The Conservation Resources for Resilient Farms Project recognizes that small farms are deeply connected to their landscape and often strive to be good stewards of the land’s resources. We also know that access to tangible resources that can accelerate conservation and production on your land is critical, yet some resources like technical and financial assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA, NRCS) can be difficult to access for many reasons.
The goal of the Conservation Resources for Resilient Farms Project is to provide farmer resources, trainings, network connections, and individualized technical assistance to Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers, especially BIPOC producers, seeking conservation enhancements on land they manage throughout Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and 11 southeast mainland states in the USA. By conducting a Conservation Assessment at the start of this project, we hope to better understand farmers’ interests, efforts, and barriers in natural resource conservation on the land you manage.
Your input will help us provide tailored information on specific resource conservation practices and NRCS funding access unique to your region. In addition, this assessment gives you the opportunity to sign up for individualized technical assistance from a project team member in your region. In the assessment we ask questions related to:
- Your experience to date with conservation enhancements on your farm
- Your experience to date with government assistance programs
- Your interest in future conservation enhancements on your farm
- What support you may need for future conservation enhancements on your farm
In addition to technical assistance, trainings, and networking opportunities, over the next two years farmers will have the opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on USDA programs with the goal of changing NRCS policies and practices to better serve Historically Underserved farmers and ranchers in Southeast US states and territories.
Thank you for taking the time to complete our 2022 Conservation Assessment. Please answer questions to the best of your ability. If you need help completing this form, please contact Jaimie McGirt by phone 984.282.6047 or email: [email protected].
Si necesitas ayuda completando este formato, por favor contactar a Carolina Alzate al e-mail: [email protected]
This two-year project is administered by Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA), Alliance for Agriculture, Good Food Virgin Island Coalition, and farming partners across the Southeast USA. This project is funded by a Cooperative Agreement with the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA).
A note about Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS):
The USDA NRCS program assists farmers and ranchers with information, planning, and financial assistance to develop or enhance conservation practices on land they manage. Upon meeting certain qualifications, a designated federal NRCS staff person in your region should help you create and implement a land conservation plan and apply for financial assistance if desired. Such a plan could include one-time installations or ongoing practices that reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility and carbon sequestration, improve shade or shelter for livestock, improve water availability and quality, improve crop, forage, livestock, wildlife and forest health and biodiversity, and improve energy efficiency in farm operations and structures.