Thanks to increased support from leading agricultural and food companies Cargill and UNFI, NMSDC is excited to announce an expanded 2024 Acres: Cultivating Equity in Black Agriculture cohort that includes farmers and ranchers from across the U.S. In its second year, Acres trains and certifies Black farmers and ranchers as diverse suppliers. Its goal is to help increase incomes as producers access new markets including commodities, grocery stores, restaurants, and other retail outlets. Members of this year’s cohort include:
Ronald Friday of Candy Friday Farms in Blythewood, SC was the only farmer in South Carolina selected for the program.
“This year’s cohort represents the rich diversity and potential of the Black agricultural community,” said NMSDC senior director of strategic alliances and programs, Jetheda Hernandez. “We look forward to the more inclusive and sustainable food supply chain they will help create,” she added.
In addition to a larger group of participants, the Acres program is also growing its learning curriculum thanks to a partnership with the Southern University Ag Center. Farmers and ranchers in the program will engage in a 12-week learning curriculum focused on growing their capacity to take on major national contracts with NMSDC corporate members. After the program concludes, NMSDC will assist them in obtaining MBE certification.
The expansion of this year’s program is part of NMSDC’s ongoing efforts to address disparities Black businesses face both within and without the organization, a major trend highlighted in NMSDC’s 2022 Minority Businesses Economic Impact Report that was released in May of last year.
