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Financial-assistance deadline extended

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program to Jan.13, 2024, to give eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners more time to apply for assistance. The original deadline was Oct. 31.

The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program delivers on Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides financial assistance for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm-lending programs prior to January 2021. Congress provided a total of $2.2 billion for the program. Eligible individuals may apply online or submit paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to local program offices.

The deadline to request records from USDA’s Farm Service Agency for use in applications has been extended to Nov. 3. The application process was designed so that Farm Service Agency records aren’t required, though relevant records may be attached t an application as additional evidence if they’re available. Visit 22007apply.gov or contact info@22007apply.gov or 800-721-0970 for more information.

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Startups swim among AgSharks

Three finalists will compete in the 2023 AgSharks Competition where startup companies pitch their innovations in front of a live audience of the world’s largest specialty-crop producers to win a $250,000 minimum investment.

Climate Robotics develops mobile biochar-production systems for commercial agriculture. Globally biochar production has the potential to annually sequester as much as 2 billion tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide in agricultural soils while also generating carbon-removal credits. Climate Robotics’ trailer-mounted systems allow for reduced-cost, distributed production of biochar directly on the farm

Cultiva specializes in plant-cuticle-health technology. Its branded products – Parka and Kallur – helps specialty-crop growers protect yield from extreme temperatures and untimely moisture events. Crops protected by Cultiva’s patented technology have reduced incidences of fruit cracking, sunburn, doubling, staining and coloring issues, ultimately improving growers’ overall marketable yield.

Provision specializes in cloud software to simplify compliance for growers in any commodity, helping them meet requirements from customers, regulators and certifications. The software features an intuitive interface, automated notifications and smart rules to help growers save audit time and improve process control. Tailored for small- to mid-sized operations, Provision’s customizable data tools put insights within reach from 200 acres to 20,000.

The startups will pitch their inventions to four industry judges and an audience of more than 300 fresh produce farmers and industry leaders during theWestern Growers annual meeting Nov. 12-15 in Kauai, Hawaii. Visit s2gventures.com and wga.com for more information.