Enrollment Opens for Conservation Stewardship Program

Posted on December 3, 2013 by tanya brown

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is open for new enrollment for fiscal year 2014. The program, facilitated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), helps established conservation stewards take their natural resource management to the next level to help improve agricultural production and provide valuable conservation benefits like cleaner and more abundant water, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat. Now in its fifth year, the Conservation Stewardship Program has enrolled 59 million acres across the nation. Applications must be submitted to a local NRCS office by Jan. 17. Locate a service center or learn more about CSP.

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CommodityCredit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for December

Posted on December 3, 2013 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for December 2013. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from November 2013, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during December 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.

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USDA Announces $10.5 Million in Grants to Producers

Posted on November 26, 2013 by tanya brown

About $10.5 million in grants is available to producers through the Value-Added Producer Grant program. The program strengthens ties between agricultural producers and their local communities by creating and expanding marketing opportunities, developing specialty or niche products and creating new income opportunities. The grants can be used for planning or working capital. The maximum working capital grant is $200,000; the maximum planning grant is $75,000. Applications are due by Feb. 24, 2014. Learn more.

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FSA Employee’s Artwork Takes Blue Ribbon in USDA’s 2013 Art and Agriculture Competition

Posted on November 26, 2013 by tanya brown
FSA's own Diane O’Neel took first place in the USDA Ag Art Competition with her "painted pig."

FSA’s own Diane O’Neel took first place in the USDA Ag Art Competition with her “painted pig.”

By Brenda Carlson, FSA Public Affairs Specialist

Although many artists never in their lifetime realize their dream of having their artwork recognized and appreciated by the masses, this is not the case for Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) own Diane O’Neel.  In fact, O’Neel, the chief program technician in the Saline County, Neb., FSA office has her artwork on display in the lobby area of Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s office suite.

O’Neel’s “painted pig” received top honors in USDA’s 2013 Art and Agriculture competition. Winning first place in the Ag Production category, O’Neel’s piece, titled “Proudly Supporting Livestock Ag,” is not only a tribute to the hog production industry, but more importantly to O’Neel, depicts the importance and tradition of the family farm.

On one side of the prize-winning sculpture, O’Neel painted her immediate family and on the other; she painted a landscape of the family farm and hog operation. The legs of the pig are painted to represent pillars which O’Neel says convey the message that, “The family farm supports livestock production and, in turn, livestock production supports the family farm in the same way that pillars support a structure.” Continue reading →

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Partnership Will Help Communities Better Prepare for Drought

Posted on November 19, 2013 by tanya brown

After 2012 brought one of the worst droughts in American history, the Obama administration announced a partnership to help communities better prepare for future droughts and reduce the impact on the economy. The National Drought Resilience Partnership was developed in response to requests from communities, businesses and farmers and ranchers to provide easier access to federal drought resources and link monitoring, forecasts and warnings to longer-term drought resilience strategies in sectors such as agriculture. In its first year, the partnership will focus on creating a Web-based portal to ease access to drought recovery resources and it will host several forums to provide access to experts and locally relevant information. Learn more.

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Producers Can Expect Payment Reductions Due to Sequester

Posted on November 19, 2013 by tanya brown

Producers expecting a program payment from the Farm Service Agency will see a smaller dollar amount in their checks for fiscal year 2014. The automatic spending reductions, known as sequestration, will reduce payments for producers who participate in one of 11 FSA programs affected by the sequester. “These sequester percentages reflect current law estimates; however, with the continuing budget uncertainty, Congress still may adjust the exact percentage reduction,” said FSA Administrator Juan M. Garcia. Garcia said the announcement intends to help producers prepare for the impact of sequestration cuts in fiscal year 2014. Learn more.

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USDA Continues to Suspend Several Reports Due to Sequestration

Posted on November 19, 2013 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will not conduct several statistical surveys in fiscal year 2014. The surveys are halted due to the new fiscal year starting under a continuing resolution that is based on FY 2013 sequestration-level funding. Based on a press release issued by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the sequestration-level funding does not allow the reinstatement of 10 survey reports that were suspended March 2013 when sequestration was implemented.  According to the press release, the decision to suspend these reports was not made lightly, but it was necessary given the funding situation. Read more.

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Corn Growers on Track for Record Production Year

Posted on November 14, 2013 by tanya brown

Corn is on track to hit a record 14.0 billion bushels this crop year based on the USDA Crop Production report. Despite the 2 percent decrease in acreage planted this season, production forecasts remained high due to high forecasted yields. This season’s yields are expected to average 160.4 bushels per acre, with corn growers in 18 states expected to reach record yields this year. Soybeans followed suit with a 1 percent decrease in acreage planted, but favorable weather conditions accounted for higher pod counts when compare to 2012. Soybean yields are expected to average 43.0 bushels per acre. If reached, it will be the third largest production year on record. Read the crop report.

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Preliminary Results of 2012 Ag Census Scheduled for Feb. Release

Posted on November 13, 2013 by tanya brown

Preliminary results of the 2012 Census of Agriculture will be released on Feb. 20, 2014. The release will provide an initial look at the national and state findings and be presented at the Agricultural Outlook Forum. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service is working to set a revised schedule for release of the full Census. The original release date was delayed by the work stoppage caused by the lapse in federal funding in October 2013. Learn more.

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FSA Salutes Veterans and Welcomes the Opportunity to Now Serve Them

Posted on November 12, 2013 by tanya brown

Rural communities remain the backbone of America. The food that fills the stomachs of millions of American are grown in these communities and more than 44 percent of military recruits who sacrifice to serve this country, come from rural areas.

The USDA Farm Service Agency thanks the millions of service men and women for their courage by providing opportunities and offering resources to help them return to their rural roots and begin or continue to farm. Continue reading →

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