Delinquent Youth Now ‘A Treasure’ in Ag Community

Posted on May 22, 2013 by tanya brown

Windy City Harvest Graduate Aaron Serrano shows NIFA National Program Leader Siva Sureshwaran seedlings in the Daley City College greenhouse. (Photo: Alexandra Wilson)

By Alexandra Wilson, National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Aaron Serrano was 15 years-old when he was charged with a felony and sentenced as an adult to two years in a Chicago-area prison. Today, at age 18, he has a full-time job at FarmedHere, an aquaponics agricultural producer in Chicago, where his boss calls him “a treasure.”

Serrano’s transformation from a troubled teenager into a well-trained agricultural professional wouldn’t have been possible without the opportunities given to him by the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest, which runs a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) project funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Read more (USDA blog).

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Aging Farmers Force Families to Deal with Succession Planning

Posted on May 22, 2013 by tanya brown

As the age of most farmers continues to climb, the number of younger farmers to replace them continues to decline, placing a strain on family-owned farms to decide what to do with the operation. Although most succession planning is done privately with lawyers and accountants, several farming organizations have focused their efforts on training programs after realizing many farmers aren’t doing enough. The programs provide training materials to accountants, extension agents and others who work directly with producers. One particular program provides advisers to work with landowners and farmers to put a succession plan in place. Read more (USA Today).

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USDA Seeks Nominations for Minority Farmers Advisory Committee

Posted on May 22, 2013 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking for members to serve on the Minority Farmers Advisory Committee to provide direction to the Secretary on issue affecting socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The committee considers strategies, policies, and programs that enhance USDA’s goals for assisting minority farming and ranching operations. Members also consider goals and objectives necessary to implement their recommendations, as well as methodologies that maximize participation of minority farmers in USDA programs. Nomination forms are available online and must be submitted by May 31. Learn more or download the nomination form.

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100-Year-Old Farmer Annie Faye Woodson Dies

Posted on May 17, 2013 by tanya brown

At 100 years of age, Annie Faye Woodson was still farming 1,000 acres of farmland.

The Farm Service Agency must report some sad news.  We recently featured a story about 100-year-old but very active rancher Annie Faye Woodson.  Annie died this week from a stroke.  Her grandson notified our staff in Texas of her passing, saying how grateful he was that Cassie Bable, Texas Public Affairs Specialist, covered Annie’s wonderful life.  He said it made his grandmother extremely happy.

Telling Annie Faye Woodson’s story made all of us at the Farm Service Agency extremely happy, too.  She was an inspiration.  We thank her for giving us hope that even at 100 our lives make a difference.  Annie’s certainly did.  May she rest in peace. Read the recently published story.

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Still Farming at 92

Posted on May 17, 2013 by tanya brown

At 92, Malachi Duncan (center) is still farming in Union, S.C. Pictured with Duncan are Cinda DeHart, farm loan tech and John McComb, farm loan officer.

Malachi Duncan has farmed for six decades. Now, at age 92, he’s ready to do more.

“I was out on the tractor trying to locate a cow,” said Duncan, who farms 43-acres of his family’s land in Union, S.C.  It’s the same land he used to plow with mules before planting cotton, peanuts and corn.

“Now that was hard with long hours” said Duncan. “We didn’t have any tractors back then, but we farmed to survive.” Continue reading →

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CRP Sign-Up Opens on Monday, May 20

Posted on May 17, 2013 by tanya brown

The wait is over. The 45th general sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program starts Monday, May 20 and will run through June 14. During that time, producers can sign up to receive cost-share assistance to plant long-term, resource-conserving covers and receive annual rental payment for the length of the contract, which is 10-15 years. For the past 27 years, CRP has become one of the largest conservation effort with 27 million acres enrolled in the program. Those acres have improved water and air quality, prevented soil erosion and increased populations of pheasants, quail, ducks and rare species like the sage grouse and lesser prairie chicken. Those interested should contact the FSA county office to sign up. Learn more or locate a county office.

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Help Available to Producers in Flood-Stricken Areas

Posted on May 16, 2013 by tanya brown

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Study: Ag Boom Could Turn to Bust

Posted on May 16, 2013 by tanya brown

Falling commodity prices, higher interest rates and a possible drop in farmland prices have economist concerned that farmers are next in line to go into major debt, which will spin the agriculture industry off of its economic boom and into a bust, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The largest concern is the drop in commodity prices predicted for 2014 and 2015 along with an expected 25 percent decrease in farm income. Farmers using wealth instead of profits to finance agricultural investments could take on significant debt or risk bankruptcy. To add to the concern, falling land prices could increase debt for farmers as land is used for collateral for farm loans. Read more (CNBC).

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Clowning Around Has It’s Benefits

Posted on May 15, 2013 by tanya brown

Mamaw Bubbles visits the White County FSA Office in Illinois to encourage producer sign-up and bring laughter to the office.

A day off from work turns Renita Nelson into another person. Her alter ego, Mamaw Bubbles, dons a green wig, yellow shoes and a multi-colored dress. Holding a megaphone in her hand, she stands in front of the White County, Ill., Farm Service Agency reminding producers to sign-up for DCP or ACRE programs before the deadline. Some people may say she looks silly dressed up like a clown, but it brings smiles to faces and has increased producer sign-up by 15 percent. “Most adults enjoy a clown and being able to make others laugh is my goal,” said Nelson, a program technician with the White County, Ill., office. “If Mamaw Bubbles can help get our producers in to sign up for the program that is what she will do.”

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USDA Announces New Initiatives to Boost Organic Agriculture

Posted on May 15, 2013 by tanya brown

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several new initiatives this week to help organic producers. During a speech to the Organic Trade Association, Vilsack said federal crop insurance will increase coverage options for organic producers, including a contract price addendum and a new premium price election for organic crops. New guidance on organic production will be provided to all USDA agencies in order to address the needs of the organic sector in all programs and services. “These new options will extend the safety net provided by crop insurance and provide fair and flexible solutions to organic producers,” said Vilsack. Within the past 10 years, the U.S. has seen a 240 percent increase in organic farms and business. Learn more.

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