|
|
Archive for the ‘Calfornia Farm Loans’ Category
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available through the U.S. Small Business Administration for non-farm businesses that rely on farms and ranches to operate. 72 Oklahoma counties as well as neighboring counties in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas may be eligible for low-rate disaster loans.
These counties experienced extreme, damaging weather from Nov. 1, 2009 through Oct. 31, 2010. During this time the area experienced extreme heat and drought as well as high winds.
Click here for a list of effected counties.
The SBA works to assist businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers who cannot operate due to production losses. This includes agricultural cooperatives and non-profit organizations.
“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4% for businesses and 3% for private, non-profit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private, non-profits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” said Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center West.
Interested small businesses must apply by Aug. 29, 2011. Call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659 2955 for additional information.
This article courtesy 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, disaster relief, SBA
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans | 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 »
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
Photo courtesy of the University of California
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency in California is looking for socially disadvantaged farmers in need of funding.
The USDA is offering loans to those who are subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice.
According to the Farm Service Agency in California, $46 million in loans were borrowed to disadvantage California farmers in the 2010 fiscal year. Val Dolcini, executive director, told the Merced Sun-Star, “”For traditionally under-represented population groups, the FSA continues to focus on increased participation in all offices.”
The Merced Sun-Star reports 40 percent of the loans were approved. In order to receive funding a person must provide three letters of rejections from credit sources. The funding is intended for those who have no other way or receiving loans from commercial banks. The lower interest rates make it possible for people to improve their credit and make payments.
Interested applicants should create a business plan that shows their knowledge of the agriculture industry. Those interested should contact their local Farm Service Agency office or click here for more information.
For additional information on loans and funding contact Farm Plus at 866-929-5585.
Tags: california, farm service agency, usda, Val Dolcini
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011
The 2010 Farmer of the Year for San Diego County award went to Dave Van Ommering at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.
The annual award is given to a farmer showing strong excellence in agriculture who also works to improve the industry.
Van Ommering is the co-owner and operator of Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside alongside Robert Van Ommering. As former president of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, Van Ommering used his knowledge and skills to incorporate new ways to produce energy on his farm.
His most notable technique includes a methane digester in 2005. This process was the first in the country to turn methane into energy. From 2007-2008 Van Ommering worked to diversify his farm to every season. He added not only Christmas trees to sell during Christmas, but worked to open the farm as a pumpkin patch as well.
Van Ommering plans to continue this trend to appeal to the changing markets.
For more information contact Farm Plus at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: dave ommering, san diego, san diego county, usda
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011
Photo courtesy of Fresno County Farm Bureau
The Fresno County Farm Bureau welcomes new president Brian Pacheco.
Pacheco, a fourth generation dairy producer, was elected to the position in November. Since the early 1900s Pacheco’s family began dairy farming in Arcadia, seeking a dryer climate Pacheco’s great-grandfather relocated the family to Kerman. Today Pacheco continues the family tradition in Kerman at Pacheco Dairy Inc.
The dairy farm is part of the California Dairies, Inc. cooperative. In 1991 Pacheco became an active member in the FCFB, even taking a position as Director for Rural Health and Safety in 2002.
Today Pacheco works alongside his parents Jerry and Arlene Pacheco with over 1,300 Holstein cows. Their farm covers 1,000 acres in the Kerman area.
Not only does Pacheco work on the executive board of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, but he also works as a Trustee of the Kerman Unified School Board, the Fresno Madera Farm Credit Board of Directors, the CDI Board of Directors and the Community Regional Medical Center Board of Directors.
For more information contact Farm Plus Financial at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: executive board, pacheco
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011
Animal cruelty issues are always a hot issue in relation to agriculture. In 2008 California took a stand as citizens voted in favor of the Prop. 2 Compliant.
Though Prop. 2 does not go into effect until 2015, some California farms are making adjustments to comply with Prop. 2 regulations.
The J.S. West Company of Modesto is the first California farm to send “Prop. 2 Compliant” eggs to store shelves. The eggs, “Emma’s Comfort Coop,” are not as expensive as organic or cage free eggs. However, the egg-laying hens are raised in more humane conditions.
