In this issue:

USDA finances

broadband for rural

communities

2

FAMU Vet Tech Program 3

Upcoming Events 4-6

Cooperative Extension 7

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that

USDA is seeking applications from cooperatives to provide technical assistance to small, socially

disadvantaged agricultural producers in rural areas. The United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty.

Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

"These grants will jump start small business hiring and help producers in areas facing economic

challenges get the tools they need to succeed," Vilsack said. "Small businesses are the engines of job

growth and innovation in America."

Funding will be made available through USDA Rural Development's Small,

Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant program (SSDPG). The maximum

grant award is $200,000.

The grants assist producers like Frank Taylor who returned home after

college and established the Winston County Self-Help Cooperative in

Mississippi, a consortium of local farmers that pool their resources to

receive training in business development, conservation and health. The

Cooperative also has a youth program, which teaches skills to the next

generation of Winston County farmers. The Winston County Self-Help

Cooperative, whose motto is "Saving Rural America," has received USDA funding to expand

operations into the surrounding counties of central Mississippi.

The SSDPG and other USDA business and cooperative development programs have had a significant

impact on rural communities. In 2012 alone, they helped almost 10,000 rural small business owners

or farmers improve their enterprises. Business and cooperative program funding created or saved an

estimated 53,000 rural jobs in 2012.

Eligible applicants include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development

centers where a majority of the governing board or board of directors is comprised of individuals

who are members of socially disadvantaged groups. Small, socially disadvantaged producers include

farmers, ranchers, loggers, agricultural harvesters, and fishermen that have averaged $250,000 or less

in annual gross sales of agricultural products in the last three years. Producers will be able to

conduct market research, product and/or service improvement, feasibility studies, training, and

implement business plans.

Continue on next page….

Florida A&M University– College of Agriculture and Food Sciences

June 2013 Volume 2, Issue 5

2

The application deadline for Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grants is July 15, 2013 for paper applications and July 10, 2013 for

electronic applications. For additional information on how to apply, see the June 12 Federal Register, page 35239, or visit

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_SSDPG.html.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the

President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America

to continue leading the way – strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA's investments in rural

communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama and Agriculture

Secretary Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the

government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural

communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-

the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since

2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put

USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little

disruption as possible.

Continued ..

USDA Seeks Applications to Finance Rural Broadband in Remote

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that applications are being accepted for

grants to finance broadband deployment in remote, rural areas. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains

focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the

Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

"The Obama Administration believes that reliable infrastructure is critical to rural economic opportunity. Broadband service

expands educational, medical and health services for rural residents," Vilsack said. "Expanded broadband service also is important

because it supports employment opportunities and makes income growth possible in rural areas."

Through this notice, USDA Rural Development may award up to $21 million in grants through the Community Connect Grant

program. It serves rural communities where broadband service is not available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in

the quality of life for citizens.

For example, last year USDA provided a grant to the isolated Alaska Native Community of Saint Paul. Located in Alaska's Pribilof

Islands in the Bering Sea, the town of about 500 is installing a modern system, and the Native-owned firm that will operate it

estimates that in the next five years Internet access will result in saving or creating an estimated additional 44 full time jobs

including the five existing jobs on the island. The project will also support 23 construction and clerical jobs.

Complementing today's funding opportunity, USDA recently announced new rules to better target Community Connect

broadband grants to areas where they are needed the most. To view the rules, go to: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-05-03/

pdf/2013-10502.pdf.

Since its inception, the Community Connect program has funded 229 projects with USDA investments of $122 million. In 2012,

USDA assistance led to improved broadband service nationwide for nearly 65,000 rural households, businesses and community

institutions – such as libraries, schools and first responders. For more information, see page 34979 of the June 11, 2013 Federal

Register, or visit http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-06-11/pdf/2013-13827.pdf. The deadline for submitting applications is July

11.

3

FAMU Veterinary Technology Program

Quincy, Florida, June 5, 2013- The last several months has been a very exciting and busy time for Animal Health, Animal

Science and Veterinary technology.

First, we would like to give special recognition to our students that are doing great things. We have one student, Mary Alice

Teague, that has been accepted into 5 different veterinary colleges. And for those that who are unaware, veterinary school

is one of the most challenging professional schools to gain acceptance. There are only 28 veterinary schools in the United

States. We have another student Miranda Shaw who has been accepted into the VetLead program. This is a collaborative

agreement the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine that facilitates early admission to high-achieving

qualified students. We have two more students that have applied to this program and are awaiting a decision, Bianca

McCraken and Nohely Gonzalez. We congratulate the students who have been accepted and support those awaiting a

decision.

The Veterinary Technology program will have a site visit by the accrediting body (AVMA CVTEA) in late October 2013.

After the site visit we will receive an official accreditation status. We have worked very hard to get to this point. We

continue to improve as we get closer to the site visit. We are officially listed on the American veterinary medical association

website as a program that has applied for accreditation. We have started our second year of the Animal Health/Veterinary

Technology Internship. We have 10 eager and energetic students completing our internship. They will be trained in

husbandry, nutrition, general animal care and other animal science related topics.

We are continuing to upgrade our animal facilities at the FAMU Research and Extension Center. We are constructing a goat

chute for easier, safer animal handling for teaching, instruction and demonstration. We conducted in early May an artificial

insemination workshop for students and staff. This was led by Dr. Ralph Noble from North Carolina A&T University.

We also assisted in administering HACCP course Training with Dr. Keawin Sarjeant.

