WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $12.5 million in loans and grants for 39 projects that will help rural businesses in 21 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

"Supporting small, rural businesses helps create jobs and helps promote entrepreneurship," Vilsack said. "USDA Rural Development's field structure enables our community-based staff to engage with local partners and, in turn, enables these partners to provide their local small businesses and start-ups access to the capital and technical assistance they need to be competitive in today's global economy."

USDA is awarding $12.5 million in loans and grants through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program, the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP), the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program, and the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) program.

The Norris Electric Cooperative in Newton, Ill., will receive a $102,845 Rural Economic Development loan to finance the construction of an office and warehouse for a seed and chemical sales business. Building the 9,600-square-foot facility will enable the business to begin hiring now and plan for future job creation over the next five years.

Community Works, Inc. in Greenville, S.C., will receive a $400,000 RMAP loan and a $100,000 RMAP grant to capitalize a microloan revolving fund, and to provide technical assistance to microentrepreneurs.

The Southeast Economic Development Fund, Inc. in Park Hills, Mo., will use a $75,519 Rural Business Development Grant to provide financial and technical assistance to start-up small businesses and entrepreneurs in low-income communities in the southeast part of the state.

Sixteen economic development groups will receive $8.4 million through the IRP program to capitalize low-interest loan funds for business projects in rural communities.

Funding of each award announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.

USDA Rural Development has a strong track record of strengthening rural businesses and economies through its Rural Business-Cooperative Service, which has helped 85,000 rural businesses since the start of the Obama administration.

For example, Rural Development awarded the Hancock County Senior Services Association a $1 million Rural Economic Development loan, a $300,000 Rural Economic Development grant and a $2.2 million Community Facilities loan to build an assisted-living facility that uses the new "small house" model. The Carthage, Ill., facility, referred to as Maple Grove Apartments, gives patients with dementia and other cognitive issues a home-like and family-oriented environment with a small number of residents per building and central common areas for socializing and meals. This critical Rural Development investment provided the residents of rural Illinois with access to a top-quality facility that will enhance residents' quality of life and create jobs for years to come.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.

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October 15, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2015    Roadside, Forest, and Aquatic Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 am

October 27, 2015    Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7 pm

October 29. 2015    Mosquito and Public Health Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 am

November 6, 2015    Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10-2 p.m

November 11, 2015    Ornamental & Turf Applicators Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 17, 2015    Fumigation Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 18, 2015    Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Mgmt Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 26, 2015    EXTENSION OFFICE CLOSED

November 27, 2015    EXTENSION OFFICE CLOSED

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2015 - ON THURSDAY, Oct. 15, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Iowa, kicking off a series of events focused on conservation and food security in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Marshalltown through Friday afternoon. Members of the media who wish to attend a listed event may email adriane.brown@oc.usda.gov to RSVP.

On Thursday, Oct. 15, in Des Moines, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will make a major announcement pertaining to USDA's work to conserve natural resources and protect water quality throughout the state. Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $2 billion in efforts to conserve and protect Iowa's land, water and air resources, and Thursday's announcement will further USDA's engagement with Iowa on these important issues.

When and Where:
Thursday, Oct. 15
9 a.m. CDT
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Drive
Des Moines, Iowa

Later on Thursday, Secretary Vilsack will host the Secretary's Roundtable discussion at the World Food Prize on Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition. The Secretary will be joined by Alexander B. Howard, Senior Editor for Technology and Society, Huffington Post; Brady Deaton, Executive Director, Deaton Institute, University of Missouri and Member PUSH Steering Committee; Alfred Busolo Tabu, Director General of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority of Kenya; and Gavin Starks, CEO, Open Data Institute.  He also will address the World Food Prize Foundation that evening at their Annual Award Ceremony and Dinner. All World Food Prize events will be livestreamed here.

When and Where:
3:15 p.m. CDT
Marriott Des Moines
Iowa Ballroom
700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa

On Friday, Oct. 16, Secretary Vilsack will meet with local and state partners to discuss an innovative project designed to reduce nitrates in the Cedar Rapids water supply.  The locally-led project, funded by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, brings together 16 partners in the Middle Cedar Partnership Project to reduce nitrates. Vilsack will review key conservation practices used to protect water quality in the Middle Cedar watershed and highlight the role the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) plays in helping local communities and private partners target natural resources concerns in Iowa and across the nation.

