In this issue:

Fall Farm Fest 2012 2-3

Vet Tech Program 4

Upcoming Events 5-6

USDA approves Micro Loan Amounts 6

Important Dates

Initial Claims Package Mailing: September 24, 2012

Claims Filing Deadline: March 25, 2013

Relevant Time Period For Alleged Discrimination:

Hispanic Farmers/Ranchers: Jan. 1, 1981 to Dec. 31, 1996 or Oct. 13, 1998 to Oct. 13, 2000

Women Farmers/Ranchers: Jan. 1, 1981 to Dec. 31, 1996 or Oct. 19, 1998 to Oct. 19, 2000

For more information or to check your claim status, please log on to http://www.farmerclaims.gov

In regards to the litigation settlement, below is an updated. Please note that no payments will be made

until all claims are reviewed and decided. That being said, ALL claims being decided upon were

to be POSTMARKED by no later than May 11, 2012.

Judge Freidman granted final approval of the Settlement on October 27, 2011.

What’s Next?

Winter/Spring 2013—> Claims Adjunctions– All claims submitted by Class Members before the end

of the Claim Submission Period will be decided by a neutral third parties to determine if they are valid.

This process is expected to take a number of months and is now estimated to be completed in the first part

of 2013.

Winter/Spring 2013——> Distribution of Awards— After all of the timely filed claims have been

decided by the neutral third parties, and it is determined how much each successful claimant is entitled to

receive, the Claims Administrator will distribute payments to successful claimants. It is currently projected

that the payments will be mailed in the first part of 2013.

For any other information, feel free to log on to the website: http://www.blackfarmercase.com

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Quincy, FL- On Friday, December

14, 2012, over 50 people attended the

2012 Fall Farm Fest at the FAMU

Research & Extension Center in

Quincy, Florida.

The program was presided by Dr.

Lawrence Carter, Director of Outreach

Activities and Mrs. Vonda Richardson,

Interim Director of Cooperative

Extension.

A special “Thank you” to all of the

attendees, especially the featured

speakers:

Dr. Robert Taylor, Dean &

Director of Land Grant Programs

(CAFS)

Mr. Glyen Holmes II, SDA

farmer/ Farm to School Program

Mr. James Hill, 1890 Land Grant

Liaison, Southern Region SARE

Program

Mr. Alejandro Bolques, FAMU

Extension Agent-Gadsden County

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION FALL FARM FEST 2012

Crops from the

garden….

SDA Community and speakers...

Research presentation….

..and presentation of awards.

Cooperative Extension’s Veterinary Technology Program

In the last year Veterinary Technology Program has made significant

progress toward our ultimate goal of accreditation. We currently have a

number students officially enrolled in the program., and expecting a strong

number of new students in the fall of 2013. For the first time, in the fall of

2011 we officially administered classes under the prefix ATE. 11 of our 15

courses have been approved by the university and state systems. The final

four are pending. We have started holding classes and hands on activities

consistently at our Veterinary Technology facility at the FAMU Research

and Extension center in Quincy, FL. The Veterinary Technology program

has started a collaborative arrangement with Tallahassee Animal Services

(Animal Shelter) in March 2012. This will serves as additional opportunity

for hands on learning for the Veterinary Technology students.

We currently have a goal of becoming accredited by the AVMA by the year

2014. We have reassembled the Veterinary Technology Advisory

Committee. The committee met in October 2011 and April 2012.

The Veterinary Technology program for the first time, hosted an internship

program for at least 4 selected animal science/veterinary technology stu-

dents in the summer of 2012. The interns gained valuable skills in animal

care and husbandry. The interns also sharpened their clinical laboratory

skills. The Veterinary Technology Program has also started an official

volunteer program at the FAMU Research and Extension Center in Quincy,

FL.

In the fall of 2012, the Veterinary technology program was involved in

multiple student projects. Thus fostering the spirit of research, teaching, and

collaboration. Current Veterinary Technology/Animal Science students are

involved in multiple volunteer efforts in the Tallahassee area, including the

animal shelter, dog shows, rabies clinics, the North Florida fair and other

activities.

The Veterinary Technology Program is active in recruiting and also

increasing its visibility in the community and the state. Our recruiter has

contacted and forged relationships with over 100 schools within the state

and has made contact with over 200 potential students. Our recruiter has

attended multiple symposia, college career fairs, and community events

promoting our program.

The Veterinary Technology Program is also involved in university

extension. The 3 veterinarians on staff are involved in extension visits and

activities. The Veterinary Technology staff is also heavily involved the

summer programs, Ag Discovery and Ag Tech Century 21.

