S.C. FSA Awards Employee for 50 Years of Service

Posted on August 17, 2012 by tanya brown

Laurie C. Lawson, left, state executive director of the South Carolina FSA, awarded Larry Rogers a Certificate of Accomplishment for 50 years of service.

By Murray Dale Watts, FSA regional public affairs specialist

When Larry Rogers was asked if he ever thought he would be with the Farm Service Agency for 50 years he didn’t hesitate in saying “Yes!”

He explained, “It was such a pleasure working with farmers and employees who were veterans from the Second World War that I wanted to work forever and wanted to stay with FSA my entire career.  Over the years I have rejected several good job opportunities in order to stay with FSA and USDA.  In FSA we make a difference in the lives of the farm families and have a direct positive effect on our local economies.” Continue reading →

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Demand for Emergency Loans Expected to Be Low

Posted on August 16, 2012 by tanya brown

Farm Service Agency officials don’t expect to see a lot of producers taking advantage of Emergency Farm Loans. Under the law, farmers cannot be compensated twice for crop losses and most producers carry crop insurance; however, livestock producers who suffered losses may be able to take advantage of the emergency loan program. Listen to more (USDA Radio News).

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More Initiatives Offered as Additional Counties Named Disaster Areas Due to Drought

Posted on August 16, 2012 by tanya brown

The Obama Administration is providing additional assistance to producers affected by the drought, as 172 more counties across in 15 states are added to the list of disaster areas due to drought and excessive heat. That brings the total number of counties named a disaster area due to drought to 1,670. To assist producers, President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Iowa to announce USDA’s intent to purchase $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken and catfish for federal food nutrition programs that will help relieve pressure on American livestock producers. The Secretary also announced the availability of up to $5 million in grants to evaluate and demonstrate agricultural practices that help farmers and ranchers adapt to drought. Learn more.

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Registration Open for Women’s Agriculture Symposium in Montana

Posted on August 9, 2012 by tanya brown

Registration is now open for the 12th annual Women Stepping Forward for Agriculture Symposium in Great Falls, Mont. The symposium — held Sept. 25-27 at the Montana Expo Park — gives women the opportunity to learn about issues affecting Montana’s agricultural communities. Issues to be discussed include tax and estate planning, the carbon footprint of agriculture, online ranching, USDA agency updates, grain market outlooks and federal legislative updates. Registration is $50 prior to Sept. 10. Register today.

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A Staple of the Farmers Market Since 1918

Posted on August 7, 2012 by tanya brown

Elmer Moje sells German Stiffneck garlic at his stand in the Tonawanda, New York farmers market. For decades, Moje has been bringing his crops to the same market. Photo by Sharif Hamdy.

by Michael T. Jarvis, AMS Public Affairs Director

It was 1918 when Elmer Moje first took crops to market with his father on a horse and wagon in North Tonawanda, New York.  Moje, who turns 99 later this month, still takes his crops to the market once or twice a week.

“I don’t have the wagon or the horse anymore,” he says with a laugh. “Back then it was all done by hand. My father never owned a tractor, he only had horses. Now everything is done by tractor.” Read more (USDA blog).

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U.S. Sees Increase in Number of Farmers Markets

Posted on August 3, 2012 by tanya brown

U.S. Farmers Markets have increased 9.6 percents since last year as Americans demand more locally fresh food. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan made the announcement as part of the kick off for National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 5-11. According to Merrigan, there are 7,864 farmers markets operating throughout the United States compared to 7,175 last year. California leads the country with 827 markets, followed by New York with 647 and Massachusetts with 313 markets. Learn more.

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Federal Workers Could be Fired for Non-Payment of Taxes

Posted on August 3, 2012 by tanya brown

Federal employees who don’t pay taxes could end up being fired if a bill passed by the House this week is signed into law. Based on IRS records, 98,000 federal employees owed more than $1 billion in unpaid federal taxes in 2010. Currently, only IRS employees can lose their job for not paying taxes. Employees who make an effort to set up payments to pay off tax debt will not be affected. Read more (Federal Daily).

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A Blended Pair: Farming and Conservation

Posted on August 2, 2012 by tanya brown

Farming and Conservation go hand-in-hand. That’s what Sharon Oetting and her husband Steve are proving on their 700-acre farm in Missouri. A member of the Missouri Farm Service Agency State Committee, Sharon is committed to preserving the land and natural resources. By taking advantage of programs offered on the state and federal level, the Oettings have maximized conservation efforts that have rendered them several awards and recognitions. Read more (Missouri Department of Conservation).

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FSA Committee Member Continues Legacy of Sweetest, Hard-to-Find Cantaloupes

Posted on August 1, 2012 by tanya brown

The Mandujano brothers farm has 6,000 acres of cropland, but the most popular is the Pecos cantaloupe.

Texas FSA State Committee member Armando Mandujano and his brothers are one of a handful of farmers continuing the sweet tradition of the famous Pecos cantaloupes. Just one thing — they aren’t in Pecos, Texas, anymore. The majority of the orange-fleshed crop is now grown in Coyanosa, Texas, where the Mandujano brothers began planting them after natural gas was piped into Pecos and the cost of seed increased enough to put most cantaloupe farmers out of business. Incorporated now as the Mandujano Brothers Produce, the company has 6,000 acres of watermelons, onions, cotton, hay, peppers, pumpkins and cantaloupes. Read more (Texas Co-op Power).

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Additional 218 Counties Named Disaster Areas; Crop Insurance Deadline Extended

Posted on August 1, 2012 by tanya brown

An additional 218 counties in 12 states have been named a primary natural disaster area due to the drought. The worsening drought has caused many producers to suffer, prompting Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to expand emergency haying and grazing on an additional 3.8 million acres of conservation land to help livestock producers, and negotiate with crop insurance companies to allow a grace period for farmers on insurance premiums. Producers now have an extra 30 days to make payments without incurring a penalty. During the 2012 crop year, USDA has designated 1,584 counties across 32 states as disaster areas—1,452 due to drought. The department has taken steps to help farmers and ranchers by streamlining the disaster process, reducing the interest rate on emergency farm loans and flexing the rules for producers in conservation programs. Learn more or review the newly listed counties designated as disaster areas.

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