South Carolina NRCS Outreach Program
"Making a Difference in Program Delivery throughout the Palmetto State"
Outreach is defined as reaching out to people who are not our traditional customers. Emphasis is placed on reaching specific groups because we know that they have been historically underserved. Our traditional approaches in providing assistance have not been successful, so we need to try new and innovative methods.
Effective outreach requires flexible approaches; listening first and then matching your message to the listener. It means communicating in new ways to new audiences to get our message to customers who are culturally and racially diverse, urban and rural. Success is determined by the relationships that are developed, not necessarily the widgets that are produced.
Outreach Definitions
Beginning Farmer- A Beginning Farmer is one who:
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has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 consecutive years. This requirement applies to all members of an entity.
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will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch.
Community Based Organizations (CBO)- Recognized groups concerned with improving the quality of life for residents within local communities. These organizations can initiate and manage projects, and provide an avenue to reach underserved audiences. These groups include non-profit, non-government organizations. For example, faith-based organizations, women’s groups, environmental groups, farm or woodlands groups, trade and professional associations, educational associations and schools.
Indian Tribe- Indian Tribe means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S. C 1601 et seq.) that is Federally recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher is one:
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with direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than the current indexed value in each of the previous two years, and
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who has a total household income at or below the national poverty level for a family of four, or less than 50 percent of the county median household income for each of the previous two years.
An entity or joint operation can be a Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher if all individual members independently qualify.
Outreach- Conducting business to ensure that NRCS programs and services are made accessible to all customers, with emphasis on the underserved. Applies to all programs, and all customers.
Socially Disadvantaged- A Socially Disadvantaged group is a group whose members have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group, without regard to their individual qualities. These groups consist of the following:
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American Indian or Alaska Native
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Asian
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Black or African American
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Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders
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Hispanic
Gender alone is not a covered group for the purposes of NRCS conservation programs. A Socially Disadvantaged applicant is an individual or entity who is a member of a Socially Disadvantaged group. For an entity, at least 50% ownership in the farm or ranch must be held by Socially Disadvantaged individuals.
Underserved- Individuals or groups who have not participated in, or have received limited benefits from, USDA or NRCS programs. Historically, the underserved include tribes, minorities, women, the disabled, limited resource farmers/ranchers and small-scale farmers.
Outreach Program Resources
NEW! South Carolina State Outreach Council-- The Council works to provide coordinated outreach efforts to all USDA customers in South Carolina, especially those that have historically been under served within the State.
Census Maps
Maps depict information from the Census of Agriculture, prepared by USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. The South Carolina Agricultural Statistics is located at www.nass.usda.gov/sc.
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Number of American Indian/Alaska Native Operated Farms in South Carolina Counties
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Number of Asian Operated Farms in South Carolina Counties
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Number of African American Operated Farms in South Carolina Counties
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Number of Female Operated Farms in South Carolina Counties
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Number of Hispanic Operated Farms in South Carolina Counties
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Number of Hawaiian/Pacific Island Operated Farms in South Carolina Counties
South Carolina Outreach Success Stories
Greenville Conservation Partnership Helps Local Church Instill Community Pride
The Greenville Conservation Partnership,
along with volunteers from the church
and neighborhood, worked together to
reform an inner-city Greenville neighbor-
hood.
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The Sullivan Street community in Greenville, South Carolina, has undergone an extreme makeover. The transformation was merely a dream a few years ago when Pastor Sean Dogan contacted the Greenville USDA NRCS for assistance and advice. His mission was clear and straightforward. He, along with church members from Long Branch Baptist Church, wanted to ensure that the stream running adjacent to the church was stabilized. “We simply wanted to clean up this channel and make sure that it didn’t collapse from the effects of severe erosion along the banks,” explained Dogan. “My main concern initially was the danger the channel posed.” The channel was also an eyesore that marred the church property. The Greenville Conservation Partnership was eager to assist Dogan and worked with him to implement a plan to stabilize and repair the 200-feet of eroding streambank. But, they did not stop there. This group embarked upon a venture that would improve the economic, environmental, and social conditions of an inner-city Greenville neighborhood.
A large area of vacant land behind the church had disintegrated into a scene of frequent drug trade and criminal activity. So, working with the Greenville NRCS, Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), and the Foothills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council, the church went a step further and set its sights on a greenway development project. The area was first cleared of the dilapidated homes that bordered the area. Far exceeding his original intent to stabilize and clean out the stream, Dogan was determined to accomplish much more. From a relatively simple stream restoration project was born a cooperative conservation project that would instill pride in a depressed community, rally volunteers from the church and neighborhood, and create an oasis of peace, beauty, and reflection. Read the entire article about the Longbranch Restoration Project.
For more information on enhancing outreach and program delivery in your county, contact:
Amy M. Overstreet,
Public Affairs Specialist and State Outreach Coordinator & 1890’s Liaison
(803) 765-5402
Elyse Benson
Outreach Coordinator
(864) 229-2174, ext. 104
Sabrenna Bryant
Public Affairs Specialist
(803) 765-5419
