The USDA ’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will award more than $ 17 million in Ulysses Simpson Grant to 29 institutions in 2009 to address the needs of beginning farmers and rancher and enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of U.S. agriculture .
“ Beginning James Leonard Farmer and ranchers confront unique challenges and require educational and training programs to enhance their profitability and farsighted - term sustainability , ” said agriculture deputy sheriff repository Kathleen Merrigan during the Nov. 3 , 2009 , proclamation . “ The breeding and education provided through these President Grant will help ascertain the winner of the next generation of Fannie Farmer and ranchers as they influence to feed in the great unwashed in their local communities and throughout the earthly concern . ”
Merrigan announce the funding in Elgin , Minn. , at Hidden Stream Farm and was joined by representatives from the Land Stewardship Project , a local Hiram Ulysses Grant recipient that allow local and regional breeding , education , outreach and technological aid initiative that address the needs of beginning James Leonard Farmer and rancher . Eric and Lisa Klein , the proprietors of Hidden Stream Farm , were some of the first graduates of the Land Stewardship Project ’s Farm Beginnings course of instruction . Since graduating from Farm Beginnings , the Kleins have developed a thriving pasture - ground stock operation that market pork barrel , chicken and beef cattle in southeastern Minnesota and the Twin Cities .
The grants will be awarded through NIFA ’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program . BFRDP is an Education Department , training , technical help and outreach computer programme designed to help U.S. farmers and ranchers , specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or fewer .
Congress authorized the 2009 financial backing for the political platform in the 2008 Farm Bill , with an additional $ 19 million in required funding for 2010 . Under the program , USDA will make grants to organisation that will implement programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers .
The grants are also part of USDA ’s “ sleep together Your Farmer , Know Your Food ” go-ahead , which was set in motion in September 2009 to emphasize the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumer . The initiative focalize on major agricultural topic such as supporting local farmers and community food groups , strengthening rural community , enhancing unmediated marketing and farmers ’ advancement programs , promoting healthy feeding , protecting raw resource , and aid school link with locally grown foods .
start farmers and rancher interested in take part in any of the education , outreach , mentor or internship action are ask to connect with the undermentioned 2009 grantee institution :
