Category Archives: Features

Farm Loan Programs – Making a Difference for Thousands in Rural America across the Country

Posted on January 24, 2018 by cassiebable

By Jim Radintz, Deputy Administrator for Farm Loan Programs, Farm Service Agency Capital is the lifeblood of any farming and ranching operation, and in the recently completed fiscal year the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Loan Programs pumped $5.9 … Continue reading →

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USDA Disaster Program Helps West Virginia Farmer Bounce Back After Production Loss

Posted on January 12, 2018 by cassiebable

By Roger Poling, West Virginia Farm Service Agency Lewis-Upshur-Gilmer County Executive Director Terri Jo Bennett operates a small, diverse farm, where she raises and sells several varieties of berries, maple syrup, eggs and honey. In June of 2003, Bennett, along … Continue reading →

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USDA Farm Loans Help Nebraska Beginning Farmer Beef Up His Operation

Posted on December 20, 2017 by cassiebable

By Lauren Moore, FSA Public Affairs Specialist Hank Schaardt grew up on his family’s cattle operation and feedyard in Pawnee County, Nebraska, where he dreamed to one day have a bigger hand in operations and to carry on his family’s … Continue reading →

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USDA Employees in Texas Panhandle Tour Local Cotton Gin

Posted on December 15, 2017 by cassiebable

By Cassie Bable, Farm Service Agency Public Affairs Specialist The Texas Panhandle, like the rest of the state, saw an increase in the number of acres planted to cotton this year due to the decline in grain prices. U.S. Department … Continue reading →

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Battlefields to Beehives – USDA Helps West Virginia Veteran Grow His Farm into a Success

Posted on December 8, 2017 by cassiebable

By Lauren Moore, Farm Service Agency Public Affairs Specialist Eric Grandon never thought he would be a farmer. After joining the Army at 19, he served in four peace-time missions in the Middle East and two combat missions, Operations Desert … Continue reading →

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USDA Farm Service Agency Program Helps a New York Fish Farm Stay Afloat

Posted on November 30, 2017 by cassiebable

By Lynnette Wright, FSA Public Affairs Specialist, New York Challenging weather hit upstate New York hard in the summer of 2016. Extreme heat, coupled with one of the worst droughts in recorded history, brought many impacted producers to the Farm … Continue reading →

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USDA Offers Opportunities to America’s Veterans as they Seek Careers in Agriculture

Posted on November 9, 2017 by cassiebable

By Scott Whittington, USDA Farm Service Agency Thousands of veterans leave the military every year, but there’s a new “service” they can provide. Over the next few decades, the world will need to increase its food production to keep up … Continue reading →

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FSA Facility Loan Gives Washington State Producers Marketing Advantage

Posted on November 3, 2017 by cassiebable

By Cassie Bable, FSA Public Affairs Specialist John and Dorie Belisle own and operate BelleWood Acres in northwest Washington State, just outside of Bellingham, the last town from the Canadian border. The Belisles and their family planted their first apple … Continue reading →

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Georgia Youth Finds Eggs-cellent Success with FSA Youth Loan

Posted on October 31, 2017 by cassiebable

  By Dana Rogge, Public Affairs Specialist His vision – build an egg empire. Aaron Muhammad, 15, of Dawson, Georgia, wasn’t raised on a farm and had no prior farm experience, but decided to try something new and discovered his … Continue reading →

Posted in Atop the Fence Post, Features, Regional Posts | 2 Comments

Arkansas Producer Diversifies Breeder Hen Operation Using USDA Microloan

Posted on October 20, 2017 by cassiebable

By Cassie Bable, FSA Public Affairs Specialist Agricultural producers know that the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has programs to assist them when natural disasters strike and commodity prices decline; however, most producers take preventative measures to further protect their … Continue reading →

Posted in Atop the Fence Post, Features, Regional Posts | 1 Comment