Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Investments in Specialty Crops to Help Strengthen New Markets, Provide Additional Economic Opportunity for Farmers and Ranchers

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:17:48 -0400

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Investments in Specialty Crops to Help Strengthen New Markets, Provide Additional Economic Opportunity for Farmers and Ranchers

Media Contact: Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188

MADISON, Wis., Oct. 1, 2012–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $101 million in grants to support America’s specialty crops producers, who provide the fruits, vegetables, nuts and other nutritious foods for millions of healthy American meals each day. Approximately $55 million of the total will be invested in 56 specialty crop block grants to states that fund 748 initiatives across the country to strengthen markets and expand economic opportunities for local and regional producers. An additional $46 million will go to support new and continuing research and extension activities to address challenges and opportunities for growers and businesses that rely on a sustainable, profitable specialty crops industry. Vilsack made the announcement before touring the Catholic Multicultural Center in Madison, Wis., which prepares food, including fresh fruit and vegetables, for delivery to local public schools.

Under Vilsack’s leadership, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has supported efforts to strengthen local and regional food systems for farmers of all types and sizes, helping them take advantage of new opportunities and succeed in today’s marketplace. Thanks to this support for the diversity of American agriculture, the sector is experiencing one of its best periods in history. Today, both agricultural exports and net farm income are at record levels, while farm debt has been cut in half since the 1980s. Overall, American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in the United States.

“By investing in projects that stimulate growth and development for specialty crop growers of all sizes, we’re helping American farmers establish a marketplace for new businesses opportunities in each region of the country,” said Vilsack. “These investments will support local and regional markets, and improve access to healthy food for millions of children and supply thousands of farmers markets, restaurants and other businesses with fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. The grants also help growers solve technology needs or make better informed decisions on profitability and sustainability, leading to stronger rural American communities and businesses.”

The goal of USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is to promote and increase opportunities for specialty crop producers. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands received grants this year, totaling $55 million. Visit www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp to review the 2012 project summaries and view a list of awards by location.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for fiscal year 2012 supports initiatives that:

Increase nutritional knowledge and specialty crop consumption
Improve efficiency within the distribution system and reduce costs
Promote the development of good agricultural, handling and manufacturing practices while encouraging audit fund cost-sharing for small farmers, packers and processors
Support research through standard and green initiatives
Enhance food safety
Develop new/improved seed varieties and specialty crops
Control pests and diseases
Create organic and sustainable production practices
Establish local and regional fresh food systems
Expand food access in underserved/food desert communities

Since 2006, the program administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has awarded $240 million. The program is part of USDA’s integrated approach to programs and policies that stimulate food- and agriculturally-based community economic development.

Vilsack’s announcement today also highlighted $46 million in new and continuing grants through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), which supports the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address the needs of specific crops. Specialty crops are defined in law as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” Funded projects address five focus areas: 1) improve crop characteristics through plant breeding, genetics and genomics; 2) address threats from pests and diseases; 3) improve production efficiency, productivity and profitability; 4) develop new innovations and technologies and 5) develop methods to improve food safety.

SCRI projects are funded through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and address research and extension needs for crops that span the entire spectrum of specialty crops production, from researching plant genetics to improving crop characteristics; identifying and addressing threats from pests and diseases; improving production and profitability; developing new production innovations and technologies; and developing methods to respond to food safety hazards. For a full list of awards, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2012news/
scri_award_descriptions.html.

For example, the Citrus Research and Development Foundation of Lake Alfred, Fla., received a $9 million grant to work to eliminate citrus greening by blocking the ability of insects to move the disease from infected trees to healthy ones. Citrus greening threatens to destroy over 1 million commercial citrus acres that have an annual production value of approximately $3 billion across the nation. Yearly losses could reach $10 billion if citrus greening is left unchecked.

USDA also awarded two research grants to the University of Wisconsin, totaling roughly $6 million. One of the projects seeks to improve the efficiency, productivity and profitability of vegetable production and processing by developing tools to better understand the role of consumer markets. The second grant will support ongoing work to reduce naturally-occurring compounds from forming in potatoes during high-temperature cooking processes such as roasting and frying.

Most SCRI projects involve public and private sector collaborations, leading to multistate, multi-institutional or trans-disciplinary efforts. To leverage NIFA’s investment and increase potential impact from federal funding, SCRI recipients are required to provide a 100 percent match in funds from non-federal sources.

