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Archive for February, 2012
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
U.S. Department of Agriculture officials are stepping up their efforts to expand local sustainable agricultural practices by offering farm grants and farm loans to qualifying farmers. The move to increase local production and local consumption has been an ongoing USDA effort. One of the more recent USDA initiatives was the Know Your Farmer Know Your Food program, which seeks to encourage consumers to buy local produce. More traditional tactics, such as expanding access to farm loans and federal grants, have also been widely employed by the USDA.
The most recent push by the USDA is the announcement by Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Agriculture Secretary, of $40 million worth of farm grants and low-interest farm loans. In announcing the grants, Merrigan linked expanded local food production with job growth, stating, “These projects will provide financial returns and help create jobs for agricultural producers, businesses and families across the country. This funding will promote small business expansion and entrepreneurship opportunities.” Farm loans and grants have already been distributed to farms across the country, helping farmers market organic produce, expand their customer base, and increase production.
Available to independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and producer-based business ventures, the grants and farm loans come with few strings attached. In the words of the USDA’s Rural Development Director, “We gave them a grant so they could try and figure out what was the best path for them to take to be successful.”
Funding is not limited to traditional farms. In efforts to expand local production, USDA farm loans and agricultural grants are available to urban farmers. Urban farming, the newest agricultural fad to sweep major U.S. cities, takes abandoned urban land and transforms it into small agricultural plots. Urban farming has helped transform food deserts, offering nutrient deprived urban residents access to nutritious, local produce. Farm loans and USDA grants have helped launch urban farms in cities across the country. These local businesses not only help feed undeserved urban areas, but can also help boost struggling local economies. In Chicago, for example, over 600 youths have been employed in the city’s urban gardens.
Tags: agricultural finance, commercial loans, farm loans
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
Retiring Wisconsin Senator Herbert Kohl recently visited an organic farming conference, pledging to support organic farming across the country in his final year in office.
With the presidential and congressional elections approaching, and given the controversies regarding Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and his struggle against organized labor, Wisconsin’s upcoming senatorial election has taken national prominence. Herb Kohl, first elected in 1988, recently announced his retirement from office after the expiration of his current Senate term, leaving the seat open for the first time in 24 years.
In his final months in office, Kohl has promised to focus his attention on supporting organic farming. The organic movement, Kohl said, is good for the planet and good for the economy.
At the annual Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service conference, the nation’s largest organic farming conference, Kohl praised organic farmers, stating, “In my experience in the Senate, nothing has been more satisfying for me than to see the growth and development of organic farming. You can count on my everlasting support for what you do.”
As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s appropriations subcommittee, Kohl has pledged to support conservation funding for the next budget, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Herb Kohl, organic farming, wisconsin
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
With a re-election campaign just around the corner, French president Nicolas Sarkozy is busy courting rural voters and pledging to support the French agricultural sector.
Sarkozy, the leader of the Union for a Popular Movement, France’s largest center-right political party and one of the two major French political parties, is lagging in polls with his rival François Hollande, head of the French Socialist Party, the largest center-left party and France’s second major political organization. France’s presidential elections will take place this spring and opinion polling shows a tough road ahead for the embattled conservative leader.
Sarkozy hopes that his rural visit will energize voters in the countryside. Farmers in France tend to be conservative and opinion polling of 503 French farmers showed Sarkozy polling at about 40 percent, with his Socialist rival trailing at only 12 percent.
Foremost among farmers’ political needs are the continuation of European Union subsidies. France is one of the leading agricultural producers in the EU, generating about 1/5 of all agricultural output. Thanks to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, France also enjoys a similar portion of EU agricultural subsides.
Hoping to tap into this support, Sarkozy reaffirmed his commitment to the CAP. He also blasted agricultural red tape and promised to defend national agricultural subsidies.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: EU, farm subsidies, France, Nicolas Sarkozy
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
A California plan to encourage water conservation by installing water meters in individual farms is still under consideration, state lawmakers and environmental activists say.
As the largest state in the country and one of the United States’ largest agricultural producers, water policy in California is of vital interest to its citizens. In addition, California’s location in the increasingly arid Southwest makes water conservation critically important.
Over the last several years, Californians have fought over access to valuable water rights. In addition to struggling to find access to enough water to meet municipal and agricultural needs, Californians have been careful to avoid any major environmental changes that could critically damage the local ecosystem.
