Essential parts of our diet are in danger due to climate change. Specialty crops, encompassing fruits, vegetables, and nuts have an advantage over commodity crops due to their high market potential and nutritional value. California plays a pivotal role in the production of specialty crops, contributing to over one-third of vegetables and two-thirds of fruits and nuts in the United States (Kurnik 1). However, the concentration of these crops in California poses a significant cluster risk as climate patterns shift. The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Next California Project addresses climate change risks in the agricultural industry by exploring the relocation of specialty crops to the Mid-Mississippi Delta, which could benefit economically and has the potential to sustainably grow strawberries, walnuts, watermelon, lettuce, peaches, and persimmons.
We strive to answer the question, “How do we finance specialty crop infrastructure to promote economic development in the Mid-Mississippi Delta?” This project focuses on exploring innovative financial vehicles that can support the development of specialty crop infrastructure and operations, with the goal of making the Mid-Mississippi Delta region an even more robust agricultural center for new and existing farmers. Throughout this process, we remain committed to incorporating principles of environmental sustainability and social equity, employing innovative strategies to reduce costs and enhance long-term profitability.
The Mid-Mississippi Delta region is not immune to the effects of climate change. In 2016, the EPA reported that this region—comprised of the states Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, and Mississippi—would be affected by more extreme heat, drought, and flooding. With this in mind, farming methods that center environmental sustainability should be implemented while converting commodity cropland to specialty cropland. Any form of single-crop agriculture and excess use of fertilizers can perpetuate soil degradation (Simpkins; Bogužas). If crop rotations and multi-crop growing of specialty crops are feasible, this could help revitalize the soil and decrease negative health impacts of excess soil use on surrounding communities where many are already suffering from poor health (Miller and Woods).
The history of the region is riddled with the displacement of Indigenous People and the enslavement of African Americans. Today, the agriculture industry has made it difficult for Black farmers to maintain and afford their own land—many work for wealthier landowners (Freshour and Williams). Much of the food produced in the region is exported, leaving surrounding communities with a lack of access to healthy food (Miller and Woods). Both the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the only recognized federal tribe in the region, and Black farmers via the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives have turned to co-ops to reclaim their agricultural roots in a way that avoids exploitation, keeps wealth in the region, and feeds their communities (Greenfield; Miller and Woods). Although these co-ops provide native and specialty crops on a hyperlocal scale, we will adopt their social and environmental priorities in the development of the specialty crop industry in the region.
The first step in funding specialty crop infrastructure for the project will include a stakeholder mapping process that identifies a small group of motivated farmers to participate in an investment vehicle. Although investment amounts are fluid and uncertain, specialty crops will need initial investments for agriculture infrastructure, e.g., processing and freezing plants. Over time, it will be necessary to generate cash flow to pay back the debt of initial investments. For this, we analyzed different finance structures that support a successful provision of capital.
As the basis for capital provision, we propose to create a legal structure as a financing vehicle. This vehicle can invest in the needed agriculture infrastructure for the project while continuing to operate and maintain these assets. After the infrastructure is built, farmers or trading co-ops can rent the infrastructure for their production.
We compared Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Cooperatives, and Corporations to determine the most effective legal form to raise capital while simultaneously keeping farmers in power (Figure 1):