Ron Sylvester

USDA: Farm to School Grant Applications for FY 2014 Being Accepted

February 7, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 6, 2013 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced the release of a request for applications (RFA) for the latest round of USDA’s Farm to School grants. These grants help eligible schools improve the health and wellbeing of their students and connect with local agricultural producers.

“USDA’s Farm to School grants connect schools with their local farmers, ranchers and food businesses, providing new economic opportunities to food producers and bringing healthy, local offerings into school cafeterias,” said Merrigan. “USDA continues to make improvements to the nutrition of food offered in schools, and investing in farm to school programs is yet another important opportunity to encourage our nation’s kids to make lifelong healthy eating choices.”

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USDA Announces Updates to MILC Program

February 7, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2013—U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan Garcia today announced that beginning Feb. 5, USDA will issue payments to dairy farmers enrolled in the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program for the September 2012 marketings. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the authorization of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) through 2013 for many programs administered by FSA, including MILC. The 2008 Farm Bill extension provides for a continuation of the MILC program through Sept. 30, 2013.

MILC payments are triggered when the Boston Class I milk price falls below $16.94 per hundredweight, after adjustment for the cost of dairy feed rations. MILC payments are calculated each month using the latest milk price and feed cost.

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USDA Commodity Credit Corp. Loan Rates for 2013 Crops

February 7, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced county loan rates for the 2013 crops of wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, soybeans and other oilseeds (sunflower seed, flaxseed, canola, rapeseed, safflower, mustard seed, crambe and sesame seed); national milled loan rates and state loan rates by class for the 2013 rice crop; regional loan rates for 2013 pulse crops (small chickpeas, large chickpeas, dry peas and lentils); and the national loan rate for the 2013 honey crop. The rates are posted on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) website at www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport.

Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments for 2013 Crop Year

February 5, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

The marketing assistance loan (MAL) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) provisions authorized in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) have been extended for the 2013 crop year with the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.

MALs and LDPs provide financing and marketing assistance for wheat, rice, feed grains, soybeans and other oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, cotton, honey and wool. Assistance is available to eligible producers beginning with harvest or shearing season and extending through the program year. The 2013 mohair crop is not eligible for MALs or LDPs because mohair provisions were suspended by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 and the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013.

MALs provide producers interim financing at or after harvest to help them meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are typically at harvest-time lows. A producer who is eligible to obtain a loan, but agrees to forgo the loan, may obtain an LDP if such payments are available.

For more information about marketing assistance loan and loan deficiency payments, please visit your FSA county office or FSA’s Ohio website.

2013 Policy Priorities Set by OFU

January 30, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

OFU President Roger Wise and wife Sandra at the January 26 policy hearing at the OFU Annual Convention.

COLUMBUS – Severance taxes, the Ohio Turnpike and ag nutrient pollution are among the policy initiatives in the spotlight for The Ohio Farmers Union, a 5,000 member family farm and consumer advocacy group.

New state and federal level public policy positions are made by OFU each January at its annual convention. Gone from last year’s policy list is a call for a moratorium on fracking in Ohio until the U.S. EPA issues a report on horizontal drilling’s effects on the environment.

“We’ve removed our moratorium request due to the fact that the EPA report is still not complete. We have members in shale counties who stand to benefit from responsible well-drilling, but we also have members greatly concerned about what we don’t know about what fracking will do to water supplies,” said Roger Wise, OFU president.

“We will continue to urge lawmakers to protect farmers and rural landowners and our air and water first. Our new policy position requests that the U.S. EPA include water quality in its ongoing study.”

At the state level, OFU is supporting the Kasich Administration’s Ohio Turnpike plan with two caveats: First, that northern Ohio be defined as territory north of U.S. 224 and second that the Ohio General Assembly codify Administration pledges to keep 90 percent or more of Turnpike bond and other revenue in northern Ohio.

OFU is also supportive raising severance taxes in the state, but differs with Kasich on where new revenue should go.

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OFU Convention Program

January 24, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Click here for a digital copy of the OFU Convention program.

USDA Announces New Microloan Program

January 15, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Small, family or socially disadvantaged farmers now have access to a USDA microloan program.

The microloans – identified by USDA as loans under $35,000 were announced by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack today in Memphis, TN. Vilsack also announced recently that he will be staying on as ag secretary into President Barack Obama’s second term.

USDA said the purpose of these smaller loans secured through the agency are to assist start-up farmers in building their business so that they may eventually move into the commercial credit arena.

“I have met several small and beginning farmers, returning veterans and disadvantaged producers interested in careers in farming who too often must rely on credit cards or personal loans with high interest rates to finance their start-up operations,” said Vilsack. “By further expanding access to credit to those just starting to put down roots in farming, USDA continues to help grow a new generation of farmers, while ensuring the strength of an American agriculture sector that drives our economy, creates jobs, and provides the most secure and affordable food supply in the world.”

