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Author Archive
Monday, April 4th, 2011
Students majoring in produce-related fields can apply for scholarships from the Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers Association.
Students must be attending a four-year college with a degree in agriculture and must be recognized as an agricultural major. Any eligible students must maintain a 2.5 grade point average throughout college. Leadership and agriculture extracurricular activities are encouraged.
The money for the scholarships are provided through producers and other agriculture-related businesses. The IVVGA has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships. Interested in applying? Ask your high school counselor to contact the IVVGA for an application or visit their office to pick up a copy. They’re located at 1000 Broadway, El Centro, Calif. 92243. You can also call them at (760) 353-1900. All applications are due April 29.
This article brought to you compliments of Farm Plus Financial. For information regarding agricultural finance opportunities contact our offices at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Financial staff writer
Tags: imperial valley vegetable growers association, scholarships
Posted in General | No Comments »
Monday, April 4th, 2011
In Colorado, farmer Chris Jessen is the proud owner of a newly-born rare miniature cow that resembles a panda.
The “panda cow’ was born in Larimer County and is only one of 24 “panda cows” in the entire world. The Loveland Reporter-Herald said the male calf is named Ben and his mother is a lowline Angus cow. He was born Friday (December 31).
Jessen raises miniature cattle on his hobby farm that is also home to miniature kangaroos. A miniature panda cow is not common because it is a genetic manipulated species. Some specific traits include a white belt that encircles the midsection and a white face with black oval eyes that make the cow appear just like the Chinese panda bear.
These cows are so rare they sell for up to $30,000 at fairs and auctions. The panda cow made its first appearance on the television over the weekend on LIVE Report.
This article brought to you compliments of Farm Plus Financial. For information regarding agricultural finance opportunities contact our offices at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Financial staff writer
Tags: colorado, panda cow
Posted in Colorado farm loans, General | No Comments »
Monday, April 4th, 2011
Photo courtesy of Time Magazine
Record precipitation may be easing up the three-year drought in California a bit, but overall producers in the state still struggle with enough resources for their operations.
California farmers and ranchers are encouraged to submit proposals to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for funding to improve water and land resources.
$22.8 million is available through the 2011 Agricultural Water Enhancement Program and Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative to help producers during this difficult time.
The money comes from the 2008 Farm Bill.
“California’s farming, ranching, tribal and educational communities have benefited from these two programs over the past two years, and this year will be no different,” said Ed Burton, NRCS state conservationist in California told The Sacramento Bee.
The AWEP offers technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers to improve water quality, while CCPI works to improve clean air and water for agricultural lands.
Proposals are due by Jan. 28, 2011. Click here for more information.
This article brought to you compliments of Farm Plus Financial. For information regarding agricultural finance opportunities contact our offices at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Financial staff writer
Tags: california, water conservation
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Monday, April 4th, 2011
The East Oregonian reports Morrow County has the highest number of farm workers in the region. The data, from the U.S. Census Bureau, shows Morrow County not only has the highest percentage or workers, but they make more money as well.
The report states in 2009 Morrow County had 934 agriculture workers out of a total 4,836 workers. This is 19.3 percent of all workers in the county. Since 2000 the number of agriculture workers has increased from 17.7 percent.
In nearby Umatilla County only 8.2 percent of workers are involved with agriculture, forestry, fishing or hunting.
“The strength and importance of agriculture to Morrow and Umatilla counties is clearly seen by this data,” Phil Hamm, superintendent of the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center told the East Oregonian. “Nearly 20 percent of the workforce in Morrow County and greater than 8 percent in Umatilla County work on farms. Other agricultural-related positions, such as processing, would add even more workers related to agriculture to this count.”
The increase in workers is also contributed to the decline in farm size over the past fifteen years.
This article brought to you compliments of Farm Plus Financial. For information regarding agricultural finance opportunities contact our offices at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Financial staff writer
Tags: Morrow County, Umatilla Country, usda
Posted in General, Oregon farm loans | No Comments »
Monday, April 4th, 2011
Oregon State University extension service is offering a new course in Kerby this winter. “rowing Farms: Successful Whole Farm Management” is ready to teach farmers how to understand the various business risks related to farming. The course is geared towards those with one to five years experience.
