The Farm Bill's Real Impact – BFRDP Helps Train the Next Generation
My name is Sophie Ackoff, I have been an apprentice at Glynwood Farm. Like so many other beginning farmers today, I don’t come from a farming family and I have no land or agricultural skills to inherit from my parents. I believe that the government needs to support beginning farmers and shouldn’t short-change farmer training […]
USDA Funds Available for Value-Added Producers – Apply by October 15
All you beginning farmers out there with an eye towards value-added production, listen up! USDA Rural Development has published the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. The Application deadline is October 15th, 2012. In this program agricultural producers or producer groups may apply for either a feasibility study […]
Hudson Valley Farmers Speak Up at the Farmers' Forum
A US Farm Bill potentially worth nearly one trillion dollars over ten years has stalled in Congress, and with it the hopes of young farmers, conservationists and agriculturalists in general have stalled as well. When Congress returns to Washington in September, they have only until the end of the month, September 30th, before the current […]
Massachusetts Program Provides Assistance to Beginning Farmers
Attention Massachusetts farmers! A new program developed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) aims to assist beginning farmers get started with their businesses by helping with start-up or expansion costs. The Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture Program (MEGA) provides technical and business planning assistance to support beginning farmers. The goal of the MEGA […]
Third and Final EQIP Organic Initiative Application Deadline is Approaching!
The last chance to apply for assistance through the EQIP Organic Initiative for 2012 is June 1, so if you’re interested read on and apply! EQIP, a voluntary soil, air, and water conservation program of the USDA, provides technical and financial assistance for farmers looking to implement conservation programs on their farms. The program, administered […]
USDA grants available for farm marketing projects
Seeking opportunities to expand your marketing efforts and increase access to local foods? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting grant applicants for the 2012 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), according to a recent announcement by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. The agency is offering a total of $10 million in grant money […]
UVM Releases New Guide to Help Farmers Find Financing
The University of Vermont Extension has just released a 62-page guide for farmers seeking alternative ways of raising financing for land acquisition, operations, and expansion. Entitled The Guide to Financing the Community Supported Farm, it explores a series of different models, ranging from promissery notes to owner-financed sales to multi-year CSA’s, and much more. It […]
FACT's Healthy & Humane Farm Funds – Call for Applications!
The Farm Animal Concerns Trust, an organization that works to improve the welfare of farm animals and public health concerns, has issued a final call for applications to a small grant program for humane farmers. FACT’s Healthy & Humane Farm Funds Project will provide small grants to qualifying humane farmers who need assistance in improving […]
Announcing a New Resource for Beginning Farmers: Start2Farm
In February the USDA unveiled Start2Farm.gov, its latest resource for beginning farmers. The program, which acts as a clearinghouse database of training and assistance programs, is funded through a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grant by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The resources that Start2Farm provides are broken down […]
USDA Announces Value-Added Producer Grants
Earlier this month, the USDA announced the awarding of over $40 million in grants through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program. The funds went to 298 recipients in 44 states. In announcing them, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan drew a connection between the grants and President Obama’s call for promoting American jobs and economic growth, but […]