FSA Loans Provide Boost to Young Farmers

Posted on October 16, 2014 by tanya brown

Young people in their 20s and 30s are farming and the USDA Farm Service Agency is getting them started. Andy Birch, 27, put his dreams of owning a dairy farm on hold due to low wholesale milk prices throughout the 2000s. As those prices reached record levels, Birch and his wife, Sarah, were motivated to jump in. Birch leaded his parent’s farm and with a loan from the Farm Service Agency, the couple was able to buy 35 cows and repair the barn and milking system. Read more (USAToday).

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USDA Expands Access to Credit to Help More Beginning and Family Farmers

Posted on October 9, 2014 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is increasing lending limits to help more beginning and family farmers. Beginning next month, the borrowing limit for the microloan program will increase from $35,000 to $50,000. The lending process also has been simplified allowing the required “farming experience” to include other valuable experiences. The microloan changes will allow beginning, small and mid-sized farmers to access an additional $15,000 in loans using a simplified application process with up to seven years to repay. “USDA is continuing its commitment to new and existing family farmers and ranchers by expanding access to credit,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden. “These new flexibilities, created by the 2014 Farm Bill, will help more people who are considering farming and ranching, or who want to strengthen their existing family operation.” Learn more.

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Children Get Hands-On Experience During North Dakota Ag Expo

Posted on October 9, 2014 by tanya brown

North Dakota Ag Expo

The North Dakota Farm Service Agency hosted an Ag Expo/Field Day for several school children to expose them to the different types of farm animals involved in farming and ranching. It also helped them get a close-up look and hands-on interaction with different animals.

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FSA Says Online Tools Offer Help to Farmers

Posted on October 9, 2014 by tanya brown

USDA is working to educate farmers about the new safety net programs available as part of the 2014 Farm Bill. Recently appointed USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Val Dolcini made a stop this week in Indiana to visit one on one with farmers. He says the first thing farmers will need to do is update their yields — which hasn’t happened since 2002 and from there, he says, they may want to update their base acres. And, Dolcini adds USDA has set deadlines to give farmers plenty of time to make these important changes.  “It’s a process that will go through the end of February of 2015,” he says. “During that period of time there are some great web-based tools that I encourage farmers all over the country to utilize and familiarize themselves with — so they can decide which the best program option for them is.” Read More (Brownfield Ag News).

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USDA Farm Service Agency Announces Key Dates for New 2014 Farm Bill Safety Net Programs

Posted on October 2, 2014 by tanya brown

The Farm Service Agency has outlined four phases of the new Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs designed to help farmers manage risk. The first phase began last month when farmers received written notices advising them of their current base acres, program yields and 2008-2012 planting history. Farmers should check the information to make sure it is correct. The second phase began this week. Farm owners can now update their crop yields and decide whether to retain the farm’s 2013 base acres or to reallocate. The third phase is the program election period planned for this winter. Producers will be able to make a one-time election for 2014-2018 crop years between the ARC or PLC programs. The final phase allows producers to complete their annual enrollment. Read more for dates and detailed information or review information about ARC-PLC.

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Only a Few Days Remain to Enroll in Cotton Transition Assistance Program

Posted on October 2, 2014 by tanya brown

Producers interested in enrolling in the Cotton Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) have until Oct. 7 to do so. The program provides interim payments to cotton producers during the 2014 crop year until the Stacked Income Protection Plan — a new insurance product — is available. Details on the plan were released in August. Learn more or review the Stacked Income Protection Plan.

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USDA Implements New Farm Bill Provisions for Peanut Producers

Posted on October 2, 2014 by tanya brown

A new peanut revenue policy will soon be available for eligible peanut producers. The policy is one of several new risk management options authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and will help extend revenue insurance coverage to help peanut producers manage risk. The new insurance policy will be offered through the federal crop insurance program and replaces current peanut crop provisions. Read more.

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Nominations Sought for Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics

Posted on October 2, 2014 by tanya brown

USDA is seeking nominations to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. The 20-member committee appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture advises the Secretary on the scope, timing and content of periodic agricultural censuses, surveys of agriculture and other related industries. The committee also makes recommendations on the content of agriculture reports and represents the views and data needs of suppliers and users of agricultural statistics. Nomination forms must be submitted by Oct. 24. Learn more or download a nomination form.

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Agriculture Census Provides Look Into Organic Farms, Producers

Posted on October 2, 2014 by tanya brown

New data released from the 2012 Census of Agriculture shows that certified organic agriculture producers are younger, beginning farmers who sell directly to consumers and produce on-farm renewable energy.  Earlier this year, the Census reported that total organic product sales by farms in the U.S. increased 83 percent since 2007. About 42 percent of organic farms reported direct sales to consumers, while demographically, the average organic producer was a beginning farmer with 27 percent starting a farm in the last 10 years. Organic operators were younger than conventional farmers with 26 percent under the age of 45. Read more.

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USDA Invests $20 Million to Hire 11,000 Youth and Veterans on Forest Lands

Posted on October 2, 2014 by tanya brown

In fiscal year 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture invested $20 million in partnerships that supported work and training opportunities for 11,000 youth and veterans on national forests and grasslands. The USDA Forest Service provided employment opportunities for youth and veterans from across the U.S. and in every region, including Hawaii and Alaska. “The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps gives young people and veterans real-world experience that pays dividends for their career prospects and the health of America’s wild places,” said U.S Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “This partnership and the people who make it work are a big part of the future of conservation in America.”Learn more.

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