MBN USA

August 19, 2025

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Apply for NMSDC's Acres Cohort 4 by Oct. 5

After three successful cohorts, Acres is cultivating even greater opportunities for historically underutilized farming communities nationwide. We’re excited to announce that applications for Cohort 4 are now open!

Launched in 2022, NMSDC’s Acres: Growing the Future of Agriculture program was created to address 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.

Acres is working to change that by providing participants with practical business education, certification support, access to financing, networking opportunities, and connections to new contracts.

What You’ll Gain

Participants complete a 14-week learning program covering:

• Becoming NMSDC-certified and leveraging that certification for new opportunities.
• Accessing and preparing for capital and micro-loans.
• Managing growth challenges: storage, equipment, and scaling production.
• Building negotiation skills and business strategies for success.
• Connecting with NMSDC corporate members to explore real contract opportunities.

Eligibility Snapshot

Applicants must:

• 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.

All applications must be submitted by Oct.5 at 11:59 p.m. EST 

Click here to apply today!