AAMU to lead collaboration with three peer HBCUs
Alabama A&M Receives $750,000 USDA Grant to Increase Number of Farmers of Color
The USDA recently launched the Increasing Land Access Program to help underserved producers by increasing land, capital, and market access. The program funds projects that help move underserved farm producers from surviving to thriving. Alabama A&M University was awarded $750,000 to lead an effort to increase the number of farmers of color in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
The overall $300 million investment is meant to increase access to specialized technical support for small farmers.
“Land access, market access and capital are critical to the success of the hardworking producers who keep agriculture thriving,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The Increasing Land Access Program is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to advancing equity for all, including people who have been underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality, by providing the resources, tools and technical support needed to directly help local farmers and ensure we have a strong agricultural system across the country.”
AAMU, in collaboration with four other 1890 Land Grant Universities (Alcorn State University, Fort Valley State University, Southern University, and Tennessee State University) will provide delivery of technical assistance to underserved farm populations in chronically and economically depressed communities of Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi to ensure the success of existing farmers and ranchers.
“We’re excited about the implications of this project as we work closely with peer institutions to address this relevant issue,” said AAMU College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences Dean and 1890 Research Director Dr. Lloyd Walker. “Our students and faculty are already engaged in the work. This is one example of the many opportunities being made possible for students in our college beyond the classroom. We look forward to the impact of this meaningful grant.”
The project, led by the AAMU Small Farms Research Center, seeks to grow the number of farmers of color in the region by at least 25 percent (from the current 27,677 producers to 34,552) by 2027.
AAMU Capital Improvements Project Manager Jerry Latham and Facilities Coordinator Vindetta Medlock are overseeing all campus renovations.