Author Archives: tanya brown

Changes Made to CRP Grazing to Aid Drought-Stricken Producers

Posted on August 9, 2011 by tanya brown

The Farm Service Agency has made changes to its Conservation Reserve Program policies to help producers affected by ongoing drought conditions. The changes extend the emergency grazing period through Oct. 31, 2011. Generally, land enrolled in CRP cannot be used … Continue reading →

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Dates for Federal Benefits Open Season Announced

Posted on August 8, 2011 by tanya brown

The Office of Personnel Management has announced the dates for the 2012 federal benefits open season. Eligible employees and current enrollees can join, change plans or types of coverage in the Federal Employee Health Benefits or FEDVIP (dental and vision … Continue reading →

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Ohio FSA People’s Garden Feeds Hungry Families

Posted on August 8, 2011 by tanya brown

The Farm Service Agency in Perry Township, OH, has made 10 deliveries of fresh vegetables from its People’s Garden to help hungry families. Employees use their breaks and lunch time to cultivate the two raised-bed gardens that have supplied radishes, … Continue reading →

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FSA Loan Officer Customer Service Pays Off for Immigrant Farmer

Posted on August 5, 2011 by tanya brown

 A loan from FSA bought Hongye Gao a new tractor that has helped his farm to flourish.   The USDA Farm Service Agency in Hawaii is going above and beyond to assist minority farmers in the Aloha State.  Thomas Nii, … Continue reading →

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Indiana FSA Educates Jr. Master Gardeners Through People’s Garden Initiative

Posted on August 3, 2011 by tanya brown

The Newton County Farm Service Agency in Morocco, Ind., expanded its People’s Garden this year to include three plots that were tended by elementary school children. Last week, the group of third and fourth graders who completed the Junior Master … Continue reading →

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Minnesota Pig Roast Raises $640 for Feds Feed Families

Posted on August 3, 2011 by tanya brown

  In an effort to support the Feds Feed Families Food Drive, USDA agencies in the St. Paul, Minn. area joined forces to provide $640, the equivalent of 1,920 pounds of food, to the Second Harvest Heartland food bank by … Continue reading →

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USDA Headquarters Collects 2,500 Pounds of Food for Needy Families

Posted on August 3, 2011 by tanya brown

Employees at the USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., collected 2,500 pounds of food last week during the Flavors of USDA: Feds Cook to Feed Families. The event celebrated food from different cultures represented throughout the department and served as an … Continue reading →

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for August

Posted on August 2, 2011 by tanya brown

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

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Applications Being Accepted for People’s Garden Grant Opportunity

Posted on August 2, 2011 by tanya brown

Applications are now being accepted for a People’s Garden Grant Program designed to facilitate the creation of produce, recreation or wildlife gardens in urban and rural areas. The gardens will provide opportunities for science-based informal education. About $750,000 is available … Continue reading →

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Federal Employee Pay & Benefits Safe… For Now

Posted on August 2, 2011 by tanya brown

Federal employees can breathe a temporary sigh of relief as spending cuts set as part of the deal to raise the debt ceiling will not affect federal pay and benefits. But the deal isn’t totally off of the table. As … Continue reading →

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