Grants for farmers just starting out

New Farmers Grant Program: Request for

Applications

Deadline--January 22, 2016

The purpose of New Farmers Grant Program is to support beginning farmers who have chosen farming as a career and who materially and substantially participate in the production of an agricultural product on their farm. These grants will help farmers improve profitability resulting in the growth of agribusiness and tax revenues within the state.

The New York State New Farmers Grant Fund will help farmers improve farm profitability through one or more of the following goals: 

• Expanding agricultural production, diversifying agricultural production and/or extending the agricultural season
• Advancing innovative agricultural techniques that increase sustainable practices such as organic farming, food safety, reduction of farm waste and/or water use
• Creating or expanding partnerships with other entities such as farm operations, institutions or regional food-hubs for processing, selling and/or distributing agricultural products. 

http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/grants-gateway-new-farmers-wny

Nominations for Fresh Perspectives award due in one week

Call for Nominations:  Agricultural Advocates, Enthusiasts, and Visionaries

The Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives program will seek out and celebrate 100 visionaries - the entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders who are shaping the future of agriculture and the fabric of our nation. To recognize the diverse ways individuals are contributing to the future success of rural communities, nominations will be accepted in the following ten categories:

Deadline: December 18th

10 Categories

• Leadership (over 21)
• Youth Leadership (21 and younger)
• Rural Policy Influence
• Beginning Farmer or Rancher Achievement
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Sustainability and Natural Resource Conservation
• Financial Stewardship
• Mentoring and Volunteerism
• Agriculture Education and Community Impact
• Rural and Urban Connection

Share Stories: The 100 selected honorees will have the opportunity to share their stories, inspire others with their vision and advocate for agriculture. 

$10,000 Award: Ten exceptional leaders, one in each category, will each receive a $10,000 award to help further their contributions to thriving rural communities and agriculture. 

Event in DC!: These 10 honorees and a guest will be invited to Washington, D.C., to participate in a special recognition event in 2016. Read more!

Nominate someone for an award!

Call for Nominations:  Agricultural Advocates, Enthusiasts, and Visionaries

The Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives program will seek out and celebrate 100 visionaries - the entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders who are shaping the future of agriculture and the fabric of our nation. To recognize the diverse ways individuals are contributing to the future success of rural communities, nominations will be accepted in the following ten categories:

Deadline: December 18th

10 Categories

• Leadership (over 21)
• Youth Leadership (21 and younger)
• Rural Policy Influence
• Beginning Farmer or Rancher Achievement
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Sustainability and Natural Resource Conservation
• Financial Stewardship
• Mentoring and Volunteerism
• Agriculture Education and Community Impact
• Rural and Urban Connection

Share Stories: The 100 selected honorees will have the opportunity to share their stories, inspire others with their vision and advocate for agriculture. 

$10,000 Award: Ten exceptional leaders, one in each category, will each receive a $10,000 award to help further their contributions to thriving rural communities and agriculture. 

Event in DC!: These 10 honorees and a guest will be invited to Washington, D.C., to participate in a special recognition event in 2016. Read more!

Grants for new farmers

New Farmers Grant Program: Request for

Applications

Deadline--January 22, 2016

The purpose of New Farmers Grant Program is to support beginning farmers who have chosen farming as a career and who materially and substantially participate in the production of an agricultural product on their farm. These grants will help farmers improve profitability resulting in the growth of agribusiness and tax revenues within the state.

The New York State New Farmers Grant Fund will help farmers improve farm profitability through one or more of the following goals: 

• Expanding agricultural production, diversifying agricultural production and/or extending the agricultural season
• Advancing innovative agricultural techniques that increase sustainable practices such as organic farming, food safety, reduction of farm waste and/or water use
• Creating or expanding partnerships with other entities such as farm operations, institutions or regional food-hubs for processing, selling and/or distributing agricultural products. 

http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/grants-gateway-new-farmers-wny

USDA hosts session to help returning veterans start farming

On Thursday, September 17, at 11 a.m. Eastern, Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will sit down with a panel of veteran farmers and veteran training organizations for a live Google+ Hangout to discuss opportunities available through USDA for returning service members who are looking for long-term careers in farming, ranching and agriculture. Use the USDA Google+ page or www.usda.gov/live  to join us.

If you are a military veteran living in rural America, you are not alone. Today, more than five million veterans live in rural areas, a higher concentration than in any other part of the country. Many veterans show interest in agriculture because they feel that working on the land helps them successfully transition to civilian life and provides them with a way to continue serving their community. As part of the beginning farmer community, many veterans are eligible for a wide variety of USDA programs and resources that include access to capital through our beginning farmer loan program, farm ownership loans or microloans.

Tune in to the Google+ Hangout to hear real-life stories of veterans who have successfully made the transition from active military to agriculture. You can ask questions of the panelists by leaving them in the comments section below or by using #NextGenAg on Twitter. You can also RSVP to attend the event on our Google+ page.

Leading the discussion:

Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden

Dave Paulk, owner of Sassafras Creek Farm in St. Mary’s County, Md.

Karen and Colin Archipley, co-founders of Archi’s Acres in Escondido, Calif.

Marianne Cufone, executive director of Recirculating Farms in New Orleans, La.

Justin Barclay, veteran farming program coordinator at Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pa.

See more at: http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/09/11/helping-our-returning-heroes-find-opportunities-in-agriculture-join-us-for-a-google-hangout/#sthash.Zfxw1sUf.dpuf

One reason young people aren't farming

One of the challenges for young people who wanted to get started as farmers is the amount of student loan debt they have taken on.  The need to repay that debt can prevent them from taking on the start up costs of a farm.

Read more about the issue on NESAWG's website.and review the Young Farmer Success Act proposed in Congress.

Young farmers conference

Every December, hundreds of beginning farmers from across the United States gather at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, New York to learn from agricultural luminaries, peers, and advocacy organizations at the Young Farmers Conference. On December 2-4, 2015, Stone Barns Center will host the 8th annual Young Farmers Conference, providing participants with access to inspiring keynotes and unique workshops that address soil science, technical skills, agricultural policy, farm business management, conservation and more.

Stone Barns Center is offering a limited number of farmer scholarships to the 2015 Young Farmers Conference. Scholarships cover the cost of conference registration, December 3-4; recipients are expected to cover the cost of their lodging and travel expenses to and from the conference. For more info and an application, please click here. Applications are due by 5PM EST on Wednesday, August 12, 2015.