Roots in Agriculture Run Deep

Posted on August 25, 2023 by cassiebable
JC Chandler stands on the left, Chris Chandler stands in the center, Amy Chandler stands on the right of one of their cows.

JC Chandler with his parents, Amy and Chris Chandler. Photo by Sabrenna Bryant, FSA.

By Sabrenna Bryant, FSA, South Carolina

Meet John “JC” Chandler of Belton, South Carolina, where his herd of Charolais cattle is his pride and joy. While he’s only 17, JC has already become an agriculture leader in his school and community. Currently, JC has a total of 17 cows in his herd, including eight commercial cows, seven Charolais, a steer and a limousine cow.

The Ninth Generation

JC’s parents, Amy and Chris, run a small operation in Belton where they raise commercial cattle, particularly Black Angus and Baldy. While their operation has nurtured his passion for agriculture, his family’s long running history with the Charolais breed inspired him to start his own herd with Charolais cattle.

“Growing up, I loved listening to all the stories about the Charolais cows from my grandfather,” said JC.  “He grew up with Charolais and he loves them. I felt it was my duty to bring them back.”

Continue reading →

Posted in Features | Comments Off on Roots in Agriculture Run Deep

FSA Farm Loans Help Colorado Hop Farmers Get Started

Posted on August 17, 2023 by cassiebable
Audrey Gehlhausen stands on the left and Chris Dellabianca stands on the right in between two rows of hops. Two dogs are seated in front of them.

Billy Goat Hop Farm located in Montrose, Colorado, is a dream come true for beginning farmers Audrey Gehlhausen and Chris Dellabianca. Photo courtesy of Billy Goat Hop Farm LLC.

By Elizabeth Thomas, FSA, Colorado

Billy Goat Hop Farm LLC located in Montrose, Colorado, is a dream come true for beginning farmers Audrey Gehlhausen and Chris Dellabianca. This hop farm operation was made possible with hard work, determination, and a beginning farmer loan from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Getting Started

Chris and Audrey’s passion for the industry started while working in different microbreweries in Idaho, and they eventually decided to start the process of owning an operation to grow hops.

Chris found an internship with an 800-acre Idaho hop farm where he experienced all the aspects of the job throughout a full hop season. After the season, Chris and Audrey packed up their life to go on a road trip across five states to learn more and find the right land to start their own operation, eventually planting roots in Montrose in 2017.

Continue reading →

Posted in Features, Regional Posts | Comments Off on FSA Farm Loans Help Colorado Hop Farmers Get Started

Be the Link: The Neighborhood Farmer

Posted on August 3, 2023 by cassiebable
Photo of Josh Volk

Josh Volk runs Cully Neighborhood Farm and serves on the FSA urban county committee in Portland. Photo courtesy of Josh Volk.

By Susan Riffel, FSA, Oregon

The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) annual county committee elections began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2023. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members from across the nation. In our final installment of the series, we’ll meet Josh Volk of Portland, Oregon.

Community-Supported

Josh currently runs Cully Neighborhood Farm where he produces vegetables with his Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members and sells extras on-site for the wider community.  He came to work with Cully Neighborhood Farm in 2016 after working on a handful of other farms just outside of Portland starting in 2001, including his own farm, Slow Hand Farm, which he ran from 2009 to 2012.  Continue reading →

Posted in County Committee Elections, Features | Comments Off on Be the Link: The Neighborhood Farmer

Be the Link: Bridging Gaps in the Virgin Islands

Posted on July 27, 2023 by cassiebable
Royce Creque takes a selfie in front of a pen of cattle.

Royce Creque is a farmer and FSA county committee member on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Photo courtesy of Royce Creque.

By Savanna Turner, FSA, Florida & U.S. Virgin Islands   

The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) annual county committee elections began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2023. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members from across the nation. This week, meet Royce Creque of Greenridge Guavaberry Farm, LLC, on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  

Finding His Passion 

Royce’s uncle, Myron Henneman, started the farming operation in 1984 in Bordeaux, St. Thomas. Before Royce became a full-time farmer, he originally started working on the farm during the weekends while he started his career in film production.  

“I have a college degree in film production and had a professional job,” said Royce. “I decided to go into farming full-time in 2012 because I was driven to push the farm to its potential. The only way we could get the farm to where it is now is if I put more time into the operation.”  Continue reading →

Posted in County Committee Elections, Features | Comments Off on Be the Link: Bridging Gaps in the Virgin Islands

Be the Link: A Community Commitment

Posted on July 20, 2023 by cassiebable
Renee Foster with her urban farm and high tunnel in background

Renee Foster operates Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture in Newport News, Va. Photo by Joseph Slattery, FSA.

By Joseph Slattery, FSA, Virginia

The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) annual county committee elections began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2023. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members from across the nation. This week, meet Mallenia “Renee” Foster, of Newport News, Virginia.

Community Engagement

The granddaughter of a Georgia farmer, Renee began her urban farm approximately 10 years ago. She operates Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture in Newport News, an operation she started as a community garden.

“Growing up in Georgia, where having a garden and fruit trees in the backyard was a norm, I didn’t know the meaning of food insecurity until I got out of the Navy as a single parent of two, Renee said. “Choosing healthy, nutritious food, versus food to sustain us for the week, was not very easy.” Continue reading →

Posted in County Committee Elections, Features | Comments Off on Be the Link: A Community Commitment

Inflation Reduction Act in Action | Farm Loans: Harvesting Resilience

Posted on July 19, 2023 by cassiebable
Jimmy Stevens standing in his field.

Jimmy Stevens is the owner and operator of Stevens Produce and Grains in Whiteville, North Carolina. Photo by Linda Gerron, FSA.

