Chris Olerud has loved to farm since he was young. Now, at age 29, he has slowly built his cattle operation to include 59 cows.

By: Tanya Brown, Outreach Marketing Editor

Chris Olerud fights crime for a living. As a deputy sheriff in Beadle County, South Dakota, he puts his life on the line to keep citizens safe. But after a week of working 10-hour shifts, Chris retreats to the one place he has worked so hard to obtain — his cattle ranch.

“I enjoy being around cattle. It’s rewarding to feed and care for them,” said Chris, whose been tending to cattle since he was a young boy spending summers on his grandfather’s farm. “My grandfather taught me everything I know about raising cattle and now that he’s up in age, I want to continue to build on what he taught me.”

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Missouri producer, Chris Holliday, diversified his operation by growing miscanthus which he delivers to a biomass company that processes the crop into an additive used in pet foods and treats.

By: Dana Rogge, Missouri Public Affairs and Outreach Specialist

Taking chances and trying new things is not new to Cooper County, Missouri, farmer Chris Holliday. In 2011, the diversified row-crop producer and contract turkey grower found opportunity in an unusual new crop, miscanthus. Miscanthus is a crop grown as a possible renewable fuel source; however, Holliday’s crop also may be fueling your pet – – as a fiber additive in dog food and treats. Continue reading →

Panelists discuss ways that USDA agencies, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Tribal Nations can better serve Indian agricultural producers and tribal communities on day two of the three-day USDA Tribal Outreach Forum held March 23-25 in Bozeman, Montana. More than 100 tribal, federal, state officials, agricultural producers and extension agents attended the statewide USDA event, including representatives from the seven Indian reservations in Montana.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a USDA Tribal Outreach Forum in Bozeman, Montana, to discuss federal and state agricultural programs and initiatives, activities and opportunities with tribal leaders and other representatives in Indian Country.

The USDA Tribal Outreach Forum gives USDA, Tribal Nations and agricultural partners like Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) and Indian Nations Conservation Alliance the chance to open a dialogue and develop relations that benefit the agricultural tribal community.

“Tribal outreach and program education is an important priority for USDA and Tribal leadership” said Bruce Nelson, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state executive director in Montana. “We look forward to our continued work together to help grow and strengthen conservation efforts, agricultural operations, businesses and tribal communities.” Continue reading →

FSA’s newly authorized Highly Fractionated Indian Land Loan Program was highlighted at a three-day 2016 USDA Tribal Outreach Forum in Bozeman, Montana. Connie Holman of the national Farm Loan Program staff in Washington D.C., visits with tribal officials about program changes authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. More than 100 people attended the tribal forum representing all seven Indian reservations in Montana.

By Jennifer Cole,  Public Affairs Specialist, Montana Farm Service Agency

Improved lending opportunities for Indian tribes and tribal members to purchase tribal agricultural land with multiple owners are now possible thanks to new authority in the 2014 Farm Bill that authorizes a total of $10 million for the program in fiscal year 2016.

“FSA’s Highly Fractionated Indian Land Loan Program (HFIL) allows USDA to provide revolving loans to qualified intermediary lenders who can relend the funds to qualified tribes and individuals to start and expand farming and ranching operations on tribal lands,” Connie Holman, of the FSA national office in Washington D.C., told attendees on the opening day of the USDA Tribal Outreach Forum meeting held in Bozeman, Montana, on March 23-25, 2016. Continue reading →

Siblings, Peyton and Kenna Krahulik, used a Farm Service Agency Youth Loan to start a honeybee operation that they hope will fund their college education.

By Scott Whittington, Public Affairs Specialist

Some siblings start lawn-mowing businesses or shovel snow to earn cash, but one set of siblings in Nebraska are the “bees knees,” overcoming stinging setbacks to reach success as sweet as honey.

Peyton and Kenna Krahulik grew up on a farm with a variety of animals. They joined 4-H when Peyton was 9 and signed up as Independents.  In 2014, they joined the “Just Kidding Around” club, where they have showed every animal (except goats, for which the program was named!). And they did all the things that kids do in a farm community. But when they met Tom Openeer, things changed. Continue reading →

Brothers, Tylar and Jacob Colwell, used a Farm Service Agency youth loan for the past five years to finance operating costs for raising hogs, cattle and sheep in Eddy County, New Mexico.

By Scott Whittington, Public Affairs Specialist

Some brothers spend their time tormenting each other or fighting over the front seat. Teenage brothers getting along in peace and harmony might happen right after pigs learn to fly a stealth fighter, but this isn’t the case in Eddy County, New Mexico.

The Colwell brothers not only get along, they operate their own business, raising steers, lambs, rabbits and pigs that they show at local events each year. They compete in county fairs and sell their award-winning animals. They were eager to discuss the success of their breeding operation.

“There’s definitely some work in it,” said Tylar, 19. “I’m happy my friends and family helped us out.” Continue reading →