The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $2 million in risk-management education and training programs targeted to conservation practices and small-scale, under-served farmers and ranchers, the department announced recently.
The USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) will fund investments at universities, county cooperative extension offices and nonprofit organizations, according to the announcement. The agencies will collaborate to develop tools and programs to help qualifying agriculture producers learn to manage risks associated with farming, such as crop loss and market fluctuations.
“Agriculture is an inherently risky business, and a strong farm safety net is key to sustaining and ensuring the success of American producers,” Marcia Bunger, RMA administrator, said in the announcement. “We’re committed to improving access to crop insurance, and our partnerships with organizations help us reach communities that have historically lacked access to training and resources. We want to make sure all producers know and understand how to manage risk and what options are available to them.”
Funding opportunities are available for a range of risk-management training programs, USDA reports, including Federal crop insurance options, record keeping, financial management, non-insurance-based risk management tools, and natural disaster preparedness. Risk-management options to help secure local food systems is also among the training initiatives.
The initiative continues the USDA's efforts to ensure equitable access to its programs, training and support. RMA supported over $125 million in projects for historically under-served communities. The agency reaffirmed its support of risk-management education with nearly $1 million invested in education project in 2021, USDA reports.
Competition for the risk-management-training funding is expected to be competitive, according to USDA. Projects that focus on under-served, organic and specialty-crop farmers and producers, and organizations providing training on climate change, wildfire response, local food and urban agriculture are encouraged, USDA states.
The application process runs through 5:59 p.m. Eastern March 11,
