Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
Southern SAWG 2015 Accomplishments

Seed Change Grants Due 
June 15 for KY, LA, PA

We are happy to announce the National Farm to School Network grants, to provide dedicated support to strengthen farm to school activities in three states -- Kentucky, Louisiana and Pennsylvania -- through Seed Change, a unique initiative aimed at expanding farm to school, state by state, to improve health outcomes for children and economic opportunities for small farmers. 

 

Seed Change in KY, LA and PA is an 18-month, $1.5 million project funded by the Walmart Foundation. The project will address barriers to farm to school associated with lack of local partnerships and farmer connections, and infrastructure, technical expertise and knowledge gaps in states that are otherwise ripe for significant growth. 

 

More than fifty percent of the grant will be re-granted to school districts and schools in the three states to support infrastructure needed for local procurement, education and gardens.  

 

Seed Change will be managed by the National Farm to School Network (NFSN) and coordinated locally in each state by NFSN partners.

 

A variety of resources is available on NFSN website, including an application guide, FAQ section, webinar slides and audio to help you apply for a Seed Change grant.

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Farmer Cooperation Growing in North Central Florida 

Southern SAWG is partnering with Florida Organic Growers (FOG) on an exciting project in Florida--helping farmers to explore the development of a marketing cooperative. Learn more about the farmer cooperative and get updates on this project by visiting FOG's blog!

 
USDA Announces $30 Million Available for Food Entrepreneurs and Agricultural Producers to Develop New Products

Independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures are eligible to apply for this program. Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include processing costs, marketing and advertising expenses and some inventory and salary expenses.

 

Applications are due on July 2, 2015. Contact your state Rural Development Office for more information, or visit the website.

Save the Date!

June 2015
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More In This Issue:
 Grant Opportunities

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Southern SAWG
PO Box 1552, Fayetteville, AR 72702
479-251-8310