Author Archives: tanya brown

Local Spotlight: Greene/Sumter County FSA Ready to Assist

Posted on April 12, 2012 by tanya brown

FSA Greene/Sumter County Office staff (from l to r) Alex Crawford, Stella Lee-Anderson, Mary Braggs. With a combined total of 2,655 producers served, the Greene/Sumter County Farm Service Agency County Office in Alabama is always on its toes ready to … Continue reading →

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Eager to Plant: Farmers Weigh Risks of Unseasonably Warm Spring

Posted on April 12, 2012 by tanya brown

Illinois field office director Brad Schwab examines a field of early planted corn in central Illinois. (NASS) Of the many factors that make farming risky, weather is particularly important. With this year’s unseasonably warm March, some farmers are taking a … Continue reading →

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CRP Sign-Up Ends Tomorrow

Posted on April 12, 2012 by tanya brown

Producers have one day left to sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program. CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers … Continue reading →

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FDA Takes Steps to Limit Use of Antibiotics in Animals

Posted on April 11, 2012 by tanya brown

In an effort to protect public health and promote the use of medically important antibiotics in food-producing animals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued three documents to help farmers judiciously use antibiotics to only address diseases and health … Continue reading →

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Warm Spring Great for Crops But Watch Out for Cold Front

Posted on April 10, 2012 by tanya brown

An unseasonably warm spring is pushing crops above their normal development pace, but USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey cautions that a possible cold front could leave crops vulnurable to a late freeze.

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Giant Miscanthus: The Answer to Non-irrigated, Marginal Soil in Northeast Arkansas

Posted on April 10, 2012 by tanya brown

Giant miscanthus in early stages of growth. The sterile grass plant will grow to heights of 8-12 feet. When harvested, giant miscanthus can be compacted into pellets for a durable, safe and environmentally friendly renewable energy source. by Kent Politsch, … Continue reading →

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Farmers Still Recovering from Missouri River Flooding

Posted on April 9, 2012 by tanya brown

Flooding along the Missouri River last year is still having an impact on farmers as they work to clear out acres of debris and restore fields for spring planting. According to Eddie Hamill, state executive director, Missouri Farm Service Agency, … Continue reading →

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CRP Sign-Up Deadline Extended Until April 13

Posted on April 6, 2012 by tanya brown

Producers now have more time to sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program. A high demand of enrollment and re-enrollment applications has caused USDA to extend the deadline to April 13. "Due to strong interest in CRP, the decision was … Continue reading →

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USDA Offering $10 Million in Grants to Farmers Markets

Posted on April 6, 2012 by tanya brown

About $10 million in grants being made available to farmers markets, community supported agriculture and roadside stands. According to an April 6 Federal Register notice, the grants, which are administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, will assist in developing, … Continue reading →

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Program Aims to Get Vets Into Farming

Posted on April 5, 2012 by tanya brown

A grant by USDA is helping veterans learn about opportunities to start their own farm or ranch. Sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs and funded by a grant by USDA, workshops are being held in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and … Continue reading →

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