NOVEMBER 2022

FSC/LAF Oct 13, 2022 All-staff training at the Federation's Rural Training & Research Center in Epes, Alabama.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is a 55-year-old cooperative association of Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives.


Our mission is to be a catalyst for the development of self-supporting communities through cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy.


As we approach the holiday season, our commitment to serving our members in the Southern states we are chartered in is the driving force behind all that we do. Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.


In this edition of Around the Federation, the Federation's monthly electronic newsletter, you will find highlights of our educational events, accomplishments, programs, and more! 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Staff

HERE WE GROW AGAIN!!!


We welcome Patrick Martin as our new Forester!


Patrick is currently based in Louisiana and works under the supervision of the Louisiana State Coordinator. He provides professional forest management services in and around the Louisiana/Texas region by assisting with writing management plans, timber management, and forest assessments.


Patrick studied and received his B.S. in Forest Management at Mississippi State University and also received an associate's degree in business from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

FSC/LAF Open Job Positions 

FSC/LAF Beloved Staff Member Passes

With heavy hearts, the Federation mourns the loss of retired staff member, Daisy Marshall Garrett (Jackson, MS), who passed away on October 13, 2022, at the age of 73.


She served as the admin for the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives (M.A.C.) for nearly 20 years assisting underserved Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives.


Daisy played a huge role in the registration process at both the Federation and M.A.C. annual meetings. Daisy was also a fixture at the M.A.C. Small Farmers Conference. Daisy's impact could also be seen at the Christmas meeting and Ag Symposium where she always made sure that all the decorations were just right and to her liking. Daisy was a surrogate Aunt to all who worked with her in and she will be sorely missed.

COOP DEVELOPMENT

CoopEcon 2022

Director of Coop Development & Strategic Initiatives, Terence Courtney, speaking during CoopEcon 2022

The Federation held its 9th Annual CoopEcon during National Coop Month at our historic 1300+ acre Rural Training & Research Center in Epes, Alabama.


CoopEcon is the Federation's education and training institute geared toward helping current and future cooperators build and strengthen their community-based enterprises.


Representatives from 17 coops attended CoopEcon2022.

CoopEcon 2022 Panel Discussion with Cooperative Members:

Family Farm Coop (MS/TN), Marengo Coop (AL), Pointe Coupee Minority Farmers’ Cooperative (LA)

According to Cornelius Blanding, the Executive Director of the Federation,

 “In the South, cooperatives are still being formed out of necessity to combat issues that are relevant to today’s economic, social, and political landscape. Access to credit and markets, food security, land preservation, and climate change are all issues directly impacting the longevity of rural families. Cooperatives are vital and continue to enable rural families to retain their land, expand upon it and pass it on to a new generation."

LAND RETENTION

Forward 2023

Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to clear your title and create wealth-building opportunities on family land!

Each year the Federation targets 100 heirs property landowners to assist with saving Black landholdings and building generational wealth.

Register 

ADVOCACY

Inflation Reduction Act 2022 (IRA) Update

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) making it the law. The Federation continues to actively engage our members, partners, Congress, and USDA in seeking accountability and transparency in the loan modification and discrimination claims processes outlined in the IRA.


We remain committed to supporting and advocating for Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives as we continue to stand with the 3,100 Black farmers, as well as the 17,000 farmers of color, promised debt relief last year under the American Rescue Plan Act §1005 Emergency Debt Relief. The Federation is working with the USDA to ensure Black Farmers and Farmers of Color Receive debt relief and equity via Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act Debt Relief.


Listen below as the Federation's Director of Land Retention & Advocacy, Dania Davy discusses recommendations and the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act.

USDA IRA FACT SHEET
Farmer's Guide to IRA
USDA Payments of $800 Million
Oct 2022 FSC/LAF Press Release
August 2022 FSC/LAF Press Release

MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHT

Georgia Individual Farmer Member

The Federation salutes farmer-member, Steve Hurst.


Steve operates S. Hurst Farm Inc., a 400-acre farm in Decatur County, Georgia.


He produces peanuts and soybeans.

Steve grew up on the farm and learned how to farm from his Dad. He has been forming for 3 years.


Steve has been an active member of the Federation for two years.

Texas Individual Farmer Member

The Federation salutes farmer-member, Kareem Lewis.


Kareem is a 4th generation farmer and operates the H.E. Cattle Company, a 114-acre farm in Caldwell County, Texas. He breeds quality beef cattle and also produces hay.


He is paralyzed due to a car accident, but that did not stop this lifetime beef cattle and hay producer from doing the work he loves-farming.



Kareem, his mother, and his daughter all farm the land together.


Kareem joined the Federation a few months ago to support our mission and find resources and support with heirs' property issues.

 2022 Annual Report
Donate
Visit our Website
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Linkedin  Youtube