The fast-spreading Japanese vine that invaded the South now has brought with it a pest that is destroying soybean crops. The kudzu bug or Megacopta cribari is another Asian import first discovered in Atlanta a couple of years ago. Since then, it has spread through Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. A member of the stink bug family, the kudzu bug can cause more than a 20 percent loss in soybean crops and could spread to other areas in the U.S. where soybeans are grown. Read more (Los Angeles Times).

Producers in 92 counties in Texas have been authorized to open their Conservation Reserve Program acres for emergency grazing. Effective Nov. 1, farmers can use CRP acreage for their own livestock or may grant another producer use of the land. The historical drought that has plagued Texas farmland since the beginning of the year has caused more than $5 billion in damage to the agriculture industry and encouraged officials to open CRP acreage for emergency grazing. Generally, grazing is prohibited on CRP acres. Those interested must request approval from the local county FSA office. Learn more.

Some lawmakers are urging the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to stop any cuts to federal pay and benefits. A letter sent by 16 ranking members of House committees to the debt supercommittee stated that federal employees have sacrificed enough. Federal workers are currently under a two year pay freeze while agencies are cutting discretionary spending and reducing the workforce through early retirements and furloughs. The supercommittee has until Nov. 23 to submit recommendations to cut at lease $1.5 trillion from the national deficit. Read more (Federal News Radio).

The Farm Service Agency has been especially busy in 2011 assisting farmers and ranchers through extremely challenging disasters.  Here is another perspective on the way FSA assists as told by WCYB television reporter Laura Halm in Glade Spring, Va. 

GLADE SPRING, Va. — Almost six months ago, tornadoes barreled through our region destroying homes and businesses in Tennessee and Virginia. For farmers hit hardest by April’s tornadoes, there has been some relief. Over two million dollars in relief. Back in June the Farm Service Agency in Abingdon was awarded 2.1 million dollars to help farmers in Washington and Smyth counties.

Continue reading →

The Mississippi Delta Council For Farm Workers Opportunities, Inc. held its 40th Year Anniversary Celebration last week. Mrs. Bobbie Butler (photo), Farm Loan Manager, Coahoma County FSA was recognized for providing outstanding, iconic leadership and generous humanitarian support to MDC and the community at-large within the State of Mississippi.

Mrs. Bobbie Butler is the daughter of the late Andrew Brown, Sr. and Mae Frances Brown of Lyon, MS.  She is the 6th child of 11 children.  Bobbie grew up on Roy Flowers’ farm in Mattson, MS. She attended Dublin Elementary School, Coahoma County High School and Coahoma Community College.  Bobbie attends church at King Temple Baptist Church. 

Continue reading →

A year ago, President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act. It requires the federal government to write all new publications, forms and publicly distributed documents simply and directly.

Plain language is defined as “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience.”  In other words, people have to be able to understand it.

Continue reading →

The historical drought that scorched the entire state of Texas this year and cause more than $5 billion in damages to the agriculture industry could last another nine year, according to a climatologist. John Nielson-Gammon said the drought could last for multiple years much like the one that occurred in the 1950s. About 95 percent of the state is labeled as “severe” or “exceptional” drought, according to the USDA Drought Monitor. This has been the driest 12-month period the state has ever seen. Read more (Reuters).

The USDA Farm Service Agency has reduced the number of civil rights complaints in fiscal year 2010 to the lowest level in the agency’s history, while increasing the number of loans and dollar amount obligated to programs dedicated to minority and women farmers for fiscal year 2011. “The loan numbers reflect the significant progress we have made in the effort to equally serve all eligible applicants for FSA program support,” said FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson. Learn more.