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November 2022
As we take a chance this week to reflect on the season and appreciate what has gone well, it's a great opportunity to plan next year's success stories. OFP is highlighting some regional success stories and challenges this month, as well as a promising grazing webinar, and some national perspectives on agriculture and conservation.
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Funding Opportunities
USDA Launches Loan Assistance Tool to Enhance Equity and Customer Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. This uniform application process will help to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regardless of their individual circumstances.
“USDA recognizes more must be done to ensure all customers have equal access to our programs and services,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “The Loan Assistance Tool is another example of USDA taking accountability and ensuring we update our existing systems, processes, and policies to make them equitable for all customers. The tool will help loan applicants better understand the application process and gather the needed documents before the process even begins.”
USDA experiences a high rate of incomplete or withdrawn applications, particularly among underserved customers, due in part to a challenging and lengthy paper-based application process. The Loan Assistance Tool is available 24/7 and gives customers an online step-by-step guide that supplements the support they receive when working in person with a USDA employee, providing materials that may help an applicant prepare their loan application in one tool.
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Conservation Round Up
Farmland Values Hit Record Highs, Pricing Out Farmers - The New York Times
- While farmers across Washington State are familiar with land prices soaring to unreachable heights, this article provides some context of different markets across the country and how widespread the struggle to find affordable farmland has become.
Honoring Native American and Other Indigenous Peoples for Their Long-Standing Commitment to Agriculture and Conservation | Farmers.gov
- In a nationwide recognition of Native American and Indigenous farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, local efforts by the Suquamish Tribe are highlighted for efforts to restore Olympia oyster habitat.
Solar Leasing: A Guide for Agricultural Landowners in the Pacific Northwest - AFT
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American Farmland Trust’s Solar Leasing Guide is a tool for agricultural landowners in the Pacific Northwest. This guide covers the basic considerations for landowners who have or anticipate being approached by a solar developer.
Thurston CD Voices Opposition to Central Thurston Airport
- While the prospect of another large airport looms as a threat to farmland around the Puget Sound, this letter from Thurston CD should inspire others to find collaborative and articulate ways to help limit farmland loss and ecosystem damage.
WA Farmland Trust completed an easement with Pink Moon Farm
- While the process is not simple or always quick, it is great to see another farm protected in perpetuity.
More farmers are adopting conservation tillage
- In an effort to conserve water, build soil, retain nutrients, and reduce erosion, more farmers are finding ways to reduce tillage in their systems.
Four highlights from the annual ‘Focus on Farming’ ag conference
- The "Focus on Farming" Conference took place for the first time since 2019 and focused on items like: the upcoming Farm Bill, the value of connecting consumers with their farmers, the advances in technology for farmers, and exceptionally good meals to share.
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