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Author Archive
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 »
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
The Texas Farm Service Agency announced there is $1.6 billion available for producers across the state who need assistance with conservation practices, commodity support and disaster recovery.
Young County alone received a large chunk of this to assist with programs for producers across the country.
(more…)
Tags: FSA, texas, usda
Posted in General | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
In an effort to further connect consumers to farmers, the United State Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced new regulations for nutritional information on meat packages.
Information will be more readily available on 40 popular cuts of meat and poultry according to a press release. The new rule required packages of ground or chopped meat and poultry to contain nutrition fact panels on the sides of packaging. This will allow consumers to see what they are purchasing at the point-of-sale.
“More and more, busy American families want nutrition information that they can quickly and easily understand,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack via news release. “We need to do all we can to provide nutrition labels that will help consumers make informed decisions. The USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services work hard to provide the Dietary Guidelines for Americans every five years, and now consumers will have another tool to help them follow these guidelines.”
The panels will include similar information to other grocery items including the number of calories, grams of total and saturated fat.
The new regulations will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012.
For information regarding farm loans contact 866-929-5585 or visit www.farmplusfinancial.com .
Written by: Melissa Warner, Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: FSIS, regulation, usda
Posted in General | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced via press release funding is available through the USDA to help organic producers transition to incorporate conservation practices on their land.
“Increasing consumer demand for organically grown foods is providing new opportunities for small and mid-size farmers to prosper and stay competitive in today’s economy,” Merrigan said. “The 2008 Farm Bill calls for this assistance, and we want to help these farmers protect the natural resources on their land and create conditions that help foster organic production.”
2011 is the third year of the USDA’s Organic Initiative and up to $50 million is available for organic producers for such costs as plant cover crops or pest management plans. Eligible producers must be certified through the USDA’s National Organic Program and have a gross income of less than $5,000.
The funding is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. For more information on other types of agricultural finance or farm loans contact Farm Plus Financial at 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
Written by: Melissa Warner, Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, kathleen merrigan, usda
Posted in General | No Comments »
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