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Distressed Borrower’s and Financially Distressed Farmers Assistance Network (DBAN)

The Distressed Borrower’s and Financially Distressed Farmers Assistance Network (DBAN) is a national collaborative of program partners made up of two interrelated but independent projects – the DBAN Cooperators and the DBAN Network collaborating with USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) under a cooperative agreement.

  • Grant funded DBAN Cooperators provide tailored, one-on-one technical assistance and support to financially distressed farmers, ranchers, and landowners seeking to understand and develop plans for their financial situations, loan servicing, and program support.
  • The DBAN Network comprised of Network Partners provide training, resources, and engagement support for a broader network including but not limited to the DBAN Cooperators. The network delivers training and one-on-one technical assistance.

DBAN is designed to deliver targeted technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and foresters facing financial challenges and seeking support with loan servicing and program access. The DBAN Program consists of DBAN Partners working through the Network and funded DBAN Cooperators in collaboration with USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). DBAN’s mission is accomplished through a collaborative network of community-based and University technical assistance providers who offer tailored, one-on-one technical assistance and support to farmers, ranchers, and foresters.

DBAN Partners

The DBAN Program consists of DBAN Partners, funded Cooperators (Technical Assistance Providers), and the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Organization Name Org Summary DBAN Lead Contact info
1890 Universities Foundation Carries out all DBAN grants management functions, including monitoring funded DBAN Cooperators’ technical assistance delivery and providing progress support for funded DBAN Cooperators. Alicia Netterville alicia@acclstrategies.com

(601) 414-9445

Alcorn State University – Policy Center Provides policy research impacting farmers and ranchers across the United States. Eloris Speight espeight@alcorn.edu

(601) 877-6100

Farm Aid Provides training, resources, and engagement support for the DBAN Network. Mary Oxendine mary@farmaid.org

(617)634-3413

Farmers’ Legal Action Group Provides training, resources, and engagement support for the DBAN Network. Scott Carlson scarlson@flaginc.org

(651) 204-1664

RAFI Provides training, resources, and engagement support for the DBAN Network. Zacha Muniz zacha@rafiusa.org

(787) 974-6629

University of Arkansas – Division of Agriculture Strengthening agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Ron Rainey rrainey@uada.edu

1-888-200-6013

About DBAN

DBAN supports farmers, ranchers, and foresters by offering one-on-one technical assistance to help them navigate today’s difficult economic landscape. Across the nation, agricultural producers are facing significant financial pressure due to persistently low commodity prices and rising input costs. This program delivers personalized guidance to help them manage these challenges effectively.

DBAN Program Resources

DBAN leverages its partnerships to expand a coordinated system of technical assistance providers. Through strategic partnerships, the program delivers direct, one-on-one technical assistance to actively support farmers, ranchers, and landowners.

DBAN Cooperators

The group represents a cohort of service providers who were successful in our round of competitive funding. These organizations have submitted plans of work delivering technical assistance through August 2027. This FSA-sponsored initiative builds and strengthens the capacity of Technical Assistance Providers through a cohort of competitively funded community-based organizations and Universities – DBAN Cooperators - offering personalized one-on-one support for farmers, ranchers, and foresters. The 1890 Universities Foundation manages the grant portfolio and works with DBAN Cooperators to manage the implementation of their approved plans of work.

FSA Loan Assistance Tools

Start your journey with FSA and find the farm loan that is right for you!

Contact US

  • DBAN Cooperators who have questions about the program and their plans of work should contact the 1890 Universities Foundation:
  • DBAN clientele interested in learning more about program offerings can contact Brittany Gabriel at bgabriel@uada.edu or 1-888-200-6013.
  • For general inquiries regarding the program and the DBAN website, contact Allison Vetter at avetter@uada.edu.