By Reggie Premo, UNCE/FRTEP, Duck Valley Tribal Outreach Rep

   As a tribal outreach representative for our Duck Valley reservation and an employee of the University of NV Cooperative Extension and the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Programs, I’d like to provide our community with some valuable information regarding USDA programs that several local farm/ranch producers have accessed in 2010-11 and what expectations the coming new year holds. Specific USDA Programs include the Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development (RD), and the NV Division of Agriculture (NDOA).
   NRCS has funded several local farm/ranch producers with conservation practices in the past two years, which included: brush management; weed management; fencing; land leveling; buried irrigation pipeline; sprinkler irrigation; and the hi-tunnel/hoop house. The 2008 Farm Bill provides Socially Disadvantaged farmers and ranchers with a 90% cost share rate, for example, if it costs $2,500 to construct a fence, NRCS will pay 90% of the entire project or $2,250 and the remaining 10% or $250 will be the producer’s out of pocket expense, in addition 30% advance payment may be available to purchase materials for specific practices. Since Farm Bills usually last approximately 5 years, the next one which is scheduled for 2012 may or may not provide such a high cost share percentage, however, as an Extension representative for our tribal producers, I do encourage our NV State NRCS office to continue providing funding for conservation practices on our reservation and stress the need for continued collaboration, as well as ongoing outreach and education. UNCE/FRTEP has invited the NRCS Elko District staff to Duck Valley on three separate occasions in 2010-11 to provide presentations on the specifics of their numerous programs, including application, implementation, and management of conservation practices.
   FSA provides its Direct Loan Programs for Farm Ownership Loans (FO) to purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings and other fixtures, and promote soil and water conservation.
   Operating Loans (OL) may be used to purchase livestock, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, and other operating expenses. Each fiscal year FSA targets a portion of its direct and guaranteed (FO) and (OL) funds to Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Loans. Youth loans target individual rural youth to establish and operate income producing projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4H clubs, Future Farmers of America, or similar organizations. Many youth on our reservation have started production with the Youth Loan program.
   Rural Development is yet another USDA program that has not been, to my knowledge accessed by any of our local farmers and ranchers in Duck Valley. One of their programs that local producers may qualify for is the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This program targets those producers interested in installing solar, wind, bio-fuel or any other form of “green energy” on their farms, ranches, or small businesses may qualify for REAP. Examples may be the installation of a pumping station for livestock water trough(s), or providing electricity for a shop area used for agricultural production. Funding is through a combination of grants and loans.
   The NV Division of Agriculture has also been a close collaborating partner with Cooperative Extension in the way of providing outreach and education on noxious and invasive weeds, the weed free forage program, grant opportunities, inspection standards, just to name a few.
   If any local Duck Valley farmers and/or ranchers are interested in applying for any of the above programs or just want additional information, resources, or contacts, please feel free to give me a call or send an email. If I cannot provide an immediate answer, I can surely
point you in the right direction, or even set up a workshop seminar. If there are individuals or
groups interested in specific topics, please inform me. 2012 is upon us and we at Cooperative Extension are looking forward to bringing all USDA Agencies to Duck Valley throughout the year to give presentations for the sustainability of our community. Thank You and may you all prosper throughout this year.

Reggie Premo, UNCE/FRTEP, Duck Valley Tribal Outreach Rep
(775) 757-2120
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