Intro to Federal Agriculture Programs - Dane County Wisconsin
Are you lost in an alphabet soup of federal acronyms? Need help finding the right resources? Curious about federal programs to help pay for high tunnels, walk-in coolers, pack sheds and crop failures?
Registration
Pre-registration is highly recommended to determine food and room capacity. Language interpretation will be provided in Spanish and Hmong/HMoob. You may request other languages at pre-registration.
About the Event
Go Farm Connect is partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Dane County Land Conservation District and UW Extension to host this facilitated group introduction to federal farm programs. Beginning farmers and specialty crop producers will learn about loan, grant, insurance and disaster assistance opportunities, as well as available technical expertise. Language interpretation will be happening in HMoob and Spanish. Please request other languages, if necessary. You do not need to own land to participate. Empanadas will be served!
The hosts for this event will be a team of multiple partners from multiple organizations, inlcuding Yimmuaj Yang with Groundswell Conservancy, Nou Thao with Marbleseed, Chaing Rai with Fair Share CSA Coaltion, and Nicholas Leete and KO Thao with Rooted. They are all Connectors with Go Farm Connect, trained to help new and emerging farmers access helpful federal programs. They will be joined by USDA staff from the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service who will explain disaster assistance and other federal programs available for specialty crop farmers.
Registration is helpful so that USDA staff can be aware of what questions you might want answered. Language interpretation will be provided in Spanish and Hmong/HMoob. You may request other languages at pre-registration. USDA & Go Farm Connect staff may take photos and videos at this event to promote programs and future events. Your RSVP gives your permission to be photographed. Please let a Connector know at the event if you want to be kept out of photos.
Who Should Attend
All interested parties are invited to attend and learn, including beginning and prospective farmers, landowners, family, friends, cultural advocates, and agricultural support professionals. No prior experience with federal farm agencies is required. Land ownership is not a requirement to participate in assistance programs. Attendees do not have to reside in Dane - this information will pertain to all federal programs.
What To Expect
This brief visit will cover the basics of farm programs and introduce participants to the staff at the USDA Farm Services Center for Dane County. Time will be provided for individual assistance and questions, and Connectors will follow up with interested participants after the event.
