Category Archives: News

U.S. farmers planted 92.3 million acres of corn in 2011, up 4.6 percent from last year, according to report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Driven by higher commodity prices, U.S. corn growers increased … Continue reading →

Four more states will be added to the list of project areas under a Farm Service Agency program that encourages producers to establish unconventional crops to be used for biofuels. Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania were selected as part of … Continue reading →

The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency county committees is now open. Farmers and ranchers can nominate themselves or others as candidates to sit on the local county committee and help make important agricultural decisions. Nominations will be accepted through Aug. … Continue reading →

Farmers and ranchers in Nebraska are scared, according to John Berge, executive director of the National Food and Agriculture Council. Flooding from the Missouri River has corn and soybean fields under nearly four feet of water and levees eroding due … Continue reading →

The Farm Service Agency will begin accepting nominations for local county committees beginning Wednesday, June 15. The nomination period — which runs through Aug. 1 — allows farmers and ranchers to nominate themselves or others as candidates to sit on … Continue reading →

The Farm Service Agency is expanding its efforts to encourage owners of privately held farm, ranch and forest land in eight additional states to voluntarily open the land for public recreational use. The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program … Continue reading →

USDA took another step toward improving the environment by enrolling more than 2.8 million acres during the Conservation Reserve Program’s 41st sign-up period. This is the second consecutive year that USDA has offered a general sign-up, and with more than … Continue reading →

The USDA Farm Service Agency in California is meeting the needs of minority farmers. Last year 39.7 percent of approved loans were made to minority of socially disadvantaged applicants and the agency continues to reach out for more participation. “In … Continue reading →

About $7 million is available to eligible farmers, ranchers and private non-industrial forest landowners in 11 states to help implement conservation practices. The Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative helps producers initiate practices that will create clean water and air, reduce soil … Continue reading →

Wasps may be the answer to eradicating the emerald ash borer. Scientists are experimenting with the insects in several states based on results from China that showed three tiny species of wasps killed the borer. The wasps will be released … Continue reading →