| The Oregon USDA Beginning Farmer Rancher (BFR) Program welcomes new team members Derek Johnson, farm loan officer with the Malheur County USDA Farm Service Agency in Ontario, and Anastasia Griffin, risk management specialist with the USDA Risk Management Agency in the Spokane, Wash., Regional Office. Other team members include Kathy Ferge, BFR state coordinator and state tribal liaison and outreach coordinator with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Portland, and Erika Moellmer, business and cooperative programs specialist with USDA Rural Development in Portland. The USDA BFR program offers a variety of farm loan, risk management, disaster assistance and conservation programs to support farmers, including beginning farmers and ranchers. Additionally, a number of these programs have provisions specifically for beginning farmers, including targeted funding for loans and conservation programs, as well as waivers and exemptions. The purpose of the program is to connect beginning farmers with these resources.“ The majority of the beginning farmers contacting me are what I call ‘pre-farmers’. They’re thinking about farming, may even have some land, but they’re not sure what their next move is. Our team helps guide them on their way,” said Ferge. In addition to connecting these producers with USDA resources, the BFR team also links farmers with local resources such as Oregon State University Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Small Business Development Centers. Ferge also partners with organizations such as the Beginning Farmer Rancher working group, part of the Oregon Community Food Systems Network, which has connections in every corner of Oregon. There are also other ways beginning farmers and ranchers can engage with USDA, such as becoming a County Committee member with a local Farm Service Agency. County committee members are a critical component of FSA day-to-day operations and help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on committees help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer. They also work to ensure FSA agricultural programs meet the needs of local producers. The 2021 County Committee election nomination period beings June 15. The last day to file nomination forms is August 2 at your local USDA Service Center. Oregon FSA encourages eligible agricultural producers take part in this election because county committees are a direct link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The nomination form and resources are available at the County Committee Elections webpage or available at your local USDA Service Center. As part of the county committee process, Portland is one of 10 pilot cities for an Urban Agriculture FSA county committee. The nomination form and resources are available at the County Committee Elections webpage. The urban and suburban county committees work to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices. Additionally, the urban committees may address areas such as food access, community engagement, support of local activities to promote and encourage community compost, and food waste reduction. To learn more about the USDA Beginning Farmer Rancher Program visit Beginning Farmers and Ranchers | Farmers.gov. |
Oregon USDA Beginning Farmer Rancher Program welcomes new team members
