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.

Posted in News | Tagged | Comments Off on Nominations Sought for Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics

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.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Agriculture Census Provides Look Into Organic Farms, Producers

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.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on USDA Invests $20 Million to Hire 11,000 Youth and Veterans on Forest Lands

Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for October

Posted on October 2, 2014 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for October 2014. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from September 2014, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during September is 1.125, unchanged from last month. Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans and discount rates for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program also are available. Read more.

Posted in News | Tagged | Comments Off on Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for October

USDA Unveils Key New Programs to Help Farmers Manage Risk

Posted on September 26, 2014 by tanya brown

ARC_PLC_Spotlight_imageDirect payments are a thing of the past. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced two farm safety net programs that offer farmers protection when the market causes substantial drops in crop prices and/or revenues. The Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are now available and producers will have through early spring of 2015 to select which program works best for their business. To help farmers choose between ARC and PLC, USDA helped create online tools that allow farmers to enter information about their operation and see projections about what each program will mean for them under possible future scenarios. “We’re committed to giving farmers as much information as we can so they can make an informed decision between these programs,” said Vilsack. “These resources will help farm owners and producers boil the information down, understand what their options are, and ultimately make the best decision on which choice is right for them.  Learn more and use the new tools to determine which program works best.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on USDA Unveils Key New Programs to Help Farmers Manage Risk

Reminder: Only a Few Days Left for Livestock Producers to Sign Up for Disaster Assistance

Posted on September 26, 2014 by tanya brown

Producers who have suffered eligible disaster-related losses must secure assistance by Oct. 1, 2014. After that date, anyone seeking assistance will suffer a 7.3 percent reduction in the amount of disaster relief they can receive. The Budget Control Act passed by Congress in 2011 requires USDA to implement reductions of 7.3 percent to the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) in the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, 2014; however, producers seeking LFP support who have scheduled appointments with their local FSA office before Oct. 1, even if the appointment occurs after Oct.1, will not see reductions in the amount of disaster relief they receive. USDA is encouraging producers to register or request an appointment or begin a Livestock Forage Disaster Program application with their county FSA office before Oct. 1, 2014, to lock in the current zero percent sequestration rate. Read more.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reminder: Only a Few Days Left for Livestock Producers to Sign Up for Disaster Assistance

Deadline to Enroll in Cotton Transition Assistance Program is Oct. 7

Posted on September 26, 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 Deadline to Enroll in Cotton Transition Assistance Program is Oct. 7

Farmers Can Use New Web Tool to Determine Coverage for Dairy Protection Program

Posted on September 26, 2014 by tanya brown

Farmers can now enroll in the new Dairy Margin Protection Program and use helpful Web tool to determine the right coverage. The voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the difference between the price of milk and feed costs falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer. To help dairy farmers determine the level of coverage, USDA launched a new Web tool that allows farmers to quickly and easily combine unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. Learn more or use the new Web tool.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Farmers Can Use New Web Tool to Determine Coverage for Dairy Protection Program

New Financial Assistance Available to Citrus Growers Affected by HLB

Posted on September 26, 2014 by tanya brown
Photo by: Tim R. Gottwald and Steve M. Garnsey - USDA Agricultural Research Service

Photo by: Tim R. Gottwald and Steve M. Garnsey – USDA Agricultural Research Service.

New funding is available to Florida citrus growers affected by Huanglongbing, also known as HLB or citrus greening. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that growers will be eligible for up to 50 percent of the cost of the removal of diseased trees and site preparation, 65 percent of the cost of replanting and labor, and 65 percent of the cost of seedlings. Losses must have occurred on or after Oct. 1, 2011. “USDA is investing in research and a variety of strategies to combat citrus greening over the long-term. In the meantime though, this support will help ensure growers are not wiped out in the short-term,” said Vilsack. Learn more.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on New Financial Assistance Available to Citrus Growers Affected by HLB

Kudzu Spreads North

Posted on September 26, 2014 by tanya brown

Posted in Features | Tagged , , | 3 Comments