We are engaged in making multiple extension contacts monthly. We provide phone consults, farm visits, lectures,

demonstrations, school visits, and trainings. We also work with state and federal Veterinarians and Animal Health

professionals.

The Animal Health can be contacted through the extension office or directly, at 850-599-3546 or 850-875-8573.

Article provided by Dr Glen Wright.

4

UPCOMING EVENTS

The purpose of the annual Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference is to provide farmers with up-to-date, research

-based, in-depth educational information. The conference aims to facilitate solutions-based collaboration by encouraging networking and

an open dialog among members of Florida’s small farms community. Additionally, the conference is an excellent vehicle for increasing

aware-ness of Florida’s small farms industry, which organizers accomplish by including participation from decision makers and supporting

institutions, and partners from the public sector.

Through concurrent educational sessions led by industry experts and noted researchers, the annual Florida Small Farms and Alternative

Enterprises Conference provides opportunities for attendees to learn about groundbreaking research and access educational support about

topics such as operating sustainable and profitable enterprises, integrating cost-effective methods to meet state regulations, and applying

the latest research to real-world problems. Attendees also participate in workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and organized networking

activities, enabling them to share their knowledge while interacting with peers from all over the state.

Who Should Attend:

Small family farms

Transitional farmers

Beginning farmers

Allied-industry representatives

Educators and researchers Agricultural associations

Policy-makers

Foundations

Anyone interested in becoming a part of, and strengthening, the small farm community in Florida.

How to Register? Online registration is NOW available!

Log onto to the website: http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms/registration.html

Sponsors

5

NATIONAL GOAT CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 15-18 2013

HOSTED BY:

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University The School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

SESSIONS TO INCLUDE:

• Latest Goat Research • University Farm Tour • Demonstrations • Profitable Goat Enterprises

THE NATIONAL

GOAT CONSORTIUM An Initiative of the 1890 Land Grant System

STRENGTHENING THE GOAT INDUSTRY THROUGH PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION B.C. WEBB HALL, SUITE 101 1601 E. MARKET STREET GREENSBORO, N.C. 27411

National Goat Conference SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2013 JOSEPH S. KOURY CONVENTION CENTER 3121 HIGH POINT ROAD GREENSBORO, NC 27407 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

www.ag.ncat.edu , click on goat conference

6

Annual Grape Harvest Festival

August 24, 2013 8:00 am until 4:00 pm

Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research

6505 Mahan Drive

Tallahassee, FL 32317

FAMU will host its Annual Grape Harvest Festival Saturday, August 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The

13th Annual FAMU Grape Harvest Festival is a community event being sponsored by FAMU and

coordinated through its Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research in the FAMU College of

Agriculture and Food Sciences.

This year’s festival will have an assortment of fun-filled amusements, educational displays and

informative demonstrations for both young and old.

For more information, call (850) 599-3996.

If you require a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (ADAA), please con-

tact the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs at (850) 599-3076 at least 10 working days prior to the start of the event.

7

Florida A&M University – College of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Cooperative Extension Program

1740 S. MLK Jr, Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Telephone : (850) 599-3546 * Fax: (850) 561-2151 * TDD: (850) 561-2704

Website: http://www.famu.edu/cep

FAMU Research & Extension Center (Quincy Farm)

4259 Bainbridge Hwy, Quincy, FL 32352

Telephone: (850) 875-8555 * Fax: (850) 875-8558

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION FACULTY / STAFF

SOLUTIONS FOR FLORIDA CITIZENS

Dr. Robert Taylor, Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS)

Vonda Richardson, Interim Assistant Director, Cooperative Extension Programs

Dr. Lawrence Carter, Director of Special Outreach Programs

Dr. Ray Mobley, Extension Veterinarian

Lue Jolly, Coordinator/ Enhanced Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Dr. Jennifer Taylor, Extension Specialist – Small Farms/Sustainable Development

Tondalaya Nelson, 4-H Youth Development Specialist

Angela McKenzie-Jakes, Extension Animal Science Specialist/ Program Leader Small Ruminant Program

Carmen Lyttle-N’guessan, Coordinator, Animal Healthcare/Veterinary Tech. Program

Dr. Dreamal Worthen, Professor/Community Resource Development

Sandra Thompson, Community Resource Development Program Leader/ Extension Specialist

Dr. Glen Wright, Director of Animal Health

Dr. Robert Purvis, Extension Veterinarian

Gilbert Queeley, Research Associate

Dr. Keawin Sergeant, Asst. Professor, Animal Science/Trainer- HACCP

Trevor Hylton, County Extension Agent (Leon & Wakulla)

Dr. Alex Bolques, County Extension Agent (Gadsden)

Lester Muralles, County Extension Agent (Gadsden)

Melva Morfaw, County Extension Agent (Madison)

Donna Salters, Coordinator Rural Entrepreneurial Outreach Program

Amelia Davis, Coordinator, Management Analysis/ SDA Newsletter Editor

Linda Sapp, Project Coordinator, Vet-Tech Program

Faith Clarke, Coordinator, OASDFR Project

Carmita Whitehead, CYFAR Site Coordinator

Sonji West, EFNEP Program Assistant (Gadsden County)

Tonia Torres, EFNEP Program Assistant (Hillsborough County)

Maria Jones, EFNEP Program Assistant (Gulf County)

Jimonica Geri, EFNEP Program Assistant (Escambia County)

The Florida A&M University

Cooperative Extension Program is an

equal employment/educational

opportunity access organization which

provides research-based educational

information and other services only to

eligible individuals and institutions

regardless of race, color, national

origin, religion, gender, age,

disability, martial or veteran status.