Storage Facility Webinar, Civil Rights, Reestablishment of Native American Council

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

FSA Outreach Focus

Reaching Out to Keep Farmers, Ranchers & Partners Informed

August 3, 2016

FSFL

Upcoming Webinar to Offer Overview of FSA Farm Storage Facility Loan

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is hosting a public webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. EDT, to provide information on the FSA Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL). The program provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade permanent facilities to store commodities. The webinar will discuss types of commodities and facilities eligible for FSFL. Register.

ICYMI

A New Era for Civil Rights at USDA

Over the past eight years, USDA has taken big, bold steps to forge a new era for civil rights and ensure all Americans who come to USDA for help are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. We worked to bring to light the most challenging aspects of the Department’s past and used the lessons we learned to chart a stronger, more inclusive path both for our employees and the communities we serve. And while we still have much to accomplish, we’ve made significant progress. When we arrived in January 2009, there were 14,000 administrative civil rights cases pending at USDA and no formal processes established to provide pathways to justice for USDA customers. In addition, thousands more claims of discrimination from Native American, African-American, Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers languished unresolved in the federal district courts as part of lawsuits. We didn’t waste a moment, acting swiftly and aggressively to uproot inequality and correct past mistakes. Read more.

USDA Seeks Nominees for Council for Native American Farming and Ranching

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the re-establishment of the advisory Council for Native American Farming and Ranching and is seeking nominees. The advisory council will provide recommendations to the Secretary on how to eliminate barriers to Native American participation in USDA programs. Deadline to submit nominations is August 22. Read more or download an application.

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).