{"id":27265,"date":"2022-08-25T18:52:26","date_gmt":"2022-08-25T22:52:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goebt.com\/usda-supports-farmers-diversity-with-funding-increase\/"},"modified":"2025-01-15T17:36:49","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T22:36:49","slug":"usda-supports-farmers-diversity-with-funding-increase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goebt.com\/usda-supports-farmers-diversity-with-funding-increase\/","title":{"rendered":"USDA Supports Farmers\u2019 Diversity with Funding Increase"},"content":{"rendered":"

The USDA backs farming diversity with the announcement of a $550 million funding increase on August 24th<\/sup>, 2022, to \u201csupport projects that enable underserved producers to access land, capital, and markets, and train the next, diverse generation of agricultural professionals.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/a> With only about <\/span>9% of US farmers belonging to minority groups<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, this is a great step towards attracting more people to the farming industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

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While the agriculture industry has lagged in diversity compared to other industries, it has certainly made giant leaps of improvement in the last few years to become as diverse as the nation it feeds. Being a diverse industry has massive benefits in today\u2019s world. Recent marketing research shows that <\/span>\u201c31% of U.S. consumers said they purchased more from minority-owned businesses in the past 12 months.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Because of this fact, it is important to make sure we diversify all our industries, for the benefit of everyone. USDA Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, said <\/span>\u201cthese funding opportunities are historic and part of USDA\u2019s unwavering commitment to advancing equity for all, including people who have been underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. When we address longstanding inequities, our entire country benefits.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/a> Vilsack stressed the importance of diversifying the agricultural industry by stating <\/span>\u201cland access, heirs\u2019 property, affordable credit and access to reliable markets \u2014 along with consistent access to help from well-trained experts \u2014 are essential to strengthening our communities. USDA is equally committed to partnering with minority-serving institutions to establish exciting and fulfilling pathways for Next Generation leaders to have careers in agriculture, nutrition, food, development, and in the federal government.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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The latest USDA initiative includes \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n