USVI FSA, NRCS, RD Updates for August 2022- USDA SUPPORTS MILITARY VETERAN’S TRANSITION TO FARMING

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US Department of Agriculture

USVI FSA Updates - August 17, 2022 



Farm Service Agency


USDA SUPPORTS MILITARY VETERAN’S TRANSITION TO FARMING

Are you a military veteran interested in farming? USDA offers resources to help you:

  • Fund Your Operation: USDA’s Farm Service Agency offers a variety of funding opportunities to help agricultural producers finance their businesses. Certain funds are targeted for veterans and beginning farmers and ranchers.
  • Conserve Natural Resources: USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service offers conservation programs and expert one-on-one technical assistance to strengthen agricultural operations now and into the future. Veterans may be eligible for a cost share of up to 90 percent and advance payments of up to 50 percent to cover certain conservation practices.
  • Manage Risks: USDA is here to help you prepare for and recover from the unexpected. Veterans who are beginning farmers may be eligible for reduced premiums, application fee waivers, increased insurance coverage, and other incentives for multiple USDA programs that support risk management.

USDA wants to ensure that veterans transitioning to agriculture have the resources needed to succeed. While USDA offices are currently closed to visitors because of the pandemic, Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. To conduct business, please contact your local USDA Service Center. Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for producers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus. If you’re a new farmer, you can also reach out to your state Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator.

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ASK USDA AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT FSA PROGRAMS

Ask USDA is now available as a tool for FSA customers to ask questions about FSA programs and services.

Ask USDA, available at ask.usda.gov, is similar to AskFSA, which was decommissioned, but it provides information for all USDA programs. Ask USDA allows USDA customers to search for and read answers about FSA programs and services in the same location as they read about other USDA programs and services.

Customers are able to submit questions through email, chat, and phone if they need more information. This improved customer service approach provides a one-stop shopping experience that covers all of USDA’s many programs.

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BEGINNING FARMER LOAN OPPORTUNITY

Accessing capital to begin, extend or support an agriculture operation can be especially challenging to new producers. Farm Service Agency’s “Beginning Farmer” direct and guaranteed loan programs provide an opportunity for qualified applicants to secure loans from funding set aside for producers who meet the following conditions:

  • Has operated a farm for not more than 10 years;
  • Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm;
  • Agrees to participate in a loan assessment, borrower training and financial management program sponsored by FSA; and
  • Does not own a farm in excess of 30 percent of the county’s average size farm.

For more information, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov.

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Natural Resources Conservation Service


NRCS ANNOUNCES 2022 CARIBBEAN AREA CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT AWARDEES

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NRCS Caribbean Area Director, Luis Cruz-Arroyo, is pleased to announce the recipients of fiscal year 2022 Conservation Innovation Grants for the Caribbean Area. Two projects were selected from a total of 10 submissions. The two awarded projects focus on developing and demonstrating cutting-edge ideas to further advance innovation in resource conservation on private lands in the Caribbean Area. The Fiscal Year 2022 Caribbean Area CIG awardees and projects are:

  • Jesyka Meléndez for the project, “Restoring Impacted Soils via Regenerative Agriculture in Rural Puerto Rico: A Market-Scale Demonstration Farm” ($99,949) &
  • Félix Rivera Montalvo for the project, “Ecosystem Services Validation of a Multispecies Canopy Coffee Agroforestry System” ($75,000). Learn more …

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WORKING WITH BORDEAUX FARMERS TO IMPROVE WATER ACCESS

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NRCS visited with the Bordeaux, St. Thomas, farming community and VI Department of Agriculture (VIDA) during the week of July 25th as part of our Bordeaux Water Supply Infrastructure Project. Our conservationists, engineers, and a geologist all the way from Montana spent the week in the field evaluating the soil properties of existing ponds to identify causes of water losses and look at potential fixes. Throughout the week we met with VIDA staff to discuss project collaborations and technical assistance needs, and to plan future efforts. We also met with the Bordeaux community at the Bordeaux Farmers Market on Thursday, July 28th, and presented an overview about the projects we’re working on and received valuable input from farmers and partners about their concerns, needs and recommendations.

