A new study on cultivated cropland shows that conservation practices are reducing sediment, nutrient and pesticide losses from farm fields. The study, which focuses on cropland in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, revealed that soil erosion control practices are widespread in the basin with most acres receiving some sort of conservation treatment resulting in a 69 percent reduction in sediment loss. “This important new report confirms that farmers and ranchers are stepping up and implementing conservation practices that can and do have a significant impact on the health of America’s soil and water,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Review the report.

The nomination period for individuals interested in serving on the Farm Service Agency's county committees begins tomorrow. “We would like as much participation as possible since county committees provide a vital link and a voice for landowners, farmers and ranchers to have opinions and ideas heard at the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The nomination period runs through Aug. 2. Learn more.

Nominations for individuals interested in serving on Farm Service Agency county committees are being accepted starting next week. “We would like as much participation as possible since county committees provide a vital link and a voice for landowners, farmers and ranchers to have opinions and ideas heard at the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The nomination period opens June 15 and continues through Aug. 2. Learn more.

A study conducted by Iowa State University shows that crop rotation can reduce fossil fuels and make soil healthier in the long term. The study compared the effects of a four and five-year rotation of corn, soybeans, oats and alfalfa. A five-year rotation would create greater energy savings and healthier soil, while a four-year rotation could be a more attractive option when energy prices go up. (AgWeb). Learn more.

USDA has allocated more than $12 million to the Emergency Conservation Program to help farmers and ranchers in 14 states repair farmland damaged by natural disasters this year. “USDA is committed to helping farmers and ranchers restore conservation measures on farmland devastated by the recent floods, tornadoes and other disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The funds can be used to remove farmland debris, restore fences, grade and shape land, and repair conservation structures. Read more.

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for June. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.375, down from 0.500 in May, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during June is 1.375, which is down from 1.500 percent from last month. Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans and discount rates for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program also are available. Read more. 

A report by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Purdue University shows that employment opportunities for college graduates in agriculture are expected to improve over the next five years. An estimated 54,400 agriculture-related jobs will be added annually between 2010 and 2015. During that time period, nearly 53,500 students are expected to graduate each year from U.S. colleges and universities with an agricultural-related degree or a degree in life sciences, veterinary medicine, or forestry and natural resources. View the report.  

Orange County Great Park in California — envisioned to be one of the nation’s greatest urban parks and likened to New York City’s Central Park — has turned over 114 acres of land to Orange County Produce to develop into a community farm. The four-year lease agreement approved by the Irvine City Council will obligate Orange County Produce to provide infrastructure and prepare the property for farming. Owners expect the farm to help provide healthy food and fiber to students through school lunch programs. Read more.