The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association is offering a grant-funded opportunity to attend the 2022 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, January 6-9 at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, GA. This opportunity is being made available through a small USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant allowing GFVGA to award reimbursement stipends* for Georgia’s small, beginning, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and/or veteran farmers (per USDA’s Definition) to attend the 2022 SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. The primary goal of this reimbursement stipend is to provide a cost share to help produce growers who may be hindered by the expenses incurred to travel to the Conference on top of the Conference registration fees. This will allow them to take advantage of the educational opportunities, networking events, and have access to the farmer/packer/shipper vendors all in one space on the Trade Show floor during the Conference. The educational sessions available at the Conference provide the most current topics and up to date information that can be applied to farms and farming operations. See below for details:
The following are criteria for award considerations for each applicant:*
Must complete and submit the SE Regional Reimbursement Stipend application
Must be invited to take part in the reimbursement stipend program
Must attend a minimum of two days of the 2022 Conference
Must receive a minimum of 6 hours of education offered at the 2022 Conference
Must complete a Post-Conference evaluation form
Items eligible for reimbursement stipend are below and may not exceed $750/individual award. Receipts are required:*
Full Four-Day Conference Registration Fee - $185.00/person
Lodging Expense at no more than $150/night (taxes and fees included)*
Per diem at $42/day (includes meals and incidentals)
Travel at $.56/mile
No more than two people per organization/farm may apply.
A maximum of two awards may be granted per organization/farm.*
All applications for consideration must be completed and received by December 1, 2021.
While this is a grant award to GFVGA through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, the GFVGA application stipulates we will offer reimbursement stipends based onUSDA’s Definitions of small, beginning, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and/or veteran farmers. Farmers considering applying for the reimbursement stipend may determine eligibility by reviewing USDA’s Definitions.
If you or farmers have questions, please reach out to Beth Oleson, boleson@asginfo.net, (706) 845-8200.
* The reimbursement stipend will be awarded based on need to qualified limited resource, socially disadvantaged, beginning farmer or veteran farmers under the USDA definitions and any additional criteria required by the USDA Block Grant. A maximum of two people per organization/farm may apply. A maximum of two awards may be granted per organization/farm. All awards will be given to Georgia-based farms/organizations. The reimbursement stipend will not exceed $750 per awarded individual for eligible items. Receipts are required for reimbursement. To receive the reimbursement stipend the individual must be qualified and complete a Post-Conference evaluation that includes 1) indication of educational programming attended totaling 6 hours, 2) information concerning recommended practices learned, and 3) recommended practices planned to be implemented in the Spring of 2022. GFVGA reserves the right to limit lodging expense awards if two awards are selected from a single farm/operation. All applications must be submitted by December 1, 2021 for consideration. GFVGA reserves the right to select award by any method it deems appropriate.