Learn About Low-interest Microloans of up to $35,000 Now Available for Farmers: Free Webinar April 10, 7-8pm EST

Join the Cornell Small Farms Program and FSA Senior Loan Specialist Carrie Novak for this One-Time Opportunity

Small farmers spoke up and the Farm Services Agency (FSA) listened! In January 2013 the FSA launched a new Microloan Program that offers very low-interest loans of up to $35,000, with an abbreviated application process. On Wed. April 10 from 7-8pm EST, come learn about the details of the program, including loan terms and application process, and have the opportunity to type questions to the FSA’s Senior Loan Specialist, Carrie Novak via chat pod. Carrie will also present basic FSA loan eligibility criteria and review the application form.

Register now to attend this free webinar. All you need is a computer with speakers and a high-speed internet connection. The Cornell Small Farms Program uses WebEx software for webinars, and if this is your first time joining a WebEx meeting, you will also be prompted automatically to download a small add-in software program in order to view the webinar on your computer. We’ll send you a reminder and the link to join–along with a Webinar Participants’ Guide with information about what to expect from a webinar–about a day before the presentation.

Can’t join? No problem; we’ll record the webinar and post it for viewing on the Northeast Beginning Farmer Project website, nebeginningfarmers.org.

This free program is hosted by the Cornell Small Farms Program. Visit us online at smallfarms.cornell.edu or nebeginningfarmers.org.

 

 

Vermont Grass Farmers Association Mini-Grants

Vermont Grass Farmers Association 2013 Member Innovation Mini-Grant

Closing date: March 31, 2013 (postmarked)

The VGFA would like to encourage and support innovative practices to increase the sustainability and vitality of grass-based farming in our region. We are soliciting proposals from members interested in trying new practices to increase profitability, reduce environmental degradation, or test new techniques.

Possible ideas include but are not limited to:
• Extension of the grazing season,
• Innovative grazing practices or infrastructure,
• New forage varieties or cropping systems,
• Evaluation of new or competing products, etc.
Project Requirements

A committee will rank proposals on the following criteria:

• Innovation – the project will bring new ideas to the VGFA community
• General feasibility – the practices will be replicable on other farms
• Measurable outcome – results will be assessed and interpreted
• Accessibility & documentation- results will be presented to VGFA membership.
Possibilities include: pasture walks, posters at the Annual VT Grazing & Livestock Conference,
photos or newsletter reports

The program is also open to non-members. If you are not a current member of VGFA, please enclose an
application fee of $40 with your proposal, which includes a one year membership to the organization.
Send completed application to: VGFA, PO Box 142, Randolph Center VT 05061

 

Please Find the Application Form by Clicking Here

UVM Extension “Ag Finance Hour”

Here is a great resource and a chance to get your finance questions answered by an expert!

Now is a great time to update your financials. “Ag Finance Hour” is a time to sit down with a UVM Extension Farm Business Management specialist, one-on-one, to work on the financial planning, critical to your farm’s success.  Meetings last an hour to an hour and a half and are focused on developing balance sheets, cash budgets or completing financial analysis.

Friday March 8th, 8am – 12 noon VT Small Business Development Center, Randolph, VT

Registration Fee is $15

Call now to schedule an appointment with Christi Sherlock or Erin Clark 802-223-2389

Apply Now For Innovative Farm Conservation Project Funding

 

This announcement is from the folks at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition:

February 25th, 2013

On Monday, February 25, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that it is now accepting pre-proposal applications for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.  The CIG program is a voluntary effort to promote science-based solutions for the benefit of both the farmer and the environment.  CIG applicants are typically non-governmental organizations, State or local governments, or federally recognized Indian Tribes, though individual farmers and technology transfer specialists are eligible.

NRCS is looking for innovative demonstration partnerships that address beginning, underserved, and small-scale producers, energy conservation, nutrient management, soil health, economics, wildlife habitat, co-management for food safety, and adaptive management.

In addition to the national grants category, there are two landscape-level project categories, one for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and one for the Mississippi River Basin.

This year’s pre-proposals are due March 22.  NRCS will announce selected pre-proposal applications by April 15.  Selected applicants will then be required to submit a full proposal package to NRCS by May 13.

Funding for FY 2013 is expected to be around $25 million.  Please note, at least 50 percent of the total cost of CIG projects must come from non-federal matching funds, including cash and in-kind contributions provided by the grant recipient.

We encourage NSAC member and partner organizations to submit pre-proposals, and, where possible, to collaborate in developing multi-group proposals or local partnerships.

A Message from the Carrot Project

The Carrot Project offers small loans and technical assistance for farmers and processors, check it out!

The Carrot Project Loans and Financial Technical Assistance

The Carrot Project offers specific programs for both loans and related financial technical assistance for producers and processors. Capital or operating loans of $5,000-$35,000, at 7% interest, are available to farm, forestry and fishery businesses, and to processing, distribution and storage enterprises with any type of local agricultural product.

Assistance preparing application materials is available, including cash flow projections and enterprise budgets for new projects. Loans are available for businesses who may not be able to obtain financing elsewhere including startups and beginning farmers.  Businesses that already have a working business plan are ideally suited to apply.

Visit our website for application details. Apply Now
For questions contact: Benneth Phelps, 413.650.6151 or bphelps@thecarrotproject.org
Join us on facebook!

Sign up Now! Free Financial Planning Services Available

The Carrot Project is looking to work with farmers who are interested in several financial planning sessions over the next two years. Project participants are eligible to receive free financial planning services, like cash flow planning or business plan updates. Participation is for two years, and requires the submission of anonymous financial information.  The study outcomes will help explain the returns on investments in lending and support services for farmers across the Northeast. Farmers are encouraged to sign-up before March. This project is funded through the Research and Education Program of Northeast SARE.  Learn More

For questions contact: Benneth Phelps, 413.650.6151 or bphelps@thecarrotproject.org