Author Archives: tanya brown

Remaining Summer Weather Forecasted to Be Favorable for Crops

Posted on August 20, 2010 by tanya brown

Weather conditions across the country look good for the remainder of the summer growing season, according to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Conditions this year are equal to or better than last year with no excessive heat expected in the coming … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Remaining Summer Weather Forecasted to Be Favorable for Crops

Grad Student Earning Degree by Targeting Latino Farmers

Posted on August 20, 2010 by tanya brown

A Latino graduate student at Michigan State University is earning his doctorate degree by helping to direct at least $1 million in grants and loans to Latino farmers throughout the state of Michigan. Robert Gardner-Sandoval is targeting Latino residents in … Continue reading →

Posted in Features | Comments Off on Grad Student Earning Degree by Targeting Latino Farmers

One Week Remains to Sign Up for Conservation Reserve Program

Posted on August 20, 2010 by tanya brown

Producers interested in joining the Conservation Reserve Program by offering land to help improve the nation's natural resources and protect millions of acres of topsoil from erosion, have one week to do so. Producers who enroll in CRP during the general … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on One Week Remains to Sign Up for Conservation Reserve Program

Experiment Could Keep Cows Cool, Reduce Energy Costs

Posted on August 19, 2010 by tanya brown

Research being conducted on a California farm could help cows stay cooler during the summer while reducing the energy costs needed to power overhead fans used to do the same job. The technology, developed by Arizona-based AgriAire Inc., pumps water … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Experiment Could Keep Cows Cool, Reduce Energy Costs

USDA Praised by Ag Groups for CRP Sign-Up

Posted on August 19, 2010 by tanya brown

Two agricultural groups have praised USDA for opening up the general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program for the first time since March 2006. Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever support the program — that allows farmers to donate land in … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on USDA Praised by Ag Groups for CRP Sign-Up

ARRA Funding Gives Boost to Beginning Rancher

Posted on August 18, 2010 by tanya brown

A bad year forced Klickitat County farmer Kelly Kreps to choose between fertilizing his fields or paying taxes and insurance. Even though his operation suffered freeze-related losses, Kreps’s ranch didn’t qualify for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster payments program. … Continue reading →

Posted in Features, Regional Posts | Comments Off on ARRA Funding Gives Boost to Beginning Rancher

Illinois Farmers Launch Campaign to Change Public Perception

Posted on August 18, 2010 by tanya brown

Illinois farmers have launched a public relations campaign to improve their image among residents after research revealed doubts regarding modern farming methods. The research showed that consumers liked farmers, but they question large-scale production methods and use of genetically modified … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Illinois Farmers Launch Campaign to Change Public Perception

Reminder: CRP General Sign-Up Ends Next Week

Posted on August 17, 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 next Friday, Aug. 27, to sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program. Producers who enroll … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Reminder: CRP General Sign-Up Ends Next Week

Commentary: Kids Help Make People’s Garden a Fulfilling Project

Posted on August 17, 2010 by tanya brown

I never knew that planting a People’s Garden could be so fulfilling. The Muscatine County Farm Service Agency office in Iowa teamed up with the Durant Children’s Group and the Campus for Kids — both non-profit organizations — to create … Continue reading →

Posted in Features, Regional Posts | Comments Off on Commentary: Kids Help Make People’s Garden a Fulfilling Project

Judge Halts Planting of Genetically-Engineered Beets

Posted on August 16, 2010 by tanya brown

A U.S. District Court judge has reversed the government’s approval of genetically modified sugar beets until a more thorough review has been completed. Judge Jeffery S. White’s ruling on Friday blocks farmers from planting the Roundup-resistant seed next spring but … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Judge Halts Planting of Genetically-Engineered Beets