“We had been hearing from a couple producers in the Illinois Valley that there was a need for this kind of education,” said course co-facilitator Tracy Harding to the Illinois Valley. It is the third year the program will be offered through the extension service. It will be available starting January 27 for six weeks to help local farmers understand and improve business practices.
The main goal is to help farmers realize to make profit you must recognize and address these problems. Such topics include value definition, goal setting, business management and how to create a mission statement.
The course costs between $250 and $500 per student and financial air or scholarships are available. For more information on OSU Extension services contact Tracy Harding at 541-776-7371 ext. 208, or tracy.harding@oregonstate.edu.
This article brought to you compliments of Farm Plus Financial. For information regarding agricultural finance opportunities contact our offices at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Financial staff writer
Tags: Kerby producers, osu
Posted in General, Oregon farm loans | No Comments »
Friday, March 4th, 2011
The Oregon Farm Bureau received five national Awards for Excellence and a President’s Award at the 2011 American Farm Bureau National Convention in Atlanta.
The awards are given to State Farm Bureaus that have superior membership achievement and offer outstanding programs to participants.
The Oregon Farm Bureau was honored with awards in all five categories including:
• Policy Implementation (and a President’s Award)
• Agriculture Education & Promotion
• Leadership Development
• Member Services
• Public Relations & Information
(more…)
Tags: agriculture, awards, OFB, Oregon Farm Bureau, oregon producers, State Farm Bureaus
Posted in General, Oregon farm loans | No Comments »
Friday, March 4th, 2011
Barb Iverson of Clackamas County Farm Bureau was reelected to a fourth two-year terms as the Oregon Farm Bureau’s Third Vice President.
The House of Delegates, consisting of agriculture volunteers from all agriculture sectors as well as a representative of each county Farm Bureau, voted Iverson into the position.
“Farm Bureau benefits greatly from Barb’s steady leadership, knowledge about farming, and
dedication to protecting and strengthening Oregon agriculture now and for future generations,”
said OFB President Barry Bushue via press release. “I congratulate her on her reelection as Oregon Farm Bureau’s Third Vice President.”
(more…)
Tags: Barb Iverson, Oregon Farm Bureau, third vice president
Posted in Oregon farm loans | No Comments »
Friday, March 4th, 2011
The Oregon Farm Bureau First Vice President Tracey Liskey was re-elected to a fourth two-year term.
Liskey was elected at the Oregon Farm Bureau 78th Anniversary State Convention in late January. Liskey was elected by the House of Delegates. This committee consists of agriculture volunteers from all sectors of the industry as well as one representative from each county Farm Bureau office.
As First Vice President, Liskey is responsible for heading the annual House of Delegates, assisting Oregon Farm Bureau President Barry Bushue as requested and watching over the corporate records of the organization.
(more…)
Tags: Add new tag, First Vice President, House of Delegates, Oregon Farm Bureau, Tracey Liskey
Posted in General, Oregon farm loans | No Comments »
Friday, March 4th, 2011
The Oregon Farm Bureau offers a variety of scholarships to students pursuing a career in agriculture or related fields.
High school students in Washington County can apply for scholarships ranging up to $1,000 depending on the type of school and major.
Students must be accepted into an accredit college or university and have high academic standing. Those with agriculture experience or farm bureau family members are preferred, but not required.
(more…)
Tags: agriculture, farm bureau, oregon, scholarships
Posted in Oregon farm loans | No Comments »
Monday, February 28th, 2011
The United States Department of Agriculture is calling out to farmers looking for funding for conservation practices.
The USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is looking for proposals of projects that improve water quality, air quality or energy conservation. Over $25 million is available to producers looking to protect land and resources for the future.
Farmers, ranchers and individuals can apply for conservation funds in their home state.
The CIG is also looking for farmers who address the importance of technology in agriculture. Proposals should demonstrate projects with innovated techniques that not only assist with agriculture but also conserve land.
The funds are awarded through a nationwide competition with each state selecting the best proposals. From here a region wide leader will make the decision on the best proposal and money will be distributed. The money is only available for single or multi-year projects that do not exceed three years.
Click here for further details.
For information on conservation funding and other agricultural loans contact Farm Plus at 866-929-5585 or visit www.farmplusfinancial.com.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, NRCS, usda
Posted in General | No Comments »
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