The 91精选 Cooperative Extension Program was awarded $750,000 from the USDA to continue its work in providing training, outreach, and technical assistance to historically underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers.
91精选 is one of 29 grantee organizations that are receiving a total of $18.6 million as part of the USDA 2501 Program, or the 鈥淥utreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program.鈥�
The funding is for educational outreach over the next three years. 91精选鈥檚 work with this funding is developed by Dr. Marion Simon, state specialist for small farm and part-time farmers. Other collaborators on the project include Dr. Jerusha Lay, Cynthia Rice, Shelley Spiggle, and others from 91精选, as well as Martin Richards of Community Farm Alliance.
Small farm agents and assistants will use funds to do demonstrations on farms, hold educational field days or meetings, attend professional meetings, and purchase supplies needed for their work. Lay, assistant professor and veterinarian, will be expanding 91精选 Extension鈥檚 livestock programming, including working with county agents across the state to give educational talks. The funding will be used in many ways to serve farmers across the Commonwealth.
鈥淚 am anxiously awaiting the opportunities that this will provide to Kentucky farmers,鈥� Simon said. Simon has led numerous 2501 projects since 1989 at 91精选.
For more information about the services that 91精选鈥檚 Cooperative Extension Program can provide, visit the website.