TO INCREASE OR MAINTAIN HOUSING STOCK AVAILABLE TO FARMWORKERS AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR UNDERSERVED FARMWORKER COMMUNITIES. DELIVERABLES ALL WIOA ADULT FUNDED PROGRAMS REQUIRE STATES TO COLLECT AND REPORT DATA TO DOL ON PERFORMANCE MEASURES. THE TARGETS FOR THE STATES ARE NEGOTIATED BETWEEN DOL AND THE STATES. WIOA PROGRAMS HAVE PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES OF EMPLOYMENT RATE SECOND QUARTER AFTER EXIT, EMPLOYMENT RATE FOURTH QUARTER AFTER EXIT, MEDIAN EARNINGS SECOND QUARTER AFTER EXIT, MEASURABLE SKILL GAINS, CREDENTIAL ATTAINMENT RATE, AND EFFECTIVENESS IN SERVING EMPLOYERS. INTENDED BENEFICIARY ELIGIBLE MIGRANT FARMWORKER WHOSE AGRICULTURAL LABOR REQUIRES TRAVEL TO A JOB SITE SUCH THAT THE FARMWORKER IS UNABLE TO RETURN TO A PERMANENT PLACE OF RESIDENCE WITHIN THE SAME DAY; AND A LOW INCOME SEASONAL FARMWORKER WHO FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OUT OF THE 24 MONTHS PRIOR TO APPLICATION FOR THE PROGRAM WHO HAS BEEN PRIMARILY EMPLOYED IN AGRICULTURAL OR FISH FARMING INDUSTRIES THAT'S CHARACTERIZED BY CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT OR UNDEREMPLOYMENT. ELIGIBLE MSFW YOUTH IS AGED 14–24 WHO IS INDIVIDUALLY ELIGIBLE OR IS A DEPENDENT OF AN ELIGIBLE MSFW. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES YES

