Which U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies have programs that are tailored to meet the needs of diversified farming operations, organic growers, or beginning farmers? What resources are available for small- and mid-sized growers looking to reach expanding regional markets, and where can you find them? For most people, even many farmers and ranchers with disabilities, the answers to these questions remain elusive. In 2016, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) partnered with USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) to produce a one-stop guide to USDA services for family farmers and ranchers. Growing Opportunity: A Guide to USDA Sustainable Farming Programs is a free resource that is now available online as well as in FSA's 2,600 county offices.
Want a healthy cracker recipe shared by Maine AgrAbility staff Ellen Gibson?
Healthy Cracker Recipe
"The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is making more than $60 million in grants available to support farmers growing fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops, also known as specialty crops."
MorningAgClips
"The Angus Foundation offers general scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in higher education."
MorningAgClips
"Massachusetts family farmer testifies before House Ag Subcommittee"
MorningAgClips
"Millions of kids dream of going into space. But Jose Hernandez made that dream a reality -- and he did so against incredible odds."
CNN Money
"Some organic farmers are turning to cover crops for weed control"
MorningAgClips
"The number of grain dust explosions in the United States fell to a 10-year low in 2016, but two of the incidents resulted in the first reported fatalities since 2013..."
Purdue Agriculture News
"Transitioning to organic production, however, is a multi-year, risk-reward calculation that’s likely holding some U.S. growers back from taking advantage of the market opportunity."
MorningAgClips
Content"The first-ever study to map U.S. wild bees suggests they are disappearing in the country’s most important farmlands — from California’s Central Valley to the Midwest’s corn belt and the Mississippi River valley."
MorningAgClips
"New mobile app will calculate crop productivity and pollination benefits"
MorningAgClips