Author Archives: tanya brown

DAFO Mike Wooden Set for Retirement

Posted on June 22, 2012 by tanya brown

By Latrice Hill, FSA outreach program lead Deputy Administrator for Field Operations Michael L. Wooden is counting down the days until he rides off into the sunset headed for sweet retirement life. For more than 30 years, Wooden has been … Continue reading →

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Early Spring, Late Frost Damages Michigan Fruit Crop

Posted on June 21, 2012 by tanya brown

An early warm-up to spring followed by freezing temperatures is creating a hardship for orchards in Michigan. The unpredictable weather caused a 90 percent loss in the apple crop in some areas across the state, according to Christine White, Michigan … Continue reading →

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Scientist Recommends Less Tillage

Posted on June 21, 2012 by tanya brown

Researchers are recommending that growers of winter wheat reduce tillage on their summer fallow lands. Stewart Wuest, soil scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, suggests delaying tillage and leaving soil rough to maintain moisture. Some farmers believe they need … Continue reading →

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FSA Loan Moves Family from Financial Stress to a Workable Plan

Posted on June 21, 2012 by tanya brown

By Josie Malepeai Lealasola and Faith Umetsu, American Samoa FSA After several years working as a licensed diesel mechanic Issac Kanoa and his wife Gladys chose to go back to the taro patches in Keanae, Maui, to live as generations … Continue reading →

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FSA Employees Receives Award for Work in Afghanistan

Posted on June 21, 2012 by tanya brown

It’s been three years since Steve Berk left U.S. soil on a voluntary venture to represent the Farm Service Agency and USDA in Afghanistan and help with agricultural efforts. Today, his efforts as a senior agricultural representative are paying off … Continue reading →

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Senate Bill Lacks Pay Increase for Federal Workers

Posted on June 20, 2012 by tanya brown

A spending bill approved last week by the U.S. Senate does not include a pay raise for federal employees. The Senate Appropriations subcommittee completed the fiscal 2013 Financial Services and General Government spending bill — which is typically used to … Continue reading →

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Nomination Period Opens Today for 2012 County Committee Elections

Posted on June 15, 2012 by tanya brown

The nomination period for the 2012 county committee elections opens today, June 15. This time allows farmers and ranchers to select themselves or others as candidates to sit on the local county committee and help make important agricultural decisions. Members … Continue reading →

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USDA to Add and Expand Biomass Crop Production Program

Posted on June 13, 2012 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that it will create two new Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas in New York and North Carolina and expand an already established BCAP project area in Arkansas. “Increasing the production of … Continue reading →

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Farm Exports Are Creating Jobs and Growing the Rural Economy

Posted on June 13, 2012 by tanya brown

Demand for American food and agricultural products abroad has led to the three best consecutive years for U.S. farm exports in the nation’s history, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “In 2010, President Obama comitted to doubling U.S. exports in … Continue reading →

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Sugar Sees No Increase in Tariff-Rate Quota or Company Sugar Marketing Allotments

Posted on June 13, 2012 by tanya brown

There will not be an increase in the raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) or the domestic sugarcane or sugar beet processor marketing allotments, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A June review of the U.S. sugar market indicates a … Continue reading →

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