The National Farmers Union praised the program. “The next generation of family farmers are critical to the continuation of the long tradition of agriculture in our country,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Today’s announcement is a tremendous benefit to those looking to enter into farming.”

“Beginning farmers and ranchers and veterans will greatly benefit from this program, and a streamlined application process is of great value,” said Johnson. “Access to credit is one of the greatest challenges that beginning farmers and ranchers face, and I commend the department for proposing a common-sense way to help alleviate the problem.”

According to USDA’s website, the microloan program features a streamlined application process. Loans may be used for:

Initial start-up expenses;
Annual expenses such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents;
Marketing and distribution expenses;
Family living expenses;
Purchase of livestock, equipment, and other materials essential to farm operations;
Minor farm improvements such as wells and coolers.
Hoop houses to extend the growing season;
Essential tools;
Irrigation;
Delivery vehicles.

Click here for an online fact sheet.

For information on the program or to apply, farmers are encouraged to contact their local Farm Service Agency office.

National Farmers Union Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted

December 5, 2012 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

National Farmers Union (NFU) is encouraging students to apply for several scholarships made available through the general farm organization and its affiliated foundations. The amounts vary from $1,000 to $2,000.

“We are thrilled to once again scholastically honor the best and brightest young Farmers Union members and aid them on their path to becoming future leaders of their schools, communities and the Farmers Union family,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

The National Farmers Union Foundation and Farmers Union Industry (FUI) Foundation present scholarships to college students in memory of Stanley Moore, a long-time leader of North Dakota Farmers Union who later became vice president of National Farmers Union.

The NFU Foundation Moore scholarship is open to Farmers Union members and their children who are seeking funding to attend a two- or four-year accredited college or university, or technical school for any area of study. The foundation presents several scholarships in the value of $1,000 annually.

Honoring Stanley Moore is also the purpose of the separate FUI Foundation scholarships, which are available to Farmers Union members in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The foundation awards several $1,500 scholarships each year.

The Hubert and JoAnn Seymour Scholarship is open to all graduating high school seniors who are continuing their education in an accredited two- or four-year college. Scholarship amounts vary from $1,000 to $2,000. Hubert K. Seymour was a leader in Illinois Farmers Union and subsequently was active at the national level.

Applicants must be Farmers Union members. Selection committees make their determinations after evaluating the applications and essays. For details on deadlines and to download application forms, please visit the NFU Education page, as well as visit NFU’s education Facebook page for updates and further information on NFU’s youth and young adult education programs.

Apply now for 2013 NFU Beginning Farmers Institute

December 5, 2012 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the National Farmers Union

National Farmers Union (NFU) is now accepting applications for its 2013 Beginning Farmers Institute (BFI) program. The annual program, now accepting its third class of students, is open to individuals who are new to farming, are in the process of transferring an operation from a relative or non-relative to themselves, or are contemplating a career in farming or ranching.

“The Beginning Farmer Institute underscores our commitment to growing a new generation of family agriculture,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “This program will answer the questions new farmers have, and more importantly share our expertise to answer questions that people might not think of asking when they begin farming.”

The BFI program helps students gain insight and practical skills needed by beginning farmers and ranchers, including business plan writing, financial planning, and researching available programs to help starting up and sustaining a successful operation.

Applicants accepted into the 2013 program will attend three separate education sessions, to be held in the spring and fall of 2013, in Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis, Minn., respectively, with a final session culminating at NFU’s annual Convention in March 2014 in Santa Fe, N.M. Program topics at the education sessions will include business planning, U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, tax and record keeping, estate transfer and marketing.

The Beginning Farmers Institute is supported by the NFU Foundation, Farm Credit and the CHS Foundation.

Interested applicants can download the 2013 application on the NFU website, as well as visit NFU’s education Facebook page for updates and further information on NFU’s youth and young adult education programs. Applications must be postmarked on or before Feb. 11, 2013.

Media Reports: Some progress on Farm Bill

December 5, 2012 By Ron Sylvester 1 Comment

With just days left on the 2012 congressional calendar, Politico reports today that some progress is being made among “The Big Four” in the Farm Bill debate on Capitol Hill.

The Big Four are the House and Senate Ag Committees’ chairpersons and ranking members. The four were brought together one week ago by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack at the department for a round of meetings to see if a full five-year Farm Bill can be salvaged from what’s been a messy political year in Washington. As it stands now, the Senate has passed a bill and the House Ag Committee has moved a bill out of committee. Ohioan and House Speaker John Boehner has not allowed the House Farm Bill to come to the floor for a vote allowing the process to move forward and a reconciliation of both chambers’ bills. The previous Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30.

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