USDA Appoints New Members to the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers

Thursday, January 18, 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces the appointment of 15 new members to the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF). The newly appointed members serve terms of up to two years.

“Minority farmers face unique challenges in accessing the land, credit, and training they need to succeed,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This committee is part of USDA’s commitment to ensure that all farmers have equal access to USDA programs and services, especially minority farmers and producers in underserved communities.”

Newly appointed members are:

Sarah E. Bell, Alabama

Amalia Zimmerman-Lommel, California

Jacqueline Bido, Florida

Sedrick K. Rowe, Jr., Georgia

Jeremy L. Hendrix, Louisiana

Carolyn G. Jones, Mississippi

Delmar Stamps, Mississippi

Anita Lee, New York

Julian R. Mangano, New York

Arnetta Cotton, Oklahoma

Elsa Sanchez, Pennsylvania

Willette M. Crawford, South Carolina

Kimberly M. Ratcliff, Texas

Christina Chanes, U.S. Virgin Islands/U.S. Territories

Mercy Kariuki-McGee, Washington

Committee members represent socially disadvantaged farmers, nonprofit organizations, civil rights organizations or professions, and institutions of higher education.

The Advisory Committee for Minority Farmers was established by Congress in the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 to ensure that underserved farmers have equal access to USDA programs. Committee members advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the administration of the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grant Program. They also make recommendations to the Secretary on how to increase minority participation in USDA programs.

USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) provides administrative staff support for the work initiated by the committee. OPPE develops and maintains partnerships focused on solutions to challenges facing rural and underserved communities and connects those communities to the education, tools, and resources available to them through USDA programs and initiatives.

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