Darren Beachem is a forester, agriculturalist, and farmer who serves as the State Coordinator for the Alabama State Association of Cooperatives, responsible for implementing programs and activities focused on cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy in Alabama. He accomplishes this by managing a diverse team of outreach specialists, forestry specialists, co-op development specialists, and support staff. Beachem supports individual member farmers, landowners, and cooperatives, and coordinates the activities of ASAC. A third-generation farmer from Union Springs, Alabama, Beachem has always been fascinated with the legacy role Black farmers have played in the management and development of the land. Having grown up in the eastern black belt region of Alabama, Beachem has a deep appreciation for the peace and solitude of nature. His family produces livestock, grows, and harvests crops, produce, and hay.
The fund now welcomes funding from a broad array of donors to continue to support rural Black community self determination throughout the Black Belt region.