Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Farmers in the Western Region
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 reauthorized and modified the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Farmers program. This program helps producers of raw agricultural commodities and fishermen adjust to a changing economic environment associated with import competition through technical assistance and cash benefits. First, the commodity has to qualify through application to the Foreign Agricultural Service on behalf of at least three producers/fishermen; then, the individual producers apply to the Farm Service Agency for approval of benefits. See: http://taaforfarmers.org for application and qualification details.
Asparagus producers and Alaska Shrimpers have been the primary recipient in the Western Region of Extension training and cash payments although, 10 catfish producers and a few Gulf shrimpers have also participated. The Western Center, as a Regional partner with the University of Minnesota, garnered support and direction from the Asparagus Commissions in California and Washington and with the Alaska Shrimp Association to determine curriculum relevant for the respective commodity participants. The University of California Extension and Washington State University Extension have been integral to the development and training provided to the Asparagus program while the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Sea Grant program has provided the training for Alaska Shrimp TAA participants.
TAA curriculum provides classes on finance and credit; production efficiency; marketing strategies; and, evaluation of alternative enterprises as background for producers to examine how they can increase profitability and improve their ability to compete globally. TAA will also help participants develop a business plan and provides up to $12,000 that can be used for implementation of their plan.
TAA Technical Assistance for producers and fishermen includes the following components:
Initial technical assistance – provides a commodity outlook and overview of the program requirements for successful completion of the training which qualifies them for up to $12,000.
Intensive technical assistance – curriculum that is beneficial to agricultural businesses, some tailored to the specific commodity peculiarities designed to evaluate a producers business and make adjustments that will improve production efficiencies and improve the economics of their operation.
Initial business plan – write a short description of how you plan to change your business based on what was learned from the workshops to become eligible to receive a maximum $4,000 cash payment.
Long-term business adjustment plan – get help developing a business plan outlining how you will implement changes to your business. Completion makes you eligible for a maximum $8,000 cash payment.
Eight individuals with backgrounds in Extension, Farm Lending and the Farm Service Agency have been recruited and trained to coach participants in developing a long term business plan. Presently, two thirds of the TAA participants in the West have completed Phases one through three of the TAA training program, including 12 hours of Intensive Training, and have a Business Planning Consultant assigned to assist them in the development of a Long Term Business Plan.
With the Western TAA training well underway, additional opportunities to work with TAA Shrimp fishermen in North Carolina and Texas have developed where the Western Center will coordinate the business plan coaching and plan approval for an additional 1200 shrimp participants in Texas and North Carolina over the next few years.
Comments
By Evie Hansen on October 11th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
We are working with an Alaska processor developing pickled seafood products. Pickling is an old traditional preservation technique but consumers, retailers and food service operators need training and education about this delicious products. How can you help us?
Thanks,
Evie Hansen
National Seafood Educators
206.546.6410