Alabama A&M University
DECEMBER 2014
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2
S M A L L FA R M S R E S E A R C H C E N T E R
NEWS UPDATE
COLLEGE OF
AGRICULTURAL, LIFE
AND NATURAL SCIENCES
Special
Edition
United States Department of Agriculture
Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO)
NEW & BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS PROGRAM: SUCCESS STORY
Inside this Issue
New and Beginning
Farmers and Ranchers
Program Workshop:
Success Story
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Photo Gallery: NBFR
Workshop
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USDA Farm Service
Agency
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We received great feedback from the New and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Workshop coming
from our producers and farmers. Please see below comments from our participants on the training
courses.
USDA Natural
Resources
Conservation Service
DFDSFINSIDE
Quote
Quarter
T H Iof
S the
ISS
UE:
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Editor’s Corner
Bring a proposed grant application and read it.
Enjoyed the Cooperative Marketing Vs. Direct Marketing class.
Season Greetings
Upcoming
The Facts
About Organic
Community Activities
and Events
Hopewell
Women In
Huntsville, AL ---- The Small Farms Research Center hosted its New and Beginning Farmers and
Ranchers Workshop on November 19-21, 2014, 10:00 a.m., at the James I. Dawson Building on the
campus of Alabama A&M University. There were training courses offered each day in the following
topical areas: Production Practices and Management, Market & Marketing Planning and Business
Development & Financial Management. The Business Development & Financial Management
training courses consisted of the following: Business Plan Development, Business Economics and
Marketing, Financing Farm: Access to Capital, Access to Capital & Other Programs Available, and
Alabama Farm Credit. The Market & Marketing Planning training courses consisted of the following:
New Cottage Food Law, Direct Marketing Alternatives, Branding Using Social Media and Market
Marker. The Production Practices and Management training courses consisted of the following: How
to Get Started: Farmer Perspective, Sustainable Agriculture, Niche Markets, Water Catchmen System,
Hydroponic System, Soil Management/Nutrition, Crop Rotation as an IPM Tool, OMRI (Organic)
Pesticides & Pesticide and Veggie Garden Organic Production.
Excellent Business Plan Development course!
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Excellent Information given from the Access to Capital course!
Excellent job, every workshop I have attended; I have learned something new.
Field Trip visit to Rosita’s Farm.
Great presentation!
I learned a lot! Great Crop Rotation as IPM Tool session!
Knowledge was great; possible grant writing class!
Really enjoyed the program/workshop. Taking away several great points! Please keep me updated
with information.
Many thanks to our speakers for sharing your expertise and experiences and making this program a
grand success. Also, the center would like to give a special thanks to USDA National Appeals
Division (NAD) and Alabama Farm Credit. Please see the success of this workshop on page 2.
Small Farms Research Center
Alabama A&M University
4900 Meridian Street
James I. Dawson Building
RM #219
P.O. Box 700
Normal, AL 35762
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NEW AND BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS WORKSHOP—NOVEMBER 19-21, 2014
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FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced improvements to farm loan programs by
expanding eligibility and increasing lending limits to help more beginning and family farmers. As
part of this effort, USDA is raising the borrowing limit for the microloan program from $35,000 to
$50,000; simplify the lending processes; updating required “farming experience” to include other
valuable experiences; and expanding eligible business entities to reflect changes in the way family
farms are owned and operated. The changes become effective Nov. 7.
The microloan changes will allow beginning, small and mid-sized farmers to access an additional $15,000 in loans using a
simplified application process with up to seven years to repay. Microloans are part of USDA’s continued commitment to
small and midsized farming operations.
In addition to farm related experience, other types of skills may be considered to meet the direct farming experience required
for farm loan eligibility such as operation or management of a non-farm business, leadership positions while serving in the
military, or advanced education in an agricultural field. Also, individuals who own farmland under a different legal entity
operating the farm now may be eligible for loans administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Producers will have
an opportunity to share suggestions on the microloan process, and the definition of farming experience and business structures
through Dec. 8, 2014, the public open comment period.
