Category Archives: Features

  Wide smiles, a firm handshake and a big check sealed a continued partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and the National Rural Water Association. Brandon Willis, deputy administrator for Farm Programs recently presented a $5 … Continue reading →

Steve Maurer is a diverse professional. Jobs on his resume range from a high school German teacher to mayor of Botkins, Ohio. He also served as director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture and is currently the state executive director … Continue reading →

  Program Technician Leslie Morgan in the Oroville, Calif. Farm Service Agency snapped this photo of her son David Duncan watching his ag pilot grandpa Bud Harrison taxi down the runway. “I am proud to say my brother, Mark ‘Cropgun’ … Continue reading →

  With help from the Farm Service Agency and more than 22 years of agricultural experience, Deborah L. Walliser turned an ordinary greenhouse into a low-carbon-footprint-method of growing vegetables that is able to create more food with less water, space … Continue reading →

Ben Fast, Redwood County, Minn., Farm Service Agency director is aiding USDA and FEMA to assess flood damage in the state. For the past few weeks, Fast has monitored flooding from the Minnesota River and documented its effects on the … Continue reading →

  RMS staff member Zandra Pendarvis studies the Agenda for the Listening Session in Davis, Calif. More than 220 USDA employees met Thursday at the Varsity Theatre in Davis, Calif. to share their thoughts during the first listening session designed … Continue reading →

 Michael Wooden, state executive director, Virginia Farm Service Agency, addresses a crowded auditorium during the 3rd Annual USDA Outreach Conference. Virginia State University was host to the 3rd Annual USDA Outreach Conference recently held as part of the agency’s effort … Continue reading →

 Patsy Bronner, advisor for the county committee in Howard County, Iowa, headed home from a committee meeting in a tractor after her husband was delayed and unable to pick her up on time. The tractor, which is owned by the … Continue reading →

Women are increasing their role in Mississippi agriculture and becoming an important force in the industry. Nearly 29 percent of all farm operators in the state are women, and in 15 percent of the operations they are key decision-makers, according to … Continue reading →

The Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association (MFMA) held its spring conference last week in Shoreview, Minn., welcoming members from Minnesota and Wisconsin who came to network and exchange ideas. MFMA was established to help represent farmers markets with a voice and … Continue reading →