United Farmers USA was established in 2002 after a group of small farmers in South Carolina met to address their

problems and concerns. With socially disadvantaged farmers losing their farms, the initial focus of the group was to assist black farmers who participated in the class action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). At this meeting, it became apparent that there were many other problems facing the socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. Months later, a formal meeting was announced and a tremendous response was received with several hundred people attending. Because of this response, the decision was made to establish an organization to effectively address the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers and forest landowners in addition to the needs of rural communities. The organization has expanded its scope to include many aspects of farm management techniques. The overall objective is to elevate and enhance socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in their business practices, granting them opportunities to successfully (1) compete in today's agricultural environment, (2) contribute to the U.S. economy, and (3) participate in the global marketplace. With memberships being established around the country, United Farmers USA will serve as the key source for socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners by providing a variety of assistance programs which include Farm Management, Business Management, Financial Management, and Co-Operative Marketing.

Our Mission
United Farmers USA is dedicated to helping socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers and forest landowners retain their land, improve the quality of their lives, and assisting them to become successful and profitable business persons. This will be accomplished by providing a variety of outreach services, education and technical assistance. The overall objective of United Farmers USA is to elevate and enhance socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers and forest landowners in their business practices, granting them opportunities to successfully compete in today's agricultural environment.

A Message from UFUSA Founder and Director, Hezekiah Gibson

As Director and Founder of United Farmers USA, I am privileged to share with you the mission and purpose of our organization. United Farmers USA strives to provide leadership, agricultural networking opportunities, as well as the means for maintaining and increasing the number of small and limited resource farms. Our organization is dedicated to facilitating and ensuring equal access to information and resources from governmental agencies and establishing programs that will help socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, veterans, beginning farmers and youths to become fruitful and profitable business persons who are able to compete in the agricultural industry as well as contribute to the U.S. economy. Our organization has made great strides over the years as we travel throughout the U.S. in an attempt to address the plight of socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. However, none of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of volunteers, members and supporters such as yourselves.

Hezekiah Gibson Founder and Director

We ask that you join us in reaping the harvest, as we focus our energies on building a brighter future for generations to come by planting seeds of opportunities that will encourage them to honor the legacy of agriculture, the very foundation for which this great country was built.

With kindest regards,

Hezekiah Gibson
Hezekiah Gibson, Founder/ Director

United Farmers USA (UFUSA) currently partners with National Tribal Development Association (NTDA) and Texas Mexico Border Coalition (TMBC), and collectively, we are known as Minorities United. UFUSA represents African American farmers, ranchers and forest landowners, NTDA represents American Indian/Alaskan farmers and ranchers, and TMBC represents Hispanic farmers and ranchers. The three organizations are working and speaking together with one voice.

United Farmers USA establishes and maintains awareness of being an organization that serves

communities, socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, beginning farmers, veterans and youths through education, training, demonstrations, and outreach.

USDA Agencies
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) - www.nrcs.usda.gov USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) www.dm.usda.gov/offices.htm USDA Office of Civil Rights - www.fns.usda.gov/cr Risk Management Agency (RMA) - www.rma.usda.gov Cooperative State Research Education & Extension Service (CSREES) www.csrees.usda.gov National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) - www.nass.usda.gov Santee - Wateree (RC&D) - USDA Santee-Wateree RC&D Office Ph: (843) 662-8501 Location: 215 Third Loop Rd., Effingham, SC 29541

Other Partnerships
Community Farm Organizations Faith-based Organizations Schools and Colleges/Universities Senior Centers Hunting Clubs Lodges Homeland Security Foundation of America - www.hsfamerica.org

Many socially disadvantaged farmers operate lands that need improvements. Most of the needed improvements are irrigation and/or land leveling which comes with financial challenges. Since the land they own is typically small, its difficult for them to justify buying equipment for their own use, and its not easy for them to access machine rentals or contractors who are unavailable due to o ther project commitments.
Drawbacks and the Development to give socially disadvantaged farmers, beginning farmers, ranchers and forest landowners the ability to begin, develop and sustain their land.

Drawbacks and Challenges

Limited Access to Land For socially disadvantaged farmers, beginning farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who have little or no connections with landowners, this can become a serious limitation. Moreover, the high prices of land raises their own property taxes, thus putting more pressure on the farm operation. Limited Economic Resilience the amount of funds in socially disadvantaged/underserved areas. Alternative strategies to market smaller farm products are being developed (e.g., farmers markets, niche markets). Limited Access to Machinery and Equipment Many farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners do not have access to modern technology, which would enable them to retrieve emails, faxes, and copies. Education Many socially disadvantaged farmers, beginning farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners work full-time jobs and work the farm part-time. As a result, they are unable to participate in educational and technology training that will enable them to become more successful business persons.

