JEFFERSON COUNTY USDA OFFICE VISIT: Intro to Ag Programs and Requirements for EQIP

Due to the popularity of this event, we've decided to relocate to the Jefferson County UW-Extension building at 864 Collins Road, Jefferson, WI. 

Curious about federal programs to help design and pay for fencing, livestock water lines, high tunnels, walk-in coolers, pack sheds and crop failures?

Go Farm Connect is partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Glacierland RC&D, and Rock River Regenerative Graziers to host this facilitated group introduction to federal farm programs. Farmers of all sizes, types and experience will learn about loan, grant, insurance and disaster assistance opportunities, as well as available technical expertise. Language interpretation is available upon request at pre-registration. You do not need to own land to participate. Refreshments will be served!

The hosts for this event will be a team of multiple partners from multiple organizations, including Kirsten Jurcek of Brattset Family Farm and Jack Milan of Glacierland RC&D.  They are both Connectors with Go Farm Connect, trained to help farmers access helpful federal programs. They will be joined by USDA staff from the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service who will explain disaster assistance and other federal programs available for farmers.  For more information, please contact Jurcek at 920-342-9504 or kirsten@glacierlandrcd.org.

Who Should Attend

All interested parties are invited to attend and learn, including beginning and prospective farmers, landowners, family, friends, cultural advocates, and agricultural support professionals. No prior experience with federal farm agencies is required. Land ownership is not a requirement to participate in assistance programs.  Attendees do not have to reside in Jefferson County - this information will pertain to all federal programs. 

What To Expect

This brief visit will cover the basics of farm programs and introduce participants to the staff at the USDA Farm Services Center for Jefferson County and partner organization. Time will be provided for individual assistance and questions, and Connectors will follow up with interested participants after the event.

Please RSVP at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nrcs-fsa-office-visit-tickets-829100711547

About Go Farm Connect

Are you lost in an alphabet soup of federal acronyms? Need help finding the right resources?

Navigating USDA programs can be overwhelming, confusing and intimidating. We get that! We've pulled together an experienced team of farmers to help you connect to the right programs. We offer FREE services that focus on different aspects of building a successful farm business. We can provide a Connector to be a personal guide, coach, and ally who shares your goal of running a successful farm operation.

Go Farm Connect is a farmer-led initiative to build relationships between historically underserved specialty crop farmers (beginning, women, veterans, BIPOC and new Americans) and federal farm agencies.  Our Connectors are trained to help farms of all sizes and specialties in Minnesota and Wisconsin access agricultural assistance programs. The three-year project is led by Renewing The Countryside in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Registration through this link is helpful so that USDA staff can be aware of what questions you might want answered. Go Farm Connect staff may take photos and videos at this event to promote programs and future events. Your RSVP gives your permission to be photographed. Please let a Connector know at the event if you want to be kept out of photos.