FSA Outreach Focus

Reaching Out to Keep Farmers, Ranchers & Partners Informed

June 17, 2016

County Committee Nomination Period Now Open

The nomination period for farmers and ranchers to serve on local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees is now open.

“Through the county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice. Their opinions and ideas get to be heard on federal farm programs,” said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. “I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers across the spectrum of American agriculture, to get involved in this year’s elections. We have seen an increase in the number of qualified nominees, especially among women and minorities, and I hope that trend continues.”

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must complete a nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2016.

Recording of Cooperative Agreement Webinar Available

Last week, FSA Outreach and Education division hosted a second webinar highlighting the Request for Applications (RFA) for Outreach, Education, Financial Literacy and Technical Assistance, also known as cooperative agreements. If you missed the webinar, a recording is now available on the FSA Outreach website. Applications for the second round of RFAs will 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 about the cooperative agreements.

Announcements and Upcoming Events

• The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program is available to producers and handlers (e.g., all four scopes of certification) in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, the American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands. The program provides $10.7 million dollars of assistance in fiscal year 2016 to assist certified organic operations in defraying the costs associated with organic certification.
• The Agricultural Management Assistance is available to certified organic producers (only crop and livestock operators) in 16 states designated by Congress which include: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. The program provides $932,000 in assistance in fiscal year 2016 to assist certified organic operations in defraying the costs associated with organic certification.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced $8.7 million in cooperative agreements for risk management education and training programs. The funding would give organizations needed resources to develop training and education tools to help farmers and ranchers, especially those traditionally underserved or with limited resources, learn how to effectively managing long-term risks and challenges. 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.Click to edit this placeholder text.

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