Small, Limited Resource, and Minority Farmer and Rancher

USDA Creates Voluntary Register to Reach Minority Producers

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that minority farmers and ranchers may now join a new voluntary register to receive information from USDA.

"The new Minority Farm Register is an outreach tool to underserved farmers and ranchers who are not currently enrolled in USDA loan, farm, or conservation programs," said Veneman.  "The register will create a shared outreach list that will help USDA, community-based organizations and minority-serving educational institutions to communicate with minority farmers and ranchers."

By joining the Register, minority producers may receive outreach materials, newsletters, and program announcements from USDA Agencies.  They may also receive information and assistance from other USDA-approved outreach partners, such as community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and minority-serving educational institutions.  USDA will carefully control access to the Register.

The Register application is available at USDA Service Centers or from approved USDA outreach partners.  Completed applications may be mailed to:  Minority Farm Register, USDA Stop Code 0503, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., 20250.  The sign-up information will also be available on the USDA Web site at www.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/, (search for Form  AD-2035).  Sign-up forms will be issued in Spanish and English.

For more information in South Dakota, please contact Kim Brannen, ASTC(O), by phone at (605) 352-1243; fax at (605) 352-1270; or email at karen.brannen@sd.usda.gov.