The Gurr family moved from a nursery at their home to a retail space near the capital of American Samoa.

by Josephine Lealasola, agricultural specialist, American Samoa FSA

Island Flowers by Liana opened their doors to American Samoa on May 7, 2008 — the week of Mother’s day — and business has been blooming every since. From humble beginnings selling cut flowers directly out of nurseries from their home in Maloata, this family run operation has become one of the leading florist shops on the island and a growing contributor to the local economy.

Prior to receiving FSA loan assistance, Donna and Pete Gurr sold cut flowers and potted plants from a nursery at their home for more than 20 years. Florists throughout the community would contact them to buy orchids, anthuriums, and other tropical plants.

“The support we received from the community has been overwhelming. Although we import some flowers, the majority of our products are locally grown and this is what our customers prefer for their floral arrangements,” said Donna.

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The Minnesota Food Association (MFA) is working with federal and national organizations to help low-income populations and immigrants get out of poverty and stay out. MFA, a part of the National Immigrant Farming Initiative, an advocacy group in Washington, D.C., teaches everything from starting seeds and operating a consumer supported agriculture program to applying for a loan through the USDA Farm Service Agency. MFA Executive Director Rigoberto Delgado said immigrants are replacing the disappearing American family farmer, citing that the number of Latino farmers has increased 14 percent between 2002-2007. Since 2007, the MFA program has taught100 immigrants and minorities to operate financially viable organic farms. Read more (Minnpost.com).

One of the worst floods to hit Vermont in nearly 83 years damaged 10,000 acres of farmland and left about 100 refugee farmers struggling to re-establish their livelihood. Tropical Storm Irene hit the area last August destroying $25,000 worth of crops and equipment. According to Robert Paquin, FSA state executive director, the agency received nearly $4.5 million in requests to help restore more than 450 commercial farms statewide. For the Burundi and Napali refugees who fled to Vermont 12 years ago to escape military unrest in their countries, farming was a successful endeavor in their country. Today, they aim to find the same success in the United States. Read more (New York Times).

by Latawnya Dia, FSA public affairs specialist

If you didn’t attend the FSA Washington, D.C. employee third annual Spring Fling, you missed good food and a great time.  The weather was perfect and there was no shortage of food or fun for the nearly 250 people who attended. 

The FSA Spring Fling is the brainchild of Ms. Cooksie who set up the event to encourage team building within the agency.  “I saw this as an opportunity to allow employees a chance to get to know each other outside of the office setting and to build camaraderie,” said Cooksie.

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Compost tea (a mixture of recycled organic matter soaked in water), hydroponic living basil, and organic certification are terms that, at first glance, may not have much of a connection to military veterans. Colin Archipley, a decorated Marine sergeant, and his wife Karen however saw the combination as a win-win when they founded the Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) program outside San Diego, Calif. Read more (USDA blog). 

Left to right: Michael Kahn, associate director of the Agricultural Research Center; Dave Knopf, NASS state director; Sherre Copeland, NRCS partnership liaison; Dave Paul, RMA regional director; Brenton Sharratt, ARS Research leader; Dan Bernardo, Ph.D., dean, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University; Mario Villenueva, RD state director; Judy Olson, FSA state executive director; Roylene Rides, NRCS state conservationist; Jim Lindstrom, professional development director, WSU Extension.

by Chris Bieker, outreach coordinator, Washington State FSA

Sometimes it takes an anniversary to appreciate what we take for granted. This year commemorates 150 years since the founding of two types of institutions that touch the lives of people across Washington state and the world — public land-grant universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As part of the anniversary celebration, USDA leaders in Washington celebrated the longstanding partnership with Washington State University on May 11.

The USDA State Food and Agriculture Council (FAC) moved their regular meeting to the WSU campus in Pullman and followed it with a partnership celebration. The highlight of the celebration was hearing how each agency interacted with WSU. Dan Bernardo, Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) returned the appreciation of USDA. The university and USDA have partnered in the areas of crop production, energy, rural infrastructure and economies, conservation and so much more. USDA grants and research partnerships have played an integral role in WSU's ability to carry out its mission.

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