News 2016

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that $44 million is available to farmers, ranchers, and food entrepreneurs to develop new product lines. Funding will be made available through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.
The deadline to apply electronically is June 24; for paper submitted application the deadline is July 1.  Up to $75,000 is available for planning grants and up to $250,000 is available for implementation grants, with project periods lasting from one to three years depending on the complexity of the project.
According to Traci Bruckner, Assistant Director of Policy at the Center for Rural Affairs, “These grants assist farmers and ranchers in starting or expanding ventures that increase the value of raw farm and ranch products and market unique and high-quality food  products, including local, natural, and organic foods. In times of low commodity prices, the help available through this program is especially appealing.”
Bruckner went on to explain that the grant program gives priority to projects that expand opportunities for small and mid-sized family farms and for beginning, socially disadvantaged, and military veteran farmers and ranchers. Local food marketing projects are eligible as well, particularly for distribution systems that increase the return to the farmer.
According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) the $44 million funding opportunity, the largest single-year award allocation in the program’s history, represents a boon for producers who are able to put forward proposals this year, but could leave future potential applicants out in the cold. This year’s allocation combines $10.75 million in discretionary funds from the FY 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act with half of the program’s 2014 Farm Bill mandatory funding – funding that was intended to last through the entire five-year farm bill cycle.
“Releasing half of the total 2014 Farm Bill money in just one funding cycle curtails the program’s ability to support farmers in developing value-added enterprises in future years,” said NSAC Policy Director Ferd Hoefner. “We wholeheartedly support VAPG, a program which we have championed since its inception, but are disappointed in the decision to spend the majority of funds in a single grant round, leaving 2017 and 2018 shortchanged. We will continue to urge USDA to adopt strategies that ensure sound fiscal management and program effectiveness.”
Hoefner added, Timing has also been an issue for the program in recent years. Farmers and farm organizations have requested that USDA run the application process during the winter, when farmers are less busy and have more time to put together applications. Though USDA officials have repeatedly stated that this is their intent, the application cycle timing has been unpredictable and often delayed, with only one year in the last seven being issued in the winter months of the assigned fiscal year.
“This is a great program and its impact has been tremendous, but the ongoing tardiness of VAPG releases is less than ideal,” continued Hoefner. “By delaying the release of funding and not issuing the applications until the beginning of planting season, among the busiest of times for producers, farmers are discouraged from participating. It is our continuing hope that future application cycles will be better attuned to the needs and schedules of farmers.”
The delay also negates the farm bill provision designating 10 percent of total funding for a separate pool that only beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers compete for and another 10 percent for a separate pool for mid-tier value chains that link farmers to processors, distributors, and market outlets. Congress, assuming the program would start up in the winter months, set a June 30 end date for making awards under the special pools, the eighth month point in the government’s fiscal year. This year the application deadline is not until the day after the farm bill’s award deadline under the special priority funding pools, and hence they will not apply.
Farmers and ranchers can find a working proposal template for the Value Added Producer Grant Program at the following link –
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants
Additionally, in an effort to assist farmers and ranchers applying for a grant, NSAC released a guide; Farmers’ Guide to Value-Added Producer Grant Funding. The guide (available free at http://sustainableagriculture.net/publications/) includes clear information on new program rules and contains a step-by-step description of the application and ranking processes, with helpful hints to improve a producer’s chances of obtaining funding from the highly competitive program.  It also describes the program priorities for small and medium-sized family farms, beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and mid-tier value chains (regional supply networks with active farmer participation).
Moreover NSAC is partnering with USDA Rural Development to hold a webinar on the Value-Added Producer Grant program for prospective applicants and groups who work with farmers and ranchers.
The webinar, to be held May 6, will be helpful for prospective applicants and for organizations who work with applicants. Topics covered include program and funding history of the Value Added Producer Grant, an overview of the program, information about eligibility, applications requirements, the evaluation and scoring criteria, examples of funded projects, and “plenty of time for nitty gritty questions,” according to NSAC. More information on the webinar can be found: http://www.cfra.org/events/value-added-producer-grant-program-outreach-w…
Applicants are encouraged to contact their state USDA RD offices well in advance of the deadline to discuss their projects and ask any questions about the application process.http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices .
“Farmers or ranchers needing planning or working capital funds to move their value-added ideas forward should check out the Value-Added Producer Grants program,” concluded Bruckner.

