Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Organic Certification Cost Share Program



Do you know about the Organic Certification Cost Share Program? Here are some facts from the USDA:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
National Organic Certification Cost Share Program
(NOCCSP), administered by the USDA Farm Service
Agency (FSA), provides organic producers and
handlers with financial assistance to reduce the cost
of organic certification. The program reimburses
producers and handlers for a portion of their paid
certification costs. Once certified, organic producers
and handlers are eligible to receive reimbursement for
up to 75 percent of certification costs each year, up to
a maximum of $750 per certification scope—crops,
livestock, wild crops and handling. Additional scopes
include transition certification and state program fees.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Certified organic producers and handlers who have
paid certification fees may apply for reimbursement
of the incurred costs.

IS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED TO
PARTICIPATE?
Yes. Organic certification cost share funds are only
available to certified organic or certified transitional
producers and handlers. Certification must be
provided by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. If
your operation is not currently certified organic and
you would like to learn more about the certification
process, please visit www.fsa.usda.gov/organic.



WHAT COSTS ARE REIMBURSABLE?
Eligible costs include application fees, inspection
costs, fees related to equivalency agreement/
arrangement requirements, travel/per diem for
inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.

WHAT COSTS ARE NOT REIMBURSABLE?
Ineligible costs include equipment, materials,
supplies, late fees, and inspections necessary to
address National Organic Program regulatory
violations.

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM REIMBURSEMENT
AMOUNT?
The maximum per certification scope (crops,
livestock, wild crops and handling) is $750.
Transition and state certification reimbursements
will be processed separately.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR REIMBURSEMENT?
You may apply to a participating state agency
according to their deadlines, or beginning March 20,
2017, you may apply directly to one of over 2,100
FSA offices. Applicants must typically submit a onepage
application form, W-9 tax form (to participating
state agencies), proof of certification and an itemized
invoice of certification expenses.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes
only; other eligible requirements may apply. For more
information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/organic contact
your local FSA county office. To find an office
nearest you, visit http://offices.usda.gov.



Monday, May 22, 2017

Farm Day Camp Registration!









The

Incredible Farm Dinner on Main!

JUNE 23, 2017

Photo of Farm to Table Dinner in Jonesborough is courtesy of Woven Creative Studio
Tickets are on sale now for the Incredible Farm Dinner on Main!
Meet us downtown on June 23rd at 7:00 p.m. for dinner and live music on Main Street in Greeneville, Tenn. Reserve your place at the table now!
The Incredible Farm Dinner on Main is the “don’t miss” event of the summer in Greeneville, TN.  Enjoy local fare around one community table set to perfection right in the middle of Main Street!  We will gather at 7pm in the lobby of the Capitol Theatre for hors d’oeuvres and drinks and then be seated on Main for a four course meal.  
This event benefits Rural Resources and the Capitol Theatre and is made possible with generous sponsorship from: Eastman Credit Union, Jost, Inc, Meco, Rogers Family Dentistry, TEVET, The Well Stocked Bar, Towne Square Package Store, Consumer Credit Union, JD Metals,The General Morgan Inn, Through the Eyes of Sam Photography, and others. Special thanks to Catalyst Coffee Company, Joneborough Locally Grown and First Presbyterian Church.

Special thanks to our lead sponsor:

Wednesday, May 10, 2017


This is happening tomorrow! Come out and join us!

RURAL RESOURCES'

ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER ON THE FARM


We hope you received your invitation to Rural Resources' Annual Meeting and Dinner to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11th at the Rural Resources Farm.  We really hope you are planning on attending and touring the new Farm & Food Learning Center that is under construction.  If you are, it would help us immensely to know you are coming!  

The dinner will feature locally raised ingredients live music and the event is free!
We are also continuing to raise funds for the Farm & Food Learning Center.  If you would like to make a donation of any amount, we welcome all donations at the dinner or click here to donate online.





Everyone is invited to come to visit the farm and see our progress,” said Rural Resources Executive Director Sally Causey. “We are excited to show you our sustainably built, energy efficient Learning Center.”

Tennessee Arts Commission funds will provide music by Knoxville jazz duo Jack Furnari and Mike Benjamin. The event will include a hamburger dinner featuring local beef, salad from the farm and homemade ice cream.
  
The Farm & Food Learning Center will provide space for programs, community workshops, offices and a commercial kitchen. The Rural Resources staff has been working out of a small trailer, without indoor plumbing, since a fire destroyed the building in 2009. Youth programs have been held in out buildings and a Pavilion donated by the Rotary Club. Thanks to funding from the USDA, the Appalachian Regional Commission, East Tennessee Foundation and many other generous local donors, progress on the learning center is continuing.

