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Archive for the ‘Idaho Farm Loans’ Category
Friday, February 4th, 2011
The United States Department of Agriculture’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” program is being tested in five Idaho schools.
“Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food,” is a new program that provides schools with produce from local farms and ranches. The funding for the program comes from the USDA’s Team Nutrition.
“It’s vital that we provide our children with nutritious meals so they are able to learn and thrive,” said USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Janey Thornton. “And incorporating local produce into school menus is a wonderful way to ensure that they have access to the fruits and vegetables that are such an important part of a healthy diet.”
The Obama Administration started the program to help combat childhood obesity in schools. The program also aims to boost local agriculture and economy.
The program is currently under observation as five schools including Boise’s Whitney Elementary School. Officials are examining the cost and effect the program has on the schools.
For more information on “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” or agriculture funding, contact Farm Plus at 866-929-5585.
Tags: "know your farmer, idaho, know your food"
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Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
Idaho may be most well-known for its potatoes, but other industries are quickly flourishing in the state.
The United States Department of Agriculture reports Idaho’s milk production is on the rise. In August Idaho produced 1.15 billion pounds of milk. This is up from the 1.12 produced in July. Compared to 2009 the state has a 7.8 percent increase.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported the number of cows in the state increased as well. As of August an average of 573,000 was counted. This is 4,000 more cows than July and 25,000 more than in 2009.
Not only is milk production and the number of cows increasing, but Idaho farmers are seeing the price of milk increasing as well. In August milk was valued at $15.50 per hundredweight while it was only $14.60 in July. 2009 saw milk prices of only $11.60.
Though Idaho’s milk industry is booming, this trend is common among the top 23 dairy states.
Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Low-rate loans available today with 25 year terms. Visit our website or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.
Tags: idaho, national agricultural statistics service, united states department of agriculture
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Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
Image courtesy of Boise Weekly
Ranchers in Twin Falls who were impacted by the Long Butte fire are eligible for emergency funding through the United States Department of Agriculture.
The Emergency Conservation Program is designated to help producers in such a situation. Those who suffered loss and damage must submit a request for assistance by October 1.
Producers must submit an estimate of the cost for damage such as fences and pastures. The local Farm Service Agency office then submits the requests to the USDA for payments.
Lance Phillips, Twin Falls County executive director points out he cannot submit requests if he does not receive the figures. He estimates 36 producers will request for help for 24,000 acres of land.
To qualify ranchers must have suffered a minimum of $1,000 in damages. Each payment can be as high as $200,000.
Other programs are also available to help cover the loss of animals and feed. For more information, contact your local FSA office.
Are you in the market for a farm or ranch loan? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our agriculture loans. Call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative or visit our website for more information.
Tags: energency conservation program, idaho, long butte, twin falls, usda
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
Image courtesy of Cornell Cooperative Extension
The United States Department of Agriculture issued disaster relief loans to counties in northern Idaho following damaging weather.
In spring 2010 the state was hit with heavy rains and frost that cost substantial crop damage and loss across the northern part of the state.
United States Department of Agricultue Secretary Tom Vilsack named Lewis County a disaster area in August which also allows surrounding counties, Clearwater, Idaho and Nez Perce eligible for disaster relief as well. The loans are to assist farmers who suffered damage to dry bean, peas and bluegrass crops between April and June.
Those producers who experienced damage should document all damages clearly and submit an application to their local Farm Service Agency office. Low-rate loans will be issued based on each individual case.
Eligible farmers have eight months to apply for emergency disaster farm loans. If you have any questions call your local Farm Service Agency Office.
In need of emergency assistance? Contact Farm Plus today for information on your financing options. Low-rate farm and ranch loans area available today. We also work with local government agencies to assist you with your agriculture funding. Call us at 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative or visit our website for more information.
Tags: disaster relief, idaho, tom vilsack, usda
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
Photo courtesy of Virtual Tourist
The Idaho Department of Agriculture announced that the deadline for assistance from 2008 crop year losses is September 30, 2010. This assistance falls under the USDA Farm Service Agency 2008 Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) program.
SURE assists eligible producers with funding to cover crop quality or production losses. The assistance is equivalent to 60 percent of the difference between the farm revenue and farm guarantee. The total farm revenue
includes the actual value of production, insurance payments and farm program payments.
Eligible producers suffered at least 10 percent production loss and must have a risk management plan that includes a plan of insurance.
Idaho Farm Service Agency State Executive Dick Rush told Ag Weekly, “Some Idaho producers had sprout damage in their 2008 crop, other areas had heavy rain and frost that damaged many crops int eh state. SURE is a new program that considers the disaster’s impact on farmer’s entire enterprise, not just the crop impacted by weather or other natural disasters.â€
If you are in the market for a farm loan, contact Farm Plus today for information on low-rate farm and ranch loans. Call 866-929-5585, toll free, to speak with a representative or visit our website for more information.