One successful way to encourage water conservation, lawmakers found, was to install water meters and charge residents based on their individual consumption. Officials say that metering has successfully reduced water consumption in urban areas. Lawmakers had hoped to expand these conservation efforts to the agricultural population. Under the far-reaching Water Conservation Act of 2009, the Department of Water Resources mandated that agricultural water suppliers use pricing structures similar to metered customer use.
While there are still some major kinks to work out of the system (currently there is debate over whether to install at the gate water meters, which would track individual consumption on individual farms, or rely on single meter system that could be placed upstream from several farms), the passing and interpretation of the law represents a major change for California agriculture.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: california, drought, environmentalism, water regulation
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
A bill seeking the ban the production and distribution of undercover films made on farms and ranches passed the Utah House of Representatives earlier this week. The law is just the latest effort by state lawmakers to address the growing pressure from animal rights activists over the treatment of livestock.
The bill in question would make it a class A misdemeanor to hide a recording device on a farm and a class B misdemeanor to shoot video or photographs on a farm after being asked to stop. Class A and B misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year and six months in jail respectively, and cover a variety of criminal offenses including theft, DUI with injury, assault, resisting arrest, and shoplifting.
Supporters of the bill say it is necessary to protect farmers. State Rep. Nike Noel said of animal rights activists, “This is not about animals. This is a group of people who want to put us out of business. Make no mistake about it. We certainly don’t want some jack wagon coming in and taking pictures of [our animals].”
Opponents of the bill say it goes too far and could be used against tourists taking innocent pictures of farms. In addition, they point out that, since there are no whistleblower laws that apply to farm workers, hidden recordings are often necessary to initiate criminal or animal cruelty investigations.
Utah joins Iowa, Florida, and Nebraska in attempting to legislate tighter control of animal rights activism.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: animal rights, utah
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
With the United States still suffering from the aftereffects of the worst economic recession since the 1930s, cities across the country are struggling with high unemployment and stagnating local economies.
Urban farming, the latest agricultural trend to sweep the nation, promises to relieve some of that suffering, creating jobs and boosting revenue. Urban farming essentially transforms abandoned and unused urban space (such as dilapidated buildings and vacant lots) into small-scale agricultural operations. Over the past several years, urban farming movements have sprung up across the country in cities from San Francisco to Detroit.
Urban farmers are now hoping to expand their operations in New York City. The city’s dense layout means that there is a scarce amount of space available for agriculture. Innovative farmers, however, have begun eyeing city rooftops as ideal locations to build greenhouses.
According to a professor at The New School, a university based in New York, “there are thousands of acres of rooftop space in New York City potentially suitable for agriculture — with more than 1,000 acres in Queens.”
The Brooklyn Grange, a 40,000 square foot farm located on the roof of the Standard Motor Projects building in Long Island City, is scouting new locations to expand their operations. Requirements for potential locations include at least 30,000 square feet of space and the structural integrity to support over 1 million pounds of soil.
In addition to strengthening the local economy, urban farms help reduce costs for partner businesses. In addition to renting out previously unused space, rooftop farms can help trap heat, lowering energy costs.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: New York, organic farming, urban farming
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
With U.S. trade representatives currently negotiating a major trade agreement between eight Pacific Rim nations, American tobacco farmers are worried that their profits might go up in smoke if they are left out of the final trade deal.
The trade deal proposed by President Barack Obama could potentially double exports to the Pacific Rim countries of Australia, Brunei, Vietnam, Chile, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, and New Zealand. American trade with these countries is already more than $200 billion. The trade deal would eliminate taxes and tariffs on exports and imports between signatories, boosting trade and boosting revenue.
Included in this increased trade would be American tobacco, currently a major export for farmers across the Southeast. With many tobacco farmers exporting up to 90 percent of their crops, trade deals that would eliminate tariffs are critically important.
However, some health organizations are lobbying the Obama administration to exclude tobacco from the final trade deal, urging him to put health concerns over commercial interest. Tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, killing 6 million people every year.
However, tobacco is a major part of the American economy. It is a major engine of North Carolina’s $70 billion agribusiness industry and it employs hundreds of thousands of Americans nationwide. With American consumption of cigarettes down, tobacco farmers rely more and more on foreign markets. Given its legality, tobacco farmers and politicians from tobacco growing states are urging U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to treat tobacco like any other export.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Barack Obama, ron kirk, tobacco
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
After a spring and summer dominated by a nationwide string of extreme weather, experts are warning farmers to prepare for climate change and brace for permanent cycles of unusually bad weather.
