This year’s corn season is off and running with record-setting planting, according to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Nationally, about 50 percent of the crop is already in the ground, making this year one to contend with the reigning 2004 national corn yield, which topped 160 bushels per acre. Although Rippey is not predicting a perfect growing season, he said “the prospect for the foreseeable future seems relatively good.” (USDA Radio Newsline).
Farmers and ranchers can expect to receive faster delivery of new loans and better assistance with current loans with the launch of the Farm Service Agency’s new Direct Loan System computer application. The application, which became fully functional on April 12, provides Internet-based technology for all loan making and loan-servicing processes and will improve delivery of supervised credit to 70,000 farm borrowers. “We must continue to improve the tools that our dedicated state and county office workers use to serve our customers,” said FSA Administrator Jonathan Coppess. “Our new equipment is easier to use and much more practical in today’s Internet-dependent business environment.” Learn more.
While watching the news, one Texas resident became inspired to start a People’s Garden that honored her parents and helped her community. The news segment featured First Lady Michelle Obama addressing employees at USDA about the People’s Garden initiative. From that moment, Jane Ray, who grew up in Carthage, took action and started a one acre garden to benefit Mission Carthage, a non-profit, Christian organization that meets the needs of people. (The Panola Watchman) Read more.
USDA is seeking nominations for the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. The committee — which is composed of no more than 15 members — provides recommendations on outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, methods to maximize participation of minority farmers and ranchers in USDA, and civil rights activities related to program participation. Nominations must be submitted by May 24. Learn more or access the nomination form.
Earl Hauge, a local farmer that prepared the soil assists FSA employees Diane Duchene and Darlene Noland as they plant potato slips and radishes.
I was a senior in high school when we observed the first Earth Day in 1970. I don’t remember what we did to observe it, but I do remember that we were talking about “ban the can” and reducing air and water pollution. Most of the boys were arguing about the morality of the Vietnam War and our draft status. Of course, we also were thinking about girls, while the girls were talking about prom, graduation and worrying about their boyfriends being drafted.
Employees at the Iowa Farm Service Agency planted strawberries, onions, lettuce, radishes, beets, potatoes, peas, string beans, tomatoes, carrots, peppers and flowers as part of the People’s Garden initiative.
Nearly 11 vegetables were planted at the Iowa Farm Service Agency last week as part of the People’s Garden initiative. The agency encouraged other FSA offices and communities to join the effort to help demonstrate sustainable conservation practices as well as educate and engage the public. To date, Iowa has 34 People’s Gardens statewide.
The Commodity Credit Corporation released county loan rates today for the 2010 wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, soybeans and other oilseed crops. The national loan rates reflect increases for wheat, barley, oats and other oilseed relative to the corresponding 2009-crop levels. For corn, grain sorghum and soybeans, the 2010 national loan rates are established at the same level as those authorized for the 2009 crops. View the loan rates.
Young people are being lured back the farm through internships that offer the full experience of owning, operating and working on a farm. World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms is one of several exchanges that match organic farmers with interns. In 2001, the exchange had 1,200 farm hosts and 5,000 interns mostly from urban areas. Today, there are more than 9,000 interns. The farms offer shelter and food to the interns in exchange for voluntary work on the farm. (The Sacramento Bee) Read more.
Last year’s disastrous decline in milk prices caused dairy producers to cut their herds to help bring prices back up. Yet, according to the most recent USDA Milk Production Report, herd numbers are starting to increase along with milk production, which is 1 percent higher than March 2009. With the increases, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, along with analysts are concerned about another price crash as recent milk prices start to decrease, yet still remain higher than this time last year.
Wide smiles, a firm handshake and a big check sealed a continued partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and the National Rural Water Association.
Brandon Willis, deputy administrator for Farm Programs recently presented a $5 million check to NRWA President Fred Sheldon during the association’s Rural Water Rally inWashington, D.C.
