USDA webinar focuses on new ag labor grant program

The USDA Farm Service Agency of Georgia is offering a webinar on the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot (FLSP) program.

The webinar will be 11 a.m. to noon Eastern, Dec. 5. To request a link to the virtual meeting, fill out this form or email GAOutreach@usda.gov.

Arthur Tripp, state director of the Georgia Farm Service Agency, will host the webinar, and representatives from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will provide an overview and answer questions.

The FLSP program will award up to $65 million to provide support for agricultural employers to address challenges they face with labor shortages and instability to improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency.

Agricultural employers, producers and stakeholders are encouraged to attend to learn about the program, which is designed to improve the resiliency of the food and agricultural supply chain by addressing workforce challenges farmers and ranchers face.

According to the USDA, the FLSP program seeks to advance the following Biden administration priorities:

• Drive U.S. economic recovery and safeguard domestic food supply by addressing current labor shortages in agriculture.
• Reduce irregular migration from Northern Central America through the expansion of regular pathways.
• Improve working conditions for all farmworkers.

The USDA has extended the deadline for applying for an FLSP grant to 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 3. Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov.