The Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invite you to a workshop on funding opportunities through the USDA Microloan and Value-Added Producer Grant programs. The workshop will provide information about the funding programs and outline who is a eligible and how to apply. The program will be presented by Carol Ronne, FSA Farm Loan Manager and Gary Pereira, RD Rural Business Program Specialist with USDA; Todd M. Erling, Executive Director of the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corp.; and the Office of Senator Gillibrand.
In January, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new microloan program designed to help small and family operations, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers secure loans under $35,000. The new microloan program is aimed at bolstering the progress of producers through their start-up years by providing needed resources and helping to increase equity so that farmers may eventually graduate to commercial credit and expand their operations. The microloan program will also provide a less burdensome, more simplified application process in comparison to traditional farm loans.
The Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants program is designed to encourage independent producers of agricultural commodities to process their raw products into marketable goods. By creating value-added products, farmers and businesses can expand economic opportunities, create jobs and keep wealth in rural communities.
Date: Thursday, March 14
Time: 11:00am
Location: USDA-FSA Farm and Home Center
2715 Rt. 44, Millbrook, NY 12545
The event is free, RSVPs are requested for those attending.
Please RSVP and send any questions to: HVRSVP@gillibrand.senate.gov
