County Committee Nomination Period Opens Soon

On By North Carolina Small Farm AssociationIn Uncategorized
FSA Outreach Focus
USDA

FSA Outreach Focus

Reaching Out to Keep Farmers, Ranchers & Partners Informed

June 10, 2016

COC Flyer

County Committee Nomination Period Opens June 15

The opportunity to nominate yourself or someone you know to serve on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee is quickly approaching.

Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA by helping to deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on committees help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer and work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated for candidacy or individuals may nominate themselves or others as a candidate. Organizations representing underserved (minority and women) farmers or ranchers also may nominate candidates. Learn more about FSA County Committees or download a nomination form (English/Spanish).

Register for Upcoming Webinars to Learn How FSA Can Help You

The FSA division of Outreach and Education will host several webinars throughout the year. Upcoming FSA webinars include:

  • Understanding Receipt For Service
  • Need Commodity Storage? The Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) Can Help
  • How to Partner and Connect with FSA

Register online to attend these webinars and several other webinars sponsored by USDA agencies and listed on the Outreach and Education website.

Announcements and Upcoming Events

  • Applications for the Request for Applications (RFA) for Outreach, Education, Financial Literacy and Technical Assistance will continue to be accepted through July 11, 2016. FSA has allocated $2.5 million to fund between 25 and 125 awards to partner with non-government organizations with a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS and public and State controlled institutions of higher education. Learn more.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the availability of $44 million to farmers, ranchers and businesses to develop new bio-based products and expand markets through the Value-Added Producer Grant program. Value-Added Producer Grants may be used to develop new products and create additional uses for existing ones. Priority for these grants is given to veterans, members of socially disadvantaged groups, beginning farmers and ranchers, and operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches. Additional priority is given to applicants who seek funding for projects that will create or increase marketing opportunities for these types of operators. Deadline is June 24. Learn more or apply today.
  • Registration is open for the 7th National Small Farm Conference hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture and the Virginia Cooperative Extension. The conference will be held Sept. 20-22. Multiple short courses will be available along with oral and poster paper presentations, exhibits and educational tours in and around Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay. Learn more or register today.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).