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It’s February. It’s cold, dark and snowy. What better time to curl up in front of your computer and learn more about resources that might help you find funding to protect your forested land, help you grow your farm market, help bring broadband to your rural community and to your farm business, or help you learn more about technological innovations in climate mitigation and adaptation techniques. Check out these online events to learn more about the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and to attend the USDA’s 98th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Guidebook and Webinars
The White House just released a guidebook to provide information about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (a/k/a “the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law”) and the funding that is available under the new law. The law includes some significant funding for projects that will help producers, landowners and rural communities. The guidebook is designed to help you learn what funding is available under the law, who to contact for information about the funding, and how to apply for funding. The guidebook is available here. You can find more information about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including a searchable spreadsheet containing information on all of the available funding, online at Build.gov.
The White House also announced that it’s hosting two webinars this week to help people better understand how to use the guidebook and the online resources:
Wednesday, Feb. 2nd at 3PM Eastern Time – Register here
Friday, Feb. 4th at 9AM Eastern Time – Register here
USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum
The 98th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum is Feb. 24th and 25th. And it’s virtual and free again this year! This year’s theme is New Paths to Sustainability and Productivity Growth, and the conference will focus on “ensuring sustainability in agriculture while increasing productivity.”
The two-day conference will feature keynote speakers and breakout sessions covering everything from USDA’s annual forecast for the ag economy, commodity markets, trade and farm income to new tracks covering food price trends, supply chain and transportation disruption resilience, and innovations in climate mitigation and adaptation. There is also a new equity and inclusion track that will cover topics like addressing heirs’ property challenges and rural mental health. Also new this year will be “lightning talks” by 8-10 speakers about innovations designed to achieve sustainability and productivity.
Registration is free, but you do have to register to attend the forum. You can register here. Social media users can follow the event by searching the hashtag #AgOutlook on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.