GFC

The Farm Service Agency has been keeping us up to date with the progress of the Geographically Disadvanaged Farmer program.   As you may remember, it was included in the 2008 Farm Bill as a result of hard work and persistence done by our federal representatives.     The program recognizes that farmers and ranchers in Hawaii and Alaska are at a competitive disadvantage due to transportation costs for inputs and outputs.  The original 2003 report demonstrating this inequity is attached and the basis for the 2008 additional.     The Farm Bill now provides a mechanism to compensate for geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers by off-setting some in-bound and out-bound transportation costs.      

Danny Consentein, Farm Service Agency Director is overseeing the Alaska reimbursements to ranchers and farmers (shellfish, too).   A qualifying producers should retain a record of their transportation expenditures for October 2009 - September 30, 2010.   At that time, submissions for partial reimbursement can be made to those who qualify and submit conforming records. 

Details are still forthcoming and there is a very limited total allocation for the program for FY 2010.   While it was authorized for $15 million, only $2 million was allocated and the program serves non-contiguous locations of the US.    

Contact Alaska's FSA for more details.

Another new program in the 2008 Farm Bill supports construction of storage and distribution of vegetables or hay products and is an ideal mechanism for food cooperatives.     It could be a slam dunk for new, smart jobs!

Get Connected.  Contact FSA.

Danny Consenstein, State Executive Director          

USDA Farm Service Agency 

Alaska State Office

800 West Evergreen Ave., Suite 216

Palmer, AK  99645

Phone:   (907) 761-7738

Fax:       (907) 761-7795