Original story on the Ag Information Network

Story on Newstalk KIT

By Bob Larson

From the Ag Information Network, this is your Agribusiness Update.

**WAFLA, a nonprofit membership organization that’s long served the ag community by addressing labor needs, has announced it has a new name … the “Worker and Farmer Labor Association.”

Formerly known as the Washington Farm Labor Association, WAFLA is dedicated to stabilizing ag labor needs and educating members on compliance and regulatory issues.

The name change reflects WAFLA’s ongoing mission to support both employers and workers within the ag industry.

WAFLA is the nation’s largest organization of its kind.

**USDA has announced nearly $173 million to connect rural residents, farmers, and business owners to high-speed internet.

Undersecretary, Dr. Basil Gooden says keeping rural Americans connected with reliable, high-speed internet brings them new and innovative ideas and good-paying jobs.

USDA has invested more than $4 billion in 345 ReConnect Projects to bring high-speed, reliable internet access to more than 600,000 rural Americans.

**American Farmland Trust has disbursed over $700,000 to 139 farmers across the United States through this year’s Brighter Future Fund.

Over 50% of those awards went to beginning farmers, 30% under 34 years of age, and over 60% women.

Grants were awarded to help farmers invest in professional services, vital equipment and infrastructure with a special emphasis on improving farm viability, accessing farmland, and regenerative ag practices.