Category Archives: News

As the harvest season comes to a close, the People’s Garden has a lot to be thankful for this year. Last week, the initiative’s "Share Your Harvest" effort passed the one million pound mark of fresh produce donated to local … Continue reading →

The 2011 Farm Service Agency County Committee elections open today, Nov. 4, with the mailing of ballots to eligible voters. All eligible voters have one month to complete the ballot and return by mail or in person to local USDA … Continue reading →

The U.S. Department of Agriculture kicked off its 150th anniversary yesterday in Illinois, the hometown of President Abraham Lincoln, who established the department in 1862. “USDA still fulfills President Lincoln's vision as ‘The People's Department’ — touching the lives of … Continue reading →

Members of the USDA Minority Farmer Advisory Committee will meet today and tomorrow to finalize recommendations to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on increasing minority participation in USDA programs and services. The committee — which was authorized under the 2008 Farm … Continue reading →

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for November 2011. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from October 2011, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year … Continue reading →

by Brad Pfaff, executive director, Wisconsin Farm Service Agency  Earlier this month, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack laid out his priorities for the upcoming farm bill. This bill is about a whole lot more than farming: it’s about supporting the jobs … Continue reading →

The latest edition of the MIDAS Press newsletter is now available online. This issue of the quarterly publication spotlights Carolyn Cooksie, executive sponsor of MIDAS, and highlights her perspective on the challenges of change. Additional insights into the business transformation … Continue reading →

A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress this month will aim to build the next generation of farmers. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 addresses many of the challenges facing younger farmers, including limited access to land and … Continue reading →

New Mexico State Executive Director Salomon Ramirez, whose sudden death on Oct. 22, 2011, was a shock to family, friends, coworkers and the entire FSA family, will be laid to rest tomorrow in New Mexico. “Salomon was a true friend … Continue reading →

USDA has decided to cut 12 statistical and commodity reports and reduce the frequency of four other reports in response to budgetary constraints. According to Joe Prusacki with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the cuts include annual farm number … Continue reading →