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USDA INCREASES FUNDING FOR PARTNERSHIPS TO SAFEGUARD, RESTORE WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS

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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing up to $20 million in fiscal year 2023 to help conservation partners nationwide protect and restore critical wetlands through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). NRCS is prioritizing proposals that support efforts to mitigate climate change by restoring wetlands while also prioritizing assistance to underserved communities. Last year, NRCS funded $11 million in partnerships. Proposals from partners are due Sept. 23, 2022. Learn more…

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CONSERVATION COVERS FIELD TRIALS

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On August 10th our Ecological Sciences Division staff Francisco Rivera (Agroforester), Edrick Marrero (State Agronomist), and Darisag De Jesús (Pathways intern) installed a farm trial at Hacienda Gosén in Moca, PR. Hacienda Gosen is a 150-acre farm that cultivates breadfruit, cocoa, ginger, yams, soursop, dragon fruit, lemons, and beef cattle. NRCS is validating the use of Arachis pintoi (perennial peanut) as a conservation cover in an agroforestry system on the farm. This is a continuation of our Arachis field trials project initiated in December 2020. Our staff is evaluating Arachis behavior to improve soil health, increase organic material percentages and measure carbon sequestration, water retention, soil compaction and area cover. The data collected will help landowners and farmers to adapt to climate change challenges in the Caribbean Area. Learn more about the Arachis project…

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NATIONAL CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS

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NRCS will invest $25 million nationwide this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program. Through CIG, partners work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. The On-Farm Trials component of CIG supports widespread adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agricultural solutions, irrigation water management, nutrient management and soil health. Applications are due September 22, 2022. Learn more…

NRCS will also invest $15 million in innovative projects for climate-smart agriculture, urban agriculture and addressing invasive species through a national Conservation Innovation Grants-Classic request for proposals. Applications are due October 11, 2022. Learn more…

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AG CAREERS OUTREACH IN ST. CROIX

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On July 26th, NRCS St. Croix Field Office staff joined Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry and National Park Service personnel to promote careers in agriculture and forestry at the first Ag Career Fair on the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture Fair Grounds in St. Croix. Agency staff spoke with over 20 high school students and 50 grade school students about careers in agriculture and natural resources.

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BEAT THE HEAT WITH HELP FROM USDA

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It's hot out there, and your crops and livestock have probably been feeling the heat! 🌡️ 🌡️ 🌡️ If your operation has been impacted by drought, USDA can help you recover, manage risk, and build resilience. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/3lprz7q.

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Rural Development


USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT INVESTS $74 MILLION TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN 37 STATES, GUAM & PUERTO RICO

USDA Rural Development is awarding $74 million in grants to improve health care for people living in rural towns across the Nation. These grants will build, renovate and equip health care provider facilities like hospitals and clinics in 37 states, Guam and Puerto Rico

PR projects are:

  • $513,750 to Municipality of Juncos to acquire a Mobil Medical Clinic to provide medical services to the Rural Communities.
  • $323,799 to Municipality of Guaynabo to acquire three ambulances to provide services to their Rural Communities.
  • $154,875 to Municipality of San Lorenzo to acquire a Bariatric Ambulance to improve health care services offered by the municipality.
  • $33,687 to Garden of Eden Health Center Corporation in Jayuya to provide essential health care services to Mameyes Ward.

Learn more at https://go.usa.gov/xSM9c.

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USDA  St. Croix Service Center

Farm Service Agency (FSA) USVI
4401 Estate Sion Farm, Suite 2
Christiansted, VI 00820 
340-773-9146 x100

Mark Carlton, District Director

Mark Carlton 352-448-2310
fmark.carlton2@usda.gov@usda.gov

Madison Charles, Program Technician

Madison Charles 340-773-9146 ext. 100
madison.charles@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.