Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food May 2016 Newsletter

 

With the warmer weather, the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2) Initiative also brings you warm greetings and many exciting announcements. At USDA, we just wrapped up KYF2/Organics Month, during which we launched a number of new local and regional food system activities and also enhanced our existing resources. The Department kicked off the month by publishing the latest installment of our Results project, summarizing the major achievements we’ve made on local and regional food systems since the founding of KYF2 in 2009.  And we launched a brand new version of our website – see below for more on what the new site contains.

 

But we’re not done yet! Our list of achievements only fuels our efforts to continue implementing activities to promote strong local and regional food systems across the country. We’re happy to work with you and your stakeholders to identify future trends and needs, so please do not hesitate to contact our team at knowyourfarmer@usda.gov.

 

We look forward to our continued work together, and we thank you for your support!

 

Sincerely,

The KYF2 Team

 

 

NASS LOCAL FOOD MARKETING PRACTICES SURVEY – HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

 

USDA recently launched the inaugural Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, the first-ever survey of farmers and ranchers conducted by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to produce benchmark data about local food. The Survey confidentially examines the production and marketing of foods produced in 2015 by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Specific attention is given to production and marketing of local foods directly to consumers and to retailers that sell to consumers.

 

We need your help! Please encourage farmers and ranchers in your networks to fill out the survey if they received it. NASS has already contacted approximately 44,300 local farmers and ranchers. While USDA continues to promote Survey participation, your additional support in promotion of the Survey submission is critical to its success! 

 

The initial deadline has passed but there is still time for producers to respond by filling out the survey online at www.agcounts.usda.gov, or returning the form by mail. NASS will also send another mailing this month as a reminder to those who have not completed their survey. If respondents have additional questions, they may call 888.424.7828 or email nass@nass.usda.gov.

 

 

CHECK OUT KYF2’S REVAMPED WEBSITE!

 

On April 21, the KYF2 Team rolled out our revamped Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food website.  The site was redesigned to offer a more user-friendly experience that makes it easier to navigate the wealth of USDA and partner resources. The KYF2 website has become an even better a one-stop-shop for information on USDA’s local and regional food systems work.

 

Another exciting development is the addition of an Urban Agriculture section, highlighting the new face of agriculture in urban communities.  See below for more information on USDA’s new Urban Agriculture Initiative and Toolkit. 

 

An important holdover from the previous KYF2 website is the KYF2 Compass, where you can find USDA local and regional food system investments in your community, and beyond.  The Compass is currently undergoing an upgrade, and we look forward to including even more information soon. Interested in a demo?  Let us know!

 

The KYF2 Initiative showcases how USDA supports local and regional food systems across the entire supply chain with funding, technical assistance, and more.  We hope you will find this new website dynamic and intuitive, and will use it to identify resources to continue the important work of small- and mid-sized producers, food entrepreneurs, and others in your community.

 

 

URBAN AGRICULTURE: THE LATEST LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM FRONTIER

 

On April 29, 2016, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the USDA Urban Agriculture Toolkit, a new resource to help entrepreneurs and communities interested in urban agriculture. From neighborhood gardens grown on repurposed lots, to intensive hydroponic and aquaculture operations, urban food production is rapidly growing in cities across the country.

 

USDA's Toolkit helps urban farms navigate more than 70 helpful resources, including technical assistance and financing opportunities. It focuses on some of the most pressing challenges confronting urban producers such as land access, soil quality, water resources, capital and financing, infrastructure, market development, production strategies, and connecting with local USDA offices.

 

Take a look and see what USDA has to offer urban producers and stakeholders!

 

 

FARM STORAGE LOANS EXPANDED TO HELP FARMERS REACH LOCAL FOOD MARKETS

 

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced in April that their Farm Storage Facility Loan program can now help finance portable storage structures, portable equipment, and storage and handling trucks in addition to continuing its longstanding capacity to finance stationary crop and cold storage on-farm facilities. This expansion of the low-interest loan program will help FSA better serve fruit and vegetable farmers and others who need to get crops safely and efficiently to local farmers’ markets, schools, restaurants, food hubs, and retail stores.

 

The program also offers a new "microloan" option, which allows applicants seeking less than $50,000 to qualify for a reduced down payment of five percent and no requirement to provide three years of production history. Farms and ranches of all sizes are eligible. The microloan option is expected to be of particular benefit to smaller farms and ranches, and specialty crop producers who may not have access to commercial storage or on-farm storage after harvest. These producers can invest in equipment like conveyers, scales or refrigeration units and trucks that can store commodities before delivering them to markets.

