MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EAST POINT, Ga. - On Thursday, August 18th, 2022, we invite you to attend our press conference announcing a historic partnership between the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide national outreach and technical assistance for potential borrowers and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) for the Heirs Property Relending Program (HPRP).

The HPRP provides funds to eligible entities to relend with the purpose of assisting heirs in resolving ownership and succession issues on farmland with multiple owners.

The press conference will initiate the start of roundtable discussions that will kick off the Federation’s 55^th Annual Meeting & 21^stEstelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Awards Ceremony.

What The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund invites

you to attend our press conference announcing a cooperative agreement

between the Federation and FSA.

When Thursday, August 18^th

1:00- 1:45 PM CST

Where The Hyatt- Birmingham

1000 Riverchase Galleria

Birmingham, Alabama 35244 United States

Who

Jewell Bronaugh

Deputy Secretary

United States Department of Agriculture

Cornelius Blanding

Executive Director

Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

Dania Davy

Director of Land Retention & Advocacy

Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

Why

The significant efforts of USDA/FSA to support successful implementation of the Heirs Property Relending Program including a significant investment in applicant readiness

The roles of the Federation’s Heirs Property Fund Manager, Financial Literacy Training Coordinator, Land Retention Specialists, & Legal Team who will provide nationwide outreach & technical assistance for potential applicants and current and prospective CDFI’s on best practices for working with heirs property landowners.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is a 55-year-old cooperative association of black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for the development of self-supporting communities through cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy. We envision sustainable rural communities supported by a network of farmers, landowners, and cooperatives based on local control and ownership.

The Federation/Land Assistance Fund is a membership-based organization that assists limited resource farmers, landowners, and cooperatives across the Southern region with business planning, debt restructuring, marketing expertise, and a whole range of other services to ensure the retention of black-owned land and cooperatives as a tool for social and economic justice.

Visit our website