RBS Cooperative Services

APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL AREAS (ATTRA)

The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas program provides information to farmers and other rural users on a variety of sustainable agricultural practices that include both cropping and livestock operations. The program encourages agricultural producers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices which allow them to maintain or improve profits, produce high quality food and reduce adverse impacts to the environment.

Background

• This program was first authorized in the 1985 farm bill and the Department received its first appropriation to start the project in FY 1987.
• ATTRA was founded as a program by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), a private, nonprofit organization with offices in Butte, MT and Fayetteville, AR.
• In FY 1990, ATTRA was transferred to the Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service and then in FY 1996 was transferred back to the Department's Rural Business-Cooperative Service for administration.
• ATTRA is located on the University of Arkansas campus at Fayetteville, Arkansas, and functions as an information and technical assistance center staffed with sustainable agriculture specialists.
• ATTRA provides technical assistance through publications and/or customized resource packets.
• More than 40 percent of the questions ATTRA receives concern the reduction of agricultural chemicals used on field, fruit, and vegetable crops. Around 25 percent are questions about raising animals, including animal feeds, health, and pasture management. Sustainable production techniques, crop diversification, and marketing are the other major areas of interest.

How to Contact ATTRA

• Farmers and other rural users can request information through a toll free telephone number (800-346-9140) or through the E-mail address: askattra@ncatark.uark.edu.
• You can also learn about ATTRA and their services through their home page @www.attra.org

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