As a member of my Small Business Advisory Committee, I wanted you to be among the first to hear the news: This week the House passed H.J.Res. 88, a resolution using Congress’s power under the Congressional Review Act to nullify the Department of Labor’s harmful new fiduciary rule. This rule would broaden the definition of “fiduciary” to put more financial advisors and types of financial planning services under the government’s control. 
Under the new rule, providing basic information about retirement planning will be severely restricted and Americans could lose access to the financial advisors they know and trust. Ultimately, the rule could increase retirement savings costs for low-income and middle-class Americans, the very people it claims to protect. 
The government should not impose a “one-size-fits-all” approach to retirement saving that impedes Tennesseans’ access to financial planning. That is why the House already voted last year with my support to delay this rule, and took this critical action just yesterday to formally reject it altogether, ensuring that we can preserve access to affordable investment options. 
Regulations like this put a wet blanket on our economy. You know, as I do, that Americans deserve the opportunity to plan for their future and save for their retirement without federal government intervention each step of the way. I hope the Senate will follow the House’s lead and pass this measure to keep Washington bureaucrats out of your financial planning

Friday night the Cannon County community will come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much.  The Cannon County chapter of the American Cancer Society will hold the Cannon County Relay for Life event at the Cannon County Courthouse in Woodbury. 

Relay For Life teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around the courthouse area.   Events are up to 24 hours long, and because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times.  Tonight’s event honors those lost to Cancer with the luminara ceremony after it gets dark.  There will also be a recognition of those that have survived cancer or are currently diagnosed with cancer.

The event starts at 6:00 

Just in time for Mother’s Day the Arts Center of Cannon County presents the 2016 Jewelry Showcase.  The event is set for Saturday from 10A-4P Join in for the indoor Jewelry Showcase to shop for fabulous, unique gifts from local craft artists. Over a dozen Middle Tennessee jewelry makers will be in attendance, selling a wide selection of hand-crafted silver, copper, leather, stone, and beaded jewelry. Admission to the event is free, so bring a friend and come out to support your area artists!

 “The weather forecast for Friday is 86 degrees and sunny.  We want to invite you to show your support for child abuse victims by putting on your tennis shoes and walking in the Hometown Heroes Walk for Children,” encouraged Child Advocacy Center Board President Terry Fann.
 
The Child Advocacy Center is celebrating Child Abuse Awareness Month with the Hometown Heroes Walk for Children on Friday afternoon, April 29, 2016 downtown on the square at the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza.  Registration will begin at 12:00 noon, speakers at 12:45 p.m., and the Walk will begin at 1:00 p.m.  The event will conclude with a reception at the Child Advocacy Center, located at 1040 Samsonite Blvd.  Rover will be available to transport walkers back to the Civic Plaza after the reception.
 
The Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit agency that works as a multidisciplinary team with Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to respond to child abuse cases and investigate the allegations.  The Department of Children’s Services protects children, law enforcement arrests perpetrators, the District Attorney’s Office aggressively prosecutes offenders, while the Child Advocacy Center helps child victims and their families heal from the trauma of the abuse.
 
In the last 16 years, the Child Protective Investigative Team has investigated 12,237 child abuse cases and assisted 17,311 individuals in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.  It is not enough to respond to child sexual abuse, the Child Advocacy Center wants to prevent it from happening.  The “Darkness to Light” child sexual abuse prevention program has taught 6,400 parents, grandparents, and professionals the steps to take to protect children from child sexual abuse, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse, and react responsibly by reporting the crime to the authorities.  
 
