Author Archives: tanya brown

Blaha Family: A Picture of Oregon CREP Success

Posted on July 20, 2011 by tanya brown

 Pictured standing in the CREP acreage admiring the Kincaid’s Lupine are representatives of the three-part Conservation Partnership between FSA, the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Mossback Farm. Pictured l tor: Josh Togstad, riparian planner, SWCD; Amie Loop-Frison, … Continue reading →

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Despite Pay Freeze, Some Federal Workers Could Get a Raise

Posted on July 19, 2011 by tanya brown

Certain general schedule employees may be approved for a pay increase in 2012 despite the freeze on federal salaries. In a memo by John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management, there will be no increases in special pay … Continue reading →

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Non-Farmers Paying Top Dollar for U.S. Farmland

Posted on July 19, 2011 by tanya brown

Farmland is becoming the hottest investment. But beginning farmers or those looking to expand aren’t the one’s buying it up. Rich investors with no ties to agriculture and no knowledge of running a farm are paying top dollar for acres … Continue reading →

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USDA Reassures Farmers and Ranchers in States Affected by Extreme Weather

Posted on July 18, 2011 by tanya brown

Resources are available to producers affected by the severe weather affecting most of the United States. A reminder was issued last Friday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reassuring farmers hit by floods, tornadoes, drought and fires, that USDA is working … Continue reading →

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Teen Experiment Combats Noxious Weed Problem

Posted on July 18, 2011 by tanya brown

While most teens are trying to keep busy this summer, Jacob Schindler is on the speaking circuit and applying for research grants. The 17-year-old has invented a way to combat Kudzu, an invasive plant that has taken over millions of … Continue reading →

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Farming Dreams and Independence Day

Posted on July 15, 2011 by tanya brown

Young members of the Chedepo-Grebo tribe celebrate their cultural heritage by re-creating traditional decoration and attire during a recent cultural celebration in Guinda.  The tribe is utilizing an FSA Operating Loan to expand its specialty fruit and vegetable growing business … Continue reading →

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Joint Forces Bring Cost-Saving Ideas to FSA

Posted on July 15, 2011 by tanya brown

A taskforce designed to streamline day-to-day FSA operations in response to department-wide budget constraints is joining forces with the latest employee feedback initiative.   The Best Practices Taskforce was initiated in March 2011 to develop innovative ideas that could generate … Continue reading →

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New Online Resource Provides Quick Answers to Software Questions

Posted on July 14, 2011 by tanya brown

Staff searching for a central location to find solutions to their software questions have a place to turn. The Quick Tips and Resource Links site, or QTips is now available to help answer specific questions about Microsoft Office programs such … Continue reading →

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Report: Discrimination Complaints Increase Across Government Agencies

Posted on July 13, 2011 by tanya brown

More than 17,000 complaints of employment discrimination were filed by federal employees and applicants during fiscal year 2010, a 3.75 percent increase over last year. According to the Annual Report on the Federal Work Force issued by the U.S. Equal … Continue reading →

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USDA to Issue $15 million to Compensate Asparagus Producers

Posted on July 13, 2011 by tanya brown

About $15 million in payments will be issued to asparagus producers approved for the Asparagus Revenue Market Loss Assistance Payment Program. The program compensates asparagus producers for revenue losses during the 2004 through 2007 crop year. Payments, which are set … Continue reading →

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