Amid the hubbub of Farm Aid 2024, a big announcement was made on The FarmYard Stage about a new partnership Farm Aid has entered into with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), University of Arkansas, the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Center at Alcorn State University, and the University of Minnesota. This partnership creates The Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network (DBAN), an initiative designed to provide personalized support to financially distressed farmers and ranchers across the country via a national network that will connect distressed borrowers with individualized assistance to help them stabilize and regain financial footing.
On The FarmYard Stage, Farm Aid’s program director Shorlette Ammons joined Scott Marlow, Senior Advisor to the FSA Administrator, and Houston Bruck, Assistant to the Deputy Administrator for Farm Loan Programs, and RAFI’s executive director Edna Rodriguez to share details of the partnership.
“Farm Aid is grateful to partner with FSA, RAFI-USA, Alcorn University and the Universities of Arkansas and Minnesota in this critical work, which stands on the shoulders of so many farmers and farm supporters who have advocated for themselves and fellow farmers for decades,” said Shorlette Ammons. “Building networks of reliable support systems and working in partnership with trusted organizations is a key component to long-term farm viability and sustainability, which is necessary to fulfill Farm Aid’s mission to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America.”
In the USDA’s press release announcing DBAN, FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said, “I started my off-ranch career as a Farm Advocate, working hand-in-hand with other tireless farmer advocates. Having someone with experiences in ag finance help producers work through financial difficulties can be the difference between them losing the farm or prospering. The Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network underscores our dedication to farmers and ranchers receiving the tailored support they need. These partnerships also illustrate that USDA acknowledges the importance of these advocates and sees them as part of the solution to ensure program access for all farmers, ranchers, and producers.”
On Thursday before Farm Aid 2024, Farm Aid and RAFI hosted the first DBAN event, a pilot training for farmers and farmer-adjacent people to become “Farmer Supporters” who can accompany farmers through the process of applying for and receiving farm financing through FSA. The full-day training in Saratoga Springs, NY, was attended by 75 participants.
Attendees learned about the “Farmer Supporter” role and how to foster trust and relationship building among farmers. Trainees heard how FSA offices work with producers and the responsibilities that producers and FSA employees hold in engagement. They learned best practices for helping farmers to navigate stressful situations with FSA. Rev. Dr. Fatimah S. Salleh and Dãnia Davy were facilitators of the day-long training.
Over the next three years of the DBAN initiative, network partners will provide farm loan policy training to community-based farm and rural organizations, especially those serving distressed and underserved communities, so the organizations can work alongside FSA to help producers understand financing available through FSA, ensuring that when they visit an FSA office, the partner organization representative and FSA staff can better assist.
The Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network will address the immediate needs of distressed borrowers and provide comprehensive, wraparound services aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by financially distressed producers. Once stabilized financially, these borrowers will be better positioned to access new opportunities and continue contributing to the agricultural economy. These investments will also build a system of service providers that can better support agricultural communities for years to come. Investing in a network of agricultural financing service providers to help bridge access to FSA loans is a benefit for rural and agricultural communities.
