Author Archives: cassiebable
Growing to New Heights with Conservation and Pollinators
By Andrew Thomason, NRCS, Iowa Meet Rhonda Larson of Hayti, South Dakota. During the school year Rhonda serves special needs students as a teaching aide in Hamlin County. When she’s not focused on her day job, her passion is flowers, … Continue reading
Be the Link: Rooted in Resiliency
By Ellyn Oelfke, Farm Service Agency It’s time once again for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s annual county committee elections. As FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux says, being a part of your local county committee is “your chance to ensure that … Continue reading
The Ice Cream Rises to the Top at Fox Meadows Farms
By Kimberly Merlau, FSA, Pennsylvania The Fox family of Fox Meadows Farms in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, is owned and operated by brothers Chad and Corey Fox, their wives, Krista and Andrea, and their parents, Bob and Ruthie. This generational farm demonstrates … Continue reading
Urban Youth Loan Borrower Grows Lettuce and a Passion for Hydroponics
By Shantelle Turner, Management and Program Analyst, USDA Farm Service Agency Trinity Waguespack is an 11-year-old urban farmer in Lafayette, Louisiana. When she’s not tackling her schoolwork, Trinity is busy growing lettuce in her three hydroponic garden towers. Through precision … Continue reading
An Opportunity of a Lifetime
By Sydney Erickson, FSA, Nebraska Meet Jesse Hegemann, a first-generation farmer and rancher from Burchard, Nebraska. Growing up, Jesse developed a passion for agriculture while helping on his uncles’ farms and watching his dad raise hogs. He aspired to start … Continue reading
A Labor of Love
By Leila Naylor, FSA, Rhode Island Jan and Michelle Eckhart are the owners and operators of Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, Rhode Island. What began as a small farm primarily growing strawberries has turned into a labor of love. In … Continue reading
Growing Sweet Results in Virginia
By Samantha Blair, Latoyia Elliott and Samantha Turner, FSA, Virginia Meet Elisha Barnes, a fourth–generation farmer from Southampton County, Virginia. Elisha’s love of agriculture began while working in his family’s peanut fields at the age of six. He purchased his … Continue reading
Apples Don’t Fall Far from the Tree
By Leila Naylor, FSA, Rhode Island Meet siblings Allison Jaswell Molis and Chris Jaswell, fourth–generation owners and operators of Jaswell’s Farm located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, the state’s Apple Valley. The farm consists of 80 acres, 20 of which are … Continue reading
Roots in Agriculture Run Deep
By Sabrenna Bryant, FSA, South Carolina Meet John “JC” Chandler of Belton, South Carolina, where his herd of Charolais cattle is his pride and joy. While he’s only 17, JC has already become an agriculture leader in his school and … Continue reading
FSA Farm Loans Help Colorado Hop Farmers Get Started
By Elizabeth Thomas, FSA, Colorado Billy Goat Hop Farm LLC located in Montrose, Colorado, is a dream come true for beginning farmers Audrey Gehlhausen and Chris Dellabianca. This hop farm operation was made possible with hard work, determination, and a … Continue reading