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Archive for June, 2009

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Funds Available to Protect Land

Monday, June 8th, 2009

Juan Hernandez, Maine’s state conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources, said the agency has $1.4 million available with the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).

“This program helps ensure that valuable, productive land is protected,” said Hernandez. “The funds will be used to purchase conservation easements to limit conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses.”

FRPP proposals can come from interested state, tribal and local governments as well as non-governmental organizations until June 5.

If accepted into the program, NRCS will support efforts to protect soils and historical and archaeological sites. Funds will be given to the most eligible sites through a statewide, competitive process.

You can find more information here.

If you’re looking for additional farm loans contact Farm Plus today. Low-rate farm loans are available and Farm Plus works alongside government agencies to obtain the loans you need. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information about farm loans.

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Market Assistance Loan Rate for Wheat Announced

Monday, June 8th, 2009

The USDA announced the 2009 Market Assistance Loan Rate for wheat. The loan rate in 2009 is $1.97 per bushel. The Market Assistance Loan Rate provides farmers cash flow at a reasonable rate while wheat is in storage on the farm or at the local elevator. For May the rate is 2.375 percent.

This program helps producers by supplying cash for farmers while crops are in storage to sell for a higher price. Loans are available for nine months, and producers must visit his or her local Farm Service Agency to apply.

Payments are issued through Direct Deposit, so payments may take up to three days following the loan closing.

“Commodities that are harvested and stored on the farm or at an approved elevator are eligible for a Market Assistance Loan if the producer maintains beneficial interest in the crop which includes risk, title and control of the commodity. Commodities are not eligible for a farm stored loan if the commodity is stored in wagon or trailer. Producers requesting a Market Assistance Loan have the option to repay the loan at the lower of the posted county price or principal plus interest. Producers with farm stored commodity loans must contact the Farm Service Agency to obtain permission before moving or delivering any commodity under loan,” according to The New-Messenger.com.

For those looking for a farm loan contact Farm Plus today. Farm Plus works alongside government agencies like the FSA to obtain farm loans for those in need. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information about farm loans.

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NRCS Program Deadline Extended

Monday, June 8th, 2009

North Carolina’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended its sign up for financial or technical assistance related to organic agriculture production.

The deadline is now June 5. “We have received a favorable response to the sign-up thus far, showing an interest in organic farming from around the state,” Mary Combs, state conservationist for NRCS told the Statesville.

$1 million is available for NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Those who submit applications first will be considered first. Those who apply after June 5 will not be qualified for this season, but will be considered for next year.

The 2009 EQUIP Organic Incentive is to assist producers nationwide with financial and technical assistance to gain organic certification.

Producers who qualify will receive money by August 15. The program is not a grant program but is a cost-share program. Qualified producers must be pursuing organic certification or have an organic system in play.

If you are interested in a farm loan or ranch loan please contact Farm Plus today. Farm Plus offers low rate loans for farming and ranching needs and works alongside government agencies to assist you with the loan process. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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A Cow’s Life

Monday, June 8th, 2009

Val Wagner operates a cattle ranch with her husband Mark in Monanago, N.D. She has taken twittering to a new level and letting her heifers share her experiences.

A heifer is a young, female cow who has not had a calf yet and they have a lot of experience grazing the land of the ranch located 50 miles south of Jamestown, N.D.

So far Wagner has tweeted about the lives of 27 of their 167 cows.

Her next plan is to tweet about one of the 27 heifers who is… pregnant! The tweets would follow the calf from the announcement of her pregnancy until the birth next spring.

Wagner thinks the tweets after that will follow the calf as it journeys into the world.

So far

Follow Wagner’s heifer at www.twitter.com/Cows_Life

Interested in a ranch loan? Contact Farm Plus today! Low-rate ranch loans are available for your needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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Farm Safety Precautions

Monday, June 8th, 2009

With spring and summer comes farm work. As the seasons move forth, it is important to keep safety in mind. Research shows over 700 farmers are killed a year and 120,000 are injured.

