- The Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers (TAAF) Task Force is developing an outreach strategy for the Program to ensure that U.S. producers of agricultural commodities and fishermen are informed of trade adjustment assistance that may be available to them under the Program. Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) is working closely with their university partners to develop training modules that will be available to approved applicants under the TAAF Program.
- The Food and Nutrition Services offered ARRA funding to the 11 State agencies who have cooperative agreements with FNS for WIC EBT projects.
- TAAF Task Force continued to work with Farm Service Agency (FSA) programmers to design and develop the TAAF computer software program, and develop an outreach strategy for the TAAF Program.Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) continued to work closely with their university partners to develop training modules that will be available to approved applicants under the TAA Program.
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FNS released four Requests for Applications (RFAs) to State agencies responsible for the WIC program for grant requests for technology initiatives. The RFAs are to fund information system enhancements, new system planning and transfers, and electronic benefit transfer system planning and implementation.
- The Farm Service Agency (FSA) Aquaculture Assistance programs notified all 50 States of the program, providing details. Potential recipients were provided a draft grant agreement and invited to comment on the program in general by May 1, 2009.
- FSA Direct Farm Operating Loans has used Recovery Act funds of $20,412,189, greater than 99 percent of the appropriated funds, to generate 2,636 Direct Farm Operating Loans valued at $173,131,112. Twenty-three percent of the loans were issued to socially disadvantaged (SDA) farmers (including SDA beginning farmers) and 41% were issued to non-SDA beginning farmers. As of April 10, loans valued at $109,064,689, approximately 63 percent of the total obligations, have been disbursed for use by America's farmers
- Secretary announced on Thursday, April 16, 2009 the approval of $84.8 million to Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations projects with state and local government Sponsors to improve water quality, increase water supply, decrease soil erosion, and improve fish and wildlife habitat in rural communities. These projects will improve water quality, create more dependable water supplies and decrease soil erosion for people who live in these rural communities. Other major benefits from these projects include improved community safety and health, flood mitigation, sediment control, and enhanced fish and wildlife habitat. USDA is directing technical and financial assistance available through this funding toward projects that are ready to begin and that will relieve stress on local economies through the creation of over 1,400 jobs. Nationwide sign-up for Floodplain Easements is completed -excepting MN & ND where the sign-up was extended to May 1st in consideration of the severe flooding.
- As of April 18, 2009, there has been extremely high volume of interest in the Floodplain Easement program, with over 4,000 applications already received in 46 states, representing over 460,000 acres, with funding needs of over $1.3 billion competing for a $145 million pool of funding.
- As of the morning of April 22, 347 media outlets have reported on NRCS funding for watershed rehabilitation, watershed operations, and floodplain easements, highlighting that this assistance will create jobs, support local businesses that supply products and services, enhance water quality, create more dependable water supplies, decrease soil erosion, and other conservation benefits. Most feature quotes from Secretary Vilsack, while many have interviews (in print and audio) with NRCS' national and state leadership as well as technical specialists.
- $45 million allocated to 11 states to fund the rehabilitation of 27 dams.Secretary and NRCS Chief held special USDA teleconference with included reporters from 39 news outlets that emphasized the benefits of Watershed Rehabilitation projects.
- For the Broadband program, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development agency, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hosted a public meeting on March 10, 2009. Public meetings were also held the week of March 16 in Arizona, Nevada, and Washington, DC. Published joint Federal Register Notice with Commerce and FCC on March 12, inviting written comments on our joint implementation of the Recovery Act.
- USDA Rural Development briefed the Congressional Rural Caucus on the broadband provisions contained in ARRA. Full Notice of ARRA funding under the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program was posted to Grants.gov on March 27. Rural Development hosted a media event in North Carolina for the Vice President and Agriculture Secretary on April 1. Rural Development approved and obligated its first Community Facilities Loan and Grant project using ARRA funds on April 1.
- Rural Development notified State Offices of the availability of ARRA funding for backlogged Water and Waste Disposal projects.
- Rural Development's Rural Husing Service loan level obligations: Single Family Housing - Direct: $106,637,195; Single Family Housing - Guaranteed: $2,898,327,777; and Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants: $1,150,000.
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