Over the past 14 years, the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives has worked closely with Alcorn State University and 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 disadvantage farmers and ranchers to remain viable producers.  Over the next three years, 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, board of directors and members of the various small farm cooperative in the state.   The staff will work closely with Alcorn State University in implementing or comprehensive farm management program, credit management marketing, value-added processing and regional marketing.

 

The projects overall goal is to directly improve the management of small farm cooperative and income of their 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 Alcorn State University and the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives.  MAC will concentrate on providing support to organized cooperatives, value-added processing and marketing.