The most obvious precautions are around the handling of large equipment and dangerous chemicals. Make sure the guard handles of equipment are in the right position. At the same time when you are using dangerous chemicals be sure to follow all directions.

The National Safety Council has released helpful hints to follow:
* Develop a safety and health plan tailored to your operations, family and employees. Such plans include a hazardous communications program for family and employees, a lock-out tag­out program for equipment, a fire protection plan, chemical storage plan, farm safety rules and regulations, an emergency field communications plan, and a plan in the event a serious farm injury or death occurs. All plans should be committed to writing and reviewed annually.
* Train your help, inform them of your written plans and rules, enforce farm safety rules and see that personal protective equipment is cared for and worn.
* Carry out regular safety inspections of equipment and facilities. Make necessary repairs and keep guards and shielding on.
* Buy quality products, then use them and care for them as directed in product manuals, labels or as instructed by product suppliers.
* Keep children off and away from machinery. Give youngsters chores they can safely handle based on their age and ability.
* Take care of your health and respect the limitations of mind and body. Take action to reduce stress. Resolve to get enough rest and take work breaks to help reduce fatigue.
* Keep informed about safety, health and environmental issues. Attend local events about them.

If you are looking to invest in farm land call Farm Plus today! Low rate farm loans are available for your farming needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.

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Deadline Extended

Monday, June 8th, 2009

The sign-up date for the USDA’s Direct and Counter-cyclical Program and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program has been extended from June 1 to August 14.

The extra 10 weeks allows producers to decide if they want to participate in the ACRE or DCP programs.

The programs are new and some producers will like the extra time to decide if the programs will truly benefit them or not. The FSA wants producers to decide if producers want to continue with the DCP for 2009 or start the ACRE program from 2009 through 2012.

ACRE comes from the 2008 Farm Bill that provides eligible producers to have a state-level revenue guarantee based off five-year Olympic average yield and the two-year national average price. ACRE payments are made when state and farm-level triggers are met.

There is a catch with the ACRE program, and that is why producers need to make an educated decision. The ACRE program forgoes counter-cyclical payments and receive a 20 percent reduction in direct payments and a 30 percent reduction in loan rates.

Loans can be a little confusing if you are not sure what work best for you. Contact a representative at Farm Plus today to assist you with your farm loan needs. Farm Plus offers low rate loans and works alongside government agencies for your convenience. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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Electricity Improvement Slated for Rural Communities

Monday, June 8th, 2009

$1 billion in electrical loans have been set aside for rural communities. 60,000 rural customers will have improved electricity quality.

Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 37 rural utilities and cooperatives in 29 states will receive funding from $1 billion that has been set aside. The loans will be used to build and repair over 10,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines.

“President Obama is delivering on his commitment to invest in rural American’s infrastructure by funding upgrades to rural utilities and cooperatives,” Vilsack said in a press release. “rural communities need affordable up-to-date electric service in order to broaden economic opportunities. These loans will enable cooperatives to deliver improved service to more customers.”

The loans will help provide more reliable electrical sources to the rural communities. 402 rural electrical cooperatives use USDA Rural Development Energy Resources Conservation programs and need to improve their quality.

Here is a full list of availability.

If you are looking to purchase agricultural land contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans and ranch loans are available for you today! Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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Organic Bread Helps the Environment

Monday, June 8th, 2009

The Oko-Institut in Freiburg, Germany conducted research and found that organic bread emits 25 percent less CO2 emissions into the air than regular bread.

Some of the change is due to the type of packaging and distribution generally found with organic bread. However, the majority of the change is with the agriculture and production related with organic bread.

Conventional farming emits more than twice as much CO2 as organic farming. The biggest change is related to the energy used to produce synthetic nitrogen fertilizer in conventional farming versus organic farming. The content of organic matter is increased with the organic farming techniques.

For those interested in joining the organic farming community, keep Farm Plus Financial in mind. Low rate farm loans are available today for your farming needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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