Tyler Brune,of Sedgewickville, Mo., dreams of being a farmer some day, and Missouri Farm Service Agency (FSA) is helping to make his dream a reality through the Farm Loan Program and the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
A California bill awaiting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature could help farmworkers form unions by halting employer interference. The bill will allow a union victory should any employer misconduct be shown during union elections. Unions said that employers illegally interfered with workers wanting to from unions; however, critics claim that unions are just trying to boost their numbers. Nearly 450,000 people work on California farms, yet only 16,000 full-time farmworkers belong to a union. (Associated Press) Read more.
USDA has established a $1 million pilot program to develop and run community gardens at high-poverty schools. The People’s Garden School Pilot Program, which will be implemented in about five states, will teach students about agriculture production practices, and diet and nutrition. According to a USDA press release, the program also will provide children with access to a nutritious and safe diet and help influence healthier choices. Read more.
Producers interested in offering land in an effort to protect millions of acres of topsoil from erosion and improve the nation’s natural resources, have until tomorrow to do so. Producers who enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program during the general sign-up period — which ends Friday, Aug. 27 — will be expected to plant long-term, resource-conserving covers in exchange for rental payments, cost-share and technical assistance. Those interested should consult their local Farm Service Agency county office. Learn more or locate an FSA county office.
Tom Grzadzieleski, Jr., received help from FSA staff, including Farm Loan Manager Linda Werven, to double the size of his operation in Drayton, N.D.
North Dakota farmers and ranchers have received more than 1.7 million dollars in stimulus funding through direct operating loans offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). The funding, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), improved FSA’s ability to make loans to farmers and ranchers that are unable to obtain commercial credit from a bank.
Iowa’s soybean crop is in danger of being consumed by sudden death syndrome, according to the USDA, which issued a warning yesterday. According to the agency, nearly 68 percent of the crop is in good to excellent condition; however, there is concern about the amount of acreage affected by the syndrome that causes soybean roots to rot. Learn more (DesMoines Register).
USDA and the Department of Justice will hold a joint public workshop on Friday, Aug. 27 to discuss competition in the livestock industry. The workshop — the fourth in a series of five — will be held at Colorado State University and focus on regulations in the livestock sector, with special attention on the cattle industry. Register today, learn more or view the agenda.
California has approved new rules to help strengthen standards used to protect people who work outside, including agriculture laborers. The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board updated the standards, which were put into place in 2005, to require employers to provide shade for a quarter of their outside crew after temperatures hit 85 degrees. Since 2005, 12 agriculture workers have died due to heat-related incidents. (Associated Press) Read more.
Weather conditions across the country look good for the remainder of the summer growing season, according to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Conditions this year are equal to or better than last year with no excessive heat expected in the coming months; however, a busy hurricane season is forecasted for the southern states and along the East Coast.
A Latino graduate student at Michigan State University is earning his doctorate degree by helping to direct at least $1 million in grants and loans to Latino farmers throughout the state of Michigan. Robert Gardner-Sandoval is targeting Latino residents in Sanilac County and other areas to help them tap into funds provided through USDA’s loans for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Of the 2,329 farm operators in Sanilac County, only 12 are Latino. Gardner-Sandoval created the Latino Farm Management Association to help change those numbers. (The Times Herald) Read more.
