Proposal for Analyzing Awareness of and Access to Credit and Risk Management Programs by Minority Farmers in Missouri

DeAndre L. Malone
Dr. Michael Seipel, Faculty Mentor

Farms are expensive to run. In most operations, producers’ expenses include animal feed, equipment/repairs, various inputs, rent, and other farm services. Most producers, regardless of whether they operate larger or smaller family operations, rely on credit to expand, start, and maintain them. Previous literature (Gilbert et al., 2002) and historical events (Pigford v. Glickman) have shown that racial discrimination is an obstacle to credit access that diminishes the ability of minorities to be involved in agriculture as principal producers and operators. This study will utilize a survey of minority farmers in addition to follow-up, open-ended interviews and analysis of secondary data to understand the extent to which minority producers currently use conventional credit sources and government-sponsored credit and risk management programs targeted to these producers. The study attempts to understand the barriers in addition to or other than outright discrimination that limit the financial success of minority farmers.

 

Keywords: Financial Barriers, Agriculture, Discrimination, Equity

Topic(s):Economics
Agricultural Science

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Session: 307-1
Location: MG 2001
Time: 1:15

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