Legacy Innovation Farming Economics Project
(L.I.F.E.)

USDA issued grants to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program), managed by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
“All farmers and ranchers deserve equal access to USDA programs and services,” said Mike Beatty, director of the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. “2501 grants go a long way in fulfilling our mission to reach historically underserved communities and ensure their equitable participation in our programs.”
Among the grants:
The Peoples Foundation, AgrAbility (Purdue Extension) and Legacy Farming and Health Group (Legacy Taste of The Garden, LLC)
The project brings together the unique experiences of:
The Peoples Foundation CCMVS, a California-based 501c3 serving veterans and youth.
Legacy Farming and Health Group, a hands-on agricultural- and nutrition-focused initiative serving socially disadvantaged farmers.
National AgrAbility Project at Purdue University that has served socially disadvantaged farmers with disabilities for over 25 years.
The mission will be to assist socially disadvantaged farmers by increasing awareness of and participation in USDA farm programs and services. The documented low participation rate of this audience in programs and resources offered by FSA, RRCS and Extension is seen as a significant barrier to increasing potential for success, continued ownership of land, and agricultural education programs addressing the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers, building relations between organization serving this audience such as Farmer Veteran Coalition, National Black Farmers’ Association, and USDA representatives.
Geographic Service Area: The geographic reach extends from coast to coast and abroad, with members in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, California, Washington State, Jamaica, Ghana and South Africa.
Contact Info: Tameka Peoples | contact@peoples-foundation.org | (805) 738-3123

Name of submitting presenter:
John Jamerson – Legacytasteofthegarden@gmail.com
Tameka Peoples – InspiredSolutions@peoples-foundation.org

The unique partnership – comprised of a local, grassroots volunteer group of African-American farmers, a California-based non-profit foundation, and an 1862 Midwestern land-grant university – that was formed to address the challenge of enhancing USDA’s services to socially disadvantaged farmers.

The Peoples Foundation, the Legacy Farming and Health Group (LFHG), and the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) have formed a new unique partnership to address challenges faced by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as well as veterans involved in production agriculture. These organizations bring a long and diverse history of serving these audiences. Their combined experiences will serve in developing a model, building on existing assets, for effectively promoting and increasing the awareness and utilization of USDA programs and services by socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and farmer veterans.

In a unique opportunity to reach Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Veterans, the above institutions, have partnered together to improve the future of these farmers and was awarded the 2501 Grant (2019).

Our project is to:
Introduce and utilize Socially Disadvantaged youth, farmers and veterans with USDA Programs/grants/opportunities.
Increased Participation of Socially Disadvantaged youth, farmers and veterans with USDA Programs/grants/opportunities.
Train them with Innovative farming techniques/systems. We will utilize bi-monthly Zoom meetings, social media, workshops and websites to assist in communication, networking and training.
The primary populations/communities we serve are: Socially disadvantaged farmers, communities, youth and all veterans
The project’s geographic service area is the United States and Territories of America
Project Director: John Jamerson
email address: Legacytatseofthegarden@gmail.com
telephone number: (317)727-5638
Practices
Education, Training, Workshops, Consultant and Webinars
Farm Business Management (includes marketing)
Production Systems (includes aquaponics, holistic management, hydroponics, integrated crop and livestock systems, organic agriculture, etc.)
Click the Contact Link _____ and input your information to receive more information on how to participate in L.I.F.E. webinars, USDA strike force workshops that will help to introduce, participate and train Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, Ranchers and Youth and Veteran farmers with USDA Grants, Loans, Scholarships and programs.

To find out more please click on the Contact Us link and request information.