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NRCS Updates
- ACEP stakeholder group is meeting to initiate the replacement for Alexandra James’s position. Carlee Elliott will be POC until position is filled.
- NRCS-WA is processing two FY24 ACEP-ALE applications currently totaling over $1M projected federal share.
- NRCS-WA is processing five FY24 ACEP-WRE applications currently totaling over $600,000 in acquisition and restoration costs.
- NRCS-WA is working with American Farmland Trust (AFT) to develop a set of avoided conversion case studies. If you have questions or think one of your projects might be a good fit, please email acandib@farmland.org or call (360) 726-2658.
- NRCS-WA continues to work with Washington Association of Land Trusts (WALT) and OFP regarding succession planning, qualified CE appraiser obstacles, and other opportunities to advance farmland preservation.
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Funding Opportunities
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Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program - NIFA - An opportunity to access up to $250,000 over three years for eligible entities. Applications are due April 4.
- AgWest Farm Credit is accepting applications for their New Producer Grant. Qualifying farmers can receive grants up to $15,000. Learn more and apply here.
- The next grant round of the WSDA Local Food System Infrastructure Grant is opening on Monday March 18. The grant category opening is for "Rapid and Ready" projects, with funding capped at $75,000.
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Events
- American Farmland Trust will be hosting a webinar for entities working on ACEP-ALE projects, specifically exploring the optional use of Exhibit #4. Sign up here.
- USDA will be hosting another webinar in its Conservation Outcomes Webinar series on April 25 at 2:00. This one is titled Emerging Findings on the Effects of Cover Crops on Grassland Birds. Sign up for the upcoming webinar and access the previous presentation here.
- Land for Good will be presenting a webinar on Farmland Access and Tenure with Kathy Ruhf on March 22 at 9:00 AM. Sign up here.
- American Farmland Trust is hosting a quarterly meeting for folks working to assist farmers and ranchers with their succession plans. Join the Land Transfer Forum on April 16 at 10:00 AM, sign up here.
- The WSU Local Food Systems Hub will be hosting a meeting on April 17 to discuss food-waste prevention. Sign up for the meeting here and watch previous calls on their YouTube channel here.
- American Farmland Trust will be hosting a webinar to discuss key metrics gathered from the 2022 Ag Census on March 26 at 11:00 AM. Register for the webinar here.
- The SBA and USDA are working together to produce the Boots to Business Reboot for Veteran Beginning Farmers & Ranchers. The webinar will take place on April 8, sign-up and more information is available in the link.
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Resources
- American Farmland Trust has a suite of resources to discuss their "Smart Solar Policy Recommendations". Access the webinar from February 28 here and review the other resources here.
- American Farmland Trust has created a dashboard to create another way to review and compare data from the 2022 Agricultural Census. Have a look and explore the data here.
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