Breaking News for Producers

A few weeks ago I added a sidebar column to my blog called Breaking News for Producers. Since then, I've realized that folks who subscribe to my postings via email have no way of knowing when I put up new information. Consequently, I have decided to publish the information in postings (instead of the sidebar). That way, everyone will see it.

I'm playing a bit of catch up here, but here goes....

Announcing New Listserve for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farms
Dennis Lamm, sustainable ag coordinator at CSU, manages a email listserv at CSU "csa_farms@colostate.edu". The listserv supplies information and networking potential for Colorado CSA farms and those folks who interested in supporting them. It currently has ~30 subscribers. The listserv is unmoderated, meaning that anyone subscribed can send to the listserv. This makes for a powerful networking tool for disseminating CSA related info and for organizing CSA gatherings. Email dennis.lamm@colostate.edu to subscribe.

CSU Now Taking Applications for 2008 Volunteer Master Food Safety Advisor Program -- Larimer Country registration due March 15th
Boulder, El Paso County Also Contemplating Training
CSU Extension offers 30 hours of intensive training on methods of canning, pickling, freezing, dehydrating, food safety and prevention of foodborne illness. Training is scheduled in the spring. The cost of the training is $75 with a commitment of 40 hours of volunteer service or $150 if you choose not to volunteer.For application information, contact:

El Paso County
Sheila Barry, Extension Agent
Email: sheilabarry@elpasoco.com
Telephone: (719) 575-8944
Website: www.coopext.colostate.edu/elpaso

Larimer County
Edie McSherry, Extension Agent
Email: emcsherry@larimer.org
Telephone: (970) 498-6008
Website: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/LARIMER/MFSA.volunteer.htm

Routt County
Karen Massey, Extension Agent
Email: karen.massey@colostate.edu
Telephone: (970) 879-0825

Mesa County (Tri River Area)
Rhonda Follman, Extension Agent
Email: rhonda.follman@mesacounty.us
Telephone: (970) 244-1834

Main Campus Contact:
Marisa Bunning, Extension Specialist-food safety
Email: marisa.bunning@colostate.edu
Telephone: (970) 491-7180

Rural Business Opportunity Grant Program for Economic Development - Application Deadline: March 31, 2008.
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, an Agency within the Rural Development mission area, announces the availability of grants of up to $50,000 per application from the Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2008, to be competitively awarded. For multi-state projects, grant funds of up to $150,000 will be available on a competitive basis. The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic conditions of rural areas. Assistance provided to rural areas under this program may include technical assistance for business development and economic development planning.

USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program for Economically Developing Rural Areas -- Application Deadlines: Third Quarter, March 31, 2008; Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2008.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of approximately $33.077 million of loan funds under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program for fiscal year 2008. The primary objective of the program is to promote rural economic development and job creation projects. Assistance provided to rural areas, as defined, under this program may include business startup costs, business expansion, business incubators, technical assistance feasibility studies, advanced telecommunications services and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training services and community facilities projects for economic development.

Value-Added-Producer Grants Available
Application Deadline March 31
The RFP for the Value added producer grants has been released.Grants may be used for planning activities and for working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy. Eligible applicants are independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures. Applications are now being accepted for 2008. The deadline is March 31, 2008. Visit the USDA Rural Development Website for details and application information.

Grants for Food Stamp Terminals at Farmers' Markets

Rolling Deadline....

The Colorado Farmers' Market Association has received USDA grant funds to purchase terminals for farmer's markets so that they can process the electronic food stamp debit cards. For more information, please contact Sally Haines at 303-887-5971 or Click here to visit their website.