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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello farmer veterans,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over the next few months our NCAT team will be developing some educational materials on how veterans can access and use USDA programs to support and grow their farming operations. I know many of you have used a variety of USDA programs,
so I would like to hear from you. I want to share your experiences, your tips for success, and innovative ways you have leveraged USDA programs to support your farms. I will be compiling resources, recording a podcast, and making some videos.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are a couple of ways you can help. First, if you’d like to participate in this project, please email a response to the following questions:
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><![endif]>Tell me a little bit about yourself and your farm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><![endif]>What USDA programs and services have you utilized? Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Rural Development (RD), or others.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><![endif]>Did you have any challenges in accessing these programs? If so, how did you overcome them?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="mso-list:Ignore">4)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><![endif]>How have these programs helped your farm?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="mso-list:Ignore">5)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><![endif]>Anything else you want to share?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second way you can help is by recording an interview with me or sharing your story in a video. Please let me know if you’d be interested in either of those. I’d love to hear from as many of you as possible so that I can develop helpful
resources.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can email me at <a href="mailto:margoh@ncat.org">margoh@ncat.org</a> or give me a call at 479-575-1383.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Margo Hale<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Margo Hale<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">NCAT/ATTRA Program<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Southeast Regional Director<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ncat.org"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">www.ncat.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.attra.org"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">www.attra.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">479-442-9824<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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