FCS Diversity and Inclusion - PROPOSED RULE - MARCH 2011
Dear Mr. Van Meter,
From my work with small farms and businesses supporting local food sales in the St. Croix River Valley, I am glad that the Farm Credit System is taking a look on how it can better serve this part of the rural economy. In deciding what needs to be put into the FCS marketing plans, please include the following: --- requirement that each FCS institution create a baseline analysis of producers who meet the farm bill definition of local and regional food producers by number of borrowers, by loan volume, and other key characteristics. ---a plan for conducting outreach to local and regional food producers and informing the public about that plan on a regular basis, ---An investment goal for local and regional food producers of not less than 10% of each institution’s capital within 5 years.
Thank you for taking my comment.
Dana Jackson 2200 4TH ST WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110