Category Archives: Features

W. Va Farmer First in Nation to Use New Conservation Loan Program

Joe Shaffer (left) is first farmer in the nation to apply and receive funding through the Conservation Loan Program. Matt Briggs, farm loan manager, helped him through the process. Joe Shaffer had almost given up on constructing a protected livestock … Continue reading

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Workshop Reaches Out to Disadvantaged, Beginning Farmers

 The Massachusetts Farm Service Agency, as part of their continuing outreach to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and growers, helped sponsor a workshop on the technical process of erecting a high tunnel greenhouse. About 75 people attended the day-long workshop, which … Continue reading

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Invisible Roundup: GPS Technology Replaces Traditional Fences

With GPS technology, wire fences and wooden posts may be a thing of the past when it comes to containing livestock. The latest in herd control places a GPS tracking device around a cow’s neck and with a few pieces … Continue reading

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Kazakh Ag Minister Visits North Dakota FSA Office

  North Dakota SED Aaron Krauter discusses farm programs with a group of representatives from Kazakhstan.   State Executive Director Aaron Krauter and program specialist Dale Ihry explained several FSA programs to the delegation, including direct payments, Average Crop Revenue … Continue reading

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Massachusetts CED Awarded for Excellent Customer Service

Ted C. Smiarowski (left), pictured with Tom Smiarowski of MA FSA, received the Outstanding Customer Service Effort Award last week during the Western Massachusetts Federal Executives Award Ceremony. Ted C. Smiarowski, county executive director of Farm Service Agency in Hampshire/Hampden … Continue reading

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Editorial: Time to Thank Our Farmers and Ranchers

Montana grocery stores and supermarkets are amazing places.   The fresh produce, meat and dairy products on our shelves are astounding. The cereals and breads are so plentiful and various you wonder if anyone has ever taken the time to … Continue reading

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Iowa FSA Uses Community Resources to Collect 850 Pounds of Food for Pantry

    Pictured (l to r): Dave Stromer CED, Connie Zittritsch, Shelly Kohlhaas, Robin Rode, Lila Smith, Cindy Gaedke, Sharon Lovstad, Michelle Bell, Danielle Hanson and Brian Tumey.   More than 850 pounds of food was donated to the Kossuth … Continue reading

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FSA Youth Loan Enhances 11-Year-Old’s Livestock Showing Potential

  The life of a typical young boy is nothing compared to the daily routine of 11-year-old FSA Youth Loan recipient, Tanner Johnson.  "My day starts and ends by hand mixing hog feed, feeding and watering farm animals, and working … Continue reading

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TN FSA Sets Goal to Deliver 2,000 Pounds of Food to Needy

Laura Booker (left) and Sheila Spears set the bar high for the Sumner County FSA Service Center to collect 2,000 pounds of food during the national Feds, Farmers and Friends Feed Families initiative, which ends today. Farm Service Agency employees … Continue reading

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Award-Winning People’s Garden Donates 889 Pounds of Produce to Seniors

Employees at the FSA West Liberty Service Center planted an award-winning People’s Garden that helped provide food to senior citizens who lost their homes to flooding. The senior citizen’s centers in seven Kentucky counties are benefitting from fresh produce grown as part … Continue reading

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