USDA is aiming to change its culture and will embrace recommendations from a two-year study of the agency that looked at the history of discrimination and civil rights failings. “There is a massive effort within USDA to change the culture,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “There is a real commitment from the top down.” The $8 million study by an outside organization made more than 200 recommendations that include appointing a “chief diversity officer” in each of the agency’s state offices and requiring farm service officials to “thoroughly” explain denying loans for minorities. Read more (The Washington Post) or review the summary report.

Flooding that has enveloped many of the southern states could also put local farmhands out of work and contribute to the rise in food prices. As the Mississippi River crests and begins flooding parts of Mississippi and Louisiana, the waters are wreaking havoc on wheat that is almost ready for harvest and recently planted corn that just broke through the ground. The barrage of water also is impacting the planting of rice, soybeans and cotton. According to the Arkansas Farm Bureau, the flooding has submerged 1 million acres of cropland, costing more than $500 million. Destruction of the crops could result in higher food prices for consumers. Read more (Fox News).

 
Show Me Energy Cooperative President Steve Flick meets with Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs Brandon Willis to discuss ways BCAP will improve domestic energy security. Show Me Cooperative is the first company to receive a grant under the BCAP Project Area.  

In an announcement released yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack established the first Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) Project Area to promote the next generation of biofuels.

The announcement comes as Americans pinch their pennies at the pump while gas prices pass $4 a gallon.

“Reducing our dependence on foreign oil and getting a handle on out of control gas prices will require investments in projects like we are announcing today,” said Vilsack.

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Researchers along with USDA officials are hoping that perennial forms of corn, wheat, rice and other crops will be the future of farming. The idea of perennial crops would help reduce environmental damage and soil erosion caused by the planting of conventional grains. USDA has requested Congress to allocate $1 million in fiscal year 2012 for perennial grain research, which is an increase over this year’s funding. In 2009-10, nearly $1.5 million in grants were given by USDA for perennial grain research. Read more (Des Moines Register).

Producers and landowners interested in participating in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program have a few weeks left to submit a proposal. BCAP provides incentives to farmers, ranchers and landowners to produce biomass crops for heat, power, biobased products and biofuels. Proposals are being accepted for certain geographic project areas and must be received by the May 27 deadline. Learn more or access the submission form.

Rob Reuteman reported yesterday at CNBC Online that, “Farm subsidies, including billions in direct payments that go to many farmers annually regardless of need, are on everyone’s federal budget chopping block this year. Learn more (FarmPolicy.com)