Rep. Schrier, USDA Under Secretary Torres Small Announce Four Farms in 8th District Receive $1 Million in USDA Grants
ISSAQUAH, WA –Today Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that four farms in the 8thDistrict, Mensonides Farms, Windmill Gardens, Lee’s Fresh Produce, and Windy N Ranch, each received a Value Added Producer Grant of $250,000. According to the USDA, this $1 million investment will support these small family farms, boost local farming and marketing, and also create 18 new jobs and save 5 existing ones.
“This funding is a big win for the farmers and growers of my district who face not only the usual difficulties associated with running a family farm, but also the added uncertainty from ongoing trade concerns and pandemic-related supply chain issues. Direct investments in our local farms, like Windmill Gardens, are one way we can stimulate the local economy, support our farmers, and encourage innovation,” said Rep. Schrier. “I will continue to work with my colleagues on the House Committee on Agriculture to secure additional funding to ensure farmers continue to successfully innovate.”
The $1.4 billion funding for Value Added Producer Grants includes over 750 investments in eight USDA programs designed to create economic opportunity for local rural economies across the country. Farms in Washington’s 8th District received funding specifically from the Value Added Producer Grants, a program with the goal of generating new products and expanding marketing opportunities for producer-based farms.
Before making the Value Added Producer Grant announcement at Windmill Gardens in Sumner, Rep. Schrier and Under Secretary Torres Small met with mayors from small towns in the 8th District to talk about USDA Rural Development programs that provide funding for community facilities that their towns can take advantage of.
Here is a short video of Rep. Schrier and Under Secretary Torres Small talking about the Under Secretary’s visit.