Five Oregon organic farms have teamed up with Oregon State University, the University of Wisconsin, Cornell University, the USDA and Organic Seed Alliance to form NOVIC, shaping the future of the organic seed industry.
The $23 million, four-year program studies new seed varieties to improve the availability of organic seeds. Farms across the country are testing organic seeds to find durable crops that will entice companies to make the seeds more readily available.
Organic seeds are hard to find and with a loophole found in the organic certification program, producers are looking for cost-efficient organic seeds to plant.
In the past producers used conventionally-produced seeds to grow organic crops due to the cost and availability. The Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC) hopes to fix this problem so producers are 100 percent organic.
Farmers across the country are planting organic seeds and reporting back to NOVIC with their findings. With more organic seeds available, officials hope the certification program will change.
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California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that gives California farm workers overtime after 40 hours a week. The bill intended to give farm workers the same rights as other non-management employees in the state.
Instead farm workers will be paid overtime after 10 hours in a day or after 60-hours a week as they had in the past. Though the bill was vetoed, Schwarzenegger pointed out California is “the most progressive state in the nation†in regards to overtime for agriculture workers. Only Maryland and Minnesota require overtime payment as well.
Schwarzenegger defended his decision by stating, “agricultural work is different from other industries: It is seasonal, subject to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, and requires the harvesting of perishable goods.” He felt signing the bill would hurt the agriculture industry, which is the largest industry in the California.
California’s agriculture industry employs 450,000 people during August and September (the peak harvest months).
Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.
Though corporate wind farms are most popular these days, local communities are working together to create renewable energy for their own livelihoods.
In Wasco, Oregon (located on the eastern side of the state) a family of community members are building an independent wind farm. The $24 million project began construction this summer, but has been in the works for five years.
Ormand Hilderbrand is heading the project. Hilderbrand and family are dry land wheat farmers and have been in the Wasco area since the 1860s. The dry farm is now the location of the project where six wind turbines are being built. It is known as the PaTu Wind Farm.
The community is excited for the project. Paul Woodin, the executive director of The Dalles-based Community Renewable Energy Association anticipates similar projects across Oregon.
Hilderbrand’s project is the first of its sort without direct corporate sponsorship. There is no word on who will purchase the generated power.
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The United States Department of Agriculture accepted a petition from Idaho, Utah and Wyoming producers asking for a review of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program.
The Trade Adjustment Program provides assistance to U.S. producers of raw agriculture commodities who are affected by imports or competitive commodities. The program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act from 2009. The petition is to review the process the USDA uses to determine is a producer is eligible for the program.
The petitions asks that the USDA look at the national average price, value or production or cash receipts of their commodity and if they have declined more than 15 percent in the current year compared to the 3-year average. It also wants the USDA to compare these to the increase in imports during the same time.
The Montana Farm Service Agency encourages other producers to join the petition. If changes are made producers will have 90 days to contact the FSA to apply for the program.
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The United States Department of Agriculture announced open enrollment for the federal Conservation Reserve Program. According to the Idaho Farm Service Agency, the federal government is offering to pay landowners higher payments to enroll land in the program.
Though the money would help many farmers during the current hard economic times, the higher payments may cause a problem or the agriculture industry in Idaho. More people will enroll land which means a large portion of Idaho’s farmland will be out of commission. Landowners have been offered three times as much for land this year than previous years.
Contracts with the Conservation Reserve program require that land lay fallow for 10 to 15 years. This is done voluntarily. The land is then seeded with grass or a ground cover to avoid erosion. The United States Department of Agriculture is looking to enroll 32 million acres across the United States.
Compared to 2009, the number of farmers markets in the United States increased by 16 percent according to a report released by the United States Department of Agriculture.
In 2009 there were 5,247 farmers markets across the country while there are 6,132 in 2010. The largest growth was in the Midwest with a 77 percent increase in Missouri, 61 percent in Minnesota and 60 percent in Michigan.
