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About Us

The Farm Service Agency Outreach Office coordinates and implements agency-wide outreach activities to farmers, ranchers and stakeholders who can benefit from the agency's programs and services. Our goal is to increase the participation of customers in FSA programs with targeted marketing activities to those who are underserved. Underserved customers include:

  • Minority farmers/ranchers and landowners/operators (including African-Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asian/Pacific Americans, Hispanics), Women, and the physically challenged who may need, but have not fully benefited from, USDA assistance;
  • New or Beginning farmers and ranchers (including youth and veterans);
  • Farmers and ranchers who have not participated in or have received limited benefits from FSA programs that may improve their quality of life, their community and/or the environment;
  • Small specialty crop farmers, organic farmers and other farmers with production practices that are different from most farmers in the area.

Outreach Office Staff

Director:  Linda Cronin

Outreach and Education

Esther Lin: Outreach Program Manager

Specialist Name
Position Title
Program Portfolio
Minority/Historically Underserved Segments
Jennifer PerezNational Outreach and Education Specialist and Tribal Liaison Tribal Programs; Conservation Programs, Outreach Compliance; Outreach Pilots; Training; Customer Experience; FSA County CommitteesAmerican Indian/Alaskan Native Farmers and Ranchers; 1994 Colleges and Universities
Kanika Calvin-Davis

National Outreach and Education Specialist

Farm Loan Programs; Marketing Assistance and Farm Storage Facility Loans; Dairy Programs and all Price Support Programs

African American Farmers and Ranchers; Asian American Farmers and Ranchers; 1890s Land Grant Universities
Lindsay MutegiNational Outreach and Engagement SpecialistEvent Management and Workshop Proposals; Cooperative Agreements; Outreach Training; Outreach Compliance Reviews; SCORENational Stakeholder Organizations
VacantNational Outreach and Education SpecialistSafety Net Programs; Urban Agriculture; FSA Urban County Committees; Local/Regional Food SystemsHispanic Farmers and Ranchers; Women Farmers and Ranchers; Organic and Urban Producers;  Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)

USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher (BFR) Program

Sarah Campbell: National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator

Specialist Name
Position Title
Minority/Historically Underserved Segments
States Served

Rodney Brooks

(Away on detail)

Regional BFR Coordinator

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program serving FSA, NRCS, RD, RMA State BFR Coordinators 

Minority Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, ME, MS,NC, NH, NJ, NY,  PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, WV
Richard LopezNational Outreach Specialist

Beginning Farmers and Rancher Program serving FSA, NRCS, RD, RMA State BFR Coordinators

Veteran BFRs

AZ, CA, CO, HI, KS, NM, NV, OK, PR, TX, UT, VI
Amanda RobertsonNational Outreach Specialist

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program

serving FSA, NRCS, RD and RMA State BFR Coordinators

Women Farmers & Ranchers 

AK, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, MT, MN, ND, NE, OH, OR, SD, TN, WA, WI, WY
Janet WrightNational Outreach SpecialistBeginning Farmer and Rancher Program

State Beginning Farmer and Rancher (BFR) Coordinators


Our Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Office of Outreach include:

  • Connecting farmers and ranchers with state outreach coordinators and events;
  • Coordinating and monitoring state and county outreach activities;
  • Implementing policy regarding development of Strategic Outreach Plans for each state;
  • Providing training and policy guidance on outreach of FSA's programs to FSA employees;
  • Developing new and innovative outreach partnerships that facilitate new or expanded participation in FSA programs, especially from underserved farmers and ranchers;
  • Educating farmers and ranchers on the FSA County Committee and Urban Ag County Committee processes and providing guidance to state and county offices on ways to increase participation in elections, especially from the underserved;
  • Working with other USDA agencies; federal and tribal governments; state agencies; community-based and faith-based organizations; grower associations; farm cooperatives; 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land Grant Colleges and Universities; Hispanic Serving Institutions and other partners to provide technical assistance, training, and program education to shared agricultural communities.

FSA State Outreach Contacts

FSA has strengthened its outreach commitment by assigning Outreach Coordinators in every county office nationwide, as well as State Coordinators in all 51 state/territory offices.

The State and County Office Coordinators serve as primary points of contact for FSA state and local outreach initiatives and activities. Activities may include workshops, presentations, trainings, and seminars, with specific targeted marketing efforts to include, but not limited to, the following underserved farmers and ranchers:

  • Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
  • Minority Farmers and Ranchers (African-Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asian/Pacific Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics)
  • Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
  • Women Farmers and Ranchers

FSA outreach coordinators are committed to carrying out effective state outreach programs to:

  • Establish partnerships with members of underserved communities, community based organizations, local community leaders, educational institutions, and other federal agencies.
  • Promote the need for representation from underserved groups on FSA Urban Ag and County Office Committees.

Contact the Outreach Coordinator in your state.

USDA State Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators

Are you new to farming or ranching? USDA can help you get started or grow your farming operation through a variety of programs and services. From farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation programs to disaster assistance, USDA is here to support you and your operation.

Contact your state Beginning Farmers and Rancher Coordinator to learn more.


For More Information

More information about FSA programs is available at FSA state and county offices.