The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled plans to invest approximately $300 million in 50 projects that aim to improve land, capital, and market access for underserved agricultural producers. The Increasing Land Access Program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, focuses on providing support and resources to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners.
Recognizing the significance of land, market, and capital access for agricultural success, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the program's role in advancing equity and empowering underserved individuals in the farming community. The program's objectives include increasing opportunities for farm ownership, addressing challenges related to heirs' property and limited land access, and facilitating improved land ownership, succession planning, and business strategies.
Selected projects span 40 states, including Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These initiatives encompass a diverse range of efforts such as providing long-term land access to refugee and immigrant farmers, establishing equity capital funds to support Tribal producers, enhancing urban farms and community market gardens, and delivering technical assistance to economically distressed farming populations.
The USDA will collaborate with chosen applicants to finalize project scopes and funding allocations in the coming months. The Increasing Land Access Program exemplifies the administration's commitment to promoting equity, supporting underserved communities, and fostering a robust agricultural system nationwide. By enabling equitable access to land and markets, the program strives to create a more inclusive and resilient agricultural landscape for all farmers.
Source : wisconsinagconnection