The hens of “Emma’s Comfort Coop” have twice as much space as those hens at average chicken farms. Though there is more space for chickens, the Humane Society does not feel the farm complies with Prop. 2. The
Humane Society feels farms should be cage-free. Though Prop. 2 doesn’t go into effect for a few years, regulations are currently unclear.
For more information on Prop. 2 contact Farm Plus today at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Staff Writer
Tags: california, eggs, poultry
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
California farmers in the Sacramento area may be eligible for disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Businesses affected by heavy rains from May 2 through June 24 of 2010 can apply for disaster loans through the SBA. These loans are available to small farm cooperatives in the area as well as small non-profit businesses.
Loans are available up to $2 million with 3 to 4 percent interest with terms up to 30 years.
“SBA eligibility covers bothy the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and the businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” said Alfred E. Judd, director of the SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center in Sacramento to the East Oregonian.
Contact the Small Business Administration with questions at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by calling 800-659-2955. Visit their website for more information on the disaster loans.
For more information on emergency funding, contact Farm Plus today at 866-929-5585.
Tags: california, disaster loans, SBA, small business administration
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans | No Comments »
Friday, February 4th, 2011
Tehama County, California is hosting the Dairyville Orchard Festival to raise money for Tehama County scholarships in agriculture.
California is one of the biggest dairy states in the country and the future of agriculture is important to the economic future of the state.
Every year for the last 12 years, volunteers come together to provide music, crafts and exhibits for local community members. One of the main attractions of the Dairyville Orchard Festival is the tri-tip sandwiches.
Since the first festival over $100,000 was raised for $2,500 agriculture scholarships. The money is used for Lassen View students. Community members, volunteers and local businesses feel the scholarships are important for the future of the agriculture industry and see it purely as an investment.
Many farm families have a hard time affording college and the money is a way to help families keep producers in the family. It also keeps the business growing.
For more information on scholarships and agriculture funding, contact Farm Plus at 866-929-5585.
Tags: dairyville orchard, scholarships
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
Photo courtesy of The Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times reports that many investors are suggesting their clients invest in farmland over stocks until the market improves.
The average U.S. real estate price has double over the past ten years to $2,140 according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Some banks have seen a demand for business lending by 12% from 2008 to
2009 for agricultural funding, reports the Times. Despite the recession that began in 2007, people are still investing and seeing a positive outcome.
The most popular investments are Washington apple orchards, sugar plantations and Illinois corn fields. Some investments are even coming from outside of the country. Holdings from 2007 to 2009 saw a boost of 2.4% on 1.08 million acres. This is 5 percent of California’s farmland.
Though investing in a farm can be risky with weather conditions beyond control as well as commodity prices, overall people see a steady outcome with farmland.
Major investments generally come from a group of people looking to make a profit, but even as an individual farmland can be the best way to save for your future.
For more on this story, click here.
For further information regarding this topic, or for information regarding loan products available, please contact Farm Plus Financial at 866-929-5585.
Tags: farmland, investing, investment
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
Photo courtesy of The California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission approved the construction of the Blythe Solar Power Project in Riverside County. This energy project will be the largest Concentrated Solar Power facility in the entire world.
The project will consist of four 250MW solar farms that create 1,000 MW of electricity, enough to power 300,000 homes every year.
Josef Eichhammer, Preside of Solar Trust of American and CEO of Solar Millennium, LLC, said,
“Together with the State of California’s leadership we are committed to restoring the state as the global leader in renewable energy. This multi-billion dollar facility will be the largest solar generating facility in the world and will help solidify that reputation.”
He added the first of two constructions will begin by the end of 2010.
Solar farms reduce carbon dioxide emissions by removing as much emissions as 300,000 cars on the road every year (this is two million tons).
Unlike most solar farms that use solar panels, this project will use “dry-cooling†technology. This uses 90 percent less water than wet cooled CSP facilities.
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Low-rate farm loans available today. Visit our website or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.
Tags: california energy commission, riverside county, solar power project
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
|
|
|
|