When and Where:
Friday, Oct. 16
11:45 a.m. CDT
Nick Meier Farm
12925 Dysart Rd
La Porte City, Iowa

Later on Friday, Secretary Vilsack will host a roundtable discussion on the White House Rural Council's Rural IMPACT initiative in Marshalltown, Iowa. Rural IMPACT takes a two-generational approach to addressing the challenge of rural child poverty by forming a learning community for coordinated health, human service and workforce development service deliver. Marshalltown was designated one of ten demonstration sites at the launch of Rural IMPACT on Sept. 25, 2015.

When and Where:
3:00 p.m. CDT
Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc.
Child Care Center
206 West High Street
Marshalltown, Iowa

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Aims to Develop a Strong, Diverse Next Generation of American Farmers; Supports Efforts to Bring Veterans and Socially Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs into Farming and Ranching

UPDATED RELEASE

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced more than $17 million in grants for organizations that will develop training and provide other resources for beginning farmers and ranchers across the nation. The awards are made through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which is administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

"When new farmers and ranchers start their operations, the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program can help them implement tested strategies and new ideas that in turn benefit all of us by reducing food insecurity, growing economic opportunities, and building communities," said Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden. "Today, we are partnering with organizations who recognize that an investment in our beginning farmers and ranchers is also an investment in our future."

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program was first established by the 2008 Farm Bill and was continued in the 2014 Farm Bill. The program provides support to those who have farmed or ranched for less than 10 years. NIFA awards grants to organizations throughout the United States that implement programs to train beginning farmers and ranchers, which may take place through workshops, educational teams, training, or technical assistance.

The 2014 Farm Bill mandated that at least five percent of BFRDP funding must support veterans and socially disadvantaged farmers. This year, 10 percent of the funding supports veterans and farming, while about 50 percent of the funding will serve socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Since 2009, 184 awards have been made for more than $90 million through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. These awards are part of USDA's deep commitment to empowering beginning farmers and ranchers across America.

Fiscal year 2015 grants include :

• Auburn University, Auburn, Ala., $711,213
• Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala., $459,914
• University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark., $681,459
• Farmer Veteran Coalition, Davis, Calif., $712,500
• Planting Justice, Oakland, Calif., $708,700
• American Farmland Trust, Washington, D.C., $669,796
• Hmong National Development, Washington, D.C., $711,623
• University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, $506,122
• Chicago Horticultural Society, Chicago, Ill., $712,500
• Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, $698,393
• Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Ky., $493,467
• Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Unity, Maine, $709,713
• World Farmers, Inc., Lancaster, Mass., $711,562
• The Greening of Detroit, Detroit, Mich., $100,000
• Hmong American Farmers Association, St. Paul, Minn., $712,500
• Mississippi Delta Council for Farm Workers Opportunities, Inc., Clarksdale, Miss., $681,628
• Winston County Self Help Cooperative, Jackson, Miss., $538,271
• Legal Aid of Nebraska, Omaha, Neb., $654,902
• Land for Good, Inc., Keene, N.H., $641,222
• Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., $460,170
• Center of Southwest Culture, Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., $100,000
• Hawthorne Valley Association, Ghent, N.Y., $693,918
• Dakota Rural Action, Brookings, S.D., $225,079
• South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D., $706,907
• University of Texas - Pan American, Edinburg, Texas, $712,500
• Arcadia Food, Inc., Alexandria, Va., $100,000
• Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., $656,903
• University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., $720,989
• Organic Seed Alliance, Port Townsend, Wash., $251,237
• Tri-State Local Foods, Inc., Huntington, W.V., $100,000
• Easter Seals Wisconsin, Inc., Madison, Wisc., $496,914
• Southwest Badger Resource Conservation & Development Council, Platteville, Wisc., $219,274
• University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc., $187,379
• Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, Spring Valley, Wisc., $310,419

Information on past awards can be found on the NIFA website.

Funding for the BFRDP program is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit the Farm Bill page on the USDA website.

More information about USDA support for new farmers and ranchers is available on the New Farmers page on the USDA website.

NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and seeks to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. To learn more about NIFA's impact on agricultural science, visit nifa.usda.gov/impacts or follow us on Twitter @usda_nifa using hashtag #NIFAImpacts.

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