FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Durham, North Carolina, November 1, 2024 — Rural Beacon Initiative (RBI) is proud to announce a new $1 million cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), marking a significant step toward advancing RBI’s Sustainability Hub at Free Union Farm. This partnership will serve to advance economic resilience in rural eastern North Carolina, increase BIPOC ownership in renewable energy and regenerative agriculture, educate underserved communities about the importance of equity in these sectors, develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills, and increase knowledge of USDA programs and career opportunities.
Chief Terry Cosby of the USDA-NRCS expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the shared mission of both organizations. “I am pleased that our agency is partnering with the Rural Beacon Initiative. Our organizations have something in common—a shared commitment to protect the land for future generations,” Cosby stated.
Vivian Dickson, Director of the USDA-NRCS Equity Division, also emphasized the importance of this collaboration in aligning with the agency’s mission to increase accessibility and equity in its programs. “As Director of the Equity Division at USDA-NRCS, I look forward to our partnership with the Rural Beacon Initiative which demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our programs and services are accessible to all,” said Dickson.
Rural Beacon Initiative’s Founder, William Barber, III expressed gratitude for the partnership. “The collaboration between USDA and Rural Beacon Initiative represents a significant opportunity for eastern North Carolina and the communities we serve. Through this partnership, our teams will work to educate rural BIPOC landowners within the orbit of RBI’s Sustainability Hub on emerging opportunities in clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable economic development that can benefit their quality of life. We look forward to the transformative impact this project will have on rural economies in North Carolina and beyond,” they said.
Under the leadership of Chief Cosby, USDA-NRCS has worked to ensure that historically disadvantaged communities receive full access and participation in its programs. Through this strategic partnership, USDA-NRCS and Rural Beacon Initiative are paving the way for resilient, sustainable, and equitable practices that serve as a model for rural economic development nationwide.
Read more about RBI’s Sustainability Hub here.
For more information, please contact:
vanessa.barksdale@ruralbeaconinitiative.com
About Rural Beacon Initiative
Rural Beacon Initiative (RBI) is a North Carolina-based social enterprise focused on equitable clean energy deployment and sustainable development. Through consulting services, strategic convenings, and deployment of community-based projects, RBI is dedicated to building sustainable futures for rural communities in the southeastern United States.
About USDA-NRCS Division of Equity
The mission of the NRCS Equity Division is to advocate for and better align institutional Equity into the work and practices of NRCS to ensure that every USDA-NRCS customer is put in a position to succeed in a diverse government world and notably feel inclusiveness to agency programs and services.