Rep. Angie Craig Announces USDA Grant to Northfield, Minn. Farm, Pushes USDA on Staffing Needs

Today, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig announced that Main Street Project, a Northfield poultry farm focused on sustainable farming and community engagement, has been awarded a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

However, due to the relocation of NIFA offices and dramatic cuts to staffing, the dispersion of such grants has been significantly delayed in getting to communities like Northfield.

"It is essential that we give everyone who wants to get a start in farming a fair shot," said Rep. Angie Craig. "I am so proud to see my neighbors in Northfield be recognized for their hard work and I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address staffing challenges facing the Agency to make sure these funds reach organizations like the Main Street Project on time. We must adequately support these projects that are creating sustainable local food systems and setting beginning farmers up for success."

The Main Street Project has been working for more than a decade to create pathways out of poverty for farmers of color. This grant will help them scale their regenerative poultry model, a new model for producing free-range poultry.

Rep. Craig serves on the House Agriculture Committee, where she works to find policies that support Minnesota family farmers, expand export markets, and encourage young people to get involved in Minnesota's robust agriculture economy.