Category: USDA

USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series Starts in May

May 2, 2023

USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series Starts in May

You’re invited to the USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series taking place on Tuesdays starting May 9 through June 6, 2023 from 2:00-3:30pm ET. The workshop series convenes farmers and ranchers, faith leaders, rural health providers, USDA employees, and Federal, state, and university partners to dialogue and discuss mental health challenges, stressors, and the resources and services available to address them. Click here and see below for more information and to register.  

Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention: Data, Challenges, and Opportunities co-hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation
Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

This session provides context for the issue of farm stress and suicide by focusing on available data, challenges, and opportunities for farm stress researchers, practitioners, and service providers. Panelists include the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Aid, and others to discuss the state of the field and offer insights into their respective partner programs, resources, and emergent needs.

Veteran’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Workshop
Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

Rural Veterans experience a significantly increased risk of suicide. In this workshop, you will learn how to act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Rural Mental Health Matters: Challenges, Opportunities & Resources for Communities cohosted by the National Association of Behavioral Health and Development Disability Directors
Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

This session focuses on the resources and tools that are available in rural places, where over 60% of Americans live in mental health provider shortage areas. Speakers will examine current programs focused on giving rural and frontier communities the tools they need to thrive through creative problem solving. With perspectives rooted in rural services, behavioral health, and technology, the presentations and follow-on conversation will explore the importance of increasing the efficiency of providers in rural areas and other solutions, to challenges that rural communities face to ensure community wellbeing and economic prosperity.

Farm Stress and Suicide: Faith, Place, and Community Health
Tuesday, May 30, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

This session provides an overview of the USDA Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and highlights the challenges faced by many Americans during Mental Health Awareness Month. A training on farm stress, health and wellbeing will be provided by The Well Church Initiative of Texas A&M Extension, to discuss and highlight tools and resources available to faith and community-based organizations as they support their congregants and communities.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health in Rural Communities
Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

This session will focus on the lived experienced of LGBTQ+ identifying folks in rural communities across the country. Discussion and dialogue will focus on mental health, the relationship to stress, and more.

These meetings will be conducted virtually using Zoom.gov. A link to the workshop will be provided upon registration; please contact center@usda.gov with any questions.

USDA Unveils Resource Guide to Help Rural Colleges and Universities Identify Resources to Improve Facilities and Educational Opportunities for Students

April 11, 2023

USDA Unveils Resource Guide to Help Rural Colleges and Universities Identify Resources to Improve Facilities and Educational Opportunities for Students

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a resource guide to help colleges and universities in rural areas find low-interest loans and grants to build or improve their facilities, infrastructure, equipment and educational programs.

The resource guide outlines loan and grant programs that are available to eligible colleges and universities. These programs can be used to advance community and economic development through three USDA Rural Development program areas:

  • Community Programs
  • Rural business-Cooperative Service Programs
  • Rural Utilities Service Programs

These programs can be used to:

  • Help finance distance learning technologies to assist student’s access to remote learning opportunities
  • Help students and teachers access high-speed internet
  • Help universities and colleges make improvements to their campus and facilities
  • Click here for additional resources, forms and program information

Click here for resource guide

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Socially Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers and Business Owners in Rural

March 21, 2023

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Socially Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers and Business Owners in Rural

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for grants to support technical assistance for socially disadvantaged agricultural producers and rural business owners.

USDA is making available up to $3 million in Fiscal Year 2023 through the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program. The maximum amount an individual applicant may receive is $175,000.

The Department is making the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants available to organizations that will provide any technical assistance for the development of cooperatives or the formation of new cooperatives. Technical assistance includes leadership training, and developing feasibility studies, business plans and/or strategic plans. The grants are not provided directly to businesses or individuals.

USDA defines a socially disadvantaged group as one whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as a member of that group without regard to their individual qualities. Applicants may be based in any area, but the groups they serve must be located in an eligible rural area.

The Department is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to create more and better market opportunities and improved infrastructure, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding for projects seeking to address these critical challenges in rural America.

Electronic applications will be accepted via Grants.gov until 4:30 p.m. local time on May 16, 2023.

For additional information, see page 16404 of the March 17, 2023, Federal Register.

Contact your local USDA Rural Development State Office to discuss potential projects and ask questions about the application process. You may also visit www.rd.usda.gov/mo, call (573) 876-0976, or email RDMissouri@usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates in Missouri, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page and follow @RD_Missouri on Twitter.

Contact the Business Program that serves your county

USDA Makes $31 Million in Grants Available to Help Farmers and Ranchers Add More Value to Their Products to Access New and Better Markets

March 21, 2023

USDA Makes $31 Million in Grants Available to Help Farmers and Ranchers Add More Value to Their Products to Access New and Better Markets

USDA is making $31 million in grants available to help farmers and ranchers access new and better markets by adding more value to their products.

USDA is making the grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grants program. The grants help agricultural producers generate new products, create marketing opportunities and increase their incomes through value-added activities.

USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help rural communities and people address climate change and environmental justice, advance racial justice, place-based equity, and opportunity, and create more and better market opportunities.

Eligible applicants include independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

Funding priority will be given to beginning farmers or ranchers who are military veterans or socially disadvantaged individuals; small and mid-sized family farms or ranches; and farmer or rancher cooperatives. Priority also will be given to projects that propose a mid-tier value chain by developing a supply network that moves agricultural products from production through consumption in a local or regional market.

The funding may be used for planning activities or working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Planning activities may include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans. Working capital expenses may include costs associated with processing, marketing, advertising, inventory and salaries.

The maximum award for a planning grant is $75,000. The maximum award for a working capital grant is $250,000.

Electronic applications will be accepted via Grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2023. Paper applications must be sent to the State Office where the project is proposed.

Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed or sent overnight by May 16, 2023. Applications also may be delivered in person or emailed to a local RD field office by close of business May 16, 2023.

Additional information is available on page 16396 of the March 17 Federal Register or by contacting your local USDA Rural Development office.

For assistance with an application or to learn more about Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mo, call (573) 876-0976, or email RDMissouri@usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates in Missouri, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page. You can also stay current by following @RD_Missouri on Twitter.

More USDA State Contacts:

Business & Cooperative Programs

Nathan Tutt

Phone (573) 876-9327

Email: Nathan.tutt@usda.gov

 

Local USDA Offices:

To locate the office nearest you, please refer to the map of USDA Rural Development Missouri offices.