Farm & Ranch

Apply Now for Value Added Producer Grants

Published

8 years ago

April 22, 2016

NTFR

By John Crabtree, [email protected], Center for Rural Affairs

USDA is accepting applications for $44 million in competitive Value Added Producer Grants to develop value added ventures. In times of low commodity prices, the help available through this program is especially appealing.

The grant program gives priority to projects that expand opportunities for small and mid-sized family farms and for beginning, socially disadvantaged, and military veteran farmers and ranchers. Local food marketing projects are eligible as well, particularly for distribution systems that increase the return to the farmer.

Grants assist farmers and ranchers in starting and expanding ventures that increase the value of raw farm and ranch products. Marketing unique and high quality food products – local, natural, organic, etc. – also adds value.

The deadline for paper applications is July 1. Online applications need to be completed by June 24. Our friends at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition released their annual Farmer’s Guide to the VAPG Program. It includes a step-by-step description of the application process. You can find it here:http://sustainableagriculture.net/publications/.

In small town America, one of the best strategies for creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities is fostering entrepreneurship and small business development. On rural America’s family farms and ranches, that means value added and niche market ventures.

Moreover, creating these ventures fosters entrepreneurship, keeps wealth in rural communities, enhances farm and ranch profitability, revives rural mainstreets and creates opportunities for young families to return to rural America.

State USDA Rural Development offices are available for assistance: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
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Established in 1973, the Center for Rural Affairs is a private, non-profit organization working to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities through action oriented programs addressing social, economic, and environmental issues.

Farm & Ranch

Hazards of Backyard Poultry

Published

4 days ago

April 21, 2024

NTFR

By Barry Whitworth, DVM

Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.

Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.

The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.

To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.