Please contact state or local offices of the USDA if you were impacted by recent storms in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Pass this information to people that may be unaware of the USDA’s assistance programs for past and future storms and disasters. In the designated “impact zones,” assistance is offered … Continue reading Disaster Assistance Available in MN, NE, ND, SD, and WY
Author: eimjasmine
FSA to Pay 75% of Cost of Organic Certification
Press release from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week indicates that as of 3/20/2017 organic producers can apply with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for funds to cover up to 75% of the cost of organic certification. FSA Administrator Val Dolcini stated, "This will provide a more uniform, streamlined process nationwide. It … Continue reading FSA to Pay 75% of Cost of Organic Certification
Energy Efficient Tractor Use
North Dakota State University’s Extension Service published a Farmstead Energy Audit, which details many ways to reduce on-farm energy usage. The very first practice they discuss is “Tractor and Field Operations.” Many attempts to reduce energy use deal first and foremost with electricity. This report points out that managing crops in the field is one … Continue reading Energy Efficient Tractor Use
2016 Changes to the Federal Crop Insurance Program
The USDA made changes to the federal crop insurance program in 2016 intended to increase farmers’ flexibility in managing their land. These changes particularly increase coverage for farmers who add new land to their operations or who “double crop”, rotating crops on the same field within a single year. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse … Continue reading 2016 Changes to the Federal Crop Insurance Program
Accessing Free Information about Your Farm’s Soil
With the click of a few keys, you can access a wealth of information from the USDA NRCS website to provide soil data for most of the United States. The popular Web Soil Survey (WSS) website was recently updated to provide improved access to land use information. According to the website, this “provides access to … Continue reading Accessing Free Information about Your Farm’s Soil