The USDA recently announced several plans to assist drought-stricken producers in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. First, they authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands in these 3 states. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said, “Due to reduced availability of forage, ranchers in the hardest hit locations have already been culling their … Continue reading USDA Assists Draught-stricken Producers in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota
Tag: EIMGrants
The Real Value of an On-farm Energy Audit
You may have heard EIM discuss and recommend “on-farm energy audits”. This can help assess where you could save money by paying less on your utility bills. If you ask the NRCS office, they currently have a program to pay for these audits (known as an Agricultural Energy Management Plan 128). When you receive the … Continue reading The Real Value of an On-farm Energy Audit
Disaster Assistance Available in MN, NE, ND, SD, and WY
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
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