In 2009, USDA launched the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative to strengthen the critical connection between farmers and consumers and supports local and regional food systems the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food is one of several USDA initiatives that foster new opportunities for farmers and ranchers; promote locally and regionally produced and processed foods; cultivate healthy eating habits and educated, empowered consumers; expand access to affordable fresh and local food; and demonstrate the connection between food, agriculture, community and the environment. Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food also leads a national conversation about food and agriculture to strengthen the connection between consumers and farmers.

An interactive view of USDA programs that support local and regional foods is available at the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass. The KYF Compass is a digital guide to USDA resources related to local and regional food systems. The Compass consists of an interactive U.S. map USDA-supported local and regional food projects and an accompanying narrative documenting the results of this work through case studies, photos and video content.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).

USDA Awards Grants to Enhance Health and Safety Education in Rural Areas

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:17:01 -0400

USDA Awards Grants to Enhance Health and Safety Education in Rural Areas

Media Contact: Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Oct. 1, 2012–The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced 10 grants to universities aimed at enhancing the quality of life in rural areas through improved health and safety education efforts. Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director, made the announcement today in Minneapolis at the Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Symposium hosted by the University of Minnesota.

“Many living in rural areas and communities are challenged to find quality nutrition, health and heath care services,” Ramaswamy said. “These grants will help develop effective programs and services that are needed to provide timely and adequate health information to rural residents of all ages.”

The University of Minnesota is one of the 10 recipients and received $103,080 to address diabetes prevention in rural Minnesota. The project, directed by Dr. Karen Shirer, will focus on spreading the knowledge to help adults in three rural communities make lifestyle changes that are known to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The projects are funded through NIFA’s Rural Health and Safety Education program. Rural residents are more likely to report a fair to poor health status and have higher rates of health complications, morbidity and mortality due to challenges associated with low levels of employment and education, geographic barriers and isolation, lack of quality nutrition and health education and accessible health care. This program addresses these challenges by developing programs that provide the necessary health information to rural residents. The program has three main focus areas: 1) individual and family nutrition and health education; 2) farm safety education; and 3) rural health leadership development education.

The Rural Health and Safety Education program is the only competitive funding opportunity available through NIFA and USDA to support effective programs and services delivered by Cooperative Extension in the areas of health and safety education both on the farm and in rural communities.

FY 2012 awards include:

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, $168,330
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., $103,080
Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Miss., $158,338
Stone Child College, Box Elder, Mont., $127,761
Fort Peck Community College, Wolf Point, Mont., $18,209
Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $191,209
University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, $164,994
Clemson University, Clemson, S.C., $196,487
Texas AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX, $198,747
Northwest Indian College, Bellingham, Wash., $109,595

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people’s daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Grants to Support Beginning Farmers and Ranchers across 24 States

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:41:18 -0400

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Grants to Support Beginning Farmers and Ranchers across 24 States

New, Expanded Efforts Underscore USDA’s Commitment to Young, Beginning and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers

Media Contact: Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188

BOONE, Iowa, Aug. 30, 2012—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced more than $18 million in grants to organizations across 24 states that will help beginning farmers and ranchers with the training and resources needed to run productive, sustainable farms. Under the Secretary’s leadership since 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has driven a number of efforts meant to spur interest in agriculture and provide the necessary support to young, beginning and socially-disadvantaged producers. At the Farm Progress Show today in Boone, Iowa, Vilsack said investing in beginning farmers, ranchers and producers is not only a smart investment, but one that is vital to our nation’s national and economic security.

“In the past few decades, U.S. agriculture has become the second most productive sector of the American economy thanks to farmers adopting technology, reducing debt, and effectively managing risk,” said Vilsack. “Last year, America’s farmers, ranchers and producers achieved record farm income and record exports. To protect and sustain these successes, we must continue to build an agriculture industry diverse and successful enough to attract the smartest, hardest-working people in the nation. These grants will help beginning farmers and ranchers overcome the unique challenges they face and gain knowledge and skills that will help them become profitable and sustainable.”

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded the grants through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) established through the 2008 Farm Bill. In his June 30, 2010 testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, the Secretary reminded Congress of the need to attract thousands of new producers in the coming years as American farmers and ranchers continue to age. Vilsack urged members of Congress to address this critical need when drafting a 2012 Food, Farm and Jobs bill. That legislation remains unfinished, while the current Farm Bill is set to expire on Sept. 30, 2012.

USDA makes BFRDP grants to organizations that implement education, training, technical assistance and outreach programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers, specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or fewer. At least 25 percent of the program’s funding supports the needs of limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as well as farm workers who want to get a start in farming and ranching.

