Joint Effort Enlightens Kansas Producers on Tax and Estate Planning

Posted on March 11, 2013 by tanya brown

Farmers in several Kansas counties got a crash course in agricultural law and estate planning as part of a day-long conference cosponsored by the Farm Service Agency offices in Douglas, Franklin, Osage and Shawnee counties.

“I now have a better understanding of the importance of written hunting and farm lease agreements between all people involved and also the importance of passing property on to my children,” said Cynthia Hrenchir, a producer who attended the conference. Hrenchir shared her sentiment with other producers who listened to Mike Irvin’s presentation on “Ag Law: Leasing, Fencing, Eminent Domain,” and Shon Robben’s presentation on “Estate and Tax Planning for Farm Families.” Continue reading →

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House Extends Pay Freeze to End of Fiscal Year; Supports Sequester

Posted on March 6, 2013 by tanya brown

Members of the House of Representatives voted on a continuing resolution Wednesday that would keep federal salaries frozen through September and uphold the $982 billion sequester. Should the legislation pass, the government would avoid a shut down on March 27 and federal employees would face their third consecutive year with a pay freeze. The Senate is expected to pass the measure with minor changes. Read more (Government Executive).

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Lanier County FSA Participants Win Big in Georgia Cotton Awards

Posted on March 6, 2013 by tanya brown

Ronnie Courson, a Lanier County, Ga., farmer won the highest cotton award in the state.


By Terrie Wolford, County Executive Director, Lowndes County, Ga.

The Lanier County Farm Service Agency in Georgia congratulates owners of three farms that won awards for having the highest quality cotton in the surrounding 20 counties in the Southeast portion of the state. The awards were presented at the Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting and UGA Cotton Production Workshop held at the UGA Tifton Conference Center earlier this year.

Ronnie Courson was the overall state winner of the Georgia Quality Best Cotton Award — the highest award given — for producing cotton with the highest loan value and premium. He also won the Georgia Quality Cotton Award for acreage below 500 and to top it off, he won a $250 gift card as a door prize. Courson participates in the Direct and Counter Cyclical Program and the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. He also has benefitted from the FSA Livestock Assistance Program. Courson has been farming his entire life and produces cotton, peanuts, olives and raises livestock.  Continue reading →

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USDA Meteorologist: Drought Conditions Are Improving

Posted on March 6, 2013 by tanya brown

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Small Farmer Finds Success with FSA Microloan Program

Posted on March 5, 2013 by tanya brown

John Lee Meyer took advantaged of the new FSA Microloan program that focuses on small and beginning farmers by easing some requirements and offering less paperwork.

By Cassie Bable, Texas FSA Public Affairs Specialist

John Lee Meyer applied for his first loan with the Smith County Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Texas to purchase a John Deere 2750 tractor with cab for his hay operation. Meyer owns a small horse hay operation in Palestine, Texas. He runs his own equipment and cuts, rakes and bales hay on 68 acres.

Meyer’s loan application began as a direct farm operating loan, but quickly changed to a Microloan shortly after the new program was announced in January. Continue reading →

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Senate Wants to Cut Congressional Pay During Sequestration

Posted on March 5, 2013 by tanya brown

New legislation was birthed in the Senate this week that would reduce congressional pay once government furloughs begin. The bill would force congressional leaders to sacrifice a portion of their paycheck to align with the loss many government employees will face once furloughs take place due to the sequestration that began last Friday. Despite the effort, the bill may be deemed unconstitutional due to the 27th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that prohibits Congress from raising or lowering their own pay, although it can change the pay of future legislative bodies. Read more (Government Executive).

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Deadline Approaches for Hispanic and Women Farmers to File Claims

Posted on March 4, 2013 by tanya brown

Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by USDA in past decades have until March 25, 2013, to file a claim in order to receive a cash payment or loan forgiveness. 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. Learn more or download the online forms.

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USDA to Set Thresholds on Interest Rates for Guaranteed Farm Loans

Posted on March 1, 2013 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on an interim rule that sets thresholds on interest rates charged by lenders on FSA guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans. The change would clearly set the maximum interest rate lenders may charge to borrowers. Lenders have expressed a desire to see greater clarity in FSA’s interest rate policy. At the same time, FSA seeks greater consistency with industry standards and other government agencies that administer similar programs. “By providing clear thresholds, USDA is ensuring greater certainty to producers, making compliance easier for our lenders and ensuring greater benefits for all farmers and ranchers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Learn more or submit a comment.

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Black History Event Celebrates Education and Success

Posted on March 1, 2013 by tanya brown

Arlean Leland said education, a mentor and volunteering for assignments are major ways to advance a career.

They weren’t supposed to scrub floors, live off of food stamps or become sharecroppers. To their parents, they were a hopeful generation of overcomers.

“I remember my mom always saying, Arlean you can do better than I can. I want you to get your education,” said Arlean Leland, associate counsel for Civil Rights and the second highest ranking African-American attorney in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Education is the key.”

Leland was one of three high-level African-Americans in USDA to discuss her struggles and successes of during the 2013 FSA Black History Month Observance held Feb. 28 at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Following the theme “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality,” more than 100 people attended the event that also celebrated 150 years of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.  Continue reading →

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for March

Posted on March 1, 2013 by tanya brown

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