USDA Grant: Supporting Farmers of Color and Small Farm Resiliency

Program Type: USDA-funded collaborative project (not a traditional grant program with open applications)

Geographic Scope: Southern Lake Michigan foodshed region; three communities across southern Lake Michigan and Upper Midwest

Lead Organization: Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

This is an awarded USDA grant project (announced December 2024) focused on deepening relationships between farmers of color and USDA programs. MFAI is implementing this initiative in collaboration with regional partners.

Note: This appears to be an already-awarded grant that MFAI is implementing, not an open grant opportunity for external applicants.

Project Focus Areas

Building Bridges with USDA Programs

• Develop long-standing, trust-based relationships between BIPOC farmers and USDA programs
• Provide culturally relevant workshops
• Increase farmer access to resources, tools, and knowledge
• Support thriving farm enterprises

Empowering Communities and Supporting Staple Crops

• Emphasize cultivation of culturally significant staple crops
• Support both producers and consumers
• Foster deeper connection to the foodshed
• Enable farmers to grow critical crops integral to their communities
• Address barriers including limited capital, land, or equipment

Strengthening Farm Resiliency and Climate Readiness

• Incorporate climate-resilient practices
• Bolster long-term sustainability of small farms
• Integrate staple crops into diversified farm systems
• Create pathways for entrepreneurial, ecosystem, and nutrient success
• Contribute to more resilient regional foodshed

Collaborative Partners

• Fondy Food Center
• Fresher Together/Chicago Bread Club
• Michigan Food & Farming Systems
• Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (Lead)

Target Audience

• Farmers of color (BIPOC)
• Small-scale farmers
• Limited resource farmers
• Farmers in the southern Lake Michigan region

Contact Information

Address: PO Box 990, East Troy, WI 53120