Stay Connected
Get Email Updates
FSA Tweets
- 12:00AM - 1 Jan 1970
Eighth Grader Wins Art Contest Depicting Agriculture
Ann Malene Watson’s artwork depicting agriculture won the Tulare County Farm Bureau’s calendar art contest.
A future farmer and artist is what describes Ann Malene Watson. An 8th grade student at Strathmore Middle School in Tulare County, Calif., Ann was one of 12 students whose artwork won the 2012-2013 Tulare County Farm Bureau calendar art contest. The contest solicits artwork depicting agricultural scenes from students in grades K-12. The calendars, which run April 2012 to March 2013, were distributed throughout the county. Ann is part of FSA as a Rural Youth Loan borrower and has a hog project through the Future Farmers of America program that she will show at the fair in May.
LED Lights Make Turkeys Happy; Saves Farmers Money
LED lights could be making turkeys happy while providing a cost savings to farmers. A turkey farmer in Central Minnesota installed LED lights in a finishing barn to help simulate outdoor lighting situations. Although there isn’t much data, one farmer said the lighting regulates the bird’s natural rhythm, causing less fighting and creating healthier turkeys. The lights are 87 percent more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, decreasing energy costs. Read more (Midwest Energy News).
Hollywood-Style Regional Women’s Ag Conference Makes History
More than 530 people attended the Women in Agriculture Regional Conference, breaking the 10-year conference attendance record.
By Dana Rogge, Missouri FSA Public Affairs Specialist
Marshall, Mo., became a little like Hollywood this month during the 10th anniversary of the Women in Agriculture Regional Conference. The star-studded event featured famous speakers and followed an “All Stars” theme that provided a VIP experience for more than 530 attendees—the largest attendance in conference history.
“This event provides a forum each year for women agriculturalists to network, access information valuable to their farming operation and have fun,” said Jared Singer, Saline County, Mo., county executive director and chair of the conference planning committee. “The committee decided to shoot for the stars for our tenth year and provide participants with a topnotch experience.” Continue reading
Posted in Features
Tagged Agriculture, FSA, USDA, women
Comments Off on Hollywood-Style Regional Women’s Ag Conference Makes History
Bill to Fire Federal Employees for Delinquent Taxes Fails
A bill that would allow federal employees with “seriously delinquent tax debts” to be fired, took a nose dive this week as the House failed to get a two-thirds majority vote to pass the Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act. Republicans who support the bill said it’s necessary to hold federal employees at a higher standard, while Democrats argue that firing them would make it harder to collect the debt owed. Nearly 107,000 federal workers owe $1 billion in tax debt. Read more (The Hill).
Age is Just a Number for 100-Year-Old Farmer
At 100 years of age, Annie Woodson still farms 1,000 acres of farmland.
By Cassie Bable, Texas FSA Public Affairs Specialist
Annie Faye Woodson has been directly involved in farming and ranching in Texas for the last 76 years. At 100-years-old she stays up-to-date on Farm Service Agency (FSA) program news and still makes trips to the Fannin County FSA office to sign up for farm programs and certify acres. It is no surprise that Woodson has seen many changes throughout her life on the farm.
“I rode in a wagon, buggy and tractor,” said Woodson. “Technology is the biggest change I’ve seen in my lifetime.” Continue reading
Reminder: Hispanic, Women Producers Can File Claim Through May 1
The deadline has been extended for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers to file a claim if they feel they were discriminated against by USDA in past decades .The claims process is a voluntary alternative to litigation for each Hispanic or female farmer or rancher who can prove that USDA denied an application for loan or loan servicing assistance for discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000. Claimants may contact a call center representative at 1-888-508-4429 for a package or download the forms online. All claims must be submitted by May 1, 2013. Learn more or download the online forms.
Beginning Farmer Receives Missouri’s First Microloan
A year after graduating high school, Brent Nodd became the first microloan recipient in Missouri.
By Charlotte Holeman, Farm Loan Manager & Dana Rogge, Public Affairs Specialist
Brent Nold of Cosby, Mo., was a little apprehensive when he thought about getting a loan to expand his cattle herd.
“I was nervous about applying for a loan to purchase more cows because I had thought there would be a lot of paperwork,” said Nold.
What he didn’t know was that Farm Service Agency introduced a new loan designed for farmers just like him. FSA’s microloans were designed to help beginning, niche and small farmers secure loans under $35,000 to help provide start-up funding through a less burdensome, more simplified application process. Continue reading
Posted in Features
Tagged beginning farmers, farm loans, farmers, FSA, microloans, USDA
Comments Off on Beginning Farmer Receives Missouri’s First Microloan
Reminder: Free Microloan Webinar is April 10
The Farm Service Agency is joining Cornell Small Farms Program to produce a free webinar discussing the new FSA microloan program. Learn details of the program, including loan terms, the application process and eligibility requirements. Questions can be asked to FSA Senior Loan Specialist Carrie Novak via chat pod. The microloan program offers low-interest loans up to $35,000 to better serve the financial operating needs of beginning, niche and small farmers. The free webinar will be held April 10 from 7-8 p.m. EST. Learn more or register today.
Posted in News
Tagged beginning farmers, farm loans, FSA, microloans
Comments Off on Reminder: Free Microloan Webinar is April 10
Children Find Out How Much Water it Takes to Grow a Pizza
Minnesota FSA provided a fun-filled learning experience to children about the important role water plays in agriculture.
More than 840 fourth-grade students from Minnesota found out how much water it takes to make a large pizza.
Through an exhibit sponsored by the Minnesota Farm Service Agency during the 15th Annual Children’s Water Festival, in North Mankato, MN., participants were shown how it takes 743 gallons of water to grow each ingredient used to make a pizza.
The exhibit started with wheat plants that generated the pizza crust, which took 63 gallons of water, while tomato plants that made-up the tomato paste that uses 28 gallons of water. The cow and pig that gave the cheese and pepperoni for the pizza consumed 448 and 204 gallons of water, respectively.
