Author Archives: tanya brown

USDA to Purchase $29 Million of Produce to Benefit Schools, Farmers

Posted on January 29, 2010 by tanya brown

The USDA will purchase $29.1 million of blueberries, pears, potatoes, peaches and mixed fruit to benefit farmers and provide for federal food nutrition programs. “These purchases will help stabilize prices and markets, stimulate the economy, and provide high quality, nutritious … Continue reading →

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Navy to Use Biofuels in Fleets, Tanks

Posted on January 29, 2010 by tanya brown

By 2020, the U.S. Department of the Navy will produce half of its energy from alternative sources and use the energy to power its fleets and tanks, according to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. A memorandum of understanding signed this month … Continue reading →

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Facebook, Twitter Connects Ag Producers Directly to Consumers

Posted on January 28, 2010 by tanya brown

Agricultural producers attending the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference and Trade Show received firsthand instruction on using Twitter, Facebook and other social media to connect directly with their target audience, whether they are consumers, suppliers, customers or other farmers. Getting … Continue reading →

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Several Florida Counties Listed as Primary Disaster Areas

Posted on January 28, 2010 by tanya brown

Several Florida counties have been designated primary natural disaster areas due to crop losses caused by Tropical Storm Ida. Farmers in Escambia and Rosa Counties qualify for emergency loans provided by the USDA Farm Service Agency along with Okaloosa County, … Continue reading →

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County in Arkansas Designated as Natural Disaster Area

Posted on January 28, 2010 by tanya brown

Farmers in Greene County, Ark., are eligible for emergency loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency after the county was designated a natural disaster area due to abnormally cool summer temperatures and excessive rainfall. Dunklin County in Missouri also qualifies … Continue reading →

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New Satellite Images Show Agriculture Land Cover

Posted on January 28, 2010 by tanya brown

The National Agricultural Statistics Service released new satellite images of national agricultural land cover for the 2009 crop year. The images serve as a tool for monitoring crop rotation patterns, land use changes, water resources and carbon emissions. Images are available … Continue reading →

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Good Samaritan Welcomes Stranger Into Home

Posted on January 28, 2010 by tanya brown

It was the night of a record-breaking snow storm that County Executive Director Jimmy Gantt made the decision to invite a stranger with military training into his home. “He was just a young kid trying to get home from school … Continue reading →

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No Frost, Flood or Drought in FarmVille

Posted on January 27, 2010 by tanya brown

One of Facebook’s most popular fantasy games allows players to build a farm, earn ribbons and reap the rewards of disease-free plants and friendly weather. FarmVille has become a Facebook phenomenon with more than 72 million users worldwide, but each … Continue reading →

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Millions Allocated to Food and Agricultural Export

Posted on January 26, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA will allocate $234.5 million to 70 trade organizations to help promote American food and agricultural products overseas. The funding, which was announced today, will “provide our exporters with the resources they need to compete overseas during the 21st century,” … Continue reading →

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Farmers Relying Less on Debt to Operate

Posted on January 26, 2010 by tanya brown

A study conducted by the USDA Economic Research Service shows that fewer farmers rely on debt to operate their farms. In an interview with USDA Daily Radio News, Economic Researcher Michael Harris, stated that debt has grown, but not as … Continue reading →

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