R.I.S.C.
Rurally Incubated Supply Chains
Created to empower emerging farmers and ranchers with enhanced institutional market access opportunities, our R.I.S.C. program provides agricultural producers with the technical support to prepare and scale for wholesale production. The produce purchased through R.I.S.C. is either sold or donated to rural schools, hospitals, and food relief organizations within your region.
Applications for the 2026 growing season open in November. Sign up to be notified when applications open.
Program Focus
What RISC does for Rural Communities
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the purpose of RISC?
My Foodshed’s RISC program is a pathway to institutional market access for emerging farmers in the plains communities of the Ogallala aquifer region. Participants in RISC receive hands-on personal support to help farmers grow for wholesale markets. RISC is unique in that the program is flexible to the unique needs and fingerprint of the emerging, partner farms. With support from donors, farmers are compensated at their requested price. The produce supplied by farmers in the program is then either sold or donated to schools, senior centers, and food relief organizations within their regional proximity.
How can individuals offer support?
Make a donation today! You can also help spread the world about the program to your community.
Is the program open to any farmer?
The program is currently open to any farmers who fall into the following plains communities in these listed states:
- Texas Panhandle: all 26 northernmost counties.
- Colorado counties: Baca, Las Animas, Otero, Kiowa, Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Bent, Prowers, Lincoln, & Crowley
- New Mexico counties: Colfax, Union, Mora, Harding, San Miguel, Quay, Guadelupe, De Baca, Curry, and Roosevelt
How much produce will you buy from me?
We will procure up to $5,000.
When will I find out if I’m accepted into the program?
Farmers who apply for RISC will receive notification of acceptance into the program by the end of February of the upcoming growing season.
When can I start selling produce to the program?
We will begin accepting RISC produce deliveries the second week of June through the end of October.
What produce can I sell to the program?
We will buy whatever produce is agreed upon in our Crop Production Contract and engaged in through our crop planning sessions, with a sample given here. Given that rural institutions are our preference, we want to provide produce already preferred in these spaces (i.e. lettuce, carrots, and bio-regionally appropriate products)
How must produce be packaged?
Produce must be packaged according to our 2025 Wholesale Package List (coming soon). All produce is priced by the full case. Smaller quantities and mixed boxes will not be accepted.
Where and when do I deliver produce?
Produce can be delivered to the My Foodshed warehouse at:
420 E 4th Ave.
Raton, NM 87740
or coordinated with for an on-farm pickup by contacting berlin@ogallalacommons.org.
