10/10/06 Money for Workshops

Money for Workshops. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Spokane Regional Risk Management Office announces the awarding of nearly $900,000 in partnership agreements to help provide new ways for producers to manage agricultural risks, and for outreach and educational opportunities to women, limited-resource and other traditionally underserved farmers and ranchers. Jo Lynne Seufer, Risk Management Specialist explains. SEUFER: We are very excited about the diversity of the new partnership agreements here in the Pacific Northwest. The partnership there with the Rural Community Development Resources will the based out of the Center Latino farmers in Yakima. They will be reaching out to all those five counties of Yakima, Benton, Chelan, Okanogan & Adams for Latino farmers growing fruits and vegetables and various livestock. Seufer explains what the workshops entail. SEUFER: The programs that are planned include some workshops that will help farmers manage financial risk or farm safety, estate planning; a whole lot of various tools related around risk management initiatives. The cost for the workshops is free. SEUFER: The funding that we're providing will sustain the printing and the meeting room space and the curriculum development, everything. The farmer or rancher can attend free of charge and we most definitely want to encourage everyone to attend. There will be sessions provided in Spanish. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.