Friday, October 30, 2009

RAFI Grants For Farmers Workshop

Agriculture producers in Alleghany County who are thinking of new ways to improve their farm income have an opportunity to discuss those ideas with organizations that can be of assistance with planning and funding. Cooperative Extension along with the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) will host a “How to Apply” grant workshop for Alleghany County farmers on Monday, November 9th at 5:30 pm. The workshop will be held in the meeting room of the County Building at 90 South Main Street, located between the Kangaroo station and Medi-Home Care.

The Grants are for agriculture operations considering new or expanded production, processing, and marketing approaches for their enterprises. Supported by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the grant program is designed to keep farmers in farming and to maintain the agricultural economic base of North Carolina’s rural communities. Qualifying producers must be farmers (or farmer “groups”) actively engaged in full or part-time farming. Priority is given to projects providing opportunities for a new generation of farmers.

The grant program is designed to help farmers put their own ideas to work to develop new income sources. These cost-share grants can help reduce the risk of trying innovative and new ideas that can help sustain the bottom-line of the business. Some farmers may have ideas for improved methods of production, processing, or opening new markets, but are hesitant to shift operating costs or to borrow money to try new approaches. This is where this program can assist farm businesses. The maximum amount available to individual farmers is $10,000, and for collaborative farmer or community projects the amount is $30,000.

To RSVP for this workshop and/or for more information, contact David Isner at 336-372-5597.

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