SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - University of Missouri Extension invites beginning farmers and ranchers to attend a free workshop about resources offered by state and federal agencies.
"Understanding the Alphabet Soup of USDA Programs" will be the topic of the Women in Dairy event held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Greene County MU Extension Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield.
Speakers will review resources offered to farmers and ranchers at the Farm Service Agency and explain funding options available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, said Reagan Bluel, MU Extension dairy specialist.
During the afternoon session, speakers will explain the planning and operational orders process needed to apply for state and federal resources available to veterans. Missouri AgrAbility Project state director Karen Funkenbusch and representatives from other agencies will give case studies.
"This is a great opportunity to meet your local USDA FSA and MU Extension representatives and learn how to get started in farming and ranching," said Bluel. "It is also a good time to network with others interested in farming and ranching."
Pre-registration is needed since a free lunch is being served. Doing registration online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene is preferred but can also be done by contacting Bluel by telephone at 417-847-3161 or email BluelRJ@missouri.edu.
MU Extension, through a grant from the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach to help veterans and socially disadvantaged persons who want to farm, offers the program to increase agribusinesses and enterprise development. USDA helps fund this program as part of an $8.4 million set of grants to 24 states through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also known as the 2501 Program.