National Farmers Receives Beginning Conventional Farmer Grant
National Farmers received a $600,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The three-year project will provide training, education, outreach and technical assistance to conventional farmers and ranchers in 15 states across the country.
“Grain, dairy and livestock are the targeted emphasis for the new grant, the second one we’ve received of this kind, with special focus on beginning conventional producers,” said Dave Reed, project director and National Farmers national secretary. “I am very proud that our organization has been able to conduct beginning organic farmer meetings the last four years, and I am certainly pleased we will be able to continue educational efforts now for conventional producers, as well.”
National Farmers will conduct 36 meetings, or 12 each year. At the meetings, farmer mentees will be selected and participate in a continuing mentoring relationship for one year. Producers who have filed ten Schedule F tax returns or fewer, are eligible for a $200 stipend to attend the meetings.
The first event is scheduled for Hopkinsville, Ky., January 15 at the Christian County Cooperative Extension Education Center. Matt Brandyberry will speak about grain marketing and risk management. Mike Kleaving will cover 2020 crop insurance and Curtis Mahnken, University of Minnesota, will present production costs for a range of commodities. Dairy and livestock topics will also be on the agenda. Tim Ennis, National Farmers special projects coordinator, will host.
A second meeting has been set for Dyersville, Iowa, on Tuesday, January 28, at the Country Junction Restaurant.
