Tag Archives: microloans

Pitching Aquaculture and Microloans Is a Marine Veteran’s New Mission

Raising clams has always been a part of Michael McCarthy’s life — until Sept. 11, 2001. “That was my motivation,” said McCarthy, who was working with the New York/New Jersey Harbor relay program, purging and harvesting clams, when terrorists crashed … Continue reading

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USDA builds the American Dream

By Val Dolcini, State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency The following is excerpted from a speech given Oct. 24 at the 46th annual Farm-City Harvest Awards Luncheon sponsored by the Woodland Chamber of Commerce. I frequently tell people that … Continue reading

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Still Farming at 92

Malachi Duncan has farmed for six decades. Now, at age 92, he’s ready to do more. “I was out on the tractor trying to locate a cow,” said Duncan, who farms 43-acres of his family’s land in Union, S.C.  It’s … Continue reading

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19-Year-Old Hopes to Retire Early and Farm

Austin Midkiff thinks, breathes and lives farming. It’s all he has done since he was six years old. By the time he was 14, he took over his grandparent’s 10-acre farm in Springdale, W.Va. “When I turned 16 my grandparents … Continue reading

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Beginning Farmer Receives Missouri’s First Microloan

By Charlotte Holeman, Farm Loan Manager & Dana Rogge, Public Affairs Specialist Brent Nold of Cosby, Mo., was a little apprehensive when he thought about getting a loan to expand his cattle herd. “I was nervous about applying for a … Continue reading

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Reminder: Free Microloan Webinar is April 10

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 … Continue reading

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Registration Open for Free Webinar Discussing FSA Microloan Program

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 … Continue reading

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FSA Loans Lend a Hand to California Farmer

By Paul Lehman, FSA Regional Public Affairs Specialist Family adversity brought Sam Pesina back home to his family’s Fresno County, Calif., farm.  But it was the love of farming that kept him. “When my dad got bone marrow cancer, there … Continue reading

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Small Farmer Finds Success with FSA Microloan Program

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 … Continue reading

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Small Farmers Embrace Microloans

Every year Dustin Schlinsog walks into the Farm Service Agency office in Neillsville, Wis., to apply for a direct operating loan to support his greenhouse operation. It’s a small loan — under $35,000. Yet, he must complete 17 pages of … Continue reading

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