WISCONSIN, Aug. 19, 2021 – Organic producers and handlers can now apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) are due Nov. 1, 2021.   “USDA is here to help all producers, including those who grow our nation’s organic food and fiber. Many farmers have told us that cost was…

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#FarmNeighborsCare during national Mental Health Awareness Month May is national Mental Health Awareness Month and AgrAbility of Wisconsin has joined with a coalition of other agricultural organizations to support rural residents in looking after their farm neighbors who might be struggling with increased stress. Through its #FarmNeighborsCare campaign, this coalition will be hosting webinars, promoting resources on…

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation. Additionally, USDA is announcing investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture, including $330 million in 85 Regional Conservation Partnership…

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Weren’t able to attend the Virtual Summit each day or missed the whole thing? Still looking to learn more about FSA programs, Farmer Health Insurance and the Wisconsin Farm Center? Head over to our YouTube channel to watch recordings of each day. http://bit.ly/AgrAbilityYouTube

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Are you a Veteran who is interested in gardening, or likes working with plants or animals in a farming setting, or are you interested in starting your own farm? The Madison VA FARMS pilot program offers Veterans pathways to participate in both therapeutic gardening and agricultural vocational training. The VA FARMS program has partnered with…

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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the primary federal agency authorized to work on private landowners protect their soil, water and other natural resources. Through voluntary incentive- based programs, NRCS works directly with farmers and landowners to provide technical expertise and financial assistance to make conservation work on the land. Throughout the presentation, we…

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Producers with Quality Loss in 2018 or 2019 Encouraged to Apply for Assistance Signup for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program began on January 6, 2021 and will continue through March 5, 2021. QLA provides eligible producers with financial assistance for quality losses incurred in 2018 and/or 2019. Losses must have been a result of…

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Hello, I am Paul Untiet.  I am a rural rehabilitation specialist at Easter Seals Wisconsin.  I have worked with Easter Seals Wisconsin and AgrAbility of Wisconsin for 13 years.  Prior to working at Easter Seals I worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with Wisconsin’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) for 30 years where I worked…

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AgrAbility of Wisconsin was happy to host Dr. John Shutske, UW-Madison Professor and Extension Specialist on December 7, 2020. Production agriculture remains a highly dangerous industry with a fatality rate at least seven-times greater than all other industries combined. “Farm safety” efforts are not new – yet they have been only marginally effective. Information about…

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After 28 years of service and leadership with the AgrAbility program, the time has come for me to step away and accept a new challenge as President/CEO of Easterseals Wisconsin. Over the years, I worked with many farm families in transition periods. Some families were transferring the farm from one generation to the next while…

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