10/8/07 Funds for Risk Management partnerships

Washington Ag October 8, 2007 USDA's Risk Management Agency has announced the awarding of federal funds for 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. RMA's Jo Lynne Seufer says the Pacific Northwest and Alaska received more money this year than last. Seufer: "We are very excited this. Particularly going from 900-thousand dollars last year to over 1.3 million this year." Proposals were accepted from public and private entities including colleges and universities; Federal, State, and local agencies; non-profit and for-profit organizations; and others. All partnership agreements were competitive and awarded based on merit. Among the recipients are Washington State University's Puyallup Small Farms Unit receiving 125-thousand dollars to foster long-term success and stability of small-scale farmers in Washington. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is getting about 84-thousand dollars for a follow-up on a project two years ago that provided specialized training to small dairies and cheese producers. Also the Washington State Potato Commission gets 99-thousand dollars for Potato and Tree Fruit Risk Management Tools. There is also money for direct marketing workshops and risk management training for Christmas tree growers. I'm Bob Hoff.