Author Archives: tanya brown

Innovative Approach in Peanut Policy Development Wins Tiffany Arthur Economist of the Year Award

Posted on February 15, 2012 by tanya brown

Tiffany Arthur, FSA senior economist and commodity analyst, is the recipient of the Economist of the Year award presented by the USDA Economists Group. Tiffany Arthur knows peanuts. Her command of the subject area not only allowed her to develop … Continue reading →

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New Mexico Producer Gains Farming Independence Through FSA

Posted on February 13, 2012 by tanya brown

Allen Mackrain, farm loan manager (left), assisted Leonard Bird with a farm loan to help his family have more control over their farming operation. by Leonard Bird, small acreage farmer along the Rio Grande River  I live on the Santo … Continue reading →

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USDA Mails Surveys to Prepare for 2012 Ag Census

Posted on February 13, 2012 by tanya brown

Surveys have been mailed out across the nation to identify all active farms within the United States. The surveys, issued by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, ask landowners whether they are currently farming and other basic information. The information will … Continue reading →

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New Bill Would Halt Step Increases Through 2012

Posted on February 10, 2012 by tanya brown

A new bill introduced in the House of Representatives would among other things, put a halt to step increases for federal employees through 2012. If passed, the bill — which has 29 co-sponsors — would take effect on the date … Continue reading →

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Farm Service Agency Goes Mobile

Posted on February 10, 2012 by tanya brown

Producers now have access to FSA information while on-the-go. The agency released a package of technology enhancements today that include Web access for handheld and smartphone users along with a more efficient and timely option for receiving news and critical … Continue reading →

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USDA Releases Historic Census of Agricultural Reports

Posted on February 9, 2012 by tanya brown

Did you know that the number of farms in the United States peaked in 1935 at 6,812,350 operations when the average farm size was154.8 acres? In comparison, the 2007 Census of Agriculture counted2,204,792 farms with the average farm size of … Continue reading →

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Beginning Farmer Credits FSA for a Chance at His Dream

Posted on February 9, 2012 by tanya brown

Isreal Gordon, Jr., (right) and FSA Farm Loan Officer Precilla Wade worked to make Gordon’s dream of being a successful farmer a reality. by Latrice Hill, FSA Outreach program lead With the help of the Farm Service Agency, young minority … Continue reading →

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Crop Losses for 2011 Highest in U.S. History

Posted on February 9, 2012 by tanya brown

Farmers across the county have received $9.1 billion so far from the crop insurance industry for losses experienced in 2011 — that is the highest on record in American history, according to charts released by the USDA Risk Management Agency. With … Continue reading →

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Local Spotlight: Marshall County Staff Serves With Honor

Posted on February 8, 2012 by tanya brown

Marshall County staff members include (from l to r): Angela Jones, program technician; Zachary Burns, county executive director and; Belinda Woods, program technician.    FSA disaster programs have played a large part in Marshall County, Ala., in the past two … Continue reading →

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Risk Management Hot Topic at New Jersey Agricultural Convention

Posted on February 7, 2012 by tanya brown

Scuse met with Governor Chris Christie and the New Jersey Board of Agriculture at the State Agricultural Convention. Christie spoke to the convention’s 600 attendees. by Lynne Richmond and Tara Gruber, Farm Service Agency USDA Acting Under Secretary for Farm and … Continue reading →

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