Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Committee

The IDEA Committee was formed through discussions with RIPE stakeholders and staff to ensure that farmers and ranchers who have historically been underserved by USDA programs are central in designing the RIPE proposal.

It is focused on raising up historically underserved producers and their perspectives to approaching climate-smart agriculture and addressing equity issues in agriculture as it relates to RIPE.

The committee is dedicated to developing a shared understanding, suggesting changes to RIPE’s work, and creating avenues of equity within the RIPE proposal.

The IDEA Committee exists to achieve the following:

Increase grasstops IDEA farmer leadership through constructive dialogue and supportive actions.
Understand and decipher impact of USDA regulations, environmental regulations, and related policy on IDEA farmers.
Integrate equity and inclusion principles in leadership, program & policy.
Refine policy to broaden IDEA support and educate policymakers to identify equity opportunities in policy development.
Integrate IDEA elements within RIPE’s organizational best practices.
Outline policies and practices that promote mechanisms for producers to actively create a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

“I decided to participate in the IDEA Committee so that I can be a part of the decision-making process that includes minority equity and insight. Participating in RIPE’s work also allows me to funnel information that supports the advancement of current and future minority farmers in agriculture back to those producers.”

— Rick Brown, Brown Family Farms, North Carolina

“I have seen programs that do not benefit early adopters. One of the things I like about RIPE is support for those early adopters. I also see the benefit personally from some of the climate-friendly practices and think the incentive to continue those practices will be beneficial for many producers.”

— Jenni Carr, Kansas

“I believe the work that RIPE is doing important for the future of agriculture. I also believe it’s important to have an advocacy organization that is farmer-focused and keeps conservation a priority.”

— Davon Goodwin, Off The Land (OTL) Farms, North Carolina

IDEA Committee Members

Lacey Bibbins, National Black Growers Council

Hannah Breckbill, Humble Hands Harvest, Minnesota

Rick Brown, Brown Family Farms, North Carolina

Jenni Carr, K-State Research and Extension, Kansas

Tony Carter, South Georgia Black Cattlemen’s Association, Georgia

Asuad Frazier, Alabama producer

Fred Gainous, Ph.D., Florida A&M University, Florida

Dexter Gilbert, National Black Growers Council, Florida

Davon Goodwin, National Young Farmers Coalition and Off the Land (OTL) Farms, North Carolina

Trinice Holden, South Georgia Black Cattlemen’s Association, Georgia

Brandon Hunnicutt, Corn Board, National Corn Growers Association (advocate)

Antoine Mordican, Tuskegee University, Alabama

Ashton Norwood, Mississippi State Association of Cooperatives, Mississippi

Hazell Reed, Ph.D., National Black Growers Council, Arkansas

Somula “Sam” Schwoeppe, Schwoeppe Dairy, Indiana

Elzadia Washington, National Black Growers Council, Arkansas

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