SE PA + NJ: Due by Monday - Request for Project Affirmations
Megan Storm
PAR for Accessing Land and Capital for Historically Underserved Farmers
Dear Farming Family,
Happy New Year! I hope you are well and are weathering the effects - positive and negative - of winter dormancy while it is here.
We are working on a research and education project proposal for Northeast SARE and need your help! This project is led by and for Historically Underserved Farmers (HUF). Through our collective experiences, accessing land and capital remains a major challenge for BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ farmers–even with programs designed to support us.
Are you a Historically Underserved Farmer (HUF) located in the Philadelphia-area farming under 20 acres - we want to hear from you! (Or does your organization support us?)
Please send your comments, written or recorded, to the questions below by Monday, January 6, 2025 to storm...@gmail.com. It often feels wrong to make a request with such urgency and I am thankful for your time. Your feedback will greatly help shape and support the project.
In peace,
Megan on behalf of Garden-Keystone Small Growers Collective
Background
In July 2023, Garden-Keystone Small Growers Collective formed as a grassroot collective of eight beginning farmers - all identifying as Black, Asian, women, LGBTQ+, and veterans. Together, we explored launching farming businesses, leading to one collective farm, two independent operations, and one member pursuing a nonprofit community farm.
Project Description
Through a participatory action research framework and peer education, this initiative creates a body of expert knowledge for and by HUF on accessing land and securing capital for small and urban farmers in Greater Philadelphia. Key project activities are:
Build capacity of HUF researchers. Researchers and project team will collaborate internally and with external service providers to increase HUF technical skills and knowledge in areas such as financial literacy, business management, grant writing, and navigating bureaucratic systems.
Research and establish a microloan/group financing program. In addition to individual projects, the group will research options to bridge financial barriers to participation in reimbursement and shared cost programs.
Develop a Community of Practice. Garden-Keystone SG Collective will host five public workshops to facilitate peer learning, resource sharing, and advocacy.
Amplifying HUF voices. Researchers will present findings at regional conferences, raising awareness and advocating for change.
Questions
Are you a farm operator facing challenges to accessing land and capital?
Yes - go to question 2.
No - go to question 4.
No, but I work for an organization that supports HUF.
Please read through all questions. If your organization’s goals align with our project - will you write/record a quote, story, and/or letter describing why this program is of interest, how your organization can support the project, and your willingness to participate?
Would you benefit from financial, professional, and 1:1 peer learning support to help research and complete the major financial and administrative tasks necessary for your farm’s operation to access land and capital? Ie. what happens after you attend a webinar and are on your own to do the work.
Examples of financial and administrative tasks:
Entity creation
Registering with the USDA
Accounting systems
Budgeting
Financing roadmap (for land, capital, or operating expenses)
Grant writing
Lease agreement
Licenses and insurance
Business plan
Marketing plan
Yes - go to question 3.
No - Could you forward this letter to a farmer who might benefit? Go to question 4.
Are you interested in learning more about participating as a farmer/researcher? Project commitment is approximately 7-8 hours paid per week for 6 months and includes additional financial support for professional services (accounting, legal, business consulting) and project related expenses (travel, childcare, research equipment).
Yes - Could you write or record a quote, story, and/or letter describing why you are interested, what you will bring to the project, and your willingness to participate?
No - Could you forward this letter to a farmer who may want to participate? Go to question 4.
Do you value learning from other HUF farm operators about the barriers they experience to accessing land and capital?
Yes - could you write or record a quote, story, and/or letter describing how this information may support your farming journey?
No - could you share why you are not interested and what would make our project more accessible to you?