Georgia Producers Must Apply to Reap Tax-Exempt Savings

Posted on December 5, 2012 by tanya brown

Georgia farmers are urged to apply for the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption card in order to be exempt from paying sales tax on seed, fertilizer, fuel and other inputs. Although the tax exemption law is not new, applying for the annual GATE card permit began this year and takes effect Jan. 1, 2013. Producers who do not have a GATE card by that time will pay sales tax on all agricultural inputs. Applications can be completed online or by calling 1-855-FARM-TAX (3276-829). Read more (Growing Georgia).

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First FSA Guaranteed Loan in Guam Finances Medicinal Plant Farm

Posted on December 4, 2012 by tanya brown

Bernice Nelson became the first recipient of an FSA guaranteed loan in Guam.

By Doreen Rivera, Guam FSA Office

Guam has seen a decline over the years in its traditional healing arts, but one local woman has taken it upon herself to bring it back while making history at the Guam Farm Service Agency.

Bernice Nelson, owner of Amot Taotao Tano Farm, ventures into the jungles of Guam to find and propagate medicinal plants on her farm, which she has turned it into a small but growing value-added agricultural enterprise.

“Growing up, I’ve always had a curiosity for our traditional heritage with the uses of these medicinal plants,” said Nelson. The fun part was actually going through the jungle with my grandaunts and uncles. I’ve been inspired [by my family], who taught me how to make these medicines.” Continue reading →

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From Futile to Fertile: Midwest Farmers, Federal Partners Address Drought

Posted on December 4, 2012 by tanya brown

Roy Klopfenstein (left) and Agriculture Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service (FFAS) Michael Scuse (right) look at Klopfenstein’s alfalfa field to see how the drought has impacted his crop in Paulding County, Ohio. USDA photo by Christina Reed.

The 2012 drought dried up more than just crops. For many U.S. farmers, it also dried up savings, material resources, and perhaps saddest of all, hope.

“The drought of course impacted our crop yields tremendously,” said veteran Ohio dairy farmer Leon Weaver. “Corn yields were about 50 percent of normal. Dairymen are exiting this business in droves.”

But for Weaver and nearly one hundred other Ohio, Michigan and Indiana farmers who gathered recently in rural Henry County, Ohio, hope was a commodity worth trading as they shared, in roundtable fashion, their ideas on how to access resources and rise from the dust. Read more (USDA blog).

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for December

Posted on December 3, 2012 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for December 2012. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, unchanged from November, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during December 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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Today is Last Day to Vote in County Committee Elections

Posted on December 3, 2012 by tanya brown

Today is the last day for producers to vote in the 2012 Farm Service Agency County Committee elections.  Completed ballots must be postmarked by Dec. 3 or delivered in person to local USDA Service Centers by close of business today. Those who did not receive a ballot may pick one up at their local county office. County committee members provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA by helping to deliver FSA programs at the local level. Newly elected members and alternates will take office Jan. 1, 2013. Read more.

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Registration Opens for 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum

Posted on November 30, 2012 by tanya brown

Registration is now open for the 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum. The forum, which will be held Feb. 21-22 in Arlington, Va., will feature 25 sessions with more than 85 speakers discussing issues related to risk management, food price and farm income, global crop insurance, conservation for water, soil and forests, and other topics. The early bird registration discount ends Jan. 21. After that date, participants must register at the regular rate. Learn more or register today.

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FSA Brings Young Military Man Back Home to the Farm

Posted on November 30, 2012 by tanya brown

Joel Talsma grew up on a farm in Minnesota, but as an adult he wanted to experience life off of the farm. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army National Guard and served eight years in the reserves. It was then that he realized the farm was calling him home. Being young and wanting to farm was sort of daunting, but Talsma began working with the Farm Service Agency Beginning Farmer and Rancher program to secure financing and land. Last year was his first growing season on the 160-acres of land he was able to purchase just 10 miles down the road from his parent’s farm. Read more (Farm Market News).

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USDA Sets 5 Percent Rule for Organic Residue Testing

Posted on November 29, 2012 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded the amount of residue testing required for organic products. Based on a Nov. 9 Federal Register notice, the Agricultural Marketing Service that administers the organic program will require certifying agents to annually conduct testing for non-organic residues on 5 percent of the operations they certify. The new regulation will ensure the quality and discourage the mislabeling of agricultural products handled under the National Organic Program. The requirement will take effect Jan. 1, 2013. Read the Federal Register notice.

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IRS May be Given Authority to Seize TSP Accounts for Unpaid Taxes

Posted on November 29, 2012 by tanya brown

Lawmakers are scheduled to act on a bill that would allow the Internal Revenue Service to seize money from Thrift Savings Plan accounts of federal workers for unpaid taxes. The Thrift Savings Plan serves as a retirement investment fund for federal workers. The House passed legislation this summer allowing TSP accounts to be subject a law that allows the IRS to collect for unpaid taxes. The Senate will vote on its version of the bill in December. Read more (Government Executive).

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Native American Celebration Honors Culture, History of Indian Country

Posted on November 29, 2012 by tanya brown

Joanna Stancil, director of the USDA Office of Tribal Relations was the keynote speaker during FSA’s Native American Heritage Celebration.

Humor and a love for family, the Creator and the land is what has allowed the Native American Indian to survive. Those elements showed through during the Farm Service Agency’s Native American Heritage Month Celebration held Tuesday.

“We are evolving. We’ve had to evolve and we’ve done it with a sense of humor. It has helped us get through,” said keynote speaker Joanna Stancil, director of USDA Tribal Relations. Stancil was one of three presenters during the ceremony. “We have been here, are here now and will always be here.” Continue reading →

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