Lead your FSA – Maine Oyster Producer Serves on his FSA County Committee to Give Back

Posted on June 14, 2018 by cassiebable

David Cheney (left) and his employee, Brent Benner, examine their oyster harvest.

By Lauren Moore, Public Affairs Specialist

After lobstering for 16 years, David Cheney became a full-time oyster producer in 2012.

Cheney owns and operates Johns River Oysters in Lincoln County, Maine, where he produces American cocktail oysters. Oysters from his operation are sold to distributors servicing restaurants in Maine, Massachusetts and Georgia.

“I enjoy being self-employed and working on the water,” said Cheney. “Scuba dive harvesting in clear warm water is quite rewarding.”

He designed custom-welded, aluminum work boats for his operation and built three specialized oyster rafts for storage, grading and cleaning. To further grow his business, he is in the process of retrofitting a lobster pound into a seed production facility and a distribution and cold storage dock. Continue reading →

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Fiber Farm Weaves USDA Programs Together

Posted on June 8, 2018 by cassiebable

Bridget Kavanagh is the owner and shepherdess of Happy Goat Lucky Ewe Fiber Farm in Mason, Michigan.

By: Savannah Halleaux, Michigan FSA Public Affairs & Outreach Coordinator

“It was always my desire to have a sheep farm,” said Bridget Kavanagh, owner and shepherdess of Happy Goat Lucky Ewe Fiber Farm in Mason, Michigan.

Kavanagh bought the property in 1987 when her children were little. It wasn’t until her children grew up and started moving out on their own that Kavanagh was able to turn the homestead into a business.

“I didn’t go through the empty nest syndrome because I kept buying sheep,” Kavanagh joked.

Kavanagh saw the need to expand her sheep and goat herd to meet customer demand for her merino and angora goat fiber. Much of her prospective pasture land was covered in dense scrub brush, so Kavanagh first had to turn “the jungle” of thorny, overgrown brush into quality pasture for livestock. Continue reading →

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Lead Your FSA – Colorado Beginning Farmer Answers Call to Get Involved

Posted on June 7, 2018 by cassiebable

Miranda Sandoval grew up on her family’s operation, Sandoval Ranches, in Conejos County, Colorado. Now as a fifth-generation farmer, Sandoval is carrying on the family tradition of raising cattle and alfalfa. She was recently elected to serve on her local FSA county committee.

By: Lauren Moore, Public Affairs Specialist

Deep Roots in Ag

Miranda Sandoval grew up on her family’s operation, Sandoval Ranches, in Conejos County, Colorado. Now as a fifth-generation farmer, Sandoval is carrying on the family tradition.

“Agriculture runs deep in my roots,” she said. “Growing up, I helped my dad on the ranch. It gave me such an appreciation for the industry because I got to see the hard work that goes into producing food.”

At Sandoval Ranches, they raise cattle and grow alfalfa. Aside from working on the ranch with her family, Sandoval is studying agribusiness at Adams State University.

“The values, work ethic and love of the land is why I chose to continue farming and ranching,” she said.  Continue reading →

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FSA County Committee Nomination Period Opens June 15

Posted on June 6, 2018 by cassiebable

FSA county committee members from across the country serve as a direct link between their agricultural communities and USDA.

The nomination period for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committees opens on June 15. Each county office is looking for producers to serve on the local county committee. County committee elections are held annually in every county when FSA accepts nominations for a certain Local Administrative Area (LAA). The LAA up for election rotates each year. If your LAA is up for election this year, please nominate yourself or another producer to serve on your local FSA county committee. Continue reading →

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FSA’s Risk Mitigation Program Pays Off After Irma for Florida Shellfish Hatchery

Posted on June 1, 2018 by cassiebable

Curtis Hemmel, owner and operator of Bay Shellfish Company.

By Lauren Moore, FSA Public Affairs Specialist

Bay Shellfish Company is a commercial hatchery in Florida, located south of the Tampa Bay area on Terra Ceia Island. The operation, opened in 1996, is the first commercial hatchery to produce commercial oyster seed in the state.