 

 

FSA ANNOUNCES COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH UNDERSERVED ORGANIZATIONS AND ACCEPTS NEW APPLICATIONS (DUE JULY 11)

 

On April 27, 2016, USDA announced cooperative agreements with 55 partners to educate historically underserved farmers and other producers about FSA programs, such as those that provide financial, disaster or technical support. Nearly $2.5 million will go to nonprofits, associations, universities, and foundations that will provide training and information on agricultural best practices, local networking opportunities, and more.

FSA, which solicited applications last fall, received nearly 100 proposals that requested over $9 million in funding. Cooperative agreements, encompassing more than 28 states, will be between $20,000 and $75,000 each and several involve multi-state or national efforts. A list of awardees can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/outreach.

 

FSA also announced that it is accepting proposals for consideration in the second evaluation period, with applications due no later than July 11, 2016. Projects not selected during the first evaluation period will be reconsidered during the second period. Additional information on the funding solicitation and the related FSA programs can be found at http://www.grants.gov/ using reference number USDA-FSA-CA-2016-001. For nonprofits and public institutions of higher education that are considering participation, a recording of the online informational session held with stakeholders is posted on the web at www.fsa.usda.gov/outreach.

 

 

NEW FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR FARMER FOOD SAFETY TRAINING PROJECTS

 

Also in April, USDA announced the availability of $4.7 million in grants for food safety education, training, and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers, small processors, small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers, food hubs, farmers' markets, and others. The grants, offered through the Food Safety Outreach Program and administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), are designed to help these stakeholders comply with new food safety guidelines established by the Food and Drug Administration under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

 

NIFA will fund three types of projects to help producers comply with FSMA. Pilot projects will support the development and implementation of new and potentially high-risk, high-impact food safety education and outreach programs in local communities that address the needs of small, specialized audiences from among the various target groups. Community outreach projects will focus on the growth and expansion of already-existing food safety education and outreach programs that are currently offered in local communities. Multistate Education and training projects will support the development and implementation of multi-county, state-wide, or multi-state food safety education and outreach programs where there are common food safety concerns, but the states are not necessarily located within the same regions.

 

 

USDA LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM FUNDING OPEN NOW

 

• Rural Cooperative Development Grants (Deadline: June 20) Grants to improve the economic condition of rural areas by assisting individuals and businesses in the startup, expansion, or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through Cooperative Development Centers.

• Value Added Producer Grants (Deadline: June 24) Helps agricultural producers conduct value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added products. Applicants should be interested in generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income. Awards as much as $250,000 to successful applicants, and there is a 50 percent matching requirement.

• Risk Management Education Partnership Program (Deadline: July 3) Funds cooperative agreements for risk management education and training programs, providing organizations with resources to develop training and education tools to effectively manage long-term risks and challenges.

• Organic Certification Cost Share Programs (Funds available through State Departments of Agriculture) Cover a wide range of certification-related expenses and cover 75 percent of the cost of organic certification, up to a maximum of $750 annually. Producers and businesses can apply for reimbursement through their state agencies. Check out our recent blog on the Program.

• Microloans (Operating and Farm Ownership) (Rolling applications) Direct farm operating loans with a shortened application process and reduced paperwork designed to meet the needs of smaller, non-traditional, and niche type operations. The maximum Microloan is $50,000, which may be used for farm equipment, livestock and feed, minor improvements or repairs to buildings, refinance of certain farm-related debts, and other operating expenses. New in January 2016, Deputy Secretary Harden announced the Microloan Farm Ownership Program. This marked the expansion of uses of Microloan funds to include the purchase a farm or ranch, repairs or build/improve farm dwelling, soil and water conservation projects, be part of a down payment farm ownership loan from FSA or as part of joint financing.

• Farm Storage Facility Loans (Rolling applications) Provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade permanent facilities to store commodities, including grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables, milk, meat, flowers and other products. Eligible facility types include grain bins, hay barns, facilities for cold storage, refrigerated trucks and other portable storage, and the structure and equipment required to get fruits and vegetables washed, treated and packed prior to storage.

• Community Facilities Funding (Rolling applications) Provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas with populations under 20,000. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

• Specialty Crop Block Grants (Deadline varies by state; set by State Departments of Agriculture) Goal is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops (defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)”).

• Rural Business Development Grants (Check with your local or State RD office) Competitive grants designed to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas through targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities. Public entities, cooperatives and nonprofits are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted through RD’s local or State offices once per year.

