Underserved farmers’ barriers to adoption of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service climate-smart agricultural practices in South Carolina

Agribusiness has an annual economic impact of US $51.8 billion in South Carolina (South Carolina Department of Agriculture, n.d.). It is supported by underserved farmers and ranchers who represent 9.3% of all South Carolina farms and 8% of all farmland acres (USDA, 2024). Further, almost 35% of South Carolina farmers or producers are female (USDA, 2024). This small group of farmers and ranchers represents an important economic sector in agriculture and could benefit from participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) climate-smart agriculture programs to enhance or increase their farming operations. In addition, implementing climate-smart agricultural practices can help to offset the negative impacts of the increased frequency and intensity of disturbances (e.g., drought and flooding). However, previous research has shown that underserved farmers and ranchers do not participate in USDA NRCS pro­grams at the same rate as other farmers (Gilbert et al., 2002; Minkoff-Zern & Sloat, 2017; Russell et al., 2021). This research sought to (1) identify the barriers to participation in USDA NRCS programs and (2) develop recommendations for overcoming the barriers. Eight focus groups were conducted between June 2022 and March 2023 either virtually (n = 5) or in-person (n = 3) with underserved farm­ers and ranchers (n = 22) around the state to iden­tify barriers to participation in USDA NRCS cli­mate-smart agricultural programs. Program participants were self-selected using a nonproba­bility sampling technique (snowball sampling) and were recruited by contacts provided to the researchers by Clemson Extension agents and non­governmental organizations that represent histori­cally socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Three primary barriers were identified: (1) lack of program clarity and visibility, (2) lack of accounta­bility, and (3) lack of NRCS support. Recommen­dations are provided to address and overcome each barrier.