For Farm Service Agency issues

Farmers and other agricultural producers can nominate representatives to the Farm Service Agency county committees.

Each county annually alternates election of Local Administrative Area (LAA) representatives. The county committee makes decisions on commodity price support loans, conservation programs, disaster assistance and other USDA program and agricultural issues.

Marsha Jetté, state executive director, encourages eligible candidates to submit a nomination form to the local county office no later than Aug. 1. To be a county committee member you must participate in programs with FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the LAA where elections are taking place.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Organizations representing minorities and women may also nominate candidates. Nominees must sign form FSA-669A, which includes a statement that the nominee agrees to serve if elected.

Forms for the 2011 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2011. Ballots are mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 4. Newly elected county committee members take office Jan. 2, 2012.

For information, visit a local USDA Service Center or online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=cce.

Specialty Crops, Marketing, Get Boost

Specialty crops growers in Connecticut (grapes, asparagus, ornamental plants and Christmas trees) will benefit from a $320,000 federal grant that will fund research and programs for hardier plants, improved yields and broader markets.

The $320,500 grant is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Block Grant Program administered by the state Department of Agriculture. The state has distributed nearly $776,000 in USDA specialty block grants since 2006. To be eligible, projects must increase the competitiveness of specialty crops and benefit the industry and not a single producer or business.

“The USDA grants clearly recognize that the projects that will be supported by these funds will boost the competitiveness of our small specialty producers and help create and promote more robust markets for their crops,” state Agriculture Commissioner F. Philip Prelli said.

The recipients of this year’s USDA grants are: Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association ($45,000) and Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association ($35,000), for a new marketing program – Connecticut GardenStars – designed to increase sales of Connecticut grown ornamental plants. Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association ($3,847), to fund the Association’s 50th anniversary celebration and accompanying educational workshop on Aug. 6-7, 2010.

University of Connecticut, Dept. of Agricultural & Resource Economics ($49,996), to conduct an economic analysis of grape production for wine-making in the state, to include potential markets for locally produced grapes and expected profitability of expanded production.

Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station ($49,996) to increase production of hydroponics-grown salad greens by establishing greenhouse and fertilizer protocols that will maintain high nutritional values; boost the state’s asparagus crop by improving management strategies that enhance soil and root health and establish a more vigorous plant.

University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension ($35,530), to provide producers with training and information to improve safe food handling practices on their farms in order to adhere to federal and state Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) guidelines.

Connecticut Department of Agriculture ($67,352), to establish a uniform food safety GAP program in Connecticut by training and licensing a state agricultural employee. The employee will be responsible for implementing the GAP program for 149 specialty crop farmers over the next three years.

The application deadline for the next round of specialty crop grants is due by March 1, 2010. For more information visit www.ctgrown.gov or contact Jaime Smith at (860) 713-2559.

Organic Foods Producer: This Is For You

Want some help with marketing your organic produce?

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of $1.5 million in funds for allocation to State Department of Agriculture for providing cost share assistance to eligible organic producers certified to the National Organic Program (NOP).

Under the applicable FCIA provisions, the department is authorized to provide cost-share assistance to organic producers in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Each State Department of Agriculture (Agencies, Commissions or Departments) in the aforementioned states, that is interested in obtaining program funds are invited to submit applications to AMS.

Applications for federal assistance from states must be submitted to the National Organic Program by Nov. 1, 2009.

The program will provide cost-share assistance, through participating states, to organic producers receiving certification or continuation of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent commencing Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010.

Cost-share assistance payments are limited to 75 percent of an individual producer’s certification costs up to a maximum of $750 per year.

Organic producers within the eligible states must contact their local State Department of Agriculture to apply for cost-share assistance.

To receive cost-share assistance, organic producers must submit an application to the representative agency of the state in which their farm/operation is located. This application must include: 1) proof of NOP certification issued or continued within the cost-share qualifying period, Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010, and; 2) an itemized invoice demonstrating costs incurred for NOP certification.This program is in addition to and separate from the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program which is also administered by AMS and is open to all states and U.S. Territories.

Link to Federal Register notice announcing AMA cost share program.
Or contact Robert Pooler, Ag Marketing Specialist, (202) 720-3252.

USDA, Renewable Energy Systems

USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the department is providing more than $13 million in loans and grants for 233 renewable energy projects in 38 states under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Dallas Tonsager, secretary, USDA Rural Development, made the announcement on behalf of Vilsack at the Farm Progress Show.

“Under President Obama’s leadership, USDA is working to increase the availability of renewable energy, which not only will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but also strengthen our national economy,” Vilsack said. “The funding announced today will help expand renewable energy in America, which is a key part of the nation’s long-term strategy for continued economic prosperity and energy independence.”

The loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies and energy audits.

Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant or loan agreement.

In Connecticut:

* Emery Nemeskay Plumbing & Heating, LLC, $24,600 grant
* Historic Cargill Falls Mill, LLC, $5,000 grant
* Putnam Green Power, LLC, $50,000 grant
* Logee’s Greenhouses, Ltd, $195,650 grant; $391,310 loan

Specialty Crop Grants - 'Know Your Farmer'

WASHINGTON – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced the award of 55 grants totaling approximately $49 million for 745 projects to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Upon reviewing states’ plans for funding, USDA selected projects that support local and rural agriculture interests, increase the competitiveness of small producers, and promote or create direct marketing opportunities for specialty crop producers.

The 55 grant recipients include Connecticut Department of Agriculture – $320,502.74.

Editor's note: And by the way, Hebron Farmers' Market is Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. Coventry Regional Farmers' Market is Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.And the Bozrah Farmers Market is at Maples Farm Park, Fridays through Oct. 23, 4 to 7 p.m.

“Developing local and regional food systems that spur economic opportunity is the purpose of our ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative and these grants today are a significant part of achieving that goal,” said Merrigan. “We are pleased to be continuing this partnership in every state across the country to support their diverse efforts to promote healthy eating and grow specialty crop markets by expanding access to fresh, local foods.”

Funds will be used by the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, according to their plans submitted to USDA that describe how the state agency will carry out the program. Summaries of all awards can be viewed at www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp.

The ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers. The effort builds on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides for increases and flexibility for USDA programs in an effort to promote local foods.

Consumer demand for locally grown food in the United States is expected to rise from an estimated $4 billion in 2002 to as much as $7 billion by 2012.