USDA Invests $25 Million for Agricultural Entrepreneurs to Turn Commodities into Value-Added Products

Posted on August 25, 2014 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $25 million to help 247 businesses nationwide expand their operations and bring new products to market. The funding is provided through USDA’s Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant program that helps agricultural producers grow their businesses by turning raw commodities into value-added products, expanding marketing opportunities and developing new uses for existing products. Since 2009, USDA has awarded 863 Value-Added Producer Grants totaling $108 million. Twenty percent of the grants and 16 percent of total funding has been awarded to beginning farmers and ranchers. The 2014 Farm Bill increases mandatory funding for the program from $15 million to $63 million over five years (while also reauthorizing an additional $40 million in discretionary funding). Learn more.

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Enrollment Now Open for Cotton Transition Assistance Program

Posted on August 14, 2014 by tanya brown

Enrollment opened last week for the Cotton Transition Assistance Program (CTAP). The program provides interim payments to cotton producers during the 2014 crop year until the Stacked Income Protection Plan, a new insurance product, becomes available. Details on the plan will be released by mid-August. “To help us provide the best service possible, cotton producers are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency office early in this enrollment period,” said Garcia. Listen to more.

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Agricultural Producers Still Have Time to Apply for Direct Farm Ownership Loans

Posted on August 14, 2014 by tanya brown

Farmers and ranchers still have time to apply for 2014 low interest loans available through FSA’s direct farm ownership program. Eligible producers can borrow up to $300,000 in direct farm ownership loans to buy or enlarge a farm, construct new farm buildings or improve structures, pay closing costs, or promote soil and water conservation and protection. The interest rate on select loans can be as low as 1.5 percent with up to 40 years to repay. Those interested should contact their local FSA county office. Find your local FSA county office.

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Funding Available for Research to Benefit Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

Posted on August 14, 2014 by tanya brown

USDA announced this week the availability of $400,000 in funding to establish the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center. The center will specialize in policy research impacting socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Qualifying universities across the country are asked to apply to be the Research Center’s home. “This Center will serve as another tool for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to get the resources they need. It will also assist us in our efforts to help beginning farmers from all walks of life get their start in agriculture.” Applications must be received by Sept. 11, 2014, by 5 p.m. EST. Learn more or apply for the grant.

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Corn and Soybean Production to Hit Record High

Posted on August 14, 2014 by tanya brown

Soybean production is expected to reach a record 3.82 billion bushels in 2014, up 16 percent from last year according to the USDA Crop Production report issued this week. Corn production is also expected to reach record highs at 14 billion bushels, up 1 percent from 2013. The report also included the first production forecast for U.S. cotton, with production at 17.5 million 480-pound bales, which is up 36 percent from last year. Read the report.

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Happy Birthday Smokey Bear

Posted on August 14, 2014 by tanya brown
Smokey Bear turns 70

Smokey Bear turns 70

The iconic symbol for forest fire prevention has turned 70. Smokey Bear, with his signature hat and classic blue jeans, has made a career of teaching children and adults “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.” That message has changed slightly, now stating wildfires instead of forest fires, but Smokey remains an image of nostalgia for some and one of the most recognizable figures in America. Originating in 1944 as part of a wildfire prevention campaign sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters and Advertising Council, it is now the longest running public service campaign in Ad Council history. Read more.

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Enrollment Opens for Cotton Transition Assistance Program

Posted on August 8, 2014 by tanya brown

Producers interested in enrolling in the Cotton Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) can do so starting Monday, Aug. 11. 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 will be released by mid-August. “The Cotton Transition Assistance Program is another milestone in USDA’s ambitious timeline for implementing the provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill. Cotton producers now have a risk management tool in place,” said Garcia. “To help us provide the best service possible, cotton producers are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency office early in this enrollment period,” added Garcia. Learn more.

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U.S. Farm Production Expenditures Top $367 Billion in 2013; Farm Real Estate Values Increase

Posted on August 8, 2014 by tanya brown

U.S. farmers spent $367.3 billion on agricultural production in 2013, a 2 percent increase from 2012, according to the Farm Production Expenditures report, released this month by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Per farm, the average expenditures total $175,270 compared with $171,309 in 2012, up 2.3 percent. Crop farms account for the majority of production expenditures in 2013. The average expenditure per crop farm totals $211,659 compared to $143,521 per livestock farm. Farm real estate also saw an increase. In 2014, U.S. farm real estate value averaged $2,950 per acre for 2014, up 8.1 percent from 2013. Regional changes in the average value of farm real estate ranged from a 16.3 percent increase in the Northern Plains region to 1.1 percent increase in the Southeast region. The highest farm real estate values were in the Corn Belt region at $6,370 per acre. The Mountain region had the lowest farm real estate value at $1,070 per acre. Read more.

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New Measures Announced to Enhance U.S.-Africa Trade

Posted on August 8, 2014 by tanya brown

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined President Obama, members of Congress and other U.S. government officials this week to welcome African heads of state and government leaders for the first ever African Leaders Summit. During the summit, Vilsack announced four new partners in the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) initiative and up to $1 billion in export credit guarantees that will enhance trade between the U.S. and Africa. The export credit is a part of President Obama’s Doing Business in Africa Campaign. Launched in October 2013, GODAN supports efforts to make agriculturally and nutritionally relevant data available for public global use. Open data on agriculture, nutrition and food systems can be a powerful tool for long-term sustainable development by improving the economic opportunities for farmers and the health of all consumers. Read more.

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Deadline Extended for Enrollment in Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish

Posted on August 1, 2014 by tanya brown

The enrollment deadline for the 2012 and 2013 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) has been extended to Aug. 15. The new deadline gives producers who experienced losses because of disease, adverse weather, wildfires or colony collapse disorder between Oct. 1, 2011 and Sept. 30, 2013, an additional two weeks to enroll in the program. Producers should contact their local FSA county office to enroll. Read more or find an FSA county office.

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