Small Farm Outreach Training & Technical Assistance Program
The Small Farm Outreach Training & Technical Assistance Program (SFOT&TAP) is made possible through a cooperative agreement between the North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension Program and the USDA's Farm Service Agency. The SFOT&TAP was created to help farmers take full advantage of FSA programs for which they are eligible. The SFOT&TAP's specialized staff can provide you with the training and technical assistance you need to increase your farm's profitability.
What the SFOT&TAP can do for you
As a farmer, you've undoubtedly faced the stressful challenges of
low yields, cash flow problems, marketing and other farm management issues. This program
is designed to help you overcome this difficulties and get ahead. The SFOT&TAP staff
works closely with all governmental agricultural
agencies and Extension specialists and research scientists at North Carolina's land-grant
institutions to bring farmers the knowledge and skills they need to keep their farms
profitable in a highly competitive environment.
Program objectives
The primary goal of the SFOT&TAP is to help farmers gain the managerial and marketing skills they need to operate their farms with business-like efficiency. The SFOT&TAP staff can help you:
How the program works
The ongoing emphasis for all SFOT&TAP training is increased farm income for participants. The program will help you address family needs and resource limitations as well as farm-related concerns. Farmers enrolled in the program will learn where they are, where they want to go, and how to get there.
The process begins with a thorough review of your current
financial status. The next step is a look at your record keeping system, and ways to
improve it. Topics to follow include budgeting methods, strategic planning, and marketing
efficiency.
FSA loan programs
Although SFOT&TAP training gives farmers the record keeping skills they need to secure loans from all government and commercial lenders, the program has a special emphasis on FSA loan programs. These programs include:
How you can qualify for SFOT&TAP assistance
The SFOT&TAP staff currently serves Bertie, Bladen, Caswell, Duplin, Halifax, Northampton, Person, Robeson and Sampson counties. All it takes is an open mind and a willingness to learn! At your initial interview with a member of the SFOT&TAP staff, a training program tailored to your needs and time constraints will be established. Your personalized training program may include seminars, visits to on-farm demonstrations, classroom instruction and distance learning technologies. It all depends on what you information you need and how the SFOT&TAP staff can connect you with information resources. There is no cost to eligible farmers, and participants may withdraw from the program at any time.
To find out if you qualify, contact your County Extension Center
or the SFOT&TAP headquarters at North Carolina A&T State University.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Daniel Lyons, (336) 334-7024
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