A new Know Your Farmer memo from USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan entitled USDA Research, Education and Economics support for local and regional food systems was released today.

Merrigan recently developed the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Program at USDA, is a friend of small and beginning farmers, and a supporter of sustainable agriculture.

Click here to read the full KnowYourFarmerMemo

The Memo Highlights:

Programs you can apply to to develop, test, and educate about innovations:

1) Community Food Projects

2) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

3) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

4) Small Business Innovation Research

5) Specialty Crops Research Initiative

6) Organic Agriculture Research and Extension

7) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

and Programs where you can get information and technical assistance:

8) Agricultural Research Service

9) Economic Research Service

10) National Agricultural Statistics Service

11) National Agricultural Library

12) Cooperative Extension

Read the KnowYourFarmerMemo