Author Archives: tanya brown

Wisconsin Apple, Cranberry Crop Weakened by Weather

Posted on January 26, 2010 by tanya brown

Weather conditions that were too wet, too dry or too cold took its toll on apple and cranberry crops in Wisconsin, according to USDA. Farmers grew nearly 44 million pounds of apples, down 31 percent from last year. Cranberries dipped … Continue reading →

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Crop Insurers Proposed to Take Small Cut in Government Subsidies; Premiums Not Affected

Posted on January 25, 2010 by tanya brown

Crop insurers have proposed to take a $100 million-per-year cut in subsidies, which is much less than the $800 million introduced by USDA’s Risk Management Agency as part of a renegotiation of the 5-year standard reinsurance agreement. (AgWeek) Read more.

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Recently Released Video Highlights USDA Farm Loan Programs

Posted on January 25, 2010 by tanya brown

A newly released video by the USDA Farm Service Agency highlights farm loan programs available to current producers and beginning farmers. The video visits eight farms around the country and shows how FSA works with producers to achieve success on … Continue reading →

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Demand for Cotton to Offsets Number of Acres Planted; Prices Remain High

Posted on January 25, 2010 by tanya brown

Cotton acreage has decreased each year since 2005 as higher corn and soybean prices increased due to biofuel demand. That trend is expected to end this year, according to analysts, as high cotton prices and global demand for cotton offer an … Continue reading →

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Ohio Jobs Forum Generates Ideas to Improve State’s Economic Health

Posted on January 22, 2010 by tanya brown

Fueled by double-digit unemployment figures, Ohio’s difficult economic conditions — coupled with a genuine desire to create more statewide employment opportunities — prompted more than 120 residents to participate in the Ohio Jobs Forum yesterday.

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Michigan Man Takes Initiative to Help Minorities Own, Operate Farms

Posted on January 22, 2010 by tanya brown

Robert Gardner-Sandoval is single-handedly trying to help minorities and females in Holland, Mich., own and operate farms. Latinos are underrepresented in federal loan programs, according to Gardner-Sandoval who held an information session in Spanish and English and invited local Farm … Continue reading →

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Five Tennessee Counties Eligible for Disaster Assistance

Posted on January 22, 2010 by tanya brown

The USDA has designated five counties in Tennessee as natural disaster areas due to excessive rainfall that began last September. Several contiguous counties as well as a few counties in the adjacent states of Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia also … Continue reading →

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County in New Mexico Designated Natural Disaster Area

Posted on January 22, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA has designated McKinley County in New Mexico as a primary natural disaster area due to heavy rains, flooding and flash flooding that occurred last September. Several counties contiguous to McKinley also qualify for disaster assistance as well as Apache … Continue reading →

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Web-Based Calculator for Disaster Program Payments Available for Producers

Posted on January 21, 2010 by tanya brown

 A Web-based payment calculator is now available to help producers determine financial benefits they may receive under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program. The calculator — designed by USDA Farm Service Agency — gives producers a tool to help … Continue reading →

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USDA Partners With Dept. of Navy to Build Clean Energy Economy

Posted on January 21, 2010 by tanya brown

The USDA and Department of the Navy have partnered to encourage the development of advanced biofuels and other renewable energy systems. "This agreement is part of President Obama's vision of a coordinated federal effort to build a clean energy economy, … Continue reading →

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