In the first year of USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, three-year grants supported training for 5,000 beginning farmers and ranchers. In 2011, grants supported training for more than 38,000. For example, the Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project in Western North Carolina has directly assisted 865 farmers across 20 rural counties. Of the total participants, 46 percent were women. In addition, a group of seven organizations is working in rural communities in Arkansas and Oklahoma to educate, train, and foster mentorships for a variety of target groups, including military veterans. In the first year, the project created 32 mentorship opportunities and completed 12 internships with experienced farmers.

BFRDP will provide $18 million in funding this year, the fourth year of the program. Future funding is dependent on congressional reauthorization. A full list of fiscal year 2012 awards is available online.

Beginning farmers, by USDA definition, are individuals with 10 years or less experience operating farms. Beginning farmers are in all age ranges, racial and ethnic groups, and both male and female. Currently, 30 percent of principal operators of farms are 65 years old or more, while the average age of U.S. farmers has climbed from 54 in 1997 to 57 in 2007. Research by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) finds that the two most common and important challenges faced by beginning farmers are (1) having the market opportunity to buy or rent suitable land and (2) having capital to acquire land of a large enough scale to be profitable.

BFRDP is just one tool to address these challenges, along with greater access to credit including a new microloan program, a new land contract guarantee program, risk management education for beginning and socially disadvantaged producers, and new online resources such as www.start2farm.gov and the Know Your Farmer Compass.

Since 2009, USDA has provided 128,000 loans to family farmers totaling more than $18 billion. Between 2009-2011, the number of loans to beginning farmers and ranchers climbed from 11,000 to 15,000. More than 40 percent of USDA's farm loans now go to beginning farmers, while over 50 percent of loans went to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers during the same time.

With expanded access to credit, USDA is helping a new generation of farmers sustain and build upon what is now the most productive period in history for American agriculture. To that end, in May the Secretary proposed a new microloan program to help small and family operations progress through their start-up years with needed resources, while building capacity, increasing equity, and eventually graduating to commercial credit. The microloan proposal allows producers to apply for loans of less than $35,000 using simplified and streamlined procedures. The goal of the microloan program is to better meet the credit needs of small farm operations while making more effective use of FSA resources.

The Land Contract Guarantee Program provides a valuable tool to transfer farm real estate to the next generation of farmers. Guarantees will be offered to the owner of a farm who wishes to sell real estate through a land contract to a beginning farmer or a farmer who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. In January, the Secretary expanded the Land Contract Guarantee Program from six states to all 50 states.

USDA’s Risk Management Agency supports crop insurance education and outreach in 47 states to beginning, small, and historically underserved farmers and ranchers. From October 2010 through September 2011, a total of 77,000 farmers and ranchers attended educational sessions or were reached by direct mailing with educational information.

President of Montana State University Will Give Seaman A. Knapp Memorial Lecture in Honor of Extension Service Founder

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:59:01 -0400

President of Montana State University Will Give Seaman A. Knapp Memorial Lecture in Honor of Extension Service Founder

Media Contact: Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188

WASHINGTON, Aug. XX, 2012— Sonny Ramaswamy, director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), announced today that Waded Cruzado, president of Montana State University, will present the 2012 Seaman A. Knapp Memorial Lecture in memory of “The Father of Extension,” Nov. 12 in Denver, Colo., at the annual meeting of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

The Seaman A. Knapp Lecture is one of three rotating lectures presented by NIFA and APLU honoring three historic Land-Grant University figures: Seamen A. Knapp, Justin Smith Morrill, and William Henry Hatch. Nominations for this prestigious award are submitted by the Land-Grant University system, stakeholders, foundations, public interest groups, and international organizations.

Knapp’s success as a national leader of the Farm and Home Demonstration System helped bring about the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which resulted in the creation of the Cooperative Extension Service in every state.

“The Knapp principle of demonstration education involved more than just a new teaching method. It represented a deep insight into the motivation and commitment of people,” said Ramaswamy. “Cruzado’s lecture will remind us of the role Cooperative Extension has played – and will play – to help farmers, ranchers, consumers, families, and communities find science-based solutions to the challenges they face.”

Cruzado became the twelfth president of Montana State University at Bozeman on Jan. 4, 2010, and in less than three years has significantly reshaped the face and future of the state’s first land-grant institution. She is an articulate and inspiring advocate for public universities, which were created through the Morrill Act 150 years ago. Cruzado is a passionate champion of the tripartite mission of research, teaching, and Extension, and the importance of higher education for the prosperity of our nation.

Cruzado earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Puerto Rico (a land-grant university) and master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Texas–Arlington. She served as interim president at New Mexico State University before accepting her current position.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and Extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. More information is available at www.nifa.usda.gov.