U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency invites minority farmers and ranchers in Marion County and across the nation to voluntarily join the USDA Minority Farm Register to receive information about opportunities from USDA agencies.

The Minority Farm Register is an outreach tool designed to connect with underserved farmers and ranchers who are not currently enrolled in USDA loan, farm, or conservation programs. The register is a shared list that will help USDA, community-based organizations, and minority serving educational institutions to communicate with minority farmers and ranchers.

Individuals wishing to join the register must sign and date a form that provides their name and address. Providing phone numbers, e-mail addresses, race, ethnicity, gender, and farm or ranch location will be voluntary, although additional information increases the producer’s opportunities for receiving timely assistance.

A pamphlet with the registration form is available at the Marion County USDA Service Center at 301 Eisenhower Drive in Marion.