Lunch n Learn at Cambridge USDA Office: Intro to Federal Ag Programs in Chisago and Isanti Counties
Thu, Jun 27
|Chisago USDA Farm Service Center
This group visit with USDA Farm Services staff in Cambridge, MN, will help both aspiring and experienced farmers learn about federal ag programs, loans, grants, insurance and other opportunities for assistance.
Time & Location
Jun 27, 2024, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Chisago USDA Farm Service Center, 110 Buchanan St N, Cambridge, MN 55008, USA
About the event
Curious about federal programs to help pay for high tunnels, walk-in coolers, fencing, pack sheds and crop failures?
Go Farm Connect is partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to host this Lunch N Learn on federal assistance available to both beginning and experienced farmers.
The hosts for this event will be Kifah Abdi of Abdi-Mayfield Farm in Linstrom and Matt Hardy of Rust Hill Ranch, a regenerative farm in Franconia Township, MN. They are Connectors with Go Farm Connect, trained to help new and experienced 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, insurance, loans, cost share grants and other federal support available for farmers, including an explanation of the deadlines to apply for various programs.
Who Should Attend
All interested parties are invited to attend and learn, including beginning and prospective farmers, landowners, family, friends, 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 Chisago or Isanti Counties - 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 in Chisago County. Time will be provided for individual assistance and questions, including help signing up for a farm number and programs like EQIP. Connectors will follow up with interested participants after the event. For more information call Kifah at 612-250-5151 or Matt at 651-237-2195.
About Go Farm Connect
Are you lost in an alphabet soup of federal acronyms? Need help finding the right resources?
Navigating USDA programs can be overwhelming, confusing and intimidating. We get that! We've pulled together an experienced team of farmers to help you connect to the right programs. We offer FREE services that focus on different aspects of building a successful farm business. We can provide a Connector to be a personal guide, coach, and ally who shares your goal of running a successful farm operation.
Go Farm Connect is a farmer-led initiative to build relationships between historically underserved specialty crop farmers (beginning, women, veterans, BIPOC and new Americans) and federal farm agencies. Our Connectors are trained to help farms of all sizes and specialties in Minnesota and Wisconsin access agricultural assistance programs. The three-year project is led by Renewing The Countryside in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Registration through this link is helpful so that USDA staff can be aware of what questions you might want answered. 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.