The Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invite you to a workshop on funding opportunities through the USDA Microloan and Value-Added Producer Grant programs. The workshop will provide information about the funding programs and outline who is an eligible and how to apply. The program will be presented by Carol Ronne, FSA Farm Loan Manager and Gary Pereira, RD Rural Business Program Specialist with USDA; Todd M. Erling, Executive Director of the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corp.; and the Office of Senator Gillibrand.
In January, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new microloan program designed to help small and family operations, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers secure loans under $35,000. The new microloan program is aimed at bolstering the progress of producers through their start-up years by providing needed resources and helping to increase equity so that farmers may eventually graduate to commercial credit and expand their operations. The microloan program will also provide a less burdensome, more simplified application process in comparison to traditional farm loans.
The Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants program is designed to encourage independent producers of agricultural commodities to process their raw products into marketable goods. By creating value-added products, farmers and businesses can expand economic opportunities, create jobs and keep wealth in rural communities.
Date: Thursday, March 14
Time: 11:00am
Location: USDA-FSA Farm and Home Center
2715 Rt. 44, Millbrook, NY 12545
Source: www.govdelivery.com