Indiana FFA members celebrate National FFA Week

Last month featured?National FFA Week?and FFA Chapters across the state and nation celebrated by hosting events to educate, advocate and celebrate the agriculture industry and the FFA Organization.

In honor of National FFA Week, 115 Indiana FFA members met in the Statehouse to speak with legislators to promote the student led organization. The members were able to meet and hear from their elected leaders and statewide officials, including Gov. Eric Holcomb and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a proclamation to name Feb. 19-26, 2022 FFA Week in recognition of all the work the Indiana FFA Organization, agriculture educators and FFA advisors do to cultivate the next generation of agriculturists for our state.

Additionally, the Indiana FFA Association received a house concurrent resolution highlighting the impact of the FFA Organization, which is preparing more than 11,500 members in 91 of Indiana?s 92 counties for the over 250 unique careers in the food, fiber and natural resource sectors.

Click below to read the full release.

Nearly $500,000 in federal grant funds available for

specialty crop industry

The?Indiana State Department of Agriculture?is seeking project proposals from Indiana?s specialty crop sector for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)?Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Eligible projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Indiana, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops.?

The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program offers federal funding annually to the state departments of agriculture to support their specialty crop industries. Indiana?s allocation is $486,095.35.

Funding will not be awarded to projects that benefit a particular commercial product, or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual. Each project must identify at least one of the new USDA performance measures that specifically demonstrates the project?s impact on enhancing the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops.

Click below to read the full release.

Healthy Minds Healthy Lives Workshops

Untreated or ignored stress and mental health issues in rural areas impact quality of life, economic development and lives of farmers, agriculture workforce and rural families. To raise awareness and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the agriculture industry the Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives program was created by the Indiana Rural Health Association. Twenty-three free, one-day insightful workshops with subject matter experts will be conducted in 2022.

The free workshops through the Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives program are open to the farming community, including agribusinesses and related service industries, the faith community, local leaders and families.

Click below to learn more and find a workshop near you.

February?8: Nearly $500,000 in federal grant funds available for specialty crop industry
Find the full release?here

February?18: Indiana FFA Celebrates National FFA Week, Feb. 19-26
Find the full release?here

January 23: Indiana FFA members celebrate National FFA Week
Find the full release?here

USDA Announces New Funding for Meat and Poultry Processing

USDA has announced $215 million in grants and other support to expand meat and poultry procession options, strengthen the supply chain and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas. USDA Rural Development is making $150 million available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). USDA is offering grants of up to $25 million each to expand processing capacity through a variety of activities, including but not limited to construction, expansion of existing facilities, and acquisition of equipment. In April, USDA?s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will invest an additional $40 million through existing workforce development programs to provide a pipeline of well-trained workers to meet the demand for both current processors and increased independent processing capacity. Additionally, USDA?s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will provide approximately $25 million to establish partnerships with organizations that will provide technical assistance to MPPEP applicants, recent recipients and future applicants of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program, and to entities who require general guidance and resources on meat and poultry processing.?

Find more information about USDA meat and poultry processing funding here.

FEDERAL FUNDING:

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, Phase 1
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Farm and Food Worker Grant Program
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Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
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Federal State Marketing Improvement Plan
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Acer Access and Development Program
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Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase II
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Distance Education Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG)
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Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative
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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Small Business Funding Portal
Find more information here

STATE FUNDING:

Indiana State Trade and Export Promotion (IN-STEP)
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Export Indiana Accelerator Program
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Manufacturing Readiness Grant
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GENERAL FUNDING:

Food Export Midwest?
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FULL-TIME?OPPORTUNITIES?

Grain Compliance Auditor, Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency |?Washington, IN
Find more information here

Grain Compliance Auditor, Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency |?Lafayette, IN
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Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs |?Indianapolis, IN
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Indiana FFA Assistant Director of Youth Development|?Indianapolis, IN
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INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES?

ISDA Communications Intern?|?Indianapolis, IN
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ISDA Agricultural Projects?Intern?|?Fort Wayne, IN
Find more information here?

March 22: National Ag Day
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