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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding through USDA’s new ReConnect Program to connect rural areas that currently have insufficient broadband service.
Answering the administration’s call to action for rural prosperity, Congress appropriated funds in the fiscal year 2018 budget for this broadband pilot program. USDA Rural Development is the primary agency delivering the program, with assistance from other federal partners.
“High-speed internet e-Connectivity is a necessity, not an amenity, vital for quality of life and economic opportunity, so we hope that today rural communities kick off their rural broadband project planning,” Secretary Perdue said. “Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA has worked to understand the true needs of rural communities facing this challenge so we can be strong partners to create high-speed, reliable broadband e-Connectivity.”
USDA will make available approximately $200 million for grants (applications due to USDA by April 29), as well as $200 million for loan and grant combinations (applications due May 29), and $200 million for low-interest loans (applications due by June 28).
Projects funded through this initiative must serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10 megabits per second (mbps) download and 1 mbps upload.
Approved projects must create access speeds of at least 25 mbps upload and 3 mbps download. Priority will be awarded for projects that propose to deliver higher-capacity connections to rural homes, businesses and farms.
USDA seeks to stretch these funds as far as possible by leveraging existing networks and systems without overbuilding existing services greater than 10/1 mbps.
Evaluation criteria include connecting agricultural production and marketing, e-Commerce, health care and education facilities. Previous research by USDA has demonstrated that high-capacity broadband is critical to all aspects of rural prosperity, including the ability to grow and attract businesses, retain and develop talent, and maintain rural quality of life.
To help customers with the application process, USDA is holding a series of online webinars and regional in-person workshops. The full list of upcoming public webinars and workshops can be found at the ReConnect Program’s resource portal at www.reconnect.usda.gov.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities.
In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – There is a world of talk these days about eating better, from-scratch and real food.
The benefits of real food vs boxed or frozen are well documented. However, for some folks this presents a problem … it means cooking.
If you want to start to cook and eat from-scratch food or if you have a friend who is already a food lover and wants to learn more, look no further than Dancing Poly Farm & Food.
They’ve just announced their 2019 Cookin’ on the Farm class schedule and they offer gift certificates.
The schedule is filled with new offerings as well as new dates for this year’s most popular classes.
The offerings are vast and varied; from knife skills to risotto, getting meat right to seasonal soups, Greek feast to canning brandied pears.
The focus on The Farm is always real food for real people with real lives. In all their classes, they cover topics such as cooking for the week, freezing and shortcuts and classes are geared to every level of cook.
Gift certificates are available and sign-up is open at their Web site or by calling 707-413-0054.
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- Written by: California Controller’s Office
Personal income tax (PIT), sales tax, and corporation tax – the state’s “big three” revenue sources – all were higher than expected in the enacted budget.
For the fiscal year, revenues of $44.97 billion are 5.4 percent ($2.29 billion) higher than projected in the budget enacted at the end of June. Total revenues for FY 2018-19 thus far are 9.8 percent ($4.02 billion) higher than through the same five months of FY 2017-18.
For November, PIT receipts of $5.96 billion were 22.3 percent ($1.09 billion) more than expected in the FY 2018-19 Budget Act.
Sales tax receipts of $3.52 billion for November were 12.4 percent ($388.4 million) greater than anticipated in the FY 2018-19 budget.
November corporation taxes of $26.9 million were 2.8 percent higher than FY 2018-19 Budget Act estimates.
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- Written by: California Department of Food and Agriculture
Food and Agricultural Code Section 10610 provides for the establishment of a task force to advise the secretary of agriculture on the control and management of cattle diseases and evaluate the effectiveness of cattle health programs.
The term of office for a member of CHATF is two years. Members of the committee receive no compensation, but they are entitled to reimbursement for per diem expenses such as mileage, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.
The vacancy is for one member representing the cattle research/extension sector.
Individuals interested in this CHATF appointment should send a brief resume by Dec. 28, 2018 to: California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health Branch, 1220 N St., Sacramento, California 95814, Attention: Dr. Anita Edmondson.