FSA Outreach Focus

Reaching Out to Keep Farmers, Ranchers & Partners Informed

August 12, 2016

FSA employees along with a host of other agencies and organizations worked to eliminate a food desert in Alabama. Pictured (l to r) back row: Ryan Hardin, Gretchen Thomas, Duane Andrews, Bryan Rhea, Lashannda James; front row: Daniel Robinson, Karen McDonald, Cassondra Searight.

Alabama StrikeForce Works to Eliminate Food Desert

Access to fresh fruits, vegetables and meat should be an inherent birth right. However, the reality of the situation is that food deserts are all too common in the Unites States. Rural communities are typically the victims of food deserts and plight.One community, Lower Peach Tree, Alabama, is all too familiar with food deserts. On a good day Lower Peach Tree residents have more than a 25-mile, one way commute to the nearest grocery store, providing the ferry is working, which has been less than six months over the last three years. Otherwise, the commute to the nearest grocery store is over 50 miles, one way. Read more.

Partner Today With the Farm Service Agency

FSA’s Office of Program Education and Stakeholder Engagement (formerly Outreach and Education) connects with agricultural organizations to help farmers and ranchers around the country start, expand and grow their operation.

Our mission is to educate an ever-growing and diverse customer base of farmers and ranchers, stakeholder organizations, and the public on FSA programs and services, with the objective of increasing program participation by current and potential producers, including those in underserved communities.

Your help in accomplishing this mission is important. We want to develop a relationship with our partners and provide the program support that aligns with the organization’s mission or an individual’s need. Learn more and sign-up to partner with FSA.

Announcements and Upcoming Events

• 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.
• The Pacific Northwest Regional Native Youth in Food & Agriculture Summit – held Oct. 13-16 at the University of Nevada-Reno – will bring Native youth ages 15-24 together for a one-of-a-kind learning experience about the issues they will face as the next generation of food and agriculture leaders in the Pacific Northwest region. This program is open to both enrolled Tribal youth and Tribal descendants. Applications are due Sept.10, 2016. Apply here.

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).