The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for April 2012. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from March 2012, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during April is 1.125, unchanged from last month. Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans and discount rates for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program also are available. Read more.

Organic farms have increased by 240 percent since 2002, according to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Based on an updated list of certified organic operations, there are about 17,600 organic farms and processing facilities in the United States. That is a 240 percent increase since 2002 when the National Organic Program began its oversight of industry. To date, there are 28,779 certified organic operators across 133 countries. Learn more and view the fact sheet.

Producers have just one week left to ign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program. The voluntary program allows agricultural producers the opportunity to plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. In return, USDA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. In its 25 years, CRP has successfully protected the nation’s natural resources while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States. Those interested in participating have until April 6 to submit an application. Learn more.

Producers interested in signing up for the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment (DCP) program must do so by June 1. “I encourage all producers interested in DCP to visit the service center where their farm is administered and sign up before the busy planting season gets underway,” said Farm Service Agency Administrator Bruce Nelson. DCP provides payments to eligible producers on farms enrolled for any of the 2008 through 2012 crop years. Learn more.

The Farm Service Agency is now accepting applications for the next round of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program project areas. “BCAP provides incentives to farmers and forest landowners to grow non-food crops to be processed into biofuels – a critical element of our national energy strategy to address high fuel prices and reduce reliance on foreign oil,” said FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson. Project areas where these crops are grown will be selected from proposals producers or biomass facilities submit to FSA. Applications must be submitted by April 23. Learn more or submit a proposal.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a statement warning residents and businesses in several states to beware of letters being faxed with the USDA logo that requests personal information. The letters claim to come from USDA and include the logo and seal. The fake letters have been faxed to Wisconsin, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and possibly some other states. Learn more.