Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold a series of in-depth workshops and trainings, and emerging USDA programs for farmers on Thursday, July 28. The event will be held from 1 to 6:15 p.m. at Albany State University in Peace Hall, Room 127.
 
Farmers will be able to speak directly with USDA officials regarding operating capital, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and other programs and services.
 
Speakers include: Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Vernita Dore; Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Lanon Baccam; Administrator for the Farm Service Agency Val Dolcini, and State  Director of Rural Development Georgia Jill Stuckey.
 
This event is hosted by the Albany State University Center of Excellence for Community Engagement and the Southwest Georgia Project for Community Education, Inc., a local non-profit that has been in existence for more than 50 years.
 
All workshops are free and open to the public. For information, contact: Amber Bell, (229) 430-9870 or [email protected]; Timothy Sweet-Holp, ASU associate professor of political science and director of the Center, (229) 430-5155 or [email protected].