Headlines For Aug. 15, 2024

Heavy Rains in Minnesota: Impact on BIPOC Farmers

The heavy rainfall in Minnesota during this spring and summer has presented considerable difficulties for farmers. These storms have had a negative impact on their early harvests, leading to considerable financial losses, particularly for farmers of color who are more susceptible to such challenges due to smaller acreages and fewer resources. According to the University of Minnesota Extension office, the rainfall during the months of April, May, and June was unprecedented, with many areas receiving over 25 inches of rainfall and sixty communities experiencing rainfall levels that were 6 to 12 inches higher than normal. Similar struggles are being faced by farmers who are part of Route 1, an organization that supports emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) farmers. Route 1 provides resources and assistance to these farmers to help them acquire land and develop their businesses, with the goal of increasing generational wealth and food access within communities of color.

BIPOC farmers struggle to recover after heavy rains wipe out crops, delay replanting

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