Author: moose.14@osu.edu

OEFFA Opens On-line Conference Registration

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OEFFA Conference Logo

Registration for Ohio’s largest sustainable food and farm conference is now open. The 35th Annual Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s 2014 Conference will be held Feb. 15-16 in Granville, Ohio.

OSU Extension Educators will be teaching several sessions throughout the two-day event packed with educational and networking opportunities with Ohio’s organic growers and industry professionals. And with keynote speakers Atina Diffley, an organic farmer, consultant, activist, and author, and Kathleen Merrigan, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, the conference is sure to sell out quickly.

Visit OEFFA’s conference website for complete details.

Value-Added Producer Grants Available

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Nearly $10.5 million in USDA grants is available to help ag producers enter into value-added activities. The funding is being made available through the Value-Added Producer Grant program.

Grants are available to help agricultural producers create new products, expand marketing opportunities, support further processing of existing products or goods, or to develop specialty and niche products. They may be used for working capital and planning activities. The maximum working capital grant is $200,000; the maximum planning grant is $75,000.

Grant applications are due by Feb. 24, 2014. More information about how to apply is available on page 70260 of the November 25 Federal Register, or by contacting any USDA Rural Development state office.