Author Archives: tanya brown

Butter Could Play Part in Creating Biodiesel Fuel

Posted on August 10, 2010 by tanya brown

A biochemist at USDA has found a way to use butter to produce biodiesel fuel. The research, presented by Michael J. Haas and printed in the June issue of the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, proved that butter alone … Continue reading →

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Recovery Act Launches a Shooting Star

Posted on August 9, 2010 by tanya brown

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) made many significant investments in small private enterprise in rural America. Shooting Star is a farm in Northern California where that investment is paying dividends. Funds from ARRA, better known as … Continue reading →

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USDA Sets Plans for Livestock Tracking System

Posted on August 9, 2010 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is drafting regulations to implement a livestock tracking system that will help reduce disease outbreaks by allowing officials to trace the disease to a particular group of animals. The new tracking system will be mandatory, … Continue reading →

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Last Hawaiian Sugar Plantation to Help Fuel Navy Jets, Ships

Posted on August 9, 2010 by tanya brown

A 130-year-old sugar company has been selected to help power Navy jets and ships in an effort to reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels. Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar operates the last sugar plantation on the island and has been … Continue reading →

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Insect Casserole Could Grace American Kitchens

Posted on August 6, 2010 by tanya brown

Producing crickets, locusts and meal worms for human consumption would emit 10 times less methane and 300 times less nitrous oxide than livestock production, according to a Belgian entomologist. Arnold Van Huls said that most of the world currently eats … Continue reading →

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Baby Boomers Retiring to Farm Life

Posted on August 6, 2010 by tanya brown

A new generation of farmers is sprouting up and starting a trend that’s having a national impact. Baby boomers are leaving their desk jobs, heading into retirement and becoming farmers to help supplement their income. Many sell their crops at … Continue reading →

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Youth Borrower Wins at California State Fair

Posted on August 5, 2010 by tanya brown

Nicole Reis of Gridley, Calif., is an FSA Youth Loan borrower who made good use of her money. Nicole’s heifer won the Reserve Champion Female of the Junior All Other Breeds Show during this year’s California State Fair competition. Nicole, along … Continue reading →

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Dairy Family’s TV Debut Showcases Local Farmers, Not Big Corporations

Posted on August 5, 2010 by tanya brown

Cheryl DeHann keeps KING5 well-fed and happy during the morning show. Photos by Kathy Modin, program tech, FSA Washington State A two-week old calf tugged at the heartstrings of “New Day Northwest” viewers, showcasing the local face of Washington’s dairy … Continue reading →

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Number of U.S. Farmers Markets Increase 16 Percent

Posted on August 4, 2010 by tanya brown

The number of farmers markets has increased by 16 percent since last year, according to the USDA 2010 National Farmers Market Directory, which lists 6,132 operational markets compared to 5,274 in 2009. “Seeing such continued strong growth in the number … Continue reading →

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Montana Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing $14,000 in FSA Subsidies

Posted on August 4, 2010 by tanya brown

A Montana woman pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday for stealing more than $14,000 in subsidy payments for her family. Judy Lynn Hoffman was working as a program technician for the Farm Service Agency in Glendive, Mont., when she destroyed documents … Continue reading →

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