The Carrot Project

Wondering what USDA resources are available to help you achieve your farming goals? Concerned about climate change and contemplating how to manage risk in your operations?
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Join The Carrot Project and the Northern RI Conservation District for a virtual workshop on accessing USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs on Wednesday, August 31st at 7pm. To register for the Zoom workshop, please follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/FSAandNRCSworkshop
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This workshop is intended as an inclusive space for growers – particularly BIPOC, Women, and Beginning growers from MA, CT, and RI – to learn and ask questions. We’ll be covering how to register for a farm and tract number and how producers can apply for and benefit from FSA loans, FSA disaster assistance, USDA whole farm insurance, and NRCS conservation programs. We’ll also cover special provisions available to BIPOC, Women, and Beginning growers. Our goal is to demystify these USDA programs and support folks in accessing the resources available to them.
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This workshop is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number FSA21CPT0011950. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Join The Carrot Project on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 7pm to learn about the USDA Farm Service Agency resources available to support farmers and food producers and how to access them! This is an in-person workshop at Auerfarm in Bloomfield, CT. Space is limited. Please reserve your spot by pre-registering through this link: https://forms.gle/1PmTtvpdnHUhxHxY6
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This workshop is intended as an inclusive space for growers – particularly BIPOC, Women, and Beginning growers – to learn and ask questions. Backyard and urban growers are welcome! Our goal is to demystify these USDA programs and to help break down barriers to accessing these resources.
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We’ll go over: 1) Getting started and registering for a farm number; 2) Loans and tips for applying; 3) Disaster Assistance programs and how to receive help after a crop or livestock loss; 4) Micro Farm Whole Farm Revenue Protection (whole farm insurance for small, diversified operations); and 5) Special provisions available to BIPOC, Women, and Beginning Growers.
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Can’t make the in-person workshop? Stay tuned for an upcoming, virtual workshop to be announced shortly!
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This workshop is offered in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and New CT Farmer Alliance. Special thanks to 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm for hosting us.
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This workshop is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number FSA21CPT0011950. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Come see The Carrot Project and many other fantastic farming and gardening organizations at the in Amherst, MA!
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We’ll be there all day Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7 – and our wonderful Outreach Coordinator, Amanda Chang, will be presenting our workshop, “Navigating USDA: Advancing Equitable Access for BIPOC, Women, and Beginning Growers” at 1:00pm on Saturday.
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This conference is a great chance to gather with knowledgeable and friendly folks, swap ideas, and learn new skills and access resources to achieve your goals for your farm business.
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Registration fees are on a sliding scale. You can learn more and register here: https://linktr.ee/nofasummerconference. We hope to see you there!

The Development and Communications Coordinator is central in our work uplifting a just and resilient farm and food system in Southern New England. The DCC engages our community of supporters, agricultural entrepreneurs, and partners through events, social media, and newsletters. They rally support for flourishing farm and food businesses through fundraising campaigns, grants, and donor stewardship. If you thrive in a small dynamic organization and want to be a part of building a brighter farm and food future in our region, learn more and apply at https://tinyurl.com/temporarydccposition.

In an environment of uneven access, quality, and knowledge, the Alliance’s purpose is to ensure consistent and equitable access to high-quality, culturally competent business technical assistance for farm and food entrepreneurs. We bring together providers and organizations from across New England and New York’s Hudson Valley to address shared challenges, facilitate more uniform high-quality coverage, and more effectively share and expand limited resources.

The Alliance is looking for a leader to serve as Program Director to establish and sustain a strong and diverse coalition of business technical assistance providers that facilitates professional development, networking, and advocacy opportunities for members – while cultivating a pipeline of future service providers and securing resources to benefit the entire Alliance.

Learn more and apply at: https://tinyurl.com/allianceprogramdirector

We are thrilled to announce that Myra Marcellin has joined The Carrot Project as our new Executive Director! Myra brings more than 25 years of experience working with New England’s farmers as Vice-President and Senior Loan Officer at Farm Credit East. Through her work at FCE, Myra has helped many small and mid-size farmers realize their business goals and objectives and helped young, beginning farmers start their businesses as part of FCE’s FarmStart Program.

Myra’s strengths strongly align with The Carrot Project’s commitment to racial and economic justice. She spearheaded and oversaw FCE’s new equity initiative, “Leading Diversity” – working tirelessly to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization. She is also a member of CISA’s (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) Racial Equity Task Force.

Myra brings tremendous experience, knowledge, connections, and leadership to New England’s agriculture. At CISA, she serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, and she is a Trustee to the Eastern States Exposition representing the State of Massachusetts. Locally, Myra has participated in the music ministry at her church, and she served on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club Family Center. During her tenure on the Center’s Board, she held executive roles as Treasurer, 1st Vice President, and, most recently, as President.

In her own words, Myra expresses it best: “This position calls upon my passion to serve the agricultural community and to help build a strong local food economy by creating successful and viable farm operations. It also appeals to my deep sense of responsibility to help build a more racially diverse, equitable, and just food system.”

Please join all of us at The Carrot Project in welcoming Myra to this incredible organization.

Thanks for asking about Business Technical Assistance at today's House Ag hearing. 50 members of Congress,119 organizations nationally remain interested in how USDA will continue to address this need. See the May 2020 letters:

Requesting USDA Set Aside Funding for Farm and Food Business Technical Assistance Visit Farmland Information Center Donate About Our History What’s at Stake How We Work Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Our Staff Our Board Annual Report and Financial Information Our Work Keeping Farmers on the Land Promoting Sound Farming Practices Protecting Farmland Where We Work Proj...