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (Rolling applications) EQIP provides cost-share support for conservation practices on working lands, including agricultural land in urban areas. Two practices of interest are the seasonal high tunnel program, which supports the construction of high tunnels (hoop houses), and the EQIP organic program, which supports producers who are certified organic, transitioning to organic production, or selling less than $5,000 of organic products annually. For more information, contact your local NRCS office at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

 

 

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (AMS) OFFERS NEW TOOLKIT ON ECONOMICS OF LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS

 

The growing demand for local food has sparked a groundswell of interest from private foundations and public agencies in supporting local food systems as a tool for economic development. In response to these demands, AMS worked with Colorado State University to develop the Economics of Local Food Systems Toolkit to provide better information about the economic impacts of investing in local food. The Toolkit is grounded in practices that communities, organizations, and investors can use to understand the impacts of investing in strong local food systems. Take a look and let AMS know what you think!

 

 

FEDERAL, PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS JOIN TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS

 

During the Wallace Center’s National Food Hub Conference in Atlanta this past March, national and regional philanthropic partners announced a new initiative to bolster the supply chain for local food systems around ten key U.S. cities. The project, dubbed “Food LINC”, connects demand for local food in 10 urban areas with supply from farmers and ranchers, strengthening each region’s local food business sector and also increasing consumer access to healthy, local food.

 

Nearly $3 million in combined private and federal funding will support coordination by a host organization in each city. A full-time Food LINC coordinator is embedded in each host organization for up to three years. The knowledge gained through their experiences will help the partnership determine next steps to link producers and entrepreneurs with families and institutional consumers to develop more robust local and regional food systems.

 

USDA, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority, have committed $850,000 in public funds to the project, leveraging an additional $2 million so far from private philanthropic partners. Additional support provided by the Surdna Foundation will also enable the Wallace Center to spread the benefits of this initiative by documenting the work in each region and sharing best practices with other organizations working to grow similar opportunities in their communities nationwide.

 

The 10 areas are:

 

• Albuquerque and New Mexico Region: La Montañita Co-op, host; Thornburg Foundation, partner.
• Atlanta, Georgia/South Carolina Region: Common Market Georgia, host; Schmidt Family Foundation, partner.
• Central Appalachia Region: Appalachian Sustainable Development, host; CoBank, The One Foundation and ARC, partners.
• Chesapeake Region: Washington Metro Council of Governments, host; Prince Charitable Trust, Agua Fund and Town Creek Foundation, partners.
• Delaware Valley Region:  Fair Food Philly, host; RSF Social Finance and Surdna Foundation, partners.
• Jackson, Mississippi Region: Soul City Hospitality, host; Delta Regional Authority, partner.
• Louisville, Eastern Kentucky Region:  City of Louisville (Farm to Table) host; RSF Social Finance and State of Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, partners
• Memphis, Arkansas Region (Including NE Arkansas and NW Mississippi):  Communities Unlimited, host; DRA, partner.
• Pueblo/Colorado Springs Region:  Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, host; Gates Family Foundation, partner.
• Raleigh/Durham, Coastal Plain Region: The Conservation Fund, host; Oak Foundation, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and The Duke Endowment, partners.

 

RURAL DEVELOPMENT (RD) ANNOUNCES THIRD INSTALLMENT IN RUNNING A FOOD HUB SERIES

 

On April 28, 2016, USDA RD announced the fourth installment of a multi-volume series on helping food hubs improve their financial performance. The new report, Running a Food Hub: Assessing Financial Viability, provides modules and best practices for food hubs at different stages of development to maximize profits and control costs. The number of food hubs in the U.S. has more than doubled over the course of the Obama Administration, with more than 350 now operational around the country thanks in part to support from USDA.

 

RD LAUNCHES NEW FOOD FINANCING TOOL TO INCREASE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD BUSINESSES

 

Consumer demand is driving enormous growth in local food businesses, but these investment opportunities may significantly differ from the typical financial institution customer. Regional food enterprises are often lean business models low in collateral but high in risk. Yet, if better understood by financial institutions, local food businesses can be an excellent investment, particularly for investors looking for social and environmental returns.

 

All of which is why USDA RD has joined forces with Wholesome Wave to offer an online interactive training called, “What's the Big Deal? Assessing and Financing Regional Food Enterprises.” The training equips funders and investors to understand and assess regional food business, the food sector and regional food enterprises. It also promotes a framework for conducting due diligence and a case study exercise to practice assessment. The training introduces the idea of “capital stacking,” through which multiple funders, from lenders to equity investors, can together use their different models and risk-tolerance levels, to join forces to provide the capital regional food businesses need.