Tags: deadline, SURE, usda
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
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.
Click here for more information on the program.
Low-rate farm loans available today. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.
Tags: conservation reserve program, CRP, farm service agency, idaho, usda
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Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Legislators are talking with farmers and agricultural groups to discuss the 2012 Farm Bill. The first hearings were held in Idaho.
The United States House Agriculture Committee wants to know what farmers want or would like to see in the new farm bill.
“We haven’t decided what to do yet,” said Representative Walt Minnick. “But hearing from Idaho producers, whether they grow potatoes, or cattle, or grow mint in the Treasure Valley will help us put together a bill that will better suit Idaho.”
Organizations and farmers are happy to be included in the process.
“(This) gives Idahoans the opportunity to testify on what we believe the farm program should look like,” Scot Brown, president of the Idaho Grain Producers Association, said. The committee has challenged farmers to come up with a new farm bill, pretending that there wasn’t an original farm bill- what would producers want it to offer and protect?
Group leaders agree all industries are struggling, not just dairy or livestock. “Having the agriculture committee here at the very beginning of the process of formulating the next farm bill is the most important time for Idaho agriculture to be heard,” Minnick said. Producers want a bill that will help more than just the dairy industry, a bill that addresses all industries.
After the U.S. House Agriculture meets with producers about their desires they will meet with farmers to see how they current Farm Bill worked for them.
The 2008 Farm Bill expires in 2012. The bill covers farm support, food assistance, trade, rural development and marketing.
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.95% and terms up to 25 years. Visit our site or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative
Tags: Farm Bill 2012, usda
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
The annual “State of the Rockies” report was released by the Colorado College. This report looks at agriculture over the past years in the eight Rocky Mountain region states.
Liz Kolbe, program coordinator for State of the Rockies, said “I think one of the most interesting… was the increase of female operators over the past 20 years. Since 1987 there has been 257% increase in female farm operators.”
Out of the eight states, Idaho is the largest producer with an annual income of $70,000 per farm. The highest grossing counties in Idaho are Gooding, Cassia and Lincoln. According to the report potatoes are not the state’s biggest crop, even if they may be the most well-known. “Potatoes actually come in third for the highest earners in Idaho. Buhl actually has 549,000 milk cows, which is almost double the milk cows in any other state, and accounts for 36 percent of Idaho’s total agricultural receipt. We produce six percent of the nation’s total dairy,” Kolbe said.
Although Idaho produces the most, Utah and Nevada have the most irrigated farms.
Farm loan rates starting at 2.95%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.
Tags: Liz Kolbe, statistics
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
The ownership of irrigation channels, such as lakes and rivers, is a constant debate across the country, especially as more and more states are being declared drought areas.
In Idaho, U.S. Rep. James L. Oberstar (Democrat) is fighting to reverse to U.S. Supreme Court cases that are confusing and “handcuff” the protection of America’s waters.
Since 2007 Oberstar has been working to change the Clean Water Restoration Act to take the phrase “navigable waters” out. Navigable waters is water that can be used for commerce or travel falling under the commerce clause. After the EPA began regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, he fears other groups will try to rule waterways under the Clean Water Act.
Oberstar feels that this change will improve conditions for farmers, consumers and government officials. Existing exemptions (farm or stock ponds, irrigation ditches and artificially irrigated areas) will stay exempt as well.
“Simply put, if it was not regulated before 2001, it will not be regulated with the enactment of this legislation,” he explained via a press release.
The Idaho Farm Bureau and Idaho Water Users Association oppose the changes because they want a change that will help farmers, not keep a tight restriction like the one that currently exists.
Looking to refinance while rates are at historic lows? Farm Plus has low-rate farm and ranch loans starting at only 2.95%. Call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative or visit our website for more information.
Tags: irrigation, James Oberstar
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Friday, April 2nd, 2010
The Idaho Farm Bureau is reminding farmers and producers that any potato seeds purchased for intended sales or distribution upon growth must be inspected and certified under the Idaho Seed Potato Law of 1996.
A number of agencies are eligible to certify these seeds and crops including the Idaho Crop Improvement Association. The certification assures that crops will be pure and healthy, leaving a good name for Idaho’s famous potatoes. Without inspection potato plants can be plagued with diseases which can be passed through potato tubers. Farmers should not use potatoes found in the super market for seeds because they are often infected and can prevent sprouting.
The certification goes beyond the seeds and crops, but to the cleanliness and efficiency of the farms as well. This helps assure that future crops will also be of the highest quality.
Anyone who violates this law can be fined as much of $10 per hundredweight of the potatoes in violation.
Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Farm loan rates starting at 2.95% with 25 year terms. See our rate sheet here or call, toll free 866-929-5585.
Tags: idaho, Potatoes
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