SED Daniel Robinson participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies for two new agricultural centers — the Carver Integrative Sustainability Center and the Black Belt Family Farm Fruit and Vegetable Marketing and Innovation Center.
by Vicki A. Lane, FSA public relations/outreach specialist
More than 200 agricultural workers from around the southeastern United States recently gathered in Tuskegee, Ala., for the 69th Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC) held at Tuskegee University.
This year’s event focused on enhancing the skills and contributions of agricultural professionals by sharing new technologies and information, and included a groundbreaking ceremony for two new agricultural centers.
The annual conference featured work sessions on successful marketing opportunities, advancing rural women leaders, improving the delivery of USDA programs, USDA agricultural and rural communities’ success stories, grant writing, and preparing youth for agricultural careers.
Alabama Farm Service Agency participation in the conference included a presentation by Vickie Lane, State Outreach Coordinator, regarding accessing FSA information, newsletters and updates through FSA’s electronic news service — GovDelivery. Alabama FSA Chief Farm Loan Specialist Anthony McCarty presented four FSA Farm Loan Program success stories for discussion and dialog. Presentations also were made by SED Daniel Robinson and Program Technician Stephanie Fitzpatrick. Chief Agricultural Program Specialist William Henderson and CED Joe Capps provided FSA resource information during several work sessions throughout the conference. FSA also participated and exhibited during the USDA Career Fair, held for Tuskegee University students.
SED Daniel Robinson participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies for two new agricultural centers — the Carver Integrative Sustainability Center and the Black Belt Family Farm Fruit and Vegetable Marketing and Innovation Center.
The Carver Integrative Sustainability Center, to be erected on the campus of historic Tuskegee University, will provide farmers in the surrounding areas access to a wealth of information about grants and government programs. This one-stop environment center will be used to empower underserved farmers and rural communities, as well as house a USDA Service Center, to include local offices of NRCS, Rural Development and FSA. It also will provide space for Tuskegee students to conduct research and learn various aspects of agribusiness. The center is slated to be completed by Dec. 1, 2012.
The Black Belt Family Farm Fruit and Vegetable Marketing and Innovative Center, to be located in Selma, Ala., will be used by farmers to receive, package, temporarily store and ship produce. Students will conduct research at this innovative center on product quality, nutrition, food safety, marketing, shipping, and profitability.
