Category Archives: News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that it will create two new Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas in New York and North Carolina and expand an already established BCAP project area in Arkansas. “Increasing the production of … Continue reading →

Demand for American food and agricultural products abroad has led to the three best consecutive years for U.S. farm exports in the nation’s history, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “In 2010, President Obama comitted to doubling U.S. exports in … Continue reading →

There will not be an increase in the raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) or the domestic sugarcane or sugar beet processor marketing allotments, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A June review of the U.S. sugar market indicates a … Continue reading →

Comments are being sought on a proposal to improve the Farm Service Agency operating loan program to better meet the needs of small farmers. The new microloan program would simplify and streamline the application process and cut the paperwork in … Continue reading →

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is contacting farmers and ranchers across the country to gather information for three simultaneous surveys that focus on agricultural acreage, crops produced and stored, and hog inventory. Trained NASS enumerators will personally interview … Continue reading →

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for June 2012. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from May 2012, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year … Continue reading →

USDA has finalized changes to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), that will help reduce harmful sediments and fertilizers coming from farmland and entering into Pennsylvania rivers and streams. The improvement also will enhance waters downstream in Maryland, Virginia and … Continue reading →

The USDA Climate Change Program Office will host a seminar on “Climate Change Science: What USDA Needs to Know” on Thursday, June 7 from 2-4 p.m. in the USDA South Building Jefferson Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Scientists from within and … Continue reading →

Producers who want to enroll in the 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment (DCP) program have only two days left to apply. DCP provides payments to eligible producers on farms enrolled for the 2008-2012 crop years. Both direct payments and counter-cyclical … Continue reading →

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is proceeding with Farm Service Agency county office consolidations as part of the department’s Blueprint for Stronger Service. The Blueprint will help modernize and accelerate service delivery while improving the customer experience … Continue reading →