With funding from the Kellogg Foundation, CDFA is researching how DFA's can become more engaged in developing localized food systems through traditional finance. CDFA is partnering with The Rhode Island Food Policy Council to develop and produce a pilot project that utilizes development finance tools for a food related development.

The Senate passed legislation on Thursday that would legalize hemp as an agricultural commodity. The bill, a key priority of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), was included in a mammoth farm bill that cleared the Senate 86-11. The bill would legalize hemp, removing it from the federal list of controlled substances and allowing it to be sold as an agricultural commodity.

The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) recently approved $10.9 million in loans to help support commercial, agricultural, small business and energy projects throughout Vermont.

The U.S. Senate has passed its version of the $428-billion farm bill, setting up a bitter fight against the House. The vote was 86-11, an overwhelming majority that reflected a bipartisan desire to rush relief to farmers confronting low food prices, rising suicide rates and an array of other troubles.

An 18th-century Mattapan property is now a modern urban farm facility operated by the Urban Farming Institute and is open to the public after a grand reveal of its restoration Monday night.

The maximum loan amount is $25,000, and loans can be taken out at a one percent fixed interest rate for a term of up 30 years. Loans can fund up to 90 percent of projects costing $100,000 or less, and up to 75 percent of projects costing over $100,000.

This report, by Bob Heuer and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, details how Kansans are leveraging the growing demand for local/regional food produce to revitalize rural communities and strengthen family farms.

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