Bringing Back Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Posted on October 30, 2014 by tanya brown

By Candy Moore, Idaho FSA Communications Coordinator

The USDA’s State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program in Idaho has enrolled 100,000 acres, making it the largest allocation of SAFE acres enrolled the United States.

The program is based on a partnership between state government and the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Conservation Reserve Program.

SAFE programs vary nationwide but for Idaho it is concentrated on increasing habitat for Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse as well as other upland game birds. Since its implementation, Idaho has seen a marked increase in nesting areas, known as Leks, for this bird. Continue reading →

Posted in Features | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Bringing Back Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Farm Bill Program to Provide Relief to Farmers Affected by Severe Weather

Posted on October 24, 2014 by tanya brown

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new Farm Bill initiative that will provide relief to farmers affected by drought and other severe weather. The Actual Production History Yield Exclusion (APH) allows eligible producers to receive a higher approved yield on their insurance policies through the federal crop insurance program. Spring crops eligible for APH include corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, grain sorghum, rice, barley, canola, sunflowers, peanuts and popcorn. The new initiative is available to farmers nationwide beginning next spring. Learn more.

Posted in News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Farm Bill Program to Provide Relief to Farmers Affected by Severe Weather

Disaster Funding Brings Joy Just in Time for Christmas

Posted on October 24, 2014 by tanya brown

Terry and Cheryl Hammerstrom lost 90 percent of their herd when winter storm Atlas hit South Dakota last October. “One of the first things that came to my mind after the blizzard, and I know it sounds kind of silly in the scope of things, but it was that, gosh, we wouldn’t be able to buy Christmas presents for the grandchildren,” said Cheryl. But all was not lost. The 2014 Farm Bill allowed for disaster assistance to be made available to farmers and ranchers affected by natural disasters. The financial assistance didn’t cover all of their losses, but it was a huge help. Lynn Stoltenburg of the South Dakota Farm Services Agency said a total of $37.1 million had been distributed, mostly to ranchers in the area of the storm, but some to other areas of the state, too, after about 1,670 applications were made at FSA offices. He said that as of Oct. 1, only about 100 requests were pending. Read more (Tri-State Neighbor).

Posted in Features | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Disaster Funding Brings Joy Just in Time for Christmas

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).

Posted in Features | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on FSA Loans Provide Boost to Young Farmers

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.

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

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.

Posted in Features | Tagged , | Comments Off on Children Get Hands-On Experience During North Dakota Ag Expo

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).

Posted in News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on FSA Says Online Tools Offer Help to Farmers

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.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on USDA Farm Service Agency Announces Key Dates for New 2014 Farm Bill Safety Net Programs

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.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Only a Few Days Remain to Enroll in Cotton Transition Assistance Program

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.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on USDA Implements New Farm Bill Provisions for Peanut Producers