The Florida A&M Veterinary Technology Program is a very active program

and providing immeasurable benefits for many, including students, staff,

faculty, the university and the community.

We at the FAMU Research and Extension Center and the Veterinary

Technology Facility love visitors. We encourage you the schedule a visit/

tour or plan to attend one of our field days or other activities held at the

Center in Quincy. Please call (850) 875-8555, for more information.

Dr. Glen Wright, DVM

The facilities at the college’s off-campus Education,

Research, and Extension Center, which is located on a

260-acre farm in Quincy, approximately 20 miles from

Tallahassee, is in operation. The complex houses small

ruminant, swine, bovine, and equine species for use in

teaching research and extension. This site currently has

an Animal Science clinical laboratory, research

facilities, upgraded technology and a conference center.

USDA’s 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum Crystal Gateway Marriott

Arlington, Virginia

PUBLIC PUBLIC

Full Registration – 2 day One day Registration

Package: $375 Package: $275

(Includes 2 working luncheons, dinner & coffee breaks) (Includes 1 working luncheon & coffee breaks)

USDA Employees

News Media

Prices increase January 21, 2013

Group Registrants: You may register up to 15 registrants consecutively online. Questions? Please call 1-877-572-6043 or email

usda@ameetingplace.com .

For hotel reservations, please call 877-212-5752 and reference the USDA AG Forum.

Upcoming Events…..

Florida A&M University

College of Agriculture & Food

Sciences

Cooperative Extension Programs

S p r i n g F a l l F e s t 2 0 1 3

Date: TBA

FAMU Extension & Research

Center

Quincy, Florida

The 2012 Census of Agriculture

All farmers and ranchers should have received a

Census form in the mail by early January 2013.

Completed forms are due by February 4, 2013.

For more information, please call 888-4AG-STAT or

log on to http://www.agcensus.usda.gov

FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY

AG Discovery 2013 June 9 –22, 2013

AG Tech Century 21 July 14-19, 2013

Ag Discovery: Students will live on the Tallahassee campus and work with a variety of animal species. In addition, students are exposed to opportunities in animal science to help them better understand and refine their career paths. Funding provided by USDA/APHIS’ Animal Care program. Ag Tech Century 21: Non-residential Enrichment Program- is a local outreach summer program to help middle to high school students learn about careers in agricultural sciences through experiential learning . Funding provided by USDA/NIFA. For more information, contact: Carmen Lyttle-N’guessan, M.S., M.Ed., (850) 412-5363, carmen.lyttlenguessa@famu.edu; or Dr.

Ray Mobley, (850) 599-3546, ray.mobley@famu.edu . Check the website at www.famu.edu/herds

USDA Finalizes New Microloan Program Microloans up to $35,000 aim to assist small farmers, veterans, and disadvantaged producers

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2013 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new microloan program from the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) designed to help small and family operations, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers

secure loans under $35,000. The new microloan program is aimed at bolstering the progress of producers through their start-up

years by providing needed resources and helping to increase equity so that farmers may eventually graduate to commercial credit and

expand their operations. The microloan program will also provide a less burdensome, more simplified application process in

comparison to traditional farm loans.

“I have met several small and beginning farmers, returning veterans and disadvantaged producers interested in careers in farming

who too often must rely on credit cards or personal loans with high interest rates to finance their start-up operations,” said

Vilsack. “By further expanding access to credit to those just starting to put down roots in farming, USDA continues to help grow a

new generation of farmers, while ensuring the strength of an American agriculture sector that drives our economy, creates jobs, and

provides the most secure and affordable food supply in the world.”

The new microloans, said Vilsack, represent how USDA continues to make year-over-year gains in expanding credit opportunities

for minority, socially-disadvantaged and young and beginning farmers and ranchers across the United States. The final rule

establishing the microloan program will be published in the Jan. 17 issue of the Federal Register.

Administered through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Operating Loan Program, the new microloan program offers credit

options and solutions to a variety of producers. FSA has a long history of providing agricultural credit to the nation’s farmers and

ranchers through its Operating Loan Program. In assessing its programs, FSA evaluated the needs of smaller farm operations and any

unintended barriers to obtaining financing. For beginning farmers and ranchers, for instance, the new microloan program offers a

simplified loan application process. In addition, for those who want to grow niche crops to sell directly to ethnic markets and

farmers markets, the microloan program offers a path to obtain financing. For past FSA Rural Youth Loan recipients, the microloan

program provides a bridge to successfully transition to larger-scale operations.