The Redemption Story of a North Carolina Farmer

By: Linda Gerron, FSA North Carolina

Through no fault of their own, our nation’s farmers and ranchers have faced incredibly tough circumstances over the last few years. That includes James “Jimmy” Stevens of Whiteville, North Carolina, who is one of the more than 20,000 producers who received life-changing, transformational support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided $3.1 billion for USDA to deliver expedited assistance to distressed borrowers with certain Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct and guaranteed loans whose agricultural operations were at financial risk. USDA has provided approximately $1.1 billion in immediate assistance for distressed borrowers to help make them current.

This has helped producers like Jimmy who were at risk of losing their operations due to several unprecedented challenges, including trade disruptions, a worldwide pandemic, continued impacts on input costs and markets, and more frequent, more intense, climate-induced natural disasters.

Jimmy owns and operates Stevens Produce and Grains, a business he has gradually developed since his younger years. He had the love of farming instilled at a young age since both of his parents were tobacco farmers. When he was 17 his dad passed away, and for the next 20 years, Jimmy and his mother continued farming tobacco. Over the years, his mother’s health slowly deteriorated, causing Jimmy to leave tobacco production and grow alternative crops – green beans and corn. Continue reading →

Posted in Features, Inflation Reduction Act | Comments Off on Inflation Reduction Act in Action | Farm Loans: Harvesting Resilience

Be the Link: Building Relationships

Posted on July 13, 2023 by cassiebable
Chris Linville sitting in his tractor.

Chris Linville raises corn, soybeans and wheat, along with cattle, on his farm in Osgood, Ind. Photo by Angie Stuehrenberg.

By Angie Stuehrenberg, Farm Service Agency

The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s annual county committee elections began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2023. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members from across the nation. This week, meet Chris Linville of Osgood, Indiana.

Generations Farming Together

Chris grew up farming with his father, and never questioned what career path he would choose. He knew from a young age that agriculture and farming would be his lifelong career.

Chris and his wife Tammy operate Linville Farms. They began farming in 1987, the year they were married. Their operation has expanded over the years, and they now farm 2,800 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat and raise beef cattle, while Chris also works as a seed specialist for a seed company. In his spare time, he restores tractors for neighbors and friends. Continue reading →

Posted in County Committee Elections, Features | Comments Off on Be the Link: Building Relationships

Inflation Reduction Act in Action | Farm Loans: From Tragedy to Hope

Posted on July 5, 2023 by cassiebable
The Sparks family stands in front of one of their poultry houses.

Milton and Abbie Sparks, along with children WesLeigh and Walker, have a poultry operation in Waldron, Arkansas. Photo courtesy of the Sparks family.

By: Billie Hall, Key Program Technician, Franklin County Service Center, FSA, Arkansas

Through no fault of their own, our nation’s farmers and ranchers have faced incredibly tough circumstances over the last few years. That includes Abbie and Milton Sparks of Waldron, Arkansas, who are part of the more than 20,000 producers who have received life-changing, transformational support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct and guaranteed loans.  USDA has provided approximately $1.1 billion in immediate assistance for distressed borrowers, including those who were behind on their USDA farm loans, to help make them current.

This has helped producers like the Sparks who were at risk of losing their operations due to several unprecedented challenges, including trade disruptions, a worldwide pandemic, continued impacts on input costs and markets, and more frequent, more intense, climate-induced natural disasters. Continue reading →

Posted in Features, Inflation Reduction Act | Comments Off on Inflation Reduction Act in Action | Farm Loans: From Tragedy to Hope

Be the Link: A Part of the Conversation

Posted on July 3, 2023 by cassiebable
Coy Poitier stands in foreground with garden in background.

Coy Poitier, certified master gardener, manages a one-acre urban farm and serves as chairman of the Dallas Urban County Committee. Photo by Joshua Coleman.

By Joshua Coleman, Farm Service Agency 

The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s annual county committee elections began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2023. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members from across the nation. This week, meet Coy Poitier of Lancaster, Texas, and Chairman of the Dallas FSA Urban County Committee (UCOC). 

A Calling to Help 

Coy started farming after graduating from Texas A&M University’s Texas Master Gardener program conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in 2020. He is now the executive director of the FAWC Conservatory of Arts and Sciences, a non-profit public charity located in Lancaster, Texas. This one-acre urban farm is an educational center that teaches the community how to start, grow, and maintain an urban farm. The farm is managed by Coy and his wife, Katrina, both Texas-certified master gardeners. They currently have over 40 fruit trees, a vegetable garden, a vineyard, and a greenhouse with a 100-gallon aquaponic tank and a seed-planting station.  Continue reading →

Posted in County Committee Elections, Features | Comments Off on Be the Link: A Part of the Conversation

Be the Link: Farming, Family and Community

Posted on June 22, 2023 by cassiebable
Chad Budy stands in foreground with a herd of cattle in the background.

Fourth-generation farmer, Chad Budy, serves on the FSA county committee in Woods County, Oklahoma. Photo by Madeline Alewine.

By Madeline Alewine, Farm Service Agency

The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s annual county committee elections began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2023. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members from across the nation. This week, meet Chad Budy of Woods County, Oklahoma.

Preparing the Next Generation

Chad is a fourth-generation farmer and rancher on Budy Farms where they raise beef cattle along with alfalfa, wheat, soybeans, and other small grains. Chad, a father of four, understands the value of passing along knowledge to younger generations. His two oldest sons actively farm and ranch alongside other family members. Some of Chad’s motivation stems from simply improving the land to make it better for his sons when they take over. Continue reading →

Posted in County Committee Elections, Features | Comments Off on Be the Link: Farming, Family and Community