In the State of Tennessee all child abuse, child sexual abuse, and drug endangered children are reported to the Department of Children’s Services at 1-877-237-0004.  This is the first step in activating the multi-disciplinary response of the Child Protective Investigative Team.
 
“We are excited about our new event, the Hometown Heroes Walk for Children.  The proceeds from the Walk will support critically needed services for child abuse victims and the work of the multi-disciplinary team,” continued Fann.  “The only thing that would make it better is if YOU would join us on Friday afternoon.  We would like to have a huge crowd of walkers showing our children how much our community supports them.”
 
To pre-register for the Walk or if you have questions, contact Jessica Wauchek at the Child Advocacy Center at 615-867-9000 or jessicawauchek@bellsouth.net.  You can also register at the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza on Friday afternoon from 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
 

A Cannon County man who had active warrants for his arrest recently was taken into custody following a burglary in progress call.  According to Cannon County Sheriff’s Department reports, Deputies responded to a McMinnville Hwy residence after receiving the call.  After arrival it was determined that Steven Davis lived at the residence and was trying to get into the house because he locked his keys inside the house.  There was no crime being committed, however when they ran Davis’s information to check for active warrants, dispatch stated that he had active warrants for revoked drivers license 3rd offense and leaving the scene of an accident.  Davis was transported to the Cannon County Sheriff’s Office and warrants were served on him.

During this past weekend the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department conducted a saturation patrol with grant funds from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.  There were five additional officers patrolling the county who cited drivers for the following:  Three speeding, one improper turn, one improper passing, one seat belt and one for reckless driving.
 

There are blue and silver pinwheels blowing in the breeze on sunny, spring days all over Rutherford and Cannon Counties.
“We have a record number of organizations in Rutherford and Cannon County planting pinwheel gardens to show their support of child abuse victims this year,” announced Ryan Wallace, Child Advocacy Center Community Education Coordinator.
Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee organized the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign.  There are 187 places in the State of Tennessee that have pinwheel gardens and 24 of them are in Rutherford and Cannon counties.  The 2016 Pinwheels for Prevention campaign slogan is:  Every child deserves a great childhood.  “At the Child Advocacy Center we echo the Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign slogan.  Rutherford County and Cannon County are family oriented communities.  We believe that every child deserves a great childhood and children who have been physically and sexually abused deserve our communities’ support,” stated Child Advocacy Center director Sharon DeBoer.
As of right now there is only one pinwheel garden in Cannon County and that is located at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center.  Businesses and organizations are urged to support this campaign For more information please call 563-9915
 

The Town of Woodbury has formed a steering committee to apply for the Tennessee Downtown Grant Program.  The five person steerign committee has partnered with the Upper Cumberland Development District to apply for this two year program.  If awarded, the Town of Woodbury will be granted $15,000 to spend on the downtown business district after spending a year learning about the Main Street points of design, promotion, organization and economic restructuring.  Eligible projects include awnings, facades, streetscape, lighting, way-finding and similar projects to help revitalize the downtown.  The application awards will be announced in June.

The Motlow State Community College Moore County campus will host a Volunteer Fair in the Eoff Hall Lobby on Apr. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The purpose of the fair is to link students with local non-profit organizations who are in need of volunteers.

“Students will have the opportunity to learn more about local community service opportunities in their area,” said Jonathan Graham, Motlow Tennessee Promise Specialist. “All Tennessee Promise students must complete eight hours of community service each semester in order to remain eligible for the Tennessee Promise Scholarship. This is a wonderful way to bring community service opportunities to the student.”

The fair is hosted by Motlow State in coordination with the United Way of Coffee and Moore Counties Volunteer Management Program, and will feature eight non-profit organizations: The Humane Society, Partners for Healing, Millennium Repertory Company, Life Choices, Keep Coffee County Beautiful, Good Samaritan, Haven of Hope, and United Way.

For additional information contact Rhonda Cotham, director of student success, at rcotham@mscc.edu or 931-393-1719.