 

On April 27, 2016, the Opportunity Finance Network – the leading national network of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) – sponsored the training for its members nationwide. CDFIs are the ideal audience for this training, as financial institutions working in underserved communities, getting funds and loans to people who sometimes can’t access traditional lending sources.

 

In addition to offering the training publicly, RD feels this information is so important that they’ve also committed to training their own staff. Click the link above to check out the training for yourself!

 

 

USDA KICKS OFF 21^ST FARMERS MARKET SEASON

 

Secretary Tom Vilsack and AMS Administrator Elanor Starmer officially opened the 21^st Annual USDA Farmers Market on May 6, 2016. New this year, USDA is partnering with the Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration to promote gardens, farmers markets, and community supported agriculture programs at Federal workplaces.

 

The USDA farmers market, located at 12^th and Independence Avenue, S.W., in Washington, D.C., features 32 vendors selling an eclectic mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, bedding plants, seafood, eggs, dairy products, cured meats, baked goods, and more. Visitors to the market, open every Friday through October 28, 2016 (9am-2pm), can picnic in the Headquarters People’s Garden next to the market or take purchases home to enjoy with friends and family, including products for pets. The USDA market is one of 8,500 farmers markets nationwide, and also one of the 6,400 markets that now accept SNAP benefits.

 

Secretary Vilsack also cut the ribbon for the new VegU tent where each week visitors can get a “VegUcation” and learn how to pick, prepare and store a featured, in season fruit or vegetable. The free 10-minute classes taught by USDA employees from the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Food and Nutrition Service, and the Food Safety and Inspection Service are offered between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

 

AMS oversees USDA’s Local Food Directories where consumers can find farmers markets and other local food businesses in their community. These free, online resources offer the latest information on locations, operating hours and more details about farmers markets, food hubs, community-supported agriculture (CSA) operations and on-farm markets.

 

If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and check out all that the USDA Farmers Market has to offer!

 

 

FARM TO SCHOOL CENSUS RESULTS SHOW MAJOR INCREASE IN LOCAL FOOD PURCHASING ON THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS

 

Schools across the United States purchased $789 million in local foods from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers in school year 2013 – 2014, according to results from the USDA Farm to School Census released in March 2016. That represents a 105 percent increase over the 2011-2012 school year when the first census was conducted, signifying the deepening commitment of schools nationwide to bring local food into the cafeteria and strengthen their local economies.

 

Schools report that farm to school programs can increase the number of students purchasing school breakfast and lunch, improve consumption of healthier foods at school, and reduce plate waste. The programs are often also heavily focused on nutrition education, helping teach children where their food comes from and exposing them to lessons about healthy eating. The census data show that school gardens, which can be both teaching tools and a sources of fresh produce, have nearly tripled over the past two years.

 

At the national level, 42 percent of school districts that responded to the census are operating farm to school programs as of the 2014-2015 school year, and another 16 percent – more than 2,000 districts – have plans to start in the future. The census results show that farm to school programs exist in every state in large and small, rural and urban schools alike. These schools are incorporating local foods throughout the day including school lunch, school breakfast, supper programs, and/or snacks.

 

The newly updated Farm to School Census website allows users to find information about farm to school programs in their state and in their particular school or district.

 

 

FSA BUILDS BRIDGES TO OPPORTUNITY

 

FSA’s Bridges to Opportunity service “bridges” the gap between agricultural producers and non-USDA partner organizations. Launched in select FSA county offices in April 2016, the Bridges software application allows FSA to provide additional services to farmers and ranchers to benefit and grow their operation and ultimately help them meet their goals. 

 

USDA has partnered with numerous local, state, regional and national agricultural organizations that offer programs, nongovernmental grants, technical assistance, financial advice and other information helpful to today’s producers. Instead of farmers and ranchers researching for hours to find services offered by these organizations, a visit to their county office to meet with an FSA representative can help answer many of these questions.

 

Bridges works when a producer comes into a county office to request information. For example, a farmer or rancher may need information on organic production. An FSA employee can enter “organics” in the Bridges software application and a list of all local, state, regional and national organizations offering resources and services on organic production will come up. The FSA employee can email or print the information for the producer and send an email to one or more partner organizations, informing them that the producer has an interest in learning more about their service or program. The Bridges software application will contain information on all subject matters that affect producers, such as drought relief, beginning farmer information and disaster assistance.

 

States where Bridges is available include:

 

• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida 
• Illinois 
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin