WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) today announced the availability of grants for a beginning farmers and ranchers program.

The Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program (BFRDP) provides resources to support the development of education, outreach, curricula, workshops, education teams, training and technical assistance programs to assist beginning farmers and ranchers in establishing and managing successful farm and ranch enterprises in the United States.

Approximately $17, 280,000 in funding will be available for this program. Applications must be received by 5 PM Eastern on May 13, 2009. For more information on eligibility and how to apply: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/09_beginning_farmers_ranchers.pdf .

The grants will be awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Senator Roberts is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

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