“We produce shellfish for research, restoration and commercial production,” said Curtis Hemmel, owner and operator of Bay Shellfish Company.

Hemmel’s company is one of the largest and oldest operations in the southeast United States to produce bivalve seed for the clam and oyster farming industry.

On Sept. 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida, impacting communities and agricultural operations across the state. Hemmel was one of the many producers who sustained damage and losses caused by the devastating storm. Continue reading →

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Strong Roots Grow Success for Beginning Farmer

Posted on May 25, 2018 by cassiebable

When Davidson turned 18 in 2012, he graduated high school and immediately planned to start a farming operation.

By Shawn McCowan, Texas FSA

Dakota Davidson, a beginning farmer in Deport, Texas, knew early on his future was planted in farming. Dakota now owns and operates Davidson Farms, growing wheat, corn and soybeans.

Rooted in Agriculture

Dakota grew up surrounded by agriculture.

When Dakota turned 18 in 2012, he graduated high school and immediately planned to start a farming operation of his own.

“Agriculture is something I’ve always been around. I’ve always dreamed of having a farm of my own,” he said.

All he needed was business guidance, land, equipment and financing.

Dakota’s father, Jackie, provided sound guidance and allowed him to borrow machinery until he could afford his own. A few local farmers considered retiring and Dakota’s youthful charisma inspired them. One became a mentor, while others transferred land leases or equipment to him. Continue reading →

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Rhode Island Women in Agriculture Connect for Success

Posted on May 18, 2018 by cassiebable

The 2018 conference brought together 180 farmers and partners focused on expanding the success of women in sustainable agriculture.

By: Leila Naylor, Rhode Island FSA Administrative Specialist

Started a few years ago, the Rhode Island Women in Agriculture conference was a great way to bring together women farmers from across the state to talk tips and tricks of the business. This year’s conference – organized by the new nonprofit Rhode Island Women in Agriculture – brought together 180 farmers.

“This biennial event has grown significantly over the years and provided many women farmers with the resources they need to succeed in agriculture,” said Ingrid Fratantuono, Rhode Island USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm program specialist. Continue reading →

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Deadline Approaches to Register for Key Dairy Safety Net Program

Posted on May 14, 2018 by cassiebable

Holstein dairy cows eat a prescribed feed. USDA photo by Scott Bauer.

By Danielle Cooke, Farm Service Agency

Dairy producers have until June 1, 2018, to register for the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which provides protection to dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices.

To help raise awareness of recent changes to the program, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is holding informational meetings all across dairy country, explaining changes to the program, coverage levels, premiums and the availability of the Margin Protection Program-Dairy Decision Tool.  Continue reading →

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USDA Loan Helps Couple Toast New Winery

Posted on May 11, 2018 by cassiebable

Before opening their boutique winery, Hillary and Diane visited the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center where they learned about FSA’s farm loan opportunities.

By Lauren Moore, FSA Public Affairs Specialist 

Hillary and Diane Dean, boutique wine operators in Caddo, Oklahoma, are passionate about wine making. The Deans own and operate Blue River Valley Winery, growing several grape varieties and producing over varieties of wine.

From Hobby to Business

“It all started with homemade peach wine. A family member had us try their homemade wine and we couldn’t believe the quality. We wanted to try our hand at it,” said Diane. “We started off in the kitchen. Our table space was taken up by small fermenters.”

After making craft beer for nearly 20 years, Hillary and Diane fell in love with making fine wine. Their hobby quickly became a business, selling more than 15,000 bottles of their handcrafted wine in 2016 and over 19,000 in 2017. Continue reading →

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At FSA, Our Public Servants Do Right, Feed Everyone

Posted on May 7, 2018 by cassiebable

By Julie Polt, FSA

At every level of government, public servants dedicate their careers to serving and helping people just like you. Each year, these servants are recognized during Public Service Recognition Week, the second week in May.

This year, we mark the 34th anniversary of celebrating our public servants. It’s a time that we join together to recognize the dedication of public servants across the country. It is also a time to honor those who have given their lives in service to our nation. Continue reading →

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