Since 2009, USDA has made a record amount of farm loans through FSA—more than 128,000 loans totaling nearly $18 billion.

USDA has increased the number of loans to beginning farmers and ranchers from 11,000 loans in 2008 to 15,000 loans in 2011.

More than 40 percent of USDA’s farm loans now go to beginning farmers. In addition, USDA has increased its lending to socially-

disadvantaged producers by nearly 50 percent since 2008.

Producers can apply for a maximum of $35,000 to pay for initial start-up expenses such as hoop houses to extend the growing

season, essential tools, irrigation, delivery vehicles, and annual expenses such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, marketing, and

distribution expenses. As their financing needs increase, applicants can apply for an operating loan up to the maximum amount of

$300,000 or obtain financing from a commercial lender under FSA’s Guaranteed Loan Program.

USDA farm loans can be used to purchase land, livestock, equipment, feed, seed, and supplies, or be to construct buildings or make

farm improvements. Small farmers often rely on credit cards or personal loans, which carry high interest rates and have less flexible

payment schedules, to finance their operations. Expanding access to credit, USDA’s microloan will provide a simple and flexible

loan process for small operations.

Producers interested in applying for a microloan may contact their local Farm Service Agency office.

The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack’s leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America,

maintain a strong farm safety net, and create opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently

experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of

our producers.

1740 Marin Luther

King Jr Blvd

215 Perry Paige Bldg

South

Tallahassee, FL

32307

Tel: 850-599-3546

Fax: 850-561-2151

TDD: 850-561-2704

www.famu.edu/cafs

Florida A&M

University

College of

Agriculture and

Food Sciences

Cooperative

Extension

Programs

The Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program is an equal em-

ployment/educational opportunity access organization which provides research-

based educational information and other services only to eligible individuals

and institutions regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age,

disability, martial or veteran status.

Dr. Robert Taylor, Dean of CAFS and Director of Land Grant Programs Dr. Oghenekome Onokpise, Interim Associate Dean, Academic Programs Vonda Richardson, Interim Director of Extension Dr. Stephen Leong, Director , Viticulture Center Dr. Cassel Gardner, Interim Director, Center for Air & Water Quality Dr. Ray Mobley, Extension Veterinarian Dr. Lawrence Carter, Director, Outreach Activities Carmen Lyttle-N’guessan, Coordinator, Animal Healthcare/Veterinary Tech. Program Renysha Harris, Coordinator, Administrative Services Amelia Davis, Coordinator , Management Analysis/ * SDA Newsletter Editor Rhonda Miller, Office Manager, Extension Administrator Dr. Dreamal Worthen, Professor/ CRD Sandra Thompson, Program Leader/Specialist of Community Resource Development Angela McKenzie-Jakes, Ext. Animal Science Specialist/ Program Leader –Small Rumi-nant Program Lue Jolly, Coordinator/Trainer EFNEP Program Tondalya Nelson, 4-H Youth Specialist Gail Browning, Office Manager/Vehicles– Teleconference Center Donna Salters, Coordinator Rural Entrepreneurial Outreach Program Gilbert Queeley, Research Associate Trevor Hylton, County Extension Agent (Leon & Wakulla) Covey Washington, County Extension Agent (Jefferson) Alex Bolques, Assistant Professor/Extension Agent II Lester Muralles, County Extension Agent (Gadsden) Melva Morfaw, County Extension Agent (Madison) Dr. Jennifer Taylor, Small Farms Specialist Dr. Glen Wright, Director of Animal Health Dr. Robert Purvis, Extension Veterinarian Dr. Keawin Sergeant, Asst. Professor of Animal Science, Trainer- HACCP Godfrey Nurse, Farm Manager Cynthia Holloway, Vet-Tech Program Recruiter Linda Sapp, Project Coordinator, Vet-Tech Program Faith Clarke, Coordinator, OASDFR Donna Swilley, Office Manager, Research & Extension Center Carmita Whitehead, CYFAR Site Coordinator Marian Gibbons, Communications Director Cedric Spradley, IT Specialist Dr. Jean Beaudouin, Assistant Professor/Animal Nutrition Sonji West, EFNEP Program Assistant (Gadsden County) Tonia Torres, EFNEP Program Assistant (Hillsborough County) Maria Jones, EFNEP Program Assistant (Gulf County) Jimonica Geri, EFNEP Program Assistant (Escambia County)