During off-season months there are 886 farmers market in the United States that do not close.
“Seeing such continued strong growth in the number of U.S. farmers markets indicates that regional food systems can provide great economic, social and health benefits to communities across the country,†USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said via statement. He added, “Farmers markets provide fresh, local products to communities across the country while offering economic opportunities for producers of all sizes.
Farmers markets are necessary for the livelihood of small family farms and can play an important role in local economy. One attribute to the change is the consumer’s desire to know where and how food is produced.
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According to the new United States Department of Agriculture report, “America’s Diverse Family Farms, 2010 Edition,†98 percent of farms across the United States are family farms.
This should come as little surprise following the last Agriculture Census. The report states not only do family farms control the agriculture market, but they account for 82 percent of the farm production in the United States. Most farm assets are found in small farms as well.
Despite the control of the market, small farms do not make the most income due to the cost of operating such a business and families tend to live off the farm income. The report states, “Because small-farm households receive most of their income from off-farm work, general economic policies- such as tax policy or economic development policy-can be as important to them as traditional farm policy.â€
Despite their contributions, large corporate-scaled farms lead the markets in sales.
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Sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program will begin on August 2 and run through August 27 according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Under the 2008 Farm Bill, the United States Department of Agriculture approved the enrollment of 32 million acres. The Conservation Reserve Program allows farmers and ranchers to enroll land for rental payments and assistance payments to conserve farmland across the country. These deals are set in contracts of 10 to 15 years.
Throughout the sign-up period, ranchers and farmers can offer eligible land to the Conservation Reserve Program to their county United States Department of Agriculture of Farm Service Agency office.
Jim Miller, USDA undersecretary pointed out the importance of the program. He said, “America’s farmers and ranchers play an important role in improving our environment, and for nearly 25 years, CRP has helped this nation build sound conservation practices that preserve the soil, clean our water and restore habitat for wildlife.â€
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As of late July, South Korea is the largest growth market for U.S. beef exports. Prior to last week’s reports, Japan and Egypt were the largest U.S. beef markets.
Joel Haggard of the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s Asia Pacific region said the increase is due to a multi-media imaging campaign that began with focus group interviews with Korean consumers.
“A couple of points that came out after talking after talking to a number of consumers and a number of focus groups; we need to abolish the negative image of BSE and the factory farm, we need to show the U.S. industry commitment preferably from the producer,†Haggard told Brownfield AG News.
According to Haggard, the consumers positively responded to the message. “There was receptivity by consumers to a message which was incorporating something like someone like me,†said Haggard. “I’m in the United States. I’m a producer. But, I’m kind of like you. I have a family. I have kids. I care about the safety of the food I eat. These were some of the touch points.â€
Haggard said the confidence is back with U.S. beef and more consumer are ready to purchase U.S. products. The campaign is aiming to allow consumers to taste different products and refamiliarize themselves with the product.
Haggard says Korean consumers are more confident in U.S. beef—and much more ready to buy.
May exports in 2010 were three times as large as last year.
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Mojave, California is hitting the news as the California groundbreaking ceremony for the world’s largest wind farm was completed. The governor said it is a sign of the state’s leadership in green energy.
Terra-Gen Power and California officials met for the groundbreaking ceremony for the 1,500-megawatt wind farm. The project will provide 1.1 million Californians. A reduction of an estimated 52 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions will result from the large wind farm.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the state policies in renewable energy can be attributed for the project. He said, “Having the world’s largest wind project break ground in our state is tangible evidence that our pioneering policies are drawing investment, improving the economy and creating jobs now when we need them most.â€
When the 600 wind turbine project is complete, the wind-power capacity in California will rise by 25 percent. Not only will it increase the amount of wind-power capacity, but the project will also boost the local economy by providing jobs.
Renewable energy is one way to add income to your business. Contact Farm Plus today for information on agriculture loans and funding to assist you with your renewable energy project. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
