A Diverse Farm With Deep Ties to the Community

Posted on April 8, 2013 by tanya brown

Kit Kalajakawan and Nui Mizel of Maui Nui Farm produce a diverse range of crops and distribute and market them in a diverse fashion.

By Diane Ley, FSA State Executive Director, Hawaii and Pacific Basin

Sahatthaya “Nui” Mizel and her son, Kit Kalajakawan have turned a few acres of land into a growing enterprise.

Nui and Kit migrated from Thailand to Hawaii in the early 1990’s, and expanded their ventures to become master chefs, owning a catering business, to hosting a farmers market and of course, farming their 40-acre vegetable and flower farm they named Maui Nui.

“Working with FSA has allowed us to further diversify Maui Nui Farm and take advantage of successive new revenue generating opportunities,” said Nui. Continue reading →

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Black Belt Farmers Finding New Markets

Posted on April 5, 2013 by tanya brown

African-American farmers in Alabama are finding ways to merge schools, communities and local government agencies to bring Black Belt produce to mainstream markets. Known as the Black Belt region due to the rich, black soil, this southern portion of Alabama is working with WalMart, Sodexo and Whole Foods to bring purple-hulled peas, sweet potatoes and watermelons to store shelves. Read more.

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NASS to Provide Partial Milk Production Estimates

Posted on April 3, 2013 by tanya brown

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service will provide partial estimates of U.S. milk production through the end of fiscal year 2013. Milk production is one element of the monthly Milk Production report that NASS suspended last month to meet sequestration requirements. NASS also will release the Annual Milk Production, Disposition and Income 2012 Summary report as scheduled on April 25. Learn more.

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Senator Introduces Legislation to Reform Milk Pricing

Posted on April 3, 2013 by tanya brown

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced legislation that would overhaul the milk pricing system. Based on the bill, USDA would need to conduct public hearings on reforming the milk pricing system and present a final proposal to Congress. Should it become law, the FSA Milk Income Loss Contract program would be extended and dairy farms with less than 200 cows would be exempt from a supply management program. The bill is expected to be introduced next week. Read more (PostStar).

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Mobile Apps Help Dairy Farmers Compute Costs

Posted on April 3, 2013 by tanya brown

Penn State University (PSU) Extension released a mobile app, “DairyCents,” for dairy farmers to easily calculate their income over feed cost. The app also allows farmers to compare their feed costs with the costs paid by others.

It’s a digital world – and agriculture is no exception. More and more, farmers and ranchers are moving away from traditional methods of getting their news and information. Mobile devices are convenient, budget-friendly ways for farmers and ranchers to stay up-to-date on a variety of agricultural issues.

Penn State University (PSU) Extension released a mobile app, “DairyCents,” for dairy farmers to easily calculate their income over feed cost (milk income per cow per day, minus feed cost per cow per day).  The app also allows farmers to compare their feed costs with the costs paid by others. Read more (USDA blog).

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for April

Posted on April 1, 2013 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for April 2013. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from March 2013, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during April 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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U.S.Farmers to Plant Record-High Corn, Soybeans in 2013

Posted on March 28, 2013 by tanya brown

Determined to make up for a crop that was adversely affected by historic drought last year, U.S. farmers intend to plant a record-high combined 174.4 million acres of corn and soybeans in 2013, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). If realized, corn will represent the highest planted acreage in the United States since 1936 (102 million planted acres) and for soybeans the fourth highest acreage on record. Read the Prospective Planting report.

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Reaching Underserved Producers

Posted on March 28, 2013 by tanya brown

By Cassie Bable, Texas FSA Public Affairs Specialist

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) joined farmworkers and cooperatives of rural America at the MAFO Conference in San Antonio last week to address issues and concerns about policies impacting farmworkers.

FSA Administrator Juan M. Garcia was a guest speaker during the plenary session that focused on the history and evolution of farmworker organizations from advocacy to workforce development, service and rural development.

The session opened with Thomas Jones, former executive director of the National Association of Farmworker Organizations (NAFO), providing the audience with a glimpse into the lives of migrant farmworkers between 1965 and 1980. He illustrated the hardships that these individuals faced on a daily basis. A particular story hit close to home for Garcia. Jones told the audience about a group of boys in South Texas near Eagle Pass who got in trouble for speaking Spanish while in class. Continue reading →

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Funds for New Farmers Paying Dividends

Posted on March 27, 2013 by tanya brown

Lily and Matt believe people can make a living off of the farm, despite the myths.

By Paul Lehman, FSA Regional Public Affairs Specialist

Matt McCue and Lily Schneider never believed the myth. They always knew they could make enough money farming to support their family.

“There’s a myth, lots of people say you can’t make a living farming,” said Schneider. “Everyone has just bought into this idea. But thankfully we’ve had mentors who have helped us along the way.” Continue reading →

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Registration Open for Free Webinar Discussing FSA Microloan Program

Posted on March 27, 2013 by tanya brown

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.

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