Agricultural Finance Corporation’s Post

In the last few weeks we have been looking into what the new Labour government, and its first budget, might mean for agri-food. If you have missed our coverage, here are some of the resources to catch up on: What could the Labour government do if it really wanted to tackle the issues in the food system? And what has it already done? Read our briefing with insights from Hannah Brinsden, head of policy and advocacy at The Food Foundation and Andrew Meredith, Editor at Farmers Weekly 👉 tinyurl.com/bde43n55 Or watch the webinar on which it is based 👉 tinyurl.com/49t9d6a8 What does the Autumn Budget mean for the agri-food sector? Our incoming Policy Champions have written some analysis: 🕶 Elta Smith provides overall analysis 👉 tinyurl.com/386xduu6 🚜 Emily Norton looks at the implications for farming and land use 👉 tinyurl.com/2x9y8ayy 🍎 Ali Morpeth digests the outlook for food and health 👉 tinyurl.com/4u4wrzzt Read our digests providing a quick update on the implications for food and health 👉  tinyurl.com/36v3xya8 and farming and the countryside 👉 tinyurl.com/36xwdszj

Exciting news for Michigan's agricultural community🌳The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development has announced the availability of over $8 million in grants through the Michigan Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program. These grants are designed to enhance the processing, storage, and distribution capabilities of local and regional food products. Whether you're looking to expand, modernize equipment, or enhance your operational capacity, this grant might be the right opportunity for you. Learn more about how you can benefit from this grant program on our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/giz6tXZg Understanding the intricacies of grant applications can be challenging. At Wooten Grants Consulting, we specialize in navigating the complexities of grant writing to help your agribusiness secure the funding it needs to grow.

Substantial reforms to the Board of the Isle of Man's only abattoir have been announced today by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. The initiative, which follows months of thorough review and consideration, will see the appointment of five new directors to the Meat Plant’s Board, including a new Chair. The primary objective of the restructured Board will be to stabilise operations and provide enhanced certainty for farmers regarding production levels. This approach aims to build on the foundations put in place by the current Board and management team, improve product supply for consumers and ultimately strengthen the food security and agricultural vitality of the Isle of Man. Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: "This Government is committed to maintaining a strong and vibrant agricultural sector on the Isle of Man, and today’s changes mark an important step in the ongoing work towards securing the abattoir's long-term future." Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/9zo750TqWSP

These funds give us the capacity to invest in foundational needs and make improvements on New York farms, which are the critical base to support New York’s dairy processors and the regional Northeast market. The program will give businesses the ability to implement projects that will strengthen their operations while improving dairy supply chain efficiency and building a more resilient regional food system where New York plays a crucial role. #NYSDairy #NYSFarms #dairyfarms

🗞Exciting news! Yesterday, Ertharin Cousin, Founder and CEO of Food Systems for the Future (FSF) and Arturo Rodriguez, United Farm Workers President Emeritus, presented as co-chairs of the USDA Equity Commission, a comprehensive report with 66 recommendations aimed at advancing equity. 🚜 The recommendations highlight the commitment to bringing more fairness to policies affecting agriculture in rural America. As stated in the report, "Our recommendations are rightfully focused on underserved farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and other eligible USDA program recipients. We also strongly emphasize that our work is ultimately aimed at making USDA a better institution for every American." 📖 Dive into the full report to explore the strategies and initiatives proposed by the Equity Commission to enhance equity in the USDA. 🔗 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gy4RU63E

Cooperatives play a vital role in the fabric of rural America, supporting local economies, providing essential services, and empowering communities. From agriculture to utilities, co-ops are driving innovation and fostering a sense of unity across the country. 🌾💪 Check out this article from USDA to learn more about how cooperatives are strengthening rural communities and helping them thrive! 👉

Join the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) free webinar to hear from logistics professionals about the value of strategic management of logistics for resilience and reliability. The webinar will include how to manage the cost of logistics in North America, how moving your goods includes more than the cost of getting them from you to your customers and how your shipping partners impact your ability to get goods to your customers on time.  >> Register here: https://bit.ly/3yc3zwF City of Richmond Hill York Link | York Region Economic Development Ontario Federation of Agriculture

The Scottish government is consulting on options for phasing out the use of enriched cages to house laying hens for egg production in Scotland. Three options have been proposed: *A 2030 ban on enriched cage production *A 2030 ban on installing new cages leading to a 2034 ban on enriched cage production *An information campaign to encourage all retailers to commit to stop stocking/selling eggs or egg products from enriched cages by 2034.

📊 Unlock the Power of Your Farm Focus Reports! 🐄 Attention all dairy farmers! Ready to take your farm business to the next level? Join us for an exclusive webinar: "Understand Your Farm Business Better with Farm Focus Reports – Focus on Dairy" 📅 Date: Tuesday 17 September 🕐 Time: 12PM - 1PM 🎟 Register for FREE: https://lnkd.in/gj9i4ZfP Dive deep into your Farm Focus reports and discover how they can provide crucial insights to drive your dairy business forward. This session will guide you on how to interpret and leverage these reports for smarter decision-making and improved farm performance. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your understanding and optimise your farm's potential! #FarmFocus #DairyFarming #FarmReports #FarmManagement #FreeWebinar

Good to see this wide-ranging assurance review begin to take shape under the leadership of the farming unions & AHDB.