Women Lead the Way in Sustainable and Organic Agriculture

G (Image: Locally grown via Shutterstock)

 According to the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, the number of women-operated farms more than doubled in the 25 years between 1982 and 2007. In fact, female farmers now make up the fastest-growing sector of the country's changing agricultural landscape and nearly 1 million women - approximately one-third of total domestic farmers - list farming as their primary occupation. The National Women in Agriculture Association calls it "breaking the grass ceiling." It's that and more.

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Update on Farm Service Agency Operation

Due to a lapse in appropriations for the Farm Service Agency as of October 1, the Farm Service Agency has initiated the process of orderly shutdown of nonessential operations. You can view USDA’s plans for a lapse in appropriations at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-plans.

We understand the uncertainty that the current circumstances present for Americans that USDA serves every day, as well as our many partners around the country.  Effective today, most Farm Service Agency staff will be furloughed pending reinstatement of funding by Congress. These staff will not be available by phone or email, and cannot carry out work for the Agency, until funding is restored.

In the Farm Service Agency, this means that many services will be delayed or interrupted for farmers, ranchers, and associated customers.  For example, this includes, but is not limited to, FSA's commodity price support activities and commodity loans, farm loans, disaster assistance, and conservation programs.

We are committed to keeping you as up to date as possible, within the limits of current circumstances.

Sincerely,

Juan Garcia, Administrator

Shelly Bilderback

Public Relations Outreach Specialist | Oklahoma

Farm Service Agency

United States Department of Agriculture

Phone: 405.742.1041 | Fax: 405.742.1177 

www.fsa.usda.gov/ok  | shelly.bilderback@ok.usda.gov

East Knoxville: Farmers' market takes root off MLK Boulevard

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/east-knoxville-farmers-market-takes-root-off-mlk/

Update on Rural Development Operations

Due to a lapse in appropriations for Rural Development as of October 1, Rural Development

has initiated the process of orderly shutdown of nonessential operations. You can view 

USDA's plans for a lapse in appropriations at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-

plans.

We understand the uncertainty that the current circumstances present for Americans that 

USDA serves every day, as well as our many partners around the country.  Effective today, 

many Rural Development staff will be furloughed pending reinstatement of funding by 

Congress. These staff will not be available by phone or email, and cannot carry out work for 

the Agency, until funding is restored.

In Rural Development, this means that many services will be delayed or interrupted.  For 

example, Rural Development will not be able to make any new loans or grants; the only 

exceptions will be for emergency purposes and to protect the Government's interest.  

Automatic disbursements for previously obligated Rental Assistance (RA) funds will 

continue, but no RA contracts will be renewed or issued.

We are committed to keeping you as up to date as possible, within the limits of current 

circumstances.

Sincerely,

Doug O'Brien

Acting Under Secretary

USDA-Rural Development

71st Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC)

We are excited to announce the call for papers for the 71st Professional Agricultural 

Workers Conference (PAWC) at Tuskegee University, AL from December 8-10, 2013. The 

theme for the 71st PAWC is "Women and Youth: Changing the Landscape of Agriculture”. 

Papers and posters are currently being accepted. A limited number of scholarships are 

available for small farmers, rural business owners, youth, and community based 

organizations.


PROFESSIONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS CONFERENCE (PAWC) 
100 CAMPBELL HALL 
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY 
TUSKEGEE, AL 36088 
pawc@mytu.tuskegee.edu


www.pawc.info



For additional information contact: 
Dr. Tasha M. Hargrove, PAWC Co-Chair, 334-724-4524
Dr. Robert Zabawa, PAWC Co-Coordinator, 334-727-8114 

http://www.pawc.info/conference/conference-location

NWIAA Youth Leaership Team 2013

We start them young; busy doing something! 

Ivory Williams - "Independent Living" UPDATE

Her garden is gowing very well and is beautiful.

 

Farmers' Market continues through August

YWCA's Giant T-shirt and Towel Sale

YWCA's Giant t-shirt and towel sale on this Saturday, August 10, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. here in our community at the YWCA, 1701 N. Martin Luther King Avenue, Oklahoma City,   Kindly be advised that most items are only $.50 (fifty cents)!!

Also indicated on the flyer ALL proceeds will go to the YWCA for battered women.  

This is great sale to help citizens of this community.  We appreciate any assistance you can provide.       

Please help get the word out!

NWIAA Farmers' Market Grand Opening

"Know Where Your Food Comes From."

Ivory Williams - "Independent Living"

Thanks to Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele, National Women in Ag President and the Central Alabama Women in Ag group are now partnering with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Set-Aside Program, First Tuskegee Bank and the City of Montgomery to provide opportunities for homeowners to become producers of fresh vegetables.

Georgia State Meeting

https://www.facebook.com/events/204886153000919/