Pilot Network Overview and Purpose
The pilot direct service provider network is designed to address the immediate needs of financially distressed farmers, ranchers, and foresters by providing holistic support for their unique challenges. Through a network of trained direct service providers who offer tailored, one-on-one support and technical assistance and/or targeted outreach and referral, the network aims to build long-term resilience and financial health in the agricultural sector.
This pilot network offers trainings, resources, and thoughtful facilitation to help individuals and organizations strengthen their capacity to reach and serve farmers. The network also offers a space for direct service providers to connect with others doing similar work across the United States to share best practices, learn from one another, and more effectively serve farmers experiencing distress.
Training topics span financial, technical, and interpersonal skills, emphasizing inclusive approaches to meet farmers’ unique needs.
By training and strengthening a network of direct service providers, the network aims to help financially distressed farmers:
- understand their financial situation and options,
- access beneficial services and resources available to improve farmer financial health and stability, and
- build long-term resilience and sustainability in the agricultural sector.
Who is involved in the pilot network?
The pilot network is being developed and supported by Farm Aid, Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), and Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG).
Organizations participating in the pilot network have a strong track record in providing direct services to producers and established credibility with the farming community. They provide tailored, one-on-one support and technical assistance and/or targeted outreach and referrals for producers.
Background of 1980s Farm Crisis and Farm Advocates
The Farm Crisis of the 1980s drove hundreds of thousands of family farmers into foreclosure. Yet, out of that crisis arose a legion of farm advocates who refused to stand idly by and watch their way of life be destroyed.
Ordinary Americans taught themselves extraordinary skills. As fellow farmers, farm wives, and rural leaders, they studied laws and regulations, started hotlines, answered farmers’ calls from their kitchen tables, counseled their neighbors, and went toe-to-toe with lenders – giving their all to keep their neighbors on the land.
Homeplace Under Fire is a film that celebrates these advocates and their remarkable work. Thousands of farmers are alive and on their land today because of them.
How the Pilot Network is Supporting Farmers
The network will proactively reach financially distressed farmers and connect them with skilled direct service providers that offer tailored, one-on-one support and technical assistance on topics related to financial stability for farmers.
The network will provide opportunities for direct service providers and farmer supporters to further develop their knowledge and skills to be able to work with farmers on more complex topics and support farmers’ long-term financial health and stability.
Resources
Below are a list of resources for organizations and individuals supporting financially distressed farmers and farmers experiencing financial distress.
Farm Aid Hotline: If you want to talk with one of our Hotline Operators, give us a call at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243). We answer the Hotline Monday through Friday from 9am – 9pm ET; 6am – 6pm PT. The Spanish Hotline is answered Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm ET. You can also request assistance online.
Farm Aid Resource Guides: Check out our Farmer Resource Guides, created by Farm Aid’s Hotline Team. They’ve compiled the best resources for several important topics including Farm Stress, Disaster Support, Legal Assistance and more.
Farm Aid Farmer Resource Network: The Farmer Resource Network is a free search tool that can be used to find organizations and resources that are useful for farmers, agricultural service providers, farmworkers, farm communities and farming families across the United States. Be sure to check out these resources:
- Helping Farmers in Financial Crisis (PDF)
- Farm Stress and Emotional Well-Being (PDF)
- When Do I Need A Lawyer? (PDF)
Contact Us
To learn more about the pilot network, contact Mary Oxendine at 617-634-3413 or mary@farmaid.org or Nora Miller at 617-360-8297 or nora@farmaid.org.
