Non-Profit Awarded $300,000 to Train Latino Farmers, Expand Agriculture Program

Posted on January 5, 2010 by tanya brown

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The USDA Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers awarded a $300,000 grant to an Oregon-based non-profit to help expand its organic agriculture program. Adelante Mujeres — an organization designed to help Latinas and their families by providing English and GED courses, leadership training and early childhood education — said it will use the money to lease 12 acres of farmland, mentor farmers and expand sales of produce to area farmers markets. The organic agriculture project supports small farmers who have limited resources and English language skills, and face barriers accessing mainstream programs. (The Oregonian) Read more.

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Roundtable Discussions on Jobs, Economic Growth Heads to Nebraska

Posted on January 4, 2010 by tanya brown

A series of roundtable discussions sponsored by USDA will make their way to Nebraska this week to generate ideas on how to create jobs and economic opportunities. The forums, which will be held by videoconference in eight locations throughout the state on Jan. 8, follow the Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth that President Obama hosted at the White House on Dec. 3. Nebraska residents can RSVP by phone or e-mail to indicate which site they will attend. Learn more or view the locations.

What do you think is the best way to stimulate job opportunities and the economy?

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USDA Partners With IRS to Reduce Farm Program Fraud

Posted on January 4, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA has partnered with the Internal Revenue Service to reduce fraud in farm programs and streamline payment limits for family farmers. The two agencies finalized a memorandum of understanding last week that will establish an electronic information exchange process to ensure that payments are not issued to producers whose adjusted gross income exceeds certain limits for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service. According to a USDA press release, the electronic process reviews data from tax returns, performs a series of calculations and compares these values to the adjusted gross income limitations set by the 2008 Farm Bill.

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SURE Program Sign Up Starts Today

Posted on January 4, 2010 by tanya brown

Today is the first day that agricultural producers who suffered losses due to natural disasters during the 2008 crop year can sign up for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments program. The SURE program provides financial assistance to farmers who experienced crop reduction or quality loss and who’s county or contiguous county has been declared a primary disaster.  According to a USDA press release, producers who sign up in January should expect payment the same month. Producers are encouraged to apply at their local FSA county office.

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Upcoming Hawaii Roundtables to Help Build 21st Century Jobs

Posted on December 31, 2009 by tanya brown

Roundtable discussions hosted by USDA to stimulate ideas for promoting local and small business growth as well as creating jobs and rebuilding infrastructure will take place in Hawaii this week. The forums, which will be held Jan. 5-7, will focus on accelerating growth and development in rural areas and Hawaii’s Neighbor Islands. The discussions are an extension of the Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth held by President Obama on Dec. 3. Residents must pre-register by phone or e-mail in order to attend. Learn more or pre-register.

 

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USDA AgrAbility Program Funds Tech Farm for Disabled Agricultural Workers

Posted on December 31, 2009 by tanya brown

Nearly 288,000 agricultural workers have experienced a disability, according to the Department of Labor. A farm in Southern Georgia is being constructed through the AgrAbility program, funded by USDA, that offers new technology to assist these disabled farmers. (Georgia Farm Monitor).

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UCONN Awarded Grant to Study Dairy Farm Sustainability

Posted on December 31, 2009 by tanya brown

UconnUSDA awarded more than $400,000 to the University of Connecticut to study the economic and environmental sustainability of small and medium-sized dairy farms in New England. The grant, announced by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), was awarded by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. (Hartford Business) Read more.

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USDA Issues Joint Statement on Taiwan’s Proposed Ban on U.S. Beef

Posted on December 31, 2009 by tanya brown

USDA along with the United States Trade Representative released a statement yesterday in response to Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan’s proposed ban on U.S. beef and beef products. According to the statement, Demetrios Marantis, deputy United States trade representative and Jim Miller, undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, stated that Taiwan’s provisions are not based on science or fact and that U.S. beef and beef products are safe. Read the joint statement.

 

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FSA Loan Jumpstarts First Asian Pear Farm in Illinois

Posted on December 30, 2009 by tanya brown

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One dream and a farm loan turned barren land into one man’s garden of Eden.

 

Five years ago Byeong Ho Son and his wife Kum Ok searched and prayed before purchasing 140 acres of land in Chillicothe, Ill. A Presbyterian minister in Long Grove, Ill., Son had a vision to create a place he would call Eden Farm where he could grow and sell Shingo pears and other vegetables.

 

He didn’t know he would become the owner of the first Shingo pear farm in Illinois, which now draws thousands of people each year, simply by word of mouth. 

Continue reading →

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Out With the Old, In With the New, Better Economy

Posted on December 30, 2009 by tanya brown

This year took an economic toll on farmers, especially dairy and pork producers, who saw a severe downturn as the recession cut demand and lowered prices. With the economy slightly recovering and demand slightly rebounding, USDA Chief Economist Joe Glauberv believes the picture will improve in 2010. Crop prices are forecasted to increase and consumer prices also are expected to go up by 2.5 to 3.5 percent. USDA’s Agriculture USA explores the downs of 2009 and expected ups of 2010.

Listen to the broadcast

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