Author Archives: tanya brown

Drought Taking Toll on West Virginia Crops, Farmers

Posted on August 27, 2010 by tanya brown

Farmers in West Virginia are suffering from a severe drought that is reducing the value of their apples and peaches, and causing damage to corn, pasture and soybeans. The topsoil moisture is considered more than 50 percent drier than usual, … Continue reading →

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Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Expanded in Indiana; Sign-Up Opens Today

Posted on August 27, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA has expanded its Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in Indiana to include 26,250 acres made available to landowners in 11 watersheds in all or portions of 65 counties. The CREP program — which opens today for producer sign-up — is … Continue reading →

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Missouri FSA Prepares College Student for Future in Cattle Business

Posted on August 27, 2010 by tanya brown

Tyler Brune,of Sedgewickville, Mo., dreams of being a farmer some day, and Missouri Farm Service Agency (FSA) is helping to make his dream a reality through the Farm Loan Program and the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

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California Bill Could Help Unionize Farmworkers

Posted on August 26, 2010 by tanya brown

A California bill awaiting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature could help farmworkers form unions by halting employer interference. The bill will allow a union victory should any employer misconduct be shown during union elections. Unions said that employers illegally interfered with … Continue reading →

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Pilot Program to Bring People’s Gardens to Impoverished Schools

Posted on August 26, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA has established a $1 million pilot program to develop and run community gardens at high-poverty schools. The People’s Garden School Pilot Program, which will be implemented in about five states, will teach students about agriculture production practices, and diet … Continue reading →

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Sign-Up for Conservation Reserve Program Ends Tomorrow

Posted on August 26, 2010 by tanya brown

Producers interested in offering land in an effort to protect millions of acres of topsoil from erosion and improve the nation’s natural resources, have until tomorrow to do so. Producers who enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program during the general … Continue reading →

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Recovery Act Money Clears Loan Backlog, Helps North Dakota Farmers

Posted on August 24, 2010 by tanya brown

Tom Grzadzieleski, Jr., received help from FSA staff, including Farm Loan Manager Linda Werven, to double the size of his operation in Drayton, N.D. North Dakota farmers and ranchers have received more than 1.7 million dollars in stimulus funding through … Continue reading →

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Iowa Soybean Crop Threatened by Sudden Death Syndrome

Posted on August 24, 2010 by tanya brown

Iowa’s soybean crop is in danger of being consumed by sudden death syndrome, according to the USDA, which issued a warning yesterday. According to the agency, nearly 68 percent of the crop is in good to excellent condition; however, there … Continue reading →

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USDA, DOJ to Hold Public Workshop on Livestock Industry

Posted on August 23, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA and the Department of Justice will hold a joint public workshop on Friday, Aug. 27 to discuss competition in the livestock industry. The workshop — the fourth in a series of five — will be held at Colorado State … Continue reading →

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Calif. Passes New Heat Rules to Protect Ag Workers

Posted on August 20, 2010 by tanya brown

California has approved new rules to help strengthen standards used to protect people who work outside, including agriculture laborers. The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board updated the standards, which were put into place in 2005, to require employers to … Continue reading →

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