Montana USDA schedules 2015 Reservation community meetings

Press release

BOZEMAN — USDA’s State Food & Agriculture Council in Montana announced seven USDA Community Meetings scheduled on Montana’s seven Indian reservations from Feb. 2 to Feb. 9 to promote the availability of USDA programs.

The meetings will include USDA updates on the Agricultural Act of 2014, also known as the 2014 Farm Bill. The meetings are hosted by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development in partnership with the Intertribal Agriculture Council, tribal colleges and the Indian Nations Conservation Alliance.

USDA administers federal agricultural programs, including farm loan, disaster, conservation, housing, business and community programs that benefit farmers, ranchers, individuals and communities.

“The 2014 Farm Bill brought many positive changes to USDA programs and I encourage you to attend a local meeting to learn more about the many benefits available through USDA,” said Tony Preite, Rural Development State Director and chair of the interagency USDA council. “I can’t think of a better way to learn about all of the changes and opportunities these programs can bring to a person, business, and to Montana communities.”

The meetings include:

• Tues., Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Browning at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Conference Room, 50 Museum Loop,

• Tues., Feb. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. in Rocky Boy at the Stone Child College Jon Morsette Vocational Center, 8294 Upper Box Elder Rd.

• Wed., Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Fort Belknap Agency at the Tribal Transportation/Transit Building, 258 Agency Main Street.

FSA, NRCS and RD representatives will each discuss program opportunities available through their respective agencies. For the day meetings, lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. For the evening meetings, dinner will be served at 5 p.m. During the last hour of each meeting, community members will have one-on-one time to visit with RD, NRCS and FSA officials about programs of interest.

A meeting schedule poster is available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/15_usdaiacmtgs.pdf. Individual meeting posters are available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/mt.

For questions or more information, contact Jennifer Cole,USDA Farm Service Agency, at 406-587-6786, [email protected] or Michael Dann, USDA Rural Development, at 406-585-2587, [email protected].

People with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact Jennifer Cole at 406-587-6786 or [email protected] or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.