Small farms are majority of farms throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky and many of these are owned and or operated by small, socially disadvantaged producers. Farming operations of African Americans, women, and others who have historically been under-represented are in jeopardy of decline as agricultural enterprises. Many in these groups have not applied for or received assistance from USDA programs such as Natural Resources and Conservation Services (NRCS) and Rural Development (RD), due to a number of barriers and obstacles.

Kentucky State University (KSU), through its Land Grant Program and College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems, has an established outreach and education program that has served the needs and interests of small, limited resource, and minority farmers for more than 20 years. For the past two years, KSU's efforts have been enhanced, in large part, with a grant from USDA – Promoting Participation of Small Socially Disadvantaged Producers in USDA Programs, and Sustainable Ownership and Management of Farms in Kentucky.

By carrying out the planned tasks for the grant’s four major objectives, KSU identified small, social disadvantaged producers (SSDPs) in at least 45 Kentucky counties. Workshops and technical assistance introduced new opportunities for SSDPs to apply for USDA loans and grant programs. Alternative business models for production and marketing through cooperative enterprises were presented. SSDPs increased their interest in networking, planning, risk management, and other topics in support of stabilizing and sustaining their agricultural enterprises.

Partnerships with USDA and the Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (KCARD) were strengthened and with expectations for increasing joint efforts. Interviews with partners indicate greater regard for the value of KSU in serving an audience at-risk of missing opportunities to bring much-needed financial assistance to Kentucky farms.

KSU has consistently and directly served under-served audience of small and minority farmers with reliable and in many cases, limited resources. The importance of this grant cannot be overstated. KSU is an effective organization to reduce and stop the loss of farm owned and operated by SSDPs in their outreach and education programs for SSDPs. More funding for KSU's efforts would be an investment in Kentucky agriculture's future.