SINCE 1971, THROUGH THE FARMING CRISIS OF THE 80S AND UP TO THE CURRENT NATIONAL DECLINE IN FARM INCOME, MDC HAS FOCUSED ON HELPING MINORITY, LOW-INCOME, LIMITED-RESOURCE, SMALL-SCALE FARMERS TO BE MORE SUCCESSFULTHROUGH MDC'S PREVIOUS BFRDP WORK, SMALL-SCALE FARMERS HAVE IDENTIFIED CRITICAL SUPPORT SERVICES AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR FARMING OPERATIONS SOLVENT AND TO EARN A LIVING WAGE FROM THEIR SMALL-SCALE FARMS.DELTA FARM START WILL SERVE 60 OF THESE FAMILIES THROUGHOUT 6 RURAL COUNTIES OF MISSISSIPPI'S NORTH DELTA REGION, IMPLEMENTING AN IMMERSIVE ON-FARM/RANCH TRAINING PROGRAM WITH IDENTIFIED SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING: SOIL PREPARATION, SOURCING SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS, PLANTING, PRODUCTION, HARVEST, LABOR, EQUIPMENT, COLD STORAGE AND AGGREGATING CROPS FOR SALE. ALL SUPPORT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON-FARM IN SMALL GROUPS OR ONE-ON-ONE COACHING.PARTICIPANTS WILL BE PREPARED TO START SMALL FARM OPERATIONS OR OTHER AGRICULTURE RELATED SELF-EMPLOYMENT, TO GROW OR DIVERSIFY THEIR OWN EXISTING SMALL FARM OPERATIONS, OR TO GAIN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT IN LARGER AG OPERATIONS.DELTA FARM START WILL PROVIDE STIPENDS TO PARTICIPATING GROWERS FOR TRAINING PARTICIPATION AND MINOR OPERATIONAL EXPENSES IN THE FORM OF REIMBURSEMENTS AS IT IS A PROVEN SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY TO OVERCOMING PRODUCTION OBSTACLES.LIST OF OTHER COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS/ORGANIZATIONS/FARMER AND RANCHER GROUPS;UP IN FARMS, AGGREGATE BUYER COORDINATION, PROCESSING PLANT, FACILITATION OF HARMONIZED GAP CERTIFICATION PROCESS AND GAP GROUP CERTIFICATIONS, DR. BILL EVANS, HORTICULTURIST -- PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED TA ON-FARM FOR SOIL PREPARATION, CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS, SEED AND SEEDLING VARIETY SELECTION, CROP SELECTION PLANTING, PLANTING AND HARVEST SCHEDULE AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE WITH REAL TIME CROP INFORMATION FROM GROWERS TO PROGRAM STAFF IN ORDER TO COORDINATE AGGREGATE SALES AND COLD STORAGE.ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY (ASU), VEGETABLE PROCESSING PLANT, PERCY BALDWIN, FACILITY MANAGER - PROVIDES ON-FARM CROP MONITORING AND TA QUALITY STANDARDS FOR VEGETABLE PROCESSING AND SALES. MR. BALDWIN ALSO WORKS WITH MDC PROGRAM STAFF TO ENSURE GROWERS HAVE HARVESTING AND LABELING SUPPLIES FOR BUSHELS, AS WELL AS PACKAGING AND LABELING OF PROCESSED VEGETABLES. ASU, AG EXTENSION PROGRAM, LARRY RUSSEL, FIELD COORDINATOR - PROVIDES SOIL TESTING AND ASSISTANCE WITH SOIL PREPARATION,FARMING EQUIPMENT DEMONSTRATIONS AND ASSISTS WITH COORDINATING PRODUCE DELIVERY TO ASU PROCESSING PLANT DURING HARVESTING SEASON.NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGIES (NCAT), ROCKIEL WOODS -- ASSISTS MDC STAFF AND INDIVIDUAL GROWERS WITH COMPLETING SMALL FARM POCKET JOURNALS, PROVIDES ON-FARM FOLLOW UP TO GROWERS TO ENSURE THAT CROPS ARE ON TRACK WITH FARM PLANS, PLANTING AND HARVESTING SCHEDULES. HE ALSO ASSISTS WITH NRCS AND FAS INTERACTIONS AND APPLICATIONS.NRCS / FAS, CHAUNCEY NEWSOME, SOIL CONSERVATIONIST, ASSISTS INDIVIDUAL GROWERS WITH COMPLETING APPLICATIONS FOR NRCS CONSERVATION PRACTICE,S, GETS TO KNOW MDC INDIVIDUAL GROWERS AND THEIR FARMS IN ORDER BEST ADVISE EACH GROWER ON FAS/NRCS APPLICATION PREPARATION. HE ALSO ASSISTS WITH GROWERS ACCESSING FARM IDS AND SECURING CROP INSURANCE.MDC BFRDP PROJECT STAFF, SAM MCCRAY - PROJECT DIRECTOR, ROBBIE POLLARD - PROJECT CASE MANAGER - BFRDP STAFF WILL COORDINATE BOTH CLASSROOM AND ON-FARM TRAINING BY TA TEAM. STAFF WILL ENSURE ON-FARM TRAINING IS CONDUCTED FOR SMALL GROUPS OR INDIVIDUAL TA. THE PROJECT STAFF WILL ENSURE THAT EACH PARTICIPANT COMPLETES ALL CLASSROOM TRAINING COMPONENTS, REVIEWS STIPEND REQUESTS WHICH INCLUDE DETAILS ON INDIVIDUAL LAND, SOIL TESTING, DRAINAGE, CROP AND ROW PLANS, AS WELL AS SALES RECORDS. PROJECT STAFF WILL TRACK TRAINING AND RESOURCE NEEDS OF EACH PARTICIPANT TO EITHER PROVIDE THE RESOURCES DIRECTLY OR TO COORDINATE WITH TA TEAM FOR RESOURCE PROVISION, INCLUDING COORDINATION AND SCHEDULING OF ACCESS TO SUITE OF SPECIALTY CROP FARMING EQUIPMENT. ADDITIONALLY, STAFF COORDINATES RETAIL AND AGGREGATE SALES SUPPORT SERVICES FOR EACH PARTICIPANT, AND ANY MDC SPECIALTY CROP VALUE CHAIN SUPPORT REQUIRED BY PARTICIPANTS. THE STAFF WILL ALSO COORDINATE REGULAR TA TEAM MEETINGS AND REGULAR INDIVIDUAL GROWER MEETINGS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING AND TO SHARE SUCCESSES.100% OF FEDERAL FUNDS REQUESTED WILL BE ALLOCATED TO CBOSPERCENT OF BUDGET ALLOCATED TO SERVING MILITARY VETERANS; 10%PERCENT OF BUDGET ALLOCATED TO SERVING SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED, LIMITED-RESOURCE, OR FARMWORKER AUDIENCES; 90%

DELTA FARMING START

FARM LABOR HOUSING LOANS AND GRANTS SECTION 516

YOUTH BUILD

DELTA DIRECT PRODUCE

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** DELTA FARM START

FARM LABOR HOUSING LOANS AND GRANTS SECTION 516

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

CROSSROADS FARMERS MARKET: A FRESH START AT THE INTERSECTION OF MISSISSIPPI DELTA CULTURE & FAMILY FARMING

DELTA FARMING START

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.

FARM LABOR HOUSING LOANS AND GRANTS SECTION 516

DELTA FARMING START

DELTA FARMING START

MIGRANT ADULT