FCS Diversity and Inclusion - PROPOSED RULE - MARCH 2011
Dear Mr. Van Meter,
Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion. As a beginner local small farmer currently looking for land, my biggest obstacle is finding financial assistance and business support. This amendment could help me get my farm started as well as help many of the other small beginning farmers find the resources they need to start or keep their farms and continue to provide local food that is in such high demand. This amendment that will emphasis investing in small local farmers will be a great help in building a stronger local and regional food system which in turn will assure national security, community well-bing, health, food justice and spur the local economy. Please include in FCS marketing plan: 1. A plan for conducting outreach to local and regional food producers 2. A commitment to adding local and regional food producers to the FCS board. 3. A plan for developing lending and business support products with terms and benefits appropriate for local and regional food producers.