RAFI Hosts Free North Carolina Resource Rodeos for Farmers
Farmer-veteran workshop on Sept. 30; general workshop on Oct. 7
(Pittsboro, NC – Sept. 25, 2013) – To continue providing sustainable opportunities in agriculture through a strengthened, diverse network of partnerships, the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA will host two free resource rodeos for farmers in North Carolina.
On Monday, Sept. 30, a resource rodeo specifically for war veterans who now farm will be held in Clinton, NC at the Coharie Tribal Center, 4940 US 421 at 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
On Monday, Oct. 7, a general resource rodeo for all innovative farmers will be held in Siler City at the Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park, 4221 Silk Hope Rd. at 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
“There is no other forum where a farmer can get a hot meal and start valuable relationships with a host of the most relevant federal, state, philanthropic and non-profit resource providers around them—all for free,” says RAFI Farm Sustainability Director Joe Schroeder. “After a quick introduction and a good meal shared with trusted farm advocates, you can actually get started signing up for grants, loans and other programs that will benefit your farm.”
A growing rate of post-war veterans experience a difficult transition into civilian life, due much in part to high unemployment rates and very finite military skills that may not adapt to available careers. In turn, North Carolina is losing farmers faster than the average national rate. Agriculture still remains a stagnant in its future growth, with the average age of the American farmer now at 57 years old.
The resource rodeos will provide resources, support, answers and opportunities for innovative farmers. The collaborative, hands-on workshops allow farmers to learn about managing risk and taking their enterprise to the next level. Resource providers will provide one-on-one dialogue on access to credit, crop insurance, FSA loans and conservation programs.
The event is organized by RAFI and funded through a grant from the Southern Risk Management Education Center. Participating agencies include: Farm Service Agency, Cape Fear Farm Credit, Natural Resources and Conservation Services, NC Agrability, The Support Center, and farm legal experts from Land Loss Prevention Project.
To RSVP for the Sept. 30 farmer-veteran event, contact Fred Curtis Lewis at (606) 308-3676 [email protected]. To RSVP for the Oct. 7 general resource rodeo, contact Joe Schroeder at (336) 269-5733or [email protected]. For more information, visit: https://www.rafiusa.org/blog/resource-rodeos-for-farmers/
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About Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA: RAFI is a private non-profit organization that traces its heritage to the National Sharecroppers’ Fund, which was founded in the 1930′s by a group of bi-racial tenant farmers organizing for fair treatment. RAFI cultivates markets, policies and communities that support thriving, socially just and environmentally sound family farms.
MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria Bouloubasis
(919) 621-3593
[email protected]