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NEWS
USDA reaching out to more farmers
HUNTINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency in West Virginia is reaching out to women, ethnic and minority farmers in the state to get more of them involved in its programs.
"FSA programs are available to all producers, but we would like to increase participation by traditionally underrepresented groups in all program areas," said Robert Ferrebee, executive director for FSA in West Virginia.
The agency defines a socially disadvantaged farmer, rancher or agricultural producer as one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as a member of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities. Such groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
FSA reserves a portion of its direct and guaranteed loan funds each year for loans for eligible participants in these groups. These loan programs are designed to help farmers purchase and operate family farms. Provisions of the new farm bill recently signed by President Bush increased loan limits for all direct loan applicants from $200,000 to $300,000.
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a given program. For more information on these programs and others through FSA, contact the Farm Service Agency at the county USDA Service Center. The Cabell/Wayne Farm Service Agency is at 2631 5th Street Road, Huntington.
