Farm Loan Aids Local Vet in Restoring Childhood Farm

Posted on September 27, 2012 by tanya brown

After 25 years of living off of his parent’s farm, Daryl Whitaker returned to restore it back to a functional, sustainable operation.

By Tim Storey, Tennessee Farm Service Agency

After 25 years of making his own way in the world and serving his country honorably, former U.S. Air Force munitions systems specialist Daryl Whitaker made his way back home to Franklin County, Tenn., to rebuild his family’s farm.

Remembering it as a thriving farm, Whitaker returned to an aging 22 acres of land. But he had a plan to change that.

“I began by selling what few head remained on the farm so that I could reconstruct the cow calf operation,” said Whitaker. Continue reading →

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Soil Health Management Helps Crops Survive Drought

Posted on September 26, 2012 by tanya brown

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Idaho County Executive Director Gleans to Feed Hungry

Posted on September 26, 2012 by tanya brown

Lance Phillips, county executive director of the Twin Falls County FSA office volunteers to glean a local corn field to feed needy families.

Walking through 50 rows of nearly 100,000 corn stalks is what an Idaho FSA county executive director calls a blessing. “This can take $100 to $200 off a grocery bill,” said Lance Phillips, CED in the Twin Falls office, who volunteered his time to glean a corn field at Rock Ridge Dairy in Castleford, Idaho. “Gleaning…is a blessing.” Owners of the field planted it so employees could take what they needed. The crop was so successful that it turned into a community garden where community members could come and glean. Phillips donates the corn to soup kitchens, local food banks and the Salvation Army. Read more (Times-News).

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Expanding PossibilitiesThrough the Farmers Market Promotion Program

Posted on September 26, 2012 by tanya brown

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan (center, white jacket) buys produce at the Baltimore farmers market in Baltimore, MD. By supporting farmers markets and other businesses, Farmers Market Promotion Program funds have helped open new doors for farmers and ranchers all across the country.

By Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan

Last Friday, I was honored to announce $9 million in new grants through USDA’s Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). The program targets producers, cooperatives and organizations that market products directly to consumers – just one of the many marketing approaches that make American agriculture so successful.

FMPP grants have helped open new doors for farmers and ranchers across the country, strengthened the connection between producers and their communities, and expanded consumer access to farm-fresh foods. Read more (USDA blog).

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Claim Period Opens for Hispanic, Women Producers Who Allege Past Discrimination

Posted on September 26, 2012 by tanya brown

Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who feel they have been discriminated against by the USDA in past decades can file claims from Sept. 24, 2012 through March 25, 2013. The opening of this claims process is part of USDA’s ongoing efforts to correct the wrongs of the past and ensure fair treatment to all current and future customers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The process offers a voluntary alternative to litigation for each Hispanic or female farmer and rancher who can prove that USDA denied their applications for loan or loan servicing assistance for discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000. At least $1.33 billion in cash awards and tax relief payments are available along with up to $160 million in farm debt relief to eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers. Learn more.

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Series of Meetings Set to Address Drought Damage & Response

Posted on September 20, 2012 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold a series of meetings across the country to outline available resources to help states recover from damages resulting from one of the worst droughts in history. “The impact of drought can be felt in rural communities throughout the country and the Obama Administration is committed to doing everything it can to help farmers, ranchers, businesses, and local and county governments meet drought-related challenges,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The meetings will kick off on Oct. 9 in Omaha, Neb. followed by others in Ohio, Colorado and Arkansas. Read More.

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USDA Conservation Agreement to Aid Colorado Rio Grande Basin; Producers Can Sign Up Soon

Posted on September 20, 2012 by tanya brown

Farmers and ranchers in portions of Colorado soon will be able to sign up for a voluntary conservation program designed to preserve irrigation water and reduce ground water withdrawal from the Rio Grande Basin. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar announced a new Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreement today to establish permanent native grasses, wildlife habitat, shallow areas for wildlife and wetland restoration on up to 40,000 acres of eligible irrigated cropland in Alamosa, Rio Grande and Saguache counties. “USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program continues to be one of our nation’s most successful voluntary efforts to conserve land, improve our soil, water, air and wildlife habitat resources — and now producers in Colorado have even greater incentives to enroll in efforts to protect the Rio Grande Basin.” Learn more.

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USDA Changes Release Time of Several Statistical Reports

Posted on September 20, 2012 by tanya brown

USDA will begin issuing several key statistical reports at 12 p.m. EDT beginning January 2013. The time modification was in response to changes in market hours by major commodity exchanges. Statistical reports affected include the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, Acreage, Crop Production, Grain Stocks, Prospective Plantings, and Small Grains Summary. The current USDA release time of 8:30 a.m. EDT will remain in effect until Jan. 1, 2013. The time for livestock reports currently released at 3:00 p.m. will not change. Learn more.

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Federal Health Insurance Premiums to Increase for 2013

Posted on September 20, 2012 by tanya brown

More than 8 million people covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program will see an increase in their health insurance premiums in 2013. According to an announcement by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the average premium will increase by 3.4 percent, which will cost about $2.75 more per biweekly pay period for self only coverage and $6.39 more for family coverage. The increase is lower than the 3.8 percent seen last year. Dental and vision premiums are expected to go up no more than 1 percent. Learn more.

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USDA Expands Drought Assistance to 22 States

Posted on September 19, 2012 by tanya brown

Crop and livestock producers have additional help to reduce the impacts of drought and improve soil health and productivity. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $11.8 million in additional financial and technical assistance to aid producers in 22 states. The funds will be used to help producers apply conservation practices that assist during disasters such as the recent drought. “As this drought continues to impact American farming and ranching families, USDA will be there to help our agriculture sector recover,” said Vilsack. Learn more.

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