Quality data and actionable knowledge are crucial to sustaining and reinvigorating Agriculture of the Middle and its promise of economic, social and environmental benefits. Through applied and participatory research, outreach, and policy work, NC1198 members investigate the characteristics of mid-scale producers and supply chains as well as factors that contribute to their success or failure (e.g., policy, governance, market concentration, the profitability of credence attributes). As such, our research informs decisions spanning from the farm level to federal policy and grant programs. An example of this impact is NC1198 member congressional testimony (see Inwood in Publications list). In combination with young farmer and rancher struggles with childcare, American Farm Bureau cited the Childcare Research and Congressional testimony as one of the reasons for adding childcare to their 2023 Farm Bill policy agenda, which states under Rural Development Program Priorities, “We support programs that focus on increased access and incentives to provide safe and adequate childcare in rural communities.” https://www.fb.org/files/2023_Farm_Bill_Priorities_outline.pdf