OPPE Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement”

Over the past 14 years, the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives has worked closely with the USDA agencies in the state to implement the Outreach and Assistance program for Socially Disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The program continues to make significant progress in helping socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to remain viable producers.

The project staff will continue to be proactive in making small farmers aware of the many USDA and other state and local programs available. The project staff will conduct ongoing training programs for officers, the board of directors, and members of the various small farm cooperative in the state. The team will work closely with the USDA in implementing or comprehensive farm management programs, credit management marketing, value-added processing, and regional marketing. The project's overall goal is to directly improve the direction of the small farm cooperative and the income of its members through management training, financial analysis, and the production and marketing of a profitable mix of alternative and traditional agriculture enterprises. This is a cooperative venture between the USDA and the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives. MAC will concentrate on providing support to organized cooperatives, value-added processing, and marketing.