While 2011 saw farm incomes and commodity prices reach record highs, it also saw increasingly severe weather blunt many farms’ profitability. Flooding along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers submerged thousands of acres of prime farmland, tornadoes ravaged Missouri and Alabama, hurricanes struck much of the East Coast, and ongoing droughts have caused severe damage to farming operations in the Southwest and Southeast.
Far from being a fluke, many experts are predicting that this sort of weather may be a reoccurring phenomenon. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual farm outlook conference, experts warned that farmers would need to change the way they do business in order to survive the upcoming meteorological changes.
While some organizations dispute the charges of global climate change, agricultural scientists are adamant that weather patterns are changing. According to scientists at Monsanto’s water quality and agricultural sustainability department, the surface warming of North American has increased since the 1960s. The increase is the equivalent of moving the Earth 1 million miles closer to the sun.
Some crops, like corn, may see an increased production due to increased heat. However, crops that are sensitive to high temperatures and low humidity could see a drop in their production. In addition, farms in already stressed environments, such as the arid Southwest, may see their production drop. Farmers should be prepared to consider financial tools, such as crop insurance and disaster loans, to ride out the oncoming cycles of bad weather.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: -1, climate change, usda
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
Over the past several years, commodity prices have increasingly risen, driving up food prices and expanding farmers’ profit margins. This era of high crop prices may be coming to an end, some experts predict, and much faster than many are prepared for.
Thanks to increased international demand and low supply, partly caused by a string of poor weather patterns experienced across the globe, American corn prices have reached record highs. The increased federal attention to ethanol production has also helped drive up demand, enriching many farmers and driving up food prices.
Last summer corn prices reached a record high of $8 a bushel and overall American farm income topped $100 billion in 2011. The overall success of the farm sector stood out amongst the global recession, leading some optimists to predict a new golden age of farming.
The good times may be rapidly ending, however, as American farmers prepare to plant the largest commodity crop in a generation. The increased production at home and abroad could vastly expand corn stockpiles and could cause prices to drop by as much as 20 percent this year.
In addition to falling crop prices, rising fuel costs could undermine many farmers’ financial wellbeing. With gas prices nearing a national average of $4, new pressures are likely to be added to the farm economy.
Some farmers are still optimistic. Many are flush with cash after last year’s record farm incomes. In addition, given the current record highs, a price slump would likely still leave farmers in a good position.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: commodity prices, corn, ethanol
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
European farmers are facing a potential financial catastrophe thanks to the sudden appearance of a new orthobunyavirus, an illness spread by midges and flies, which affects livestock.
The virus’ first cases were seen last August. The newness of the disease is such that it has no official scientific name. Instead, the virus is referred to by the name of the German town where it first appeared, Schmallenberg. Since it was first observed last August, the virus has been detected on about 1,000 farms in Europe and 74 in the United Kingdom.
The current crisis affects lambs and has lamb farmers across the continent worried. The symptoms of the disease manifest in two ways. Occasionally, infected animals will experience fever, diarrhea, and spontaneous abortion. The more obvious symptoms, however, are congenital deformities and malformations in newborn animals. In many cases, the mother will present with no symptoms until birth.
The major malformations observed have been scoliosis, hydrocephalus, arthrogryposis, hypoplasia of the cerebellum, and enlarged thalamus. These malformations result in animals being stillborn or being so malformed (many farmers have reported fused limbs, deformed jaws, and malfunctioning joints) that they are unable to feed.
The potential impact of the disease is still unknown. Many British farmers have reported significant losses, with some losing between 10 to 20 percent of their lambs. Many are also worried that, since lambing season has only just started, losses could get much worse as the year progresses.
Health and agriculture officials are hoping to prevent widespread panic. So far, they report, the illness does not appear to be transmissible to humans. It’s also unclear whether the illness will remain a fixture in Europe and the UK. With infected ewes becoming immune after giving birth, and given the fact that short-lived midges spread the disease, the illness could become a rare fluke rather than a permanent worry.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: livestock illnesses, Schmallenberg virus, United Kingdom
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