SLEDGE, MS – Last week, more than 200 growers and industry representatives braved humidity, rain, and resulting mud here to participate in the fifth stop of the National Black Growers Council’s (NBGC)
Model Farm Field Days series for 2023.
Farmer Christi Bland-Miller, a member of the current Rice Leadership Development Class, served as host, emcee, and tour guide, and welcomed attendees to the nearby Dundee Community Center for opening remarks and morning refreshments.
Dr. Loston Rowe, interim executive director of the NBGC and NBGC Chair PJ Haynie III, also a member of the current Rice Leadership Class, thanked the many sponsors of the series and reminded attendees that the NBGC mission is to “improve the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of Black row crop farmers,” and that networking and participating in community events like the farm series is vital.
With rain moving into the area, organizers pivoted and moved the afternoon indoor programming to the morning to provide an opportunity for the rain to pass and the fields to dry out.
First was information on Climate Smart programs. NBGC’s Elzadia Washington gave an overview of the USDA grants NBGC secured with USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited, including that negotiations with USDA are now complete and the full program will be rolled out soon. USA Rice/Ducks Unlimited representative John Glover provided more insight into the goals of the program and encouraged farmers to be ready to sign up later this year. Emmanuel Bankston from ADM then shared information on his company’s regenerative ag grants that pay farmers up to $25 per acre for planting cover crops, as well as other programs.
USDA-NRCS Assistant Chief Kenneth Walker then led a parade of USDA officials from across the agency talking about the many services they offer farmers, including relatively newer resources under the banner of climate smart initiatives.
“Climate smart programs are for the climate,” Walker said. “We want to help farmers help the land.”
Other NRCS employees shared information on the practices and programs that can make a difference to farmers’ profitability. Representatives from the Farm Service Agency updated attendees on available financial resources from marketing assistance loans to storage loans; and National Agricultural Statistics Service employees thanked attendees for participating in their important data collection efforts.
The event then moved outside for a discussion of new technology from John Deere thanks to local dealer Wade Incorporated, and the 3RIVE 3D® application system, an exciting crop protection delivery platform from FMC that gives growers the freedom to farm faster. At least one drone buzzed overhead as attendees loaded onto buses to head to Bland-Miller’s family farm a short drive away.
The first stop was a beautiful rice field soon to be heading where Bland-Miller talked about the polypipe irrigation system she utilizes on the field that she leveled with help from the EQIP program. She and her crop consultant, Winston Earnheart, took questions from the crowd on everything from water practices to pest management and everything in between.
Representatives from RiceTec, NutrienAg, Syngenta, and AgLaunch also made presentations to the rice farmers in attendance. Many took a short walk to soybean fields to hear from Corteva/Pioneer, Indigo, and FMC on developments.
Everyone then returned to the Community Center for closing remarks and lunch.
Haynie closed the session by reiterating that there are many public and private programs designed to help farmers succeed, but only for those who participate, and that programs like the Model Farm Series are determined to connect Black row crop farmers with those resources.
“If you no-till, if you cover crop, you can be compensated for the work you are already doing,” he said. “But you need to know the programs exist, and that you qualify. That’s what we’re doing here today.”