The Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will provide farm financial planning assistance, training and technical support to producers across Arkansas, according to Henry English, director of UAPB’s Small Farm Program.
The initiative was made possible by a grant from the Southern Risk Management Center. This initiative is part of the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network, a grant-funded program that brings together community-based organizations and universities to support distressed borrowers and other agricultural producers in multiple states.
Through this program, UAPB’s Small Farm Program will serve those within Arkansas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) defines a distressed borrower as an individual who is unable to make a scheduled loan payment due to financial hardship.
This includes borrowers who are 90 days or more past due on an FSA direct loan or any FSA loan. Through Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network, UAPB will assist both FSA borrowers and non-FSA producers who need support with farm financial planning and management.
English said the objectives of the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network program include helping producers to:
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
• Evaluate and better understand their current financial situation.
• Explore options to address financial challenges.
• Develop strategies to improve the long-term financial health and stability of their farm or ranch.
• Access and participate in FSA farm loans and other USDA programs.
• Improve record-keeping practices and prepare program applications.
• Receive assistance with follow-up visits related to FSA lending requirements.
Interested producers can contact the UAPB Small Farm Program (serving southeast Arkansas) at 870-575-7225 or leek@uapb.edu; or the East Arkansas Enterprise Community in Forrest City (serving northeast Arkansas) at (870) 270-2215 or mr.adcole@yahoo.com. For assistance in southwest Arkansas contact Kandi Williams at 870-571-9428 or williamska@uapb.edu.
Will Hehemann is an Extension Specialist of Communications at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences.