Category Archives: Features

By Leila Naylor, Administrative Specialist, Rhode Island Farm Service Agency Lauri Roberts grew up in New York, having no farming background or farming experience. “I had previously worked for Green Peace in New York. Community gardens really impressed me while … Continue reading →

  by Dana Rogge, Public Affairs Specialist, Farm Service Agency David Hemme of Sweet Springs, Missouri, scrolls down through a German webpage on his smartphone. The insignia of “Hemme Milch” anchors the top of the page, a company owned and operated … Continue reading →

By Michael Miller, Farm Loan Manager, Kentucky Farm Service Agency Aaron and Laura Briner live on their 24-acre farm, Laughing Lab Acres, located in Henderson County, Kentucky, where they raise Heritage livestock to be sold through farmer’s markets and by … Continue reading →

by Dana Rogge, FSA Public Affairs Specialist Dry conditions plagued Montana this summer, with multiple wildfires torching over 1 million acres throughout the state. The largest fire, the Lodgepole Complex fire, impacted over 270,000 acres. Recent rain and snow, and … Continue reading →

By Lauren Moore, FSA Public Affairs Specialist Ryan Kuster uploaded his first video to his YouTube channel, “How Farms Work,” in June of 2008. The video, about chopping hay, raked in over 20,000 views. “It wasn’t supposed to be anything … Continue reading →

 By Wayne Maloney, FSA Public Affairs As efforts continue to improve the water quality of Chesapeake Bay, oyster farming is being looked at as a way to filter bay waters, while also creating a viable shellfish industry that augments traditional … Continue reading →

By Mary Kirby, Illinois FSA Communications Coordinator While most of the country is still sleeping at 4 a.m. every morning, the Johnson brothers, Kyle and Kurt, of Villa Rosa Farm in Bond County, Illinois, are up and milking their herd … Continue reading →

By Beverly Preston, USDA Farm Service Agency North America is filled with people who appreciate birds.  Many watch them, some hunt them for food and others just value their beauty and song.  Wild birds of all types are a sign … Continue reading →

By Dawn Pindell, Connecticut FSA Outreach Specialist and Dana Rogge, FSA Public Affairs Specialist In 2013, on a drive to the local farm supply store, 16 year old Orion Newall-Vuillemot’s mother posed a question to him – “Why don’t we … Continue reading →

USDA Celebrates National Farmers Market Week By Lauren Moore, FSA Public Affairs Specialist John and Pat Sondgeroth, owners and operators of Heartland Meats in Mendota, Illinois, have been selling their meat products at farmers markets in the Chicago area for … Continue reading →