Arkansas Farmers Get UAPB Support Amid Drought, Budget Woes

Pine Bluff, AR. - Facing mounting pressures from persistent drought conditions and tightening budgets, Arkansas farmers are receiving crucial support through a new initiative spearheaded by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). The institution has launched the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network (DBAN), a grant-funded program designed to offer financial guidance and stability to agricultural producers.

Across the nation, and particularly in Arkansas, farmers are grappling with significant financial instability. Severe to extreme drought has plagued the state's growing season, exacerbating economic challenges and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty for those working to sustain their livelihoods and provide for their families.

DBAN, backed financially by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is set to bolster an ongoing effort by UAPB's Small Farm Program (SFP). This collaborative initiative, which commenced on September 21, 2024, aims to provide comprehensive farm financial planning assistance. The SFP itself was established through a grant from the Southern Risk Management Center.

According to Dr. Henry English, director of UAPB's Small Farm Program, the initiative will extend training and technical support to farmers throughout Arkansas. Key objectives of the program include empowering producers to:

• Thoroughly evaluate their current financial standing.
• Explore viable options to address financial hurdles.
• Develop robust strategies for long-term financial health and stability.
• Access and participate in USDA programs, including Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans.
• Improve critical record-keeping practices and prepare program applications.
• Receive follow-up assistance related to FSA lending requirements.

UAPB, through DBAN, will extend its support to both FSA borrowers and non-FSA producers seeking specialized farm financial services. The USDA's Farm Service Agency defines a distressed borrower as an individual unable to meet scheduled loan payments due to financial hardship, specifically those 90 days past due on an FSA direct or any other FSA loan. This timely program offers a lifeline to Arkansas's agricultural community during a period of profound need.