The teens in our Farm & Food Teen Training program will be able to prepare and preserve the food they grow on-site and be able to build sustainable farm- and food-related businesses,” said Causey. “Farm Day Campers won’t have to use the outhouse anymore and students coming for field trips will have expanded offerings. There is no doubt that this facility will be a game-changer for hands-on learning opportunities for years to come.”
Rural Resources is nonprofit working to connect farms, food and families through community education, youth programs and sustainable agriculture.
Holly Creek Farm is located at 2870 Holly Creek Rd, Greeneville. For more information call Rural Resources at 423-636-8171 or visit our website atruralresources.net.

Make a donation toward completing the Farm & Food Learning Center here!

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Date Correction for Incredible Farm Dinner

DATE CORRECTION:

The


Incredible Farm Dinner on Main!

JUNE 23, 2017
 

Photo of Farm to Table Dinner in Jonesborough is courtesy of Woven Creative Studio
 
Tickets are on sale now for the Incredible Farm Dinner on Main!
 
Meet us downtown on June 23rd at 7:00 p.m. for dinner and live music on Main Street in Greeneville, Tenn. Reserve your place at the table now!
The Incredible Farm Dinner on Main is the “don’t miss” event of the summer in Greeneville, TN.  Enjoy local fare around one community table set to perfection right in the middle of Main Street!  We will gather at 7pm in the lobby of the Capital Theatre for hors d’oeuvres and drinks and then be seated on Main for a four course meal.  
This event benefits Rural Resources and the Capital Theatre and is made possible with generous sponsorship from Edward Jones Investments with Lee House, Jost, Inc., TEVET, The Well Stocked Bar, Towne Square Package Store, Through the Eyes of Sam Photography and others.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Schedule Change and More Events!

Third Time's the Charm?
We Hope So!


The
ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER ON THE FARM


Has Been Rescheduled (Again) for May 11th Due to Weather

Same time, same place, different day! The public is invited to attend Rural Resources Annual Meeting and Dinner on May 11th at 6:00 p.m. at Holly Creek Farm. The event is free but donations will be gratefully accepted to help offset the cost.
Guests will be able to tour the new Farm & Food Learning Center, currently under construction, and see the progress on the Farm and Food Teen Training program’s spring garden.



The Farm & Food Learning Center will provide space for programs, community workshops, offices and a commercial kitchen. The Rural Resources staff has been working out of a small trailer, without indoor plumbing, since a fire destroyed the building in 2009. Youth programs have been held in out buildings and a Pavilion donated by the Rotary Club. Thanks to funding from the USDA, the Appalachian Regional Commission, East Tennessee Foundation and many other generous local donors, progress on the learning center is continuing.



Rural Resources is nonprofit working to connect farms, food and families through community education, youth programs and sustainable agriculture.
Holly Creek Farm is located at 2870 Holly Creek Rd, Greeneville. For more information call Rural Resources at 423-636-8171 or register here.


The
Incredible Farm Dinner on Main!



Photo of Farm to Table Dinner in Jonesborough is courtesy of Woven Creative Studios

Tickets are on sale now for the Incredible Farm Dinner on Main!

Meet us downtown on July 23rd at 7:00 p.m. for dinner and live music on Main Street in Greeneville, Tenn. Reserve your place at the table now!
The Incredible Farm Dinner on Main is the “don’t miss” event of the summer in Greeneville, TN.  Enjoy local fare around one community table set to perfection right in the middle of Main Street!  We will gather at 7pm in the lobby of the Capital Theatre for hors d’oeuvres and drinks and then be seated on Main for a 4 course meal.  End the night with more fun inside the Capital.
This event benefits Rural Resources and the Capital Theatre and is made possible with generous sponsorship from Edward Jones Investments with Lee House, Jost, Inc., Tracey Solomon, and others.

 Farm Day Camp Registration is Open!





It's Time for Summer Fun on the Farm!

Farm Day Camp is an opportunity for children ages 4 to 12 to enjoy a full week of hands-on activities on the farm, learning about food's journey from soil to table while building relationships with the land, plants, animals and each other!

The week-long camps run from June 5 to July 28 at  Rural Resources' Holly Creek Farm, 2870 Holly Creek Rd., Greeneville, TN 37745.

The 2017 sessions:
Li'l Sprouts 1, ages 4-5, June 5 - 10; meets 9-noon,
Li'l Sprouts 2, ages 4-5, June 12 - 16; meets 9-noon,
Farm Explorers1, 1st - 3rd Grades, June 19 - 23; 9-3pm
Farm Explorers 2, 1st - 3rd Grades, June 26 - 30; 9-3pm
Farm Explorers 3, 1st - 3rd Grades, July 17 - 21; 9-3pm
Discover Natural Resources Camp, Grades 4-6 or experienced Farm Day
Campers, July 24 - 28; 9-5 M-W, overnight Thurs., and dismisses at noon on Friday

Sprouts $85; Explorers $160; Discovery $225
A limited number of scholarships are available.

Spaces are limited. Register HERE!
Or Contact Sharon at 423-636-8171
or sharon@ruralresources.net