NCBA CLUSA’s USDA-funded Strengthening Co-op Capacity for Historically Underserved Farmers project is sharing a new roundup of news, funding opportunities, and upcoming events and trainings.

Learn more about the project

News

USDA Expands Hurricane Insurance Protection to Include Certain Tropical Storms

Farmers may now be eligible for further protection against damaging tropical storms. After hearing directly from agricultural producers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) Endorsement with a Tropical Storm Option. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) will offer this option for the 2023 crop year. Learn more

Rolling Out Revenue-Based Disaster and Pandemic Assistance Programs

Agricultural producers can begin to apply for two new important programs for revenue losses, from 2020 and 2021 natural disasters or the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more

Funding Opportunities

Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative – This program funds projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical and social sciences, including economics.

Learn more   Apply by April 13

Farmers Market Promotion Program – This program funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products by developing, coordinating, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, online sales or other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.

Learn more   Apply by May 2

Additional upcoming application deadlines:

• March 21: Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects  
• March 28: Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II  
• March 28: Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program  
• March 29: Veterinary Services Grant Program  
• March 30: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Education and Workforce Development: Food and Agricultural Nonformal Education Program  
• March 31: Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program

Rooted, Resilient and Ready – save the date for the 2023 Cooperative IMPACT Conference

NEXT WEEK: Hear from the women who tell our stories in the field as we close out Women’s History Month

Events and Trainings

March 16 – Cooperative Development Foundation’s Advancing Options to Improve and Preserve Long-term Affordable Housing

March 16, 21, 23, 28 and 30: Finance Fundamentals – Financial Analysis for New Cooperatives

March 21: Co-op Cincy’s Co-op U

March 22: UW Center for Cooperative’s Finance Basics for Directors

March 31 – Indiana Cooperative Development Center’s Using the Co-op Model to Address the Housing Crisis

June 2-3: 2023 California Co-op Conference