Click to view: http://www.usda.gov/2005/10/0443.xml Release No. 0443.05 Contact: Ed Loyd (202)720-4623 Wayne Maloney (202)690-0498 UNDER SECRETARY DORR ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ARKANSAS LAND AND FARM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Agreement Builds on Landmark 2004 Pact Aimed at Enhancing Opportunities for Minority Farmers: Outreach Center Planned LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 14, 2005- Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr today announced an agreement with the Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation (ALFDC) to establish an outreach and service center to assist minority farmers. The center will be funded through a USDA Rural Development grant of $265,000 to the ALFDC. Dorr announced the agreement in an appearance at the ALFDC's 25th Annual Conference. "This is an important initiative for both USDA and the Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation," said Dorr. "The Center will increase opportunities for minority farmers, increase investment flows to the minority business community and enhance economic opportunities for future generations." Today's announcement provides for the establishment of the Mid-South Delta Farm and Outreach Service Center. The Center will help implement a landmark three-year memorandum of understanding signed by USDA and Marriott International, Inc. in 2004. Under that agreement, Marriott provides a direct avenue for sales of produce from minority farmers to the hospitality industry and technical assistance and mentoring to help minority farmers gain increased access to markets. USDA will support this effort through outreach, technical assistance, training and help in obtaining grants, forming cooperatives and using conservation practices. The new Center is part of the USDA outreach effort. The Center will conduct outreach activities utilizing a client-centered developmental approach. It is expected the center will reach more than 2,500 producers and benefit about 500 operators. The center will also create a certification plan and that will result in the certification of producers to become suppliers to Marriott International as well as other public and private institutional buyers. The Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation is a grassroots organization of landowners, farmers and rural residents in 42 counties in east and south Arkansas. It has helped organize cooperatives, provided technical assistance, and is conducting a youth program in the Mississippi Delta region of the state. USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural communities. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $54 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Over one million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. # USDA News oc.news@xxxxxxxx 202 720-4623 ---------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to webservices@xxxxxxxx and reference your email address.
