Farm program intro class in Waite Park

Go Farm Connect is a new agriculture advocacy organization partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to facilitate a group visit to the USDA Service Center in Stearns County, 110 2nd St S, Waite Park, on Feb 29 from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

This visit will provide an introduction to farm loans, grants, insurance and disaster assistance specifically for those growing or thinking about growing vegetables or other specialty crops.

Land ownership is not a requirement to participate in these programs. Refreshments will be served.

This event is free and language interpretation services are available upon request at pre-registration.

Information and registration are at gofarmconnect.org under Events.

The event will be facilitated by Go Farm Connect staff Connector Erik Heimark of Maple Ridge Produce. He is also an instructor in Specialty Crop Farm Business Management at Central Lakes College and a specialist in high tunnel growing. Heimark will be available during the event to help answer questions, and will follow up with attendees afterward. For more questions, please contact him at 218-232-1303 or erik.heimark@clcmn.edu.

“Come learn about all the programs that are out there to help farmers go!” says Heimark, emphasizing that both new and experienced farmers are welcome to attend, as well as those who are thinking about farming.

Heimark will be joined by USDA staff from the Farm Service Agency who will explain disaster assistance (NAP Coverage) and other programs available for specialty crop farmers. Logan Berg, conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, will be there to talk about opportunities for cost-share and other incentives to conserve soil and water. There will also be a representative from the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation Department.

Go Farm Connect (GFC) is a farmer-led initiative to build relationships between emerging specialty crop farmers and federal farm agencies that can help producers succeed. The core of the program is farmer-connectors who are trained to help farms of all sizes and specialties in Minnesota and Wisconsin to connect to the right agricultural assistance programs. The three-year project is led by Renewing The Countryside in partnership with the USDA, Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Services are free.