Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Improving the impact and benefits of USDA research and grant programs to enhance mid-size farm profitability and rural community success

Project ID: P2003-14

Abstract

A review of four USDA grant programs in 2001 and 2002 found that only a small percentage of the programs served the needs of small and mid-size farmers.

Key Question: How well are four key federal USDA grant programs serving beginning and mid-size farms and what steps might be taken to improve these programs or develop new solutions to enhance farm profitability and rural community success?

Findings: This project found that of nearly $500 million dedicated to the selected programs over the period examined, only about 5 percent went to projects determined to be beneficial to small and mid-sized and beginning farmers and ranchers.

Lead investigator: Jon Bailey, Center for Rural Affairs, et al

Year of grant completion: 2009

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Policy Initiative.

Topics: Policy