Author Archives: tanya brown

County FSA Loses 42 Years of Experience

Posted on February 16, 2010 by tanya brown

After 42 years, the Racine-Kenosha-Milwaukee County Farm Service Agency is losing a member of its family. Linda Feldkamp, a federal program technician, is retiring this month leaving behind the first and only job she has had since graduating high school. … Continue reading →

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Final Rule Issued on Access to Pasture for Organic Livestock

Posted on February 16, 2010 by tanya brown

Animals must graze pasture at least 120 days a year in order to be considered organic, according to a final rule issued by USDA. The final rule amends the National Organic Program regulations to clarify the use of pasture in … Continue reading →

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2009 Milk Cow Operations Down; Number of Farms Unchanged

Posted on February 12, 2010 by tanya brown

The number of milk cow operations declined in 2009, according to a report released today by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Milk cow operations totaled 65,000 last year, down three percent from 2008. The report, which highlights farms, land in … Continue reading →

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Comments Sought on New Biomass Crop Assistance Program

Posted on February 12, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA is seeking comments on its new Biomass Crop Assistance Program designed to expand the use of dedicated non-food crops for renewable energy and biofuel production. According to a Federal Register notice, BCAP will assist agricultural and forest land owners … Continue reading →

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Net Farm Income Projected to Rise

Posted on February 12, 2010 by tanya brown

Net farm income is projected to rise 11.8 percent this year to $63 billion, after a severe drop in 2009, according to a report by USDA. As the U.S. recovers from the recession, economic conditions are expected to improve but … Continue reading →

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Report Shows More Farmland Being Irrigated

Posted on February 11, 2010 by tanya brown

Farmers and ranchers spent $2.1 billion on expenses related to irrigation equipment, facilities, land improvements and computer technology, according to the 2008 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey. The survey, released today by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, showed that … Continue reading →

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Cropland Expected to Increase Based on USDA Long-Term Agricultural Report

Posted on February 11, 2010 by tanya brown

Increased cropland availability due to a reduction in the Conservation Reserve Program, along with sustained high commodity prices are expected over the next 10 years, according to a USDA long-term agricultural projection report released today. The report also estimates that … Continue reading →

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FSA County Committee Member Honored for 9 Years of Service

Posted on February 11, 2010 by tanya brown

For nine years Thelma “Toke” Heiman helped give Finney County, Kan., farmers and ranchers a voice in how federal actions affect local communities and individual operations while serving on the Farm Service Agency Finney County Committee. Heiman was recognized by … Continue reading →

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Scientists Sequence Grass Genome to Be Used as Biofuel Model

Posted on February 11, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA scientists along with researchers at the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute have sequenced the genome of Brachypodium distachyon, a wild grass that will help reveal the genetics of other grass and wheat varieties for use as biofuel crops. … Continue reading →

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Conservation Organization Encouraged to Actively Participate in Climate Change, Global Warming

Posted on February 10, 2010 by tanya brown

  Attendees of the National Association of Conservation Districts 64th Annual Meeting were encouraged to be a part of the dialogue about climate change and stay alert on efforts to address global warming during a welcome address by Rep. Adam … Continue reading →

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