Florida Outreach Update March 2004

O utreach

to Underserved Constituents

NRCS is committed to ensuring that it’s programs and services

are accessible to all our customers, fairly and equitably, with

emphasis on reaching the underserved and socially

disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. We developed our policies

and programs to allow full participation by underserved

individuals and groups. We also identify and address potential

barriers that could prevent our underserved customers from full

participation in agency programs.

O utreach

Objectives and Responsibilities

v Provide oversight for all proposed program and policy

development to assure equity and accessibility by all customers.

v Develop policy and programs that will allow full

participation by underserved individuals and groups and socially

disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

v Identify and address potential institutional and

systemic barriers that prevent underserved customers from full

participation.

v Provide implementation strategies to increase the

participation in programs and benefits to underserved clientele

and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

v Develop and implement specific outreach activity

performance measures with expected outcomes and program

results. Ensure better program accountability and adjustments.

v Provide national leadership and guidance on developing outreach plans.

v Develop strategies to most effectively utilize 1890

Land-Grant Colleges and Universities. Expand and strengthen

relationships in order to increase research capacity and contribute

to technical and community assistance to the underserved and

socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

v Maintain effective communication and working

relationships with NRCS professional organizations to engage

them in fostering and promoting outreach strategies.

v Expand and enhance partnerships and networks that

provide assistance and information to underserved groups and

individuals, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

v Institutionalize outreach within all programs and

services of NRCS. Share outreach information across units at all

levels increasing the agency’s ability to reach more underserved

and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Spring 2004

Local Small Farmer

Among the

Top 3 Contestants

in the

National Small Farmer

Contest

Ann Bowens,

Outreach Liaison

Several months ago, James

Barnes, along with other small

farmers throughout the

country, competed in the Small

Farmer Awards contest

sponsored by the National

Organization of Professional

Black Natural Resources

Conservation Service

Employees. Much to James’

surprise, he received a

telephone call informing him

that he was among the top 3

finalist and was invited to

come to St. Louis as a guest of

the organization for the final

decision.

Continued on page 2

USDA

 Natural Resources

Conservation Service

Ann Bowens

Outreach Liaison

352-338-9516

James Barnes, Farmer
Florida Outreach Update - March 2004 2

Continued from page 1

The Leaning

Post Ranch:

Outreaching

Through Equine

Facilitated

Therapy

Ann Bowens,

Outreach Liaison

For years Fran

and Newman Gersin

toyed with the idea of

giving back something

to their community by

outreaching to children. So in 1992, with one gang member and

one horse, they started the wheels turning into what is now a 40

acre horse facility operated year round. Located in Molino,

Florida, north of Pensacola, and nestled in beautiful cedar trees,

the Leaning Post Ranch is no ordinary horse ranch. This ranch

provides equine facilitated activities for children and adults with

physical, mental and emotional disabilities, and facilitated therapy

as a strong prevention/intervention incentive to severe high risk

youth. The Leaning Post offers opportunity, motivation and

education to disabled people with special emphasis directed

toward youth who are victims of physical, verbal, and/or sexual

abuse, violence or neglect.

On one of my trips to the panhandle part of the state, I

learned there might be an opportunity to provide some

conservation assistance to the ranch. With assistance from Three

Rivers RC&D Coordinator, John Harper, J. D. Fulford, board

member, Teresa Stewart, EQIP Specialist, and Jeff Norville, Area

Conservationist, an outreach field day was planned to focus on

the needs of the ranch and to see if the ranch might be eligible

for assistance.

The ranch includes a farm house, a 100 year old barn, and

13 horses, which are an integral part of serving high risk youth

and developmentally or physically challenged individuals.

A guided tour of the ranch provided NRCS staff and guests

with a better picture of some of the conservation practices that

were needed. Teresa suggested EQIP applications that could

possibly include cross fencing to better utilize grass pastures,

spring development for additional livestock water, pasture

improvement, existing wetland improvement for a potential

outdoor classroom, water troughs and critical area establishment

by grading, shaping and re-vegetation.

The ranch is currently operated with limited resources.

Fran and Newman’s main concern is the land payoff.

Additionally, there is a need for a training facility to work with

larger groups of children, and restrooms that are handicapped

accessible. Three Rivers RC&D has agreed to a partnership in

this outreach initiative.

A big smile came over

James’ face as he expressed

that, “I am just doing what I

love to do, and that is farm.”

Jimmy, as he prefers to be

called, demonstrated a

positive attitude about

farming uncommon to

persons of his generation.

He inherited his love of the

land and farming from his

grandfather. After finishing school, Jimmy made a conscious

decision to make farming his life’s work. In a small town hall

meeting, sponsored by NRCS for limited resource farmers, he

indicated that he wanted to know more about NRCS programs. In

the early 90’s Jimmy applied for and received a loan from FSA to

purchase 100 acres of farmland to start his own independent

peanut operation. He has participated in every field day/farm bill

program that has been offered in his county and is eager to learn

all he can about various NRCS programs.

Currently, Jimmy owns 175 acres, of which 55 acres are

rented. He is married to Larhonda and is the father of 3 sons,

ages 13, 15 and 19. Jimmy’s 15 year old son plans to follow in

his fathers footsteps, as he is showing a strong interest in farming.

Most recently Jimmy agreed to participate in a pilot program

sponsored by the NRCS Southeast Regional Office entitled “A

Helping Hand for Limited Resource Farmers Through Information Technology” .

Congratulations to Jimmy as he continues his small farm

operation. There is no question that Jimmy and his family enjoy a

high quality of life because of his decision to remain on a farm.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion,

age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who

require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-

2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Michael participated in the Olympic

Torch run. He won a gold and silver

medal in the Equestrian State

Championships for Special Olympics

on May 16-17, 2003.