Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Receives USDA Grant to Support Farmers of Color and Small Farm Resiliency

East Troy, WI – Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) is thrilled to announce the launch of a new USDA funded grant project focused on deepening relationships between farmers of color and USDA programs. Through collaborations with Fondy Food Center, Fresher Together/Chicago Bread Club and Michigan Food & Farming Systems, this initiative will support the long-term sustainability of small farm resiliency​ through the cultivation of culturally relevant staple crops, community building and climate resilience within the southern Lake Michigan foodshed. 

Project Highlights

Building Bridges with USDA Programs

The initiative will work to develop long standing, trust-based relationships between BIPOC farmers and USDA programs and opportunities across three communities in the southern Lake Michigan and Upper Midwest regions. Through culturally relevant workshops, farmers will gain greater access to resources, tools and knowledge essential for thriving farm enterprises.

Empowering Communities and Supporting Staple Crops

By emphasizing the cultivation of culturally significant staple crops, the project will support both producers and consumers, fostering a deeper connection to the foodshed. This effort will enable farmers to grow critical crops that are integral to their communities but often inaccessible due to barriers like limited capital, land, or equipment.

Strengthening Farm Resiliency and Climate Readiness

Incorporating climate-resilient practices, the project will bolster the long-term sustainability of small farms. Thentegratiion of staple crops into diversified farm systems will seek to create pathways for entrepreneurial, ecosystem and nutrient success and contribute to a more resilient regional foodshed.

A Collaborative Effort

This project underscores the power of collaboration. Working alongside Fondy Food Center, Chicago Bread Club/Fresher Together, and Michigan Food & Farming Systems, MFAI is dedicated to bridging the gap between urban and rural farmers, empowering communities, and strengthening regional food systems.