The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) hosted the Underserved Farmers Network (UFN) Resource Seminar recently ahead of the 110th New Jersey State Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City.
“Every farmer in New Jersey is important to the strength of the agriculture industry,” NJ Secretary of Agriculture Edward Wengryn said. “Programs like these that reach our farmer community members where they’re at is one of the ways we are working to expand the support and safety net for farmers in New Jersey.”
The event highlighted resources, grants, and program information for UFN members and included presentations by the Division of Food and Nutrition, Camden City School District, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey focused on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service cooperative agreements (i.e., Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchasing Assistance). It also included presentations on the Office of the Food Security Advocate, NJDA grant opportunities, Jersey Fresh registration, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the State Agriculture Development Committee Next Generation Farmer Program.
This was followed by a roundtable discussion, which focused on challenges underserved farmers face, their needs, and opportunities for the NJDA to better support this population.
What is the Underserved Farmers Network (UFN)? In 2022, S772 was signed into law. It directed the NJDA to establish a New Jersey Minority, Women, and Underserved Farmer Registry. This legislation mandates the department to “coordinate outreach to minority, women, disabled, LGBTQIA+, socially disadvantaged, and other farmers in the State who have been historically underserved by farm loan assistance program” among other mandates. This registry became the Underserved Farmers Network.
UFN is a proprietary listserv that enables NJDA to directly reach and assist underserved farmers and ranchers by:
• Communicating opportunities, events, announcements, etc.
• Providing resources for connecting different organizations and partners with each other
• Providing technical assistance with applications
• Providing a platform for the NJDA to engage in communication and obtain feedback from the UFN community
Who is served? Hispanic or Latino/a/x, Black or African American, Asian American or Pacific Islander, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, Military Veterans, Women, Beginner (10 years of farming or less), LGBTQIA+, and limited resource farmers and ranchers as well as farmers and ranchers with a disability.
Interested in joining? If you wish to join the network or for more information, email UnderservedFarmersNetwork@ag.nj.gov.
