Black Belt farmers encouraged to sign up for assistance from Rural South Institute program

The Rural South Institute (RSI) hopes that a farmer's success will inspire another agricultural producers in the Black Belt to sign up for their assistance program as underserved areas face ongoing challenges. 

A recent statement from RSI highlighted a farmer who took advantage of their Agriculture Financial, Tax, and Asset Protection (AgFTAP) program.

The challenges mentioned in the statement include "rising production costs, inadequate farm records, limited cash flow, accumulated debt, market uncertainty, and difficulty navigating agricultural lending programs."

The farmer highlighted was no exception to these issues. The statement did not disclose their name but said that they struggled with "incomplete and scattered" financial records and being able to understand financing options.

It was then that they signed up for AgFTAP and they received help with managing their financial situation.

"Before receiving assistance, I knew what was happening on my farm, but I did not have everything organized in a way that clearly showed the financial picture," they said. "Working one-on-one helped me understand what I needed, what I was missing, and what I needed to do next."

The statement stressed that farmers who are in financial distress can work with AgFTAP through individualized assistance that can help translate the often complex steps with financial management and reporting.

“Across the project’s target region, AgFTAP is using this same producer-centered approach to help distressed farmers and forest landowners strengthen financial management, improve readiness for agricultural credit and USDA assistance, and support the long-term viability of their operations," said Dr. Duncan Chembezi, Executive Director of the Rural South Institute in Madison.