Katie Peebles with Reggie Cunningham at Peebles Farm.
By Christopher Willis, USDA
Katie and Dallas Peebles are the owners and operators of Peebles Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze in Augusta, Arkansas. The Peebles bought the farm in 1996 and have transitioned to agritourism over the last 16 years. It’s now the state’s largest certified organic pumpkin patch operation. In addition to pumpkins, they produce honey and grow watermelons, cantaloupe, peas, and soybeans. Continue reading
Luke Gianforte of Cazenovia, New York, is currently the chairman of the Madison County FSA Committee.
By Lynnette Wright, Farm Service Agency
The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) annual county committee elections began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2020. Throughout the nomination period, we’ve been introducing county committee members from across the nation. In the final installment of the series, we’ll meet Luke Gianforte of Cazenovia, New York. Luke is currently the chairman of the Madison County FSA Committee.
Luke is the managing partner of Gianforte Farm LLC, an 800-acre certified organic grain farm that grows a variety of small grains and row crops for the food grade market throughout the northeast. They also process some of the farm’s grains to be sold as value-added products such as flour and rolled oats. Continue reading
Janis Wittenmyer of Findlay, Ohio, produces corn, soybeans, and wheat along with her husband, Gary.
By Lauren Moore and Dana Rogge, USDA
The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) annual county committee election began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2020. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members across the nation. This week meet Janis Wittenmyer of Findlay, Ohio, where she and her husband, Gary, produce corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Janis and Gary built their operation from the ground up, starting four decades ago with a 40-acre land purchase with Gary’s brother.
“It’s truly a family operation,” Janis said. “Getting to work side-by-side and having the opportunity to build a business is just so satisfying.” Continue reading
Clinton Small of Montana, serves on the Big Horn County FSA Committee.
By Jennifer Cole, Farm Service Agency
The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) annual county committee election began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2020. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members across the nation. This week meet Clinton Small of Lodge Grass, Montana and a member of the Crow Tribe. Clinton and his family operate a cow-calf operation in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains on the Crow Reservation along Rotten Grass Creek in southern Montana. Continue reading
Justin Castleberry of Gainesville, Georgia, currently serves as the chairman of the Hall County FSA Committee.
By Lauren Moore, USDA
The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) annual county committee election began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2020. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members across the nation. This week meet Justin Castleberry of Gainesville, Georgia. Justin is currently the chairman of the Hall County FSA Committee.
Justin grew up farming and has been a full-time farmer since 1995. He operates a poultry, beef, row crop and produce operation, in addition to a trucking business that hauls feed and grain. His farm is home to over 100 cattle and consists of four broiler houses that house around 80,000 chickens. He grows wheat, soybeans, corn, hay, watermelons and pumpkins each year. Continue reading
Katie Molodich of Connecticut served on the on the county committee to help bridge the gap between the agency and the farmers they serve.
The nomination period for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees opens on June 15. Each county office is looking for producers to serve on the local county committee. County committee elections are held annually in every county when FSA accepts nominations for a certain Local Administrative Area (LAA). The LAA up for election rotates each year. If your LAA is up for election this year, please nominate yourself or another producer to serve on your local FSA county committee. Continue reading
Producers can apply now through August 28, 2020, for direct assistance though the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Online Tools and Call Center Available to Assist Producers
By: Richard Fordyce, Farm Service Agency Administrator
You can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which provides direct payments to farmers and ranchers to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2020.
We now have the application form and a payment calculator available on farmers.gov/cfap. And we have a call center (877-508-8364) set up to help you with your questions. Continue reading
Johnny is continuing what his ancestor started more than 200 years ago.
By Chris Groskreutz, NRCS, Michelle Stone and Buford Sanders, Georgia Forestry Commission
Meet Johnny Bembry of Pulaski County, Georgia. The Bembry family has made a living on their farm for over 200 years, adapting and evolving how they manage the land as needed. Diverse ventures in row crops, cattle and timber has led to an array of benefits, including profitable lands, cleaner water downstream and top-notch wildlife habitat. Continue reading
The Kinmans have a diverse livestock operation in Gasconade County, Missouri.
By Jessica Claypole, FSA
Meet Eric and Amy Kinman, owners of Meadowlark Farm, a regenerative farming operation located in rural Gasconade County, Missouri. Rooted on eight acres, Meadowlark Farm began with just six head of heritage breed feeder pigs in 2013. Today, six head of hogs are shipped to the processor every two weeks.
Hog Wild
“The pigs were my idea, although growing up, my family raised cows, sheep, and goats – no hogs,” Amy said. “My husband had experience raising hogs with his extended family, so I relied on him to learn the ropes of raising pigs.”
The current operation consists of Red Wattle and Large Black heritage hog breeds, which are rare but intentionally chosen by the Kinmans to fulfill their goal of carrying on diversified farming practices and producing superior meats. In addition to hogs, the Kinmans have incorporated Angus, South Poll, and Pinzgauer cattle breeds into their operation. Continue reading
Bill Cooper, a cattle farmer from Wythe County, Virginia.
By: Aaron Blackburn and Hanna Collins, FSA
Bill Cooper, is a cattle farmer from Wythe County, Virginia, where he raises Angus cattle on the same land that his family has operated since 1941. Bill lives on the farm with his son, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Improving the Farm
On the route traveling south from Wytheville, there is an abundance of cattle operations as far as the eye can see. One of these farms belongs Bill, which can be easily identified by the tree tubes that lead to his farm entrance.
Bill turned eight acres of his farm into buffer areas with the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency. CREP is part of the Conservation Reserve Program, a voluntary program that provides yearly rental payments to farmers who agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Continue reading
