Lead your FSA – Oregon Committee Member Promotes Importance of Indian Agriculture

Posted on June 22, 2018 by cassiebable

Ruth “Pinky” Beymer is the third generation to live on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in central Oregon, where she is involved in the livestock and logging industries.

By Cassie Bable, Public Affairs Specialist

Ruth “Pinky” Beymer is the third generation to live on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in central Oregon, which covers 560,000 acres of desert, mountains and water. She married into a ranching family in 1972, and after her husband passed away, took the reins of the operation and became involved in the livestock and logging industry. Beymer runs light-weight steers on dryland pastures and operates an underground heavy equipment construction business with her two children. Continue reading →

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Livestock Program Helps Missouri Cattle Producer Recover Losses from Flash Flooding

Posted on June 22, 2018 by cassiebable

Allan Sharrock Jr. lost seven calves in a flood in Randolph County, Missouri.

By Jessica Claypole, Missouri FSA Public Affairs & Outreach Specialist

In Missouri, the saying goes “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change.” Cattle producer Allan Sharrock Jr. knows the truth behind this statement, as he experienced it first-hand the morning of March 26, though the change in weather proved to be devastating.

Excessive rainfall caused streams and creeks to swell quickly and without warning across portions of Randolph County, Missouri. Sharrock’s farm was in the heart of the flooding, and when the water rose, seven calves were swept away.

“Losing this many calves on a small operation like mine really hurts the bottom line,” Sharrock said. “Cows help make my farm payment each year. This was a huge loss.” Continue reading →

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Connecticut Farm Diversifies with Dairy

Posted on June 15, 2018 by cassiebable

Margaret started out growing turkeys in sixth grade and has since moved on to raising and showing dairy cattle.

By Lauren Moore, FSA Public Affairs Specialist

Named after the Scottish Highland cattle it is home to, Shaggy Coos Farm is owned and operated by the Brady family – Tim, Bernadette, Matilda and Margaret.

While the Bradys started out only raising cattle in 2007, they have added chickens, pigs, turkeys and ducks to their Easton, Connecticut, farm over the last 10 years.

“We’ve added a bit more each year,” Tim said.

Having a passion for agriculture, his daughters, Matilda and Margaret, have participated in the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) youth loan program to help finance their 4-H and FFA projects.

FSA’s youth loans help youth start and operate income-producing projects of modest size, providing the opportunity to gain experience and education in agriculture. Continue reading →

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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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