Introducing Delta Harvest
The Southern Delta
The Mid-Mississippi Delta Region, located in the Southern United States, encompasses parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. The area boasts a rich heritage, culture, and natural beauty.
Economic Disparity
However, the region's population of 8.3 million people faces numerous social, economic, and environmental challenges, including high rates of poverty, food insecurity, and economic vulnerability.
Agricultural Instability
Some of these challenges stem from a vulnerable agricultural industry that relies on a business model and infrastructure supporting only a few commodity crops—soybeans, corn, rice, cotton, grain sorghum, and wheat. The commodity economy incentivizes farm consolidation and the prosperity of large-scale farms, leaving small-to-mid sized farmers at risk of bankruptcy and/or liquidation.
Opportunity
Despite the limitations of the commodity economy, the Southern Delta region has immense potential to produce food. The Delta can support an abundant and diverse food supply thanks to its fertile soil, moderate climate, and abundant water resources. The region already supports smaller specialty markets for crops like sweet potatoes, peanuts, edamame, watermelon, tomatoes, and other vegetables.
Delta Harvest
At Delta Harvest, we believe in the power of rural communities to control their own future. We are supporting our farms, our food, and our economy—one harvest at a time. Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta region of Arkansas, Delta Harvest will act as a catalyst for positive change by building new and emerging specialty crop markets and providing the necessary processing and distribution support.
About Hallie
Hallie Shoffner is a farmer, advocate, and champion for rural communities. Raised on a family farm, she's worked with NGOs in India, Peru, and the Amazon, led nonprofits, and regenerative farming efforts, and serves on the Arkansas Foodbank board. As founder of Delta Harvest, she fights for stronger rural economies, family farms, and local food systems.
