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VSU receives grant to assist farmers, ranchers
Virginia State University's School of Agriculture has been awarded a grant in the amount of $300,000 by USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service to provide technical assistance to small, limitedresource and socially-disadvantaged Virginia farmers and ranchers.
An annual competitive grants program, money is are available to institutions of higher education and community-based, non-profit organizations that provide capacity building training and assistance to farmers and ranchers.
The federal grant supports VSU's Small Farm, Outreach, Training and Technical Assistance Program in its continuing efforts to help ensure the survival of small-scale farmers and ranchers by addressing issues and concerns impacting their livelihoods and threatening their existence.
It will enable VSU to continue providing educational and intensive
technical assistance to help these farmers diversify their operations by producing potentiallyprofitable alternative enterprises and non-traditional crops; identify and capitalize on special niche marketing opportunities; use environmentally friendly production techniques to give them a competitive edge in the marketplace; employ computerized financial and business management principles to monitor and analyze farm records; prepare applications accurately and in a timely manner to obtain operating and farm ownership loans from USDA and commercial lenders; and learn more about government regulations and available farm assistance programs.
"Producers who participate in these projects tend to increase their farm or ranch income, continue farming or ranching longer, navigate through the loan process more rapidly, and are less likely to go out of business," said Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner. "This program reaches out to producers who might not traditionally come to us and encourages diverse participation in the full range of USDA programs."
Dr. Alma C. Hobbs, dean of VSU's School of Agriculture, said this integral partnership between VSU and USDA is vital to undergirding the success of Virginia's small farmer.
"Proactive and unfaltering, we remain steadfast in our resolve to positively address the unique challenges that confront and plague our small farmers and ranchers," Hobbs said. "By means of USDA's continued financial support of this endeavor, it is evident they mirror our charge and commitment to ensure the survival of our small, socially-disadvantaged farmers."
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