The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for February. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.375, unchanged from January, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed this month is 1.375 percent, unchanged from last month. Sugar Storage Facility Loan rates are up from 4.000 percent in January to 4.375 percent. Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans and discount rates for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program also are available. Learn more.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has created an online list of Consumer Supported Agriculture, or CSA, that allows residents to invest in local farms and share what is produced. CSAs allow individuals to provide financial backing through a subscription service, and in some cases by providing labor, to help support a farm operation for one year. In return, investors receive a portion of the farm’s output during the growing season. (WHSV.com) Learn more.  

The USDA Farm Service Agency along with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies made their partnership official today by signing a memorandum of understanding. The document reinforces a relationship between the agencies that promotes and sustains conservation and environmental programs and initiatives. “It is important that we continue to work together toward one common goal and leverage federal and state resources,” said FSA Administrator Jonathan Coppess. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies represent several public agencies entrusted with managing fish and wildlife resources and has been an advocate in the development of Conservation Reserve Programs such as the Upland Bird Habitat Buffer and State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement practices. “This is an important opportunity that will help achieve our conservation goals and solidifies an already good relationship,” said Ron Regan, acting executive director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

A new Web site launched Friday opens the door for the public to share its views and interact with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The site is part of the Open Gov Initiative — a charge to transform how government interacts with the public in an effort to be more transparent and collaborative. The Web site is separated into two sections, offering space for the public to share its own ideas or submit comments on ideas submitted by USDA. The information will be used to help prioritize future action. Visit the Web site.

Milk cow inventory declined three percent from last year to 9.1 million, according to a report by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Overall cattle and calf inventory in the U.S. declined one percent from 94.5 in January 2009 to 93.7 this year. Read the report.

Sixty-four counties in Florida have been designated a natural disaster area by the USDA due to cold weather and freezing conditions that damaged crops last month. Several contiguous counties in the adjacent states of Alabama and Georgia also qualify for natural disaster assistance. Farmers have eight months to apply for emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency to help cover part of their actual losses. Read more.

The USDA will purchase $29.1 million of blueberries, pears, potatoes, peaches and mixed fruit to benefit farmers and provide for federal food nutrition programs. “These purchases will help stabilize prices and markets, stimulate the economy, and provide high quality, nutritious food to schools and food banks while assisting blueberry, pear, potato, peach and mixed fruit producers," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Read more.