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.

关于英亩计划

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.

请联系 acres@nmsdc.org 有关此计划的问题。

英亩的组成部分

学习计划

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.

获取资金、准备资金和利用小额贷款。

解决增长问题，如储存、将种植面积投入生产和设备管理。

培养谈判技巧。

制定增长计划并进行管理。

审查企业成员共同面临的机遇和挑战。

战略业务支持

通过定制的在线学习社区建立联系，使他们能够相互交流并建立关系。

协助完成 NMSDC 的认证程序，认证费用由本计划承担。

有机会通过专门为该计划中的农民提供的商业联合基金机会，申请以增长为导向的小额贷款。

参加与参与企业成员的指导和配对会议，协助创造直接建立关系和签订合同的机会。

指导的重点是如何驾驭采购流程，以及如何有效应对招标书。

“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.”

切丽-扎尔

深根 CPS 农场

北卡罗来纳州夏洛特

即将入学的学生

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

Tentative dates/times for the next twelve-week virtual program:

January 2026 – April 2026

美国东部时间每周三中午 12:00 - 下午 1:30

通过获取各种学习解决方案、认证机会、贷款选择、网络资源、新合同等，释放拓展农业业务的潜力。

be considered for the next acres cohort

"Acres 计划是一次宝贵的经历。我学到了新的信息，建立了新的联系。我提高了对某些主题的认识，同时也接触到了新的经验和想法，包括新的作物和系统。我知道，即使我已经完成了该计划，这段经历仍将继续产生成果。

安特伦-威廉姆斯

桃花心木农场有限责任公司

南卡罗来纳州罗斯维尔

Meet Acres Cohort Three

得益于主要农业和食品公司的更多支持嘉吉公司和联合国基金会我们 excited to announce an expanded 2025 Acres: Growing the Future of Agriculture 群组其中包括来自美国各地的农民和牧场主美国 In its third year, 英亩 trains and certifies historically underutilized farmers and ranchers as diverse suppliers. 其 goal is to help increase incomes as producers access new markets, including 商品、杂货店、餐馆和其他零售店。今年的学员包括