Farming in the Margins: A 2020-2021 Needs Assessment of Alabama Sustainable Producers

Project Type: Education Only
Funds awarded in 2020: $49,992.00
Projected End Date: 03/31/2022
Grant Recipient: Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network
Region: Southern
State: Alabama
Principal Investigator:
Alice Evans
Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network
Description:
Farming in the Margins is a synthesis of the findings of our 50-participant Farmer Needs Assessment conducted by ASAN in fall/winter 2020-21, funded by a grant from Southern SARE. The data gathered went beyond the “nuts and bolts” of farm production and marketing, to bigger-picture context about the farm family, their vision for the farm’s legacy, and broader systemic challenges. Farmers were included in the building of the assessment tool, the delivery, the analysis and reporting of the results and compensated for their time. The report explores themes around environmental threats, systemic barriers and financial obstacles small sustainable producers face in Alabama. This report is the first step in incorporating the community information gathered from this needs assessment into ASAN’s farmer-led state-wide work for a more just food system.
Type:
Decision-making Tool
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.