Rural South Institute

Rural South Institute RSI provide outreach and technical assistance in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi &Tenn.

Rural South Institute-RSI works directly with veteran, socially disadvantaged, small and limited resource producers and new and beginning farmers and agribusiness. We serve as a clearinghouse for questions from small and limited resource farmers, ranchers, landowners, agribusiness management specialists, extension personnel, government officials and agencies and the academic community; Conducting

socio-economic research and evaluating issues and factors that directly or indirectly impact the profitability of limited resource farms or ranches, enhance economic development, and promote viability and overall sustainability of local communities; Publishing research findings, manuals, factsheets, proceedings, pamphlets, leaflets, and a quarterly newsletter that include news of upcoming events, publications, topical issues, and profiles of outstanding and exemplary small farmers or ranchers, extension personnel and key local community leaders; Sponsoring workshops and conferences, conducting, distributing and promoting information about on-farm research, sustainable practices, and marketing strategies for small farmers and ranchers; Organizing farm-or ranch-based events and learning opportunities that promote, empower and educate local farmers, ranchers and community members; Fostering connections between area farmers, ranchers, landowners and community members that establish and promote communication about local agricultural concerns; Organizing and coordinating local, regional, national and statewide conferences, meetings, training workshops, and symposiums; Supporting extension personnel, farm and agribusiness management specialist, women, rural youth, farmers markets and farm or ranch organizations in national, regional and local programs; Providing opportunity for local small and limited resource farmers to socially, educationally and philosophically interact; and Providing leadership and coordination for all sponsored an non-sponsored projects within the Center.

05/14/2026
05/14/2026

Join us at the Priceville Event Center for the North Alabama Cattlemen’s Conference on June 12 from 9 AM–3 PM!

Educational sessions led by Alabama Beef Systems Extension agents will cover:
• Replacement animal selection guidance
• Introduction to virtual fencing
• Beef industry economic outlook
• Evaluating nutrition & technology in today’s cow/calf operation
• Cattle industry trade show

Attendees will also enjoy an ACA luncheon as we explore the “Added Value of Your Membership” 🤠
Registration is NOW OPEN online at https://tinyurl.com/NorthALConference.

And don’t miss it— regional events like this will be held across Alabama this summer in Enterprise, Selma, Wetumpka and Atmore! Find your local event and register today at BamaBeef.org/RegionalCookouts.

05/14/2026

America loses thousands of acres of agricultural to development each day. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is committed to preserving this land for future generations and one of the best ways to do so is by enrolling your land in a permeant Agricultural Land Easement. ALE applications are open nationwide now through May 29. Enroll your land to ensure agricultural land stays agricultural land. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/agricultural-conservation-easement-program/news/nrcs-announces-second

05/13/2026

As part of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), we’re helping to launch a new marketing technical assistance project to help farmers promote their operations, connect with customers, and share the story behind their farms. 🚜

Through this program, we want to equip you with tools and support to better tell your farm’s story, connect with customers, and share the value of your operation through the right channels and audiences. Whether you’re already certified organic or in transition, this technical assistance is designed to help your business stand out, build trust with buyers and consumers, and create materials you can continue using long after the program ends.

👉 We're excited to invite you to our upcoming Farmer Story Lab, a 90-minute hands-on session designed to help organic farmers find the words for the work they're already doing in order to better share their farm’s story and the value of organic with eaters and buyers. (We know you’re busy, but we promise to make it worth your time!)

Here's what to expect:
- Articulate why you farm organically, and how to say it in a way that sticks
- Share why buying local and domestic organic matters and how to make that case to the people you sell to
- Learn how to shape your story for the audience in front of you, whether that's a farmers market customer, a retail buyer, or someone you just met

This isn't a lecture. You'll write, share, and practice in real time and you'll leave with actual material you can use.

Workshop Details:
Workshop 101: The Why Workshop covers storytelling basics and helps farmers articulate their own why. It is the foundation for why domestic organic matters to them, and to our food system.
May 20, 2 - 3:30pm ET
May 21, 10 - 11:30am ET
May 26, 7 - 8:30pm ET

Register for a session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xE2Lj5eKQduzXHzTrIBT2A #/registration

05/10/2026

NFFC is seeking writing and art that celebrates our coalition and family-scale farmers for our first-ever anthology. We hope this collective publication will help tell the story of family farmers’ decades-long fight for a fair food and farm system that ... Read More

05/10/2026

Hello May! Fresh flavors are in full bloom 🥝🥬

Address

Huntsville, AL
35824

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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