Financial Literacy and Lack of Knowledge of USDA

Programs - Its important to carry some farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners through an entire twoyear financial planning program process to make them eligible for NRCS and other USDA programs. Some face challenges to access financial resources that could help them start, develop and sustain their farms or ranches. Furthermore, those who are newcomers may be unfamiliar with the credit systems available, or if they are familiar, they may not have a complete understanding. For example, we found some farmers filing a short tax return form instead of a long tax return form (i.e., Schedule F) that eliminates them from NRCS and other USDA programs. Also, some farmers do not understand how to complete an application for programs or loans. The financial planning programs that UFUSA carried farmers through have proven to be successful. 4

United Farmers USA presents various workshops to socially disadvantaged farmers and beginning farmers training them how to use the resources and tools to create a farm and food safety plan. Additionally UFUSA provides training to ranchers, forest landowners, veterans and youths in agricultural management techniques.

Which include (but are not limited to):

Risk Management - Enabling farmers to participate in crop insurance. Filing Taxes - Assistance in filing taxes Loan Application Assistance in filling out a loan application. Marketing Livestock - (Bull selection and breeds of livestock. cattle, goats, etc.). Helping farmers understand livestock as a part of their existing farms. Financial Planning /Record Keeping Assistance in fulfilling requirements for loan application

United Farmers USA also works with the Department of Agriculture on food safety projects Farm Disaster Helping farmers prepare for and endure extreme conditions (e.g., droughts, hurricanes). Also, assisting farmers who need to apply for disaster assistance funding. USDA, and farm management initiatives.
community awareness groups and local communities are encouraged to participate. Farm Census (NASS) - Farmers, ranchers, & community gardeners are made aware of upcoming censuses and are encouraged to commit to sign up. Youth Summer Workshop - 8 hours per day. Youth participate in on the farm training, and United Farmers USA teaches them the benefits of farming as a career. Additionally, this is an opportunity for students to go through a Shadow Program (3 months) in which they learn community gardening, work with an organization, and receive an awareness of farming as a career. Farm Bills - Farmers, ranchers and community gardeners are made aware of upcoming farm bills and are encouraged to become committed to try to implement changes. Silvero Pasture Grazing - Farmers are introduced to NRCS and forestry, f/R applied to practice Silvero Pasture and grazing. Farm Succession - Farmers, ranchers, community gardeners and local communities are made more aware of the importance of writing a will. Community Gardeners - Farmers, ranchers and community gardeners are able to grow fresh vegetables and sell them at farmers markets to local communities.

United Farmers USA's focus is to spread awareness and to work diligently in order to propel growth in resources, training, access to programs and available funds to improve opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, beginning farmers, veterans and youths. United Farmers USA's leadership and members believe partnership and collaboration add an important level of accountability for increasing growth to improve the quality of agricultural initiatives, efficiencies and defuse ineffective bureaucracies.

United Farmers USA's organization is represented and actively involved in attending many local and state-to-state strategic meetings and conferences with partners and USDA representatives in Washington, D.C. United Farmers USA's participation includes (but is not limited
to) our members serving on review panels (which enables UFUSA to pursue USDA and NRCS programs and other funding) and giving presentations (i.e., Silvero pastures Grazing Land Meetings).

United Farmers USA knows that every step is important ... two of our staff members attended the Small Farmers Agricultural
Leadership Institute, which enables them to further assist and teach socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, community gardeners and youths.

United Farmers USA has been involved in improving and empowering our participants through:
Agricultural leadership training, facilitating, demonstrating, training and teaching of farm practices (i.e., triple irrigation practices; the importance of being aware of farm safety habits; the best time to properly plant seed, apply fertilizer, harvest and market crops; financial planning and record keeping) and use of farm equipment. Through our efforts and attendance at meetings and conferences, weve implemented USDA and NRCS EQUIP programs, planted 15 community gardens, as well as facilitate seminars, workshops and farm tours to bring awareness of what we are doing throughout our communities. In addition, UFUSA has even taken on a New Farmers Initiative in assisting the USDA Secretary of Agriculture in obtaining his goal in identifying new farmers.

United Farmers USA is proud to say that weve touched and impacted well over 300 lives that have involved socially disadvantaged
farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, veterans and youths.

United Farmers USA realizes nothing can truly make a positive difference unless you .....GET

INVOLVED ... !
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