NEWS
RELEASE
United States Department
of Agriculture • Rural Development
3001 Coolidge Rd. • 2nd Floor North • Suite 200 • East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 324-5204 • Fax: (517) 324-5225 •
alec.lloyd@mi.usda.gov
USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES FREE WORKSHOP FOR FARMERS, AGRIBUSINESS
TRAVERSE CITY, Dec. 1, 2008 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Michigan Land Use Institute will hold a series of free workshops to inform local farmers about area resources that can assist them.
The Finding Local Food Funding workshops will help identify government agencies, non-profits, and private lenders who can offer funding and other resources to local growers.
The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Lake City High School Auditorium, 251 East Russell Street from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The program will be repeated on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 at the Benzie Community Resource Center/Health Dept, 6051 Frankfort Highway, in Beulah and on Wednesday, Feb.18, at the Kalkaska High School Multi-purpose Room, 109 North Birch Street.
The workshops will feature representatives from Greenstone Farm Credit Service, Farm Service Agency, USDA Rural Development, Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, and many more. Attendees will learn about loans, grants, business planning, and resources to provide support to new – and existing – farms and other businesses related to agriculture.
“You will be able to meet the people that can actually answer your questions,” said Susan Loney, an area specialist with USDA Rural Development. “If agencies are not able to send a representative, we will still offer printed information and resources.”
This great networking opportunity includes a potluck dinner, and residents are encouraged to bring a dish of something they grow, produce, or enjoy.
Local sponsors of this program include Blackberry Rose of Cadillac and Cherry Republic of Glen Arbor and Traverse City. Other supporters include the NW Michigan Council of Governments, USDA Risk Management Agency and MSU Extension.
Please pre-register for this free workshop. For information, call Susan Loney at 800–944-8119.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity, liquidity, and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/.
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