NCOSAFP Releases 2017 Policy Agenda
The National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs is pleased to announce the release of their 2017 Federal Policy Agenda. The Agenda outlines areas they believe are essential to improving the state of agricultural finance in the United States.
USDA Special Research Grants Program Aquaculture Research
The purpose of the USDA Aquaculture Research program is to support the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in the U.S. and generate new science-based information and innovation to address industry constraints.
USDA Initiative: Childhood Obesity Prevention Challenge Area
This AFRI Challenge Area focuses on the societal challenge to end obesity among children, the number one nutrition-related problem in U.S. Food is an integral part of the process that leads to obesity, and USDA has a unique responsibility for the food system in the United States. Applications to this Challenge Area will support multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Projects and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants.
Urban Food Policy Snapshot: Baltimore Food Desert Incentive Area Tax Credit
Baltimore's Food Desert Incentive Area property tax credit aims to reduce overhead costs so opening a grocery store in a food desert, which typically have between 1 and 1.5 percent profit margins no matter where they operate, can more likely be profitable.
NY State Legislators Look to Boost Farming through Workforce Tax Credits
The New York Senate approved legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Tom O'Mara, R-58 of Big Flats, and Sen. Pam Helming, R-54 of Canandaigua, that would substantially increase the state's current Farm Workforce Retention Credit.
Bill Would Ease PAB Restrictions for First-Time Farmers
Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, has introduced a bipartisan bill that would ease tax-exempt private activity bond restrictions for first-time farmers. HR 1750, the Faciliating Farmers' Access to Resources and Machinery Act, is strongly supported by CDFA and our partner, the National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs.
USDA Announces $4.5M for Higher Education Support
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $4.5 million in funding to help higher education institutions teach the next generation of food and agricultural science professionals. Funding is made through NIFA's Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program.
USDA Announces $1.9M for Alfalfa and Forage Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $1.9 million in funding for research and development to improve the agricultural productivity, profitability, and conservation of the U.S. alfalfa forage industry. Funding is made through NIFA's Alfalfa and Forage Research Program (AFRP).
Rep. Young Reintroduces FFARM Act Expanding Aggie Bonds
The National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs (NCOSAFP) and CDFA are pleased to announce that Rep.Young (R-IA) has reintroduced the Facilitating Farmers' Access to Resources and Machinery Act (FFARM Act), expanding certain exceptions to private activity bond rules for first time farmers. To view the Bond Buyer article, click here.
Cuomo Strengthens Food Recovery Act with Tax Credit
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is positioning the state as a national leader on the issue of food waste with his Food Recovery Act. And now as budget negotiations near a close, he is further strengthening that proposal with the addition of the Farm to Food Bank Tax Credit.
Lake Country Power Provides RLF to Support Food Co-op in MN
Natural Harvest Food Co-op recently received a $100,000 revolving loan fund from Lake Country Power to support its expansion into a new 9,000 square-foot building. The revolving loan fund that LCP administers came about from previous economic development grants received through the USDA.
Examining the State of Agribusiness in KY
Ryan Quarles from the Department of Agriculture sat down with The Lane Report to discuss the current state of agribusiness in Kentucky. Ultimately he determined that an increased focus on processing will add jobs, and grow the value of agribusiness in the state.
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