RAFI Grant Workshops

Please find below a press release on RAFI Grant Workshops in the state and our surrounding area. The workshop in Stokes County will take place on Oct 19th at 6:00 PM at the cooperative extension offices. Grants for individual farmers are available up to $10,000 and up to $30,000 for farm groups. If you have a project that you think might qualify or just want to learn more about this process, please take time to attend this informative session.





NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Francesca Hyatt, 919-323-7587

RAFI is offering cost-share grants of up to $10,000 for individual farmers and up to $30,000 for farmer groups.
For information and application materials please visit: www. ncfarmgrants.org


Grants available for North Carolina farmers

Through its Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund, the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) is offering close to 2 million in cost-share grants for individual farmers and for farmer groups. The funding provides cost-share support for farmers’ to try new production, marketing, and processing strategies in order to earn more income on the farm.

Deadline for applicants in the Western Piedmont Region* is December 20, 2010. The application process is competitive. High priority will be given to innovative projects which show a new direction or opportunity in farming. All farmers who make an income from agriculture are eligible to apply.

RAFI is offering “How to apply” workshops across North Carolina through November.
The purpose of the workshops is to help potential applicants understand the application guidelines and process. The workshops also give farmers some face time to get specific questions about their projects answered. The following is a list of workshop dates and locations for this region. All workshops will be held at the local County Extension Agency office except when otherwise noted.
(See Attached Schedule)


*The Western Piedmont region is comprised of Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties. For other regions please see www.ncfarmgrants.org
How to Apply Workshops, Western Piedmont Region
Western Piedmont Field Coordinator: Francesca Hyatt (919)323-7587
Email: francesca@rafiusa.org web: www.ncfarmgrants.org

Workshop location details are available on our website, as well as a complete listing of workshops for the entire state. If you are unable to attend the workshop in your county, feel free to attend a workshop in a neighboring county. Note: Please check the website prior to attending a workshop in the event of schedule changes.



9/9 – Guilford County Workshop, 6:30pm
(Guilford County Cooperative Extension, Barn/ Kitchen)

9/13 – Surry County Workshop, 6:30pm
(Surry Cooperative Extension Office)

9/14 – Wilkes County Workshop, 1pm
(Wilkes Cooperative Extension Office)

9/16 – Yadkin County Workshop, 6:30pm
(Yadkin Cooperative Extension Office)

9/21 – Union County Workshop, 8am
(Union Cooperative Extension Office)

9/23 – Davie County Workshop, 6:30pm
(Davie Cooperative Extension Office)

9/27 – Forsyth County Workshop, 6pm
(Forsyth Cooperative Extension Office)

9/28 – Iredell County Workshop, 7pm
(Iredell Cooperative Extension Office)

10/13 – Rutherford County Workshop, 2pm
(Rutherford Cooperative Extension Office)

10/13 – Cleveland County Workshop, 6pm
(Cleveland Cooperative Extension Office)

10/14 – Alleghany + Ashe County, 6:30pm
(Upper Mountain Research Station, 8004 NC Highway. 88 E, Laurel Springs,

10/18 – Gaston, Lincoln + Mecklenburg, 6:30pm
(GASTON County Cooperative Extension Office)

10/19 – Stokes County Workshop, 6pm
(Stokes Cooperative Extension Office)

10/21 – Catawba County Workshop, 7pm
(Catawba Cooperative Extension Office)

10/25 – Anson County Workshop, 1pm
(Anson Cooperative Extension Office)

10/28 – Cabarrus County Workshop, 6:30pm
(Cabarrus Cooperative Extension Office)

10/29 – Stanly County Workshop, 9am
(Stanly Cooperative Extension Office)

11/2 – Caldwell + Alexander County, 9am
(Caldwell Cooperative Extension Office)

11/2 – Burke County Workshop, 3pm
(Burke Cooperative Extension Office)

11/4 – Rowan County Workshop, 7pm
(Rowan Cooperative Extension Office)

11/8 – Rockingham County Workshop, 6:30pm
(Rockingham Cooperative Extension Offic
NC 28644-8631)

The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund is supported through a grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.
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