Author Archives: tanya brown

Loan Denial Builds Positive Relationship Between Louisiana Black Community and FSA

Posted on December 19, 2011 by tanya brown

Thomas Roque, Jr., works an 800-acre farm that has been in his family for 95 years. Thomas Roque’s family (l to r) Tiffany Roque, sister; Kathie Roque, mother; Thomas Roque, Sr., father; Sydney Roque, daughter; Anna Darensbourg Roque, wife; Thomas … Continue reading →

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Nobles County Program Tech to Retire After 34 Years

Posted on December 1, 2011 by tanya brown

After 34 years of service as a program technician, Laura Ailts will retire on Dec. 2 from the Nobles County FSA office in Minnesota. “A lot of things have changed over the years, but things that don’t change are the … Continue reading →

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Former Secretaries to Speak on Panel During 2012 Ag Outlook Forum

Posted on December 1, 2011 by tanya brown

A historic gathering of former Secretaries of Agriculture will occur at the 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum. Secretary Tom Vilsack will moderate a plenary panel of former Secretaries of Agriculture invited to speak on “Agriculture: Visions of the Future.”  At least … Continue reading →

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for December

Posted on December 1, 2011 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for December 2011. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from November 2011, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year … Continue reading →

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Yadkin County FSA Executive Director to Retire

Posted on November 29, 2011 by tanya brown

Walter Smith, executive director of the Yadkin County Farm Service Agency in North Carolina will retire from federal service on Dec. 2, after more than 34 years of service to USDA. Smith began his career measuring crops from aerial slides … Continue reading →

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‘Freaky Farm Day’ Educates Producers and Children

Posted on November 29, 2011 by tanya brown

Children made crafts and learned about the Indiana bat and during "Freaky Farm Day."  Staff members at the Henry County USDA Service Center in New Castle, Ind., found a way to engage youth and educate local farmers about the programs … Continue reading →

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Honoring FSA Veterans: Jennifer Geel

Posted on November 28, 2011 by tanya brown

  by Latawnya Dia, FSA public affairs specialist Jennifer Geel is a Farm Loan Technician in Machias, Maine After graduating from high school, Jennifer Geel, a farm loan technician in Machias, Maine, joined the U.S. Army as an enlisted soldier. … Continue reading →

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USDA Employees Aid in Rebuilding Afghanistan Ag Economy

Posted on November 28, 2011 by tanya brown

Since 2003, USDA employees from locations across the United States have volunteered their unique skills to help Afghanistan rebuild its agricultural economy and regain its political and social stability. Paths to Progress is a 19-minute documentary-style film produced by USDA … Continue reading →

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Local Spotlight: Thumbs Up for Hand County FSA

Posted on November 23, 2011 by tanya brown

Back row (l to r): Bonnie Nickelson, CED; Trish Harrell, IT; Program Technicians Jean Johnson, Laurie Pfeifle and Kris Stevens, Susi Odden, COT and JoDee Bryant, Faulk County farm loan manager. Front row (l to r): Program Technicians Shelley Moncur … Continue reading →

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Honoring FSA Veterans: Richard Lopez

Posted on November 23, 2011 by tanya brown

Richard Lopez is a farm loan officer training in Estancia, N.M.   Hi, I’m Richard Lopez, farm loan officer trainee in Estancia, N.M. I served both active duty and in the reserves with the U.S. Army. I was a military … Continue reading →

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