About NIFI

The National Immigrant Farming Initiative (NIFI) is a collaborative effort of Heifer International and other partners around the country.

NIFI provides training, information sharing, networking opportunities, funding for projects through Heifer’s project development process, and other resources to support immigrant farmers.  NIFI advocates for immigrant farmers and works to build awareness about the unique challenges immigrant farmers face, while increasing the visibility of their important contributions to our communities and agriculture.  

NIFI is guided by a Steering Committee of farmers, immigrant farmer service providers, university-affiliated researchers, Heifer International staff, and other advocates.  Funding is generously provided by USDA’s Risk Management Agency, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Heifer International.

History and Context

At a time when the number of farms in our country has been declining, immigrant and refugees farmers offer a remarkable countertrend.  According to the Census of Agriculture, Latinos constitute the fastest growing sector of farmers in the United States, increasing by 50% between 1997 and 2002. There are West African farmers in Maryland, Hmong farmers in Minnesota, and Sikh farmers in California. As immigrant farmers’ numbers have grown, local efforts have sprung up throughout the country to support these new farmers.

“All of us working with immigrant farmers are basically trying to do the same thing.  To avoid spinning our wheels, we need to know what’s been done and what everyone else is trying.”
-Yimeem Vu, Minnesota Food Association

Today more than twenty established and developing immigrant farming projects exist nationwide. NIFI was formed in 2003 to connect these diverse efforts and accomplish common goals to support immigrant farmers. Heifer International, already supporting several local immigrant farming efforts, agreed to take the lead in sponsoring this new initiative.  

How does NIFI Benefit Immigrant Farmers and Immigrant Farming Projects?

• Training and Capacity Building: NIFI organizes opportunities for groups to come together through trainings that address the unique needs of immigrant farmers.  Events have included a National Training of Trainers in Farm and Market Profitability; an Interpreter Training for Grassroots Interpreters; and a Farmer Field School to link aspiring Latino farmers with mentor farmers in the Southeast.
  
  
• Advocacy and Learning: NIFI is participating in advocacy efforts leading up to the 2007 Farm Bill.  Additionally, NIFI held two national meetings to better understand the issues facing immigrant farmers – the Latino Farmworker to Farmer Forum and the Immigrant and Refugee Farmer Forum. Visit our Advocacy Center to learn more.
  
  
• Networking and Information Sharing: NIFI serves as a forum and catalyst for project and farmer exchange. Through gathering existing materials and developing new resources, we help to increase access to culturally appropriate resources geared towards immigrant farmer groups.
  
  
• Direct Support to Immigrant Farming Projects: Through funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Heifer provides funding to immigrant farming projects throughout the country. To read more about Heifer’s funding and project development process, click here.