FSA is publishing a Federal Register notice to solicit ideas from the public for pilot projects to help increase the efficiency
and effectiveness of farm loan programs. Comments and ideas regarding potential pilot projects will be accepted through Nov.
7, 2014.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS)
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced January 16, 2015, as the cut-off date for Conservation
Activity Plans and Practices through a forestry initiative in Choctaw, Greene, Hale, Pickens, Marengo, Sumter, Wilcox, Perry,
Dallas, Macon and Russell counties. This project is in collaboration with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities,
Federation of Southern Cooperatives (FSC) and the Limited Resource Landowners Educational and Assistance Network
(LRLEAN).
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities was awarded a National Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) to
demonstrate sustainable forestry technologies and create a support system and market access to historically underserved
landowners in Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The grant is funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Grantees must work with producers and
forestland owners to develop and demonstrate new technologies and approaches.
“These investments help strengthen rural communities,” said NRCS State Conservationist Dr. William Puckett. “Land
returned to healthy forests will have beneficial conservation and environmental impacts for years to come.”
At least 50 percent of the total cost of the CIG project must come from non-federal matching funds, including cash and in-kind
contributions provided by the grant recipients.
Although applications are accepted all year, producers should submit applications by January 16, 2015, to ensure they are
considered for this year’s funding. NRCS field offices are listed in the telephone directory under U.S. Department of
Agriculture or on-line at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov. For more information, contact the FSC (205)-652-9676 or LLREAN
at lrlean.5@gmail.com
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Cooperating Units: USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO), USDA/NIFA/ Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Development Program (BFRDP), USDA/OAO/Outreach Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
(OASDFR) Program, Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems, and Alabama A&M University.
QUOTE OF THE QUARTER
EDITOR’S CORNER
“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit,
because it will in the end contribute
most to real wealth, good morals, and
happiness.”
If you would like to submit articles related to agriculture
issues, or would like to make an announcement of your
upcoming event (s), please forward your information to:
Thomas Jefferson
_______________
Mr. JaMarkus Crowell, B.S.
jamarkus.crowell@aamu.edu
Office: (256)-372-4424 &
Fax (256)-372-5517
UPCOMING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
December 11, 2014 —— Cattle Production Meeting (Winter Feeding and Supplementation for the Cow Herd), Etowah County 3200A West Meighan Boulevard, Gadsden, AL, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Animal Science & Forage;
December 12, 2014 ——Farm Bill Education Meeting. Limestone County - Aerospace Training Center, Tanner, AL 35671, 1:003:00p.m., hosted by Alabama Extension professionals and USDA Farm Service Agency;
January 12, 2015 ——— 2014 Farm Bill Meeting. Hale County Extension Office, 701 Hall Street, Greensboro, AL 36744, 6:00
p.m. hosted by the Small Farms Research Center.
SEASON GREETINGS
Greetings from the Small Farms Research Center:
If I can describe 2014 year in one word, it would be “WHIRL-WIND.” Throughout the year, we have been so busy providing
outreach and technical assistance, one-on-one consultation, working closely with organizations, providing and hosting meetings,
workshops, and seminars throughout the state of Alabama. And we would like to thank you for supporting us and allowing us to
assist you with your farming endeavors.
Also, we would like to sincerely thank our partners A+ Marketing Association, Rosita’s Farm, Tune’s Farm, Metro Atlanta Urban
Farm, Fort Valley State University, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System for your support. As well as, extend a warm
thanks to our resource speakers and sponsors for providing their expertise, experience, financial support and time to our audience.
Our program would not be a success without you.
Finally, special thanks to “you” our local farmers, landowners, and community leaders. Our staff absolutely love working with
each of you and assisting you with your farm endeavors. I can truly say no day is the same, and we absolutely love our job and it’s
because of you.
Alabama A&M University’s motto is “Service is Sovereignty” and we make sure we deliver this motto to you daily. Thanks for
standing by us in 2014, and rest assure we will continue to strive for greatness in 2015!
On behalf of the Small Farms Research Center we wish you Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
E’licia (Lisa) Chaverest
Assistant Director
Small Farms Research Center
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