The USDA Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers met with farmers and advocates in Memphis yesterday in what some are calling a historic event. The committee was formed to develop way to increase minority participation in department programs and services. Producers from across the country participated and offered public comments during the session. Members will advise Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on additional ways the Department can continue building an inclusive future with targeted outreach and assistance to minority and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Read more (Memphis Commercial Appeal).

U.S. farmers may produce the third largest corn crop in history, based on the latest USDA crop production report released today. Corn production is forecast at 12.9 billion bushels, up 4 percent from last year. Conditions as of Aug. 1 show corn yields are expected to average 153.0 bushels per acre, up 0.2 bushels from 2010. The summer heat and dry conditions across the country has hindered soybeans, cotton and all wheat production. Read the report.

Tennessee State Committee member Milford Snodgrass died on Saturday Aug. 6, after a brief battle with cancer. Snodgrass — the only African-American committee member — owned and operated a 250 acre farm, growing corn and hay, and raising cattle. He is survived by his wife Sylvia, son Todd Goins, granddaughter Iva Lynn, daughter Tahlena Snodgrass and grandchildren Ethan, Joshua and McKelia, all of Tazewell, Tenn. His work and support for the USDA Farm Service Agency will be greatly missed. Read Obituary.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said it has no intention on proposing new regulations governing the transport of agricultural products. The agency also released guidance for states to understand the exemptions that allow farmers to accomplish their work and transport products to market. “We have no intention of instituting onerous regulations on the hardworking farmers who feed our country and fuel our economy,” said Secretary Ray LaHood. “Farmers deserve to know that reasonable, common sense exemptions will continue to be consistently available to agricultural operations across the country, and that’s why we released this guidance.” Learn more.

Members of USDA's Minority Farmer Advisory Committee will meet for the first time on Aug. 11-12 to discuss efforts to increase minority participation in department programs and services. The establishment of this committee builds upon existing cultural transformation initiatives underway and will help ensure fair and equal access to USDA services. Members will advise Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on additional ways the Department can continue building an inclusive future with targeted outreach and assistance to minority and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Learn more.

Valman Cummins, FSA chief learning officer (left) presented the Gold Award to FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson for having the highest number of AgLearn course completions of any USDA agency.

The Farm Service Agency was recently awarded the Gold Award for outstanding achievement from AgLearn for having the highest number of mission-related course completions of any agency within USDA. The award covers the period of Oct. 2010 to June 2011 and was determined by dividing the total number of completed courses by the number of employees in each agency. A total of 17,000 completions were logged. “This is an amazing feat and all FSA employees should be commended for a job well done,” said FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson.

The Farm Service Agency has made changes to its Conservation Reserve Program policies to help producers affected by ongoing drought conditions. The changes extend the emergency grazing period through Oct. 31, 2011. Generally, land enrolled in CRP cannot be used for grazing unless special circumstances warrant the land to be opened for that purpose. Texas, along with Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma have been approved for emergency grazing. “We continue to do all we can to help thousands of farmers and ranchers in the southwestern United States who are struggling from drought,” said Vilsack. Learn more.

The Office of Personnel Management has announced the dates for the 2012 federal benefits open season. Eligible employees and current enrollees can join, change plans or types of coverage in the Federal Employee Health Benefits or FEDVIP (dental and vision plans) programs between Nov. 14 and Dec. 12, 2011. The option to enroll in the flexible spending account also is available during the open enrollment period. Learn more (Fedweek).