USDA FSA Funding to Expand New Farmer Outreach and Education
The USDA Farm Service Agency announced this week that they are providing $2.5 million in grant funding for projects that focus on educating new and underserved farmers.
Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education and nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status. Under the announcement, applicants can apply for up to $100,000 for their projects. There is no matching requirement.
Topics may include financial training, value-added production, recordkeeping, property inheritance, and crop production practices. Projects can include public meetings, training sessions, and/or workshops for new and beginning farmers, veterans, underserved communities, and/or established producers. The subject matter should also include an introduction to FSA, its programs, and common provisions that generally apply.
Emphasis will be afforded to proposals that propose to address producers who are ethnic minorities, women, new and beginning, veterans, urban, or who grow non-commodity crops (e.g. specialty crops).
There will be four evaluation periods with deadlines of:
- November 20, 2015
- January 22, 2015
- March 18, 2016
- May 27, 2016
We encourage any interested applicants to apply for the first round of funding, to ensure maximum funding availability.
Click here for the full funding announcement.
If you are interested in learning more about this program, feel free to contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.