Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project
|
|
The overall objective of the project is to (1) develop and implement a statewide proportional program on Socially Disadvantage Program and assist eligible farmers who are interested in acquiring Farm Operation loans; 2) to develop a computerized data base on all participating farm borrowers for use in doing on farm financial analysis and developing farm plans; 3) to utilize FSA inventory as well as others available farm land established Small Farm Training Centers and to increase the number of socially disadvantaged farm owners; 4) to conduct required in-service training for both new farmers wishing to qualify for USDA programs (FSA Loans) and to provide business managements skills for primary loan servicing for existing, farm program borrowers; 5) to develop and enhance business management and marketing skills of selected FSA borrowers; 6) to develop the financial documentation of the farm business to the point where graduation to a commercial lender is feasible; 7) to develop a long range base for self-sustaining farm business analysis through existing associations and institutions.
Farm Ownership and Farm Operation Loans for Small Farmers
The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service joined the
Cooperative Extension Program at Alcorn state University special project to assist eligible persons with desired family-sized operation in applying for farm operation and farm Ownership Loans. Those persons who are granted loans will be offered technical assistance and training from Alcorn Small farm Outreach Training and technical Assistance Project. A special effort however, will be made to provide services to farmers that are low income and have limited resources.
ELIGIBILITY INCLUDES
A satisfactory history of meeting credit obligations. Sufficient education, training and experiences in managing or operating a farm or ranch (with one of the last five years actually operating), and posses the interest and ability needed to succeed in farming. Be a citizen of the United States (or a legal resident alien) - Possess the legal capacity to incur the obligations of a loan or Credit sale.-Be unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere at reasonable rates and terms to finance actual needs.—Be owner operator of not larger than a family farm after the loan or credit sale is closed.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Assisting Single families with applying for housing grant and loans. Housing
loans to low income families in rural areas, which includes open country and communities with populations of 10,000 or less, and under certain conditions, towns, and cities with populations between 10-,000 and 20,000. Section 502 direct loans go to families of very low and low-income, including senior citizens, who need adequate housing. Section 502 guaranteed loans are available for moderate income families. Section 502 Very-low-income home owners may be eligible for low-interest loans for repairs of up to $20,000 needed to remove health and safety hazards or to modernize the home. Maximum loan amount is $20,000, maximum grant $7,500. (Grants are only available for Senior Citizens 62 years of age or older.)
Venders Borrowers training
This training is designed to meet the requirements for borrower training as outlined in USDA
Farm Service Agency (FSA) regulations. The courses address real world problems and help agricultural producers be more profitable and better prepared to operate in today’s changing business environment.
A cooperative is a business initially organized on a voluntary basis. It is owned and controlled by its members who are also its user of the business. The members share in the benefits of the business in direct proportion to the extent to which they use the business.
Some examples of cooperative are Housing development, Fish, Goat, Day and Health Care Centers, Farm Supply, Sweet Potato, Farmers Market, Wood Lots and more. Cooperative performs a combination of three basic service function, but will vary in emphasis . The three functions are Marketing, Purchasing, and Service cooperative. The cooperative are generally characterized by it’s major activities.
PRODUCT MARKETING
Small farmers are made aware of the different local markets that their products can be taken and sold. These farmers are also assisted in seeking new markets to ensure stable market and market price.
For more information on the service provided by this program, contact:
- Anthony Reed, Director Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical
- Assistance Project
- (601) 877-2305
- (601) 877-6694 fax
- areed@lorman.alcorn.edu
Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project
www.alcorn.edu/outreach/farmmanagement/index.htm
_____________________________
- Alcorn State University Cooperative Extension
- Program is an Equal Employment and Equal opportunity Agency
-
 |
Alcorn State University |
Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project
