From Battleground to Breaking Ground

Posted on June 4, 2014 by tanya brown

Veterans are returning from battle and finding peace working the land. “In war, you see the worst sides of people, the worsts parts of humanity. So it feels good to see so much life, to see the cycle of life up close,” said Doug Havemann, a Texas native and Gulf War veteran. Havemann attended a workshop by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, who teamed with the Texas AgrAbility Project and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to help returning vets learn about different aspects of farming and ranching. The workshops also help veterans and active duty personnel in obtaining employment and taking advantage of the therapeutic nature of agricultural work. Read more (Cowboys & Indians Magazine).

 

Posted in Features | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Farmers Ban Together to Help One in Need

Posted on June 4, 2014 by tanya brown

When Becky Fortenberry’s husband was hospitalized and diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the entire world fell on her shoulders. After years of making a living on their cotton farm in Lockney, Texas, her husband was no longer able to farm the 1,000 acres. So Becky, who had some experience, took on the task of planting the next crop by herself. Once her brother-in-law found out she was trying to plant on everything on her own, he approached some local farmers and asked for help. Nine farmers and more than 50 volunteers joined the effort and planted 1,000 acres in less than four hours. Read more (Myplainview.com).

Posted in Features | Tagged | Comments Off on Farmers Ban Together to Help One in Need

Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for June

Posted on June 4, 2014 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for June 2014. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from May 2014, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during June 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 June

Agricultural Exports Expected to Hit a Record High

Posted on June 4, 2014 by tanya brown

Agricultural exports are expected to reach a record high in fiscal year 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Based on the Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade report, exports are expected to reach $149.5 billion, an estimated $6.9 billion higher than previous estimates. In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said “This report indicates that the volume of U.S. agricultural exports has increased, which demonstrates an increasing global appetite for high-quality, American-grown products. USDA will continue to focus on its efforts on tapping into new markets for what is grown and made in rural America.” Read the report or view Vilsack’s statement.

Posted in News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Agricultural Exports Expected to Hit a Record High

Ag Census State & County Profiles Available Now

Posted on June 4, 2014 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released new 2012 Census of Agriculture profiles for all 50 states, Puerto Rico and more than 3,000 counties across the United States. The census — conducted every five years — is the only time the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service gathers and releases data down to the county level. Information on the number of farms, market value of products sold, government payments and value of sales by commodity are some of the data available. The state and county profiles are the first in a series of products USDA will publish throughout the year to highlight more than 6 million data points from the agricultural census. Read more or review the state and county data.

Posted in News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Ag Census State & County Profiles Available Now

Bouncing Back from Destruction

Posted on May 30, 2014 by tanya brown
David Smith of Smith Farms in Missouri received disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency after a tornado destroyed three of his grain bins. The 2014 Farm Bill reinstated the disaster programs that help producers recover from natural disasters.

David Smith of Smith Farms in Missouri received disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency after a tornado destroyed three of his grain bins. The 2014 Farm Bill reinstated the disaster programs that help producers recover from natural disasters.

By Dana Rogge, Missouri FSA Public Affairs Specialist

When a tornado touched down in the rural southeast Missouri town of Puxico it sent some ranchers into survival mode.   David Smith, owner of Smith Farms was one of them.

“It was a tough setback, financially,” said Smith.

The tornado destroyed three grain bins and damaged two others, causing a loss of about 3,400 bushels of wheat and 4,000 bushels of corn used as feed for over 1,500 cattle. Within minutes Smith saw thousands of dollars blow away, along with fences, a hay barn, outbuildings and feeding equipment. Read more.

Posted in Features | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Bouncing Back from Destruction

Tell Your Story & Help the National Museum of American History Preserve Ag Heritage

Posted on May 30, 2014 by tanya brown

The Smithsonian needs your ag-related stories. The American History Museum is seeking out stories from farmers, ranchers, FFA and 4-H members as part of their agricultural heritage archive. Share your experiences or interview a relative about their experiences. Submit a story today.

Posted in News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Tell Your Story & Help the National Museum of American History Preserve Ag Heritage

Program to Help Offset Cost for Producers Outside the Contiguous U.S.

Posted on May 30, 2014 by tanya brown

Producers living outside of the contiguous United States can be reimbursed for the costs of transporting agricultural products over long distances. Beginning July 21, farmers and ranchers in Alaska, Hawaii and insular areas including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands of the U.S. Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau, can enroll in the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program. The program assists U.S. farmers who are at a competitive disadvantage when transporting agriculture products to market. Learn more.

Posted in News | Comments Off on Program to Help Offset Cost for Producers Outside the Contiguous U.S.

Loans, Grants Available to Support Rural Economic Development

Posted on May 28, 2014 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for loans and grants to support community development projects, business expansion and job creation. Funding is through the USDA Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program and the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. “These USDA investments are part of the Obama Administration’s ongoing efforts to create jobs and expand economic opportunities for rural entrepreneurs,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Read more or review the Federal Register notice.

Posted in News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Loans, Grants Available to Support Rural Economic Development

BCAP to Resume in the Summer

Posted on May 28, 2014 by tanya brown

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program, known as BCAP will resume this summer. The program — reinstated by the 2014 Farm Bill — helps producers and energy facilities turn renewable biomass materials into clean energy. About $25 million in BCAP funding is available with 10-50 percent of the funding being used for harvest and transportation of biomass residues. “This initiative helps farmers and ranchers manage the financial risk of growing and harvesting energy biomass at commercial scale,” said Farm Service Agency Administrator, Juan M. Garcia. “Investing in agricultural and forestry producers who cultivate energy biomass and supporting next-generation biofuels facilities make America more energy independent, help combat climate change and create jobs in rural America.” Information on funding availability will be published in an upcoming Federal Register notice. Learn more.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on BCAP to Resume in the Summer