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Agribusiness has an annual economic impact of US 51. 8 billion in South Carolina (South Carolina Department of Agriculture, n. d. ). It is supported by underserved farmers and ranchers who represent 9. 3% of all South Carolina farms and 8% of all farmland acres (USDA, 2024). Further, almost 35% of South Carolina farmers or producers are female (USDA, 2024). This small group of farmers and ranchers represents an important economic sector in agriculture and could benefit from participation in the U. S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) climate-smart agriculture programs to enhance or increase their farming operations. In addition, implementing climate-smart agricultural practices can help to offset the negative impacts of the increased frequency and intensity of disturbances (e. g. , drought and flooding). However, previous research has shown that underserved farmers and ranchers do not participate in USDA NRCS programs at the same rate as other farmers (Gilbert et al. , 2002; Minkoff-Zern Russell et al. , 2021). This research sought to (1) identify the barriers to participation in USDA NRCS programs and (2) develop recommendations for overcoming the barriers. Eight focus groups were conducted between June 2022 and March 2023 either virtually (n = 5) or in-person (n = 3) with underserved farmers and ranchers (n = 22) around the state to identify barriers to participation in USDA NRCS climate-smart agricultural programs. Program participants were self-selected using a nonprobability sampling technique (snowball sampling) and were recruited by contacts provided to the researchers by Clemson Extension agents and nongovernmental organizations that represent historically socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Three primary barriers were identified: (1) lack of program clarity and visibility, (2) lack of accountability, and (3) lack of NRCS support. Recommendations are provided to address and overcome each barrier.
Guynn et al. (Thu,) studied this question.