Acres: Growing the Future of Agriculture

1 de julio de 2023

Acres: Growing the Future of Agriculture

The Acres program, launched in 2022 by NMSDC in collaboration with Cargill, is a 14-week business development initiative designed to support small and mid-sized agricultural enterprises. The program focuses on helping participants expand their operational capacity and prepares them to compete for large-scale national contracts with NMSDC corporate partners.

PÁGINAS RELACIONADAS

Acerca del programa Acres

In 2022, NMSDC, in partnership with Cargill, launched a new initiative to expand access to agricultural supply chains for historically underutilized farmers. Data from McKinsey & Company highlights a significant decline in participation among historically underutilized farming communities over the past century, with these farmers now accounting for less than 0.5% of total U.S. farm sales and operating at approximately 70% of the revenue of their peers.

To help address these challenges and strengthen the agricultural sector, NMSDC and Cargill introduced a program focused on providing practical business education, certification support, access to financing, networking opportunities, and connections to new contracts.

Following a successful first year, the program now known as Acres has expanded with support from, UNFI, Papa Johns, Hershey, Mars, Suntory, FoodBuy/Compass Foundation and continued backing from Cargill. The enhanced initiative includes two core components: a structured learning curriculum and strategic business development support, aimed at helping more farmers grow and compete in national supply chains.

Program Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for participation in the Acres program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Operate a for-profit agricultural enterprise physically located in the U.S. or its trust territories, with a minimum annual revenue of $25,000.
Business must be at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by individuals from historically underutilized communities.
Ownership must be actively involved in the management and daily operations of the farm.
Have at least two years of farming experience.
Have registered with the Secretary of State in the state where the business operates.
Maintain a business-bank account.
Provide proof of United States citizenship.
Preference is given to value-added producers, commodity growers, and aquaculture operations, though all eligible applicants are welcome to apply.

Póngase en contacto con acres@nmsdc.org para preguntas sobre este programa.

Componentes de Acres

Programa de aprendizaje

NMSDC is creating equitable practices and pathways for historically underutilized farmers in the agriculture industry.

Program participants complete a 14-week learning curriculum focused on growing their capacity to take on major national contracts with corporate members. Topics covered in this program include:

Getting certified as an MBE and how it can open opportunities for historically underutilized farmers.

Acceso al capital, preparación del capital y aprovechamiento de los microcréditos.

Abordar cuestiones de crecimiento como el almacenamiento, la puesta en producción de las superficies y la gestión de los equipos.

Desarrollar la capacidad de negociación.

Desarrollar un plan y gestionar el crecimiento.

Revisión de las oportunidades y retos compartidos por las empresas miembros.

Apoyo estratégico a las empresas

Estar conectados a través de una comunidad de aprendizaje en línea personalizada para que puedan trabajar en red y establecer relaciones entre sí.

Recibir asistencia para completar el proceso de certificación con el NMSDC, con las tasas de certificación cubiertas por este programa.

Tener la oportunidad de solicitar microcréditos orientados al crecimiento a través de una oportunidad del Fondo del Consorcio Empresarial específica para los agricultores del programa.

Participar en sesiones de tutoría y emparejamiento con los miembros corporativos participantes, ayudando a crear oportunidades directas de creación de relaciones y contratos.

La tutoría se centrará en la navegación por el proceso de contratación y en la respuesta eficaz a las solicitudes de propuestas.

“During the program we were able to start a new CSA program and are gearing up to enter new markets. Thank you, Cargill, and NSMDC for supporting farmers and providing us with this wonderful opportunity! We are excited about taking our farm business to the next level and appreciate the support from this amazing program.”

Cherie Jzar

Granja Deep Roots CPS

Charlotte, Carolina del Norte

Próxima cohorte

Applications for Cohort Four are now open! Use the form below to apply and take the next step toward expanding your business in the agriculture industry.

Submit an Application Today

Fechas y horarios provisionales para el próximo programa virtual de doce semanas:

Enero 2026 - Abril 2026

Todos los miércoles, de 12.00 a 13.30 h EST

Desbloquee el potencial de expansión de su empresa agrícola accediendo a diversas soluciones de aprendizaje, oportunidades de certificación, opciones de préstamo, recursos de creación de redes, nuevos contratos y mucho más.

ser considerado para la próxima cohorte de acres

"El programa [Acres] ha sido una experiencia valiosa. Aprendí nueva información e hice nuevas conexiones. Aumentó mi conocimiento de ciertos temas, al tiempo que me expuse a nuevas experiencias e ideas que incluían nuevos cultivos y sistemas. Sé que la experiencia seguirá dando resultados aunque haya terminado el programa."

Antron Williams

Mahogany Farms LLC

Rowesville, S.C.

Meet Acres Cohort Three

Gracias al mayor apoyo de las principales empresas agrícolas y alimentarias Cargill y UNFIsomos excited to announce an expanded 2025 Acres: Growing the Future of Agriculture cohorte que incluye a agricultores y ganaderos de todo el EE.UU. In its third year, Acres trains and certifies historically underutilized farmers and ranchers as diverse suppliers. Su goal is to help increase incomes as producers access new markets, including productos básicos, tiendas de comestibles, restaurantes y otros puntos de venta al por menor. Entre los miembros de la cohorte de este año figuran: