Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan says the fifth in a series of small business conferences aimed at increasing USDA's Food Commodity Contracting Opportunities for Rural America initiative will take place on Dec. 7 in Gettysburg, Pa. The initiative is designed to enable rural economic growth by increasing small business contracting participation in rural areas of the country. USDA intends to help small farmer-owned cooperatives and small rural businesses to better compete for government and commercial contracts at the department.
USDA officials expect small farmer-owned cooperatives and small rural businesses attending the conferences will become aware of necessary capabilities and certifications to participate in Federal food commodity procurements; learn about USDA resources for business development and technical assistance; establish relationships with key USDA personnel who purchase food projects and who set and establish policy and standards; and learn how to increase and meet demand for their products and services within local food systems, USDA, and other Federal agencies.
The conference will be held at the Gettysburg Hotel, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On-site registration begins at 8:00 a.m. Space is limited so email or fax your name, company name, full address, telephone number and email address to: smallbizconf@da.usda.gov or fax: 202-720-3001, or phone: 202-720-7380 or 202-205-5949.
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