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Archive for the ‘Oregon farm loans’ Category
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.
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Tags: agriculture, farm bureau, oregon, scholarships
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
Oregon specialty crops received $1.75 million in funds from the 2008 Farm Bill that will be used to increase the current marketplace.
The United States Department of Agriculture awarded Oregon said money to fund 24 projects that were selected by the Department of Agriculture and an industry advisory board.
“At least 80 percent of Oregon’s agricultural output is specialty crops,” said ODA Assistant Director Dalton Hobbs told My Central Oregon. “Oregon is noted for its wide variety and diversity of crops. Specialty crops make up most of what we produce here in the state.”
Projects are aimed to improve fruits, vegetables and nursery stock markets. Compared to other states, Oregon is the fifth in specialty crop production. Most projects are funded from individual producers, but the state’s agriculture department called for project proposals early in the year for considerations.
After meetings and voting, the department decided on 24 eligible products.
For further information regarding this topic, or for information regarding loan products available, please contact Farm Plus Financial at 866-929-5585.
Tags: farm bill, oregon, specialty crops
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Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
Since 2004 Oregon’s agriculture industry has been on decline with the most alarming numbers to date for 2009. According to The Oregon Department of Agriculture the net income for farmers and ranchers fell 41 percent in 2009.
The data showed that Oregon net farm income was around $563 million when numbers were a record $1.3 billion in 2004. All information is based on U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics.
Brent Searle of the Oregon Department of Agriculture noted the downturn isn’t a surprise, “but the magnitude of last year’s net farm income drop is significant.”
The decline is attributed to the overall loss of production value, not operating expenses.
Searle said operating expenses played very little role in the plunge, which was due mostly to a loss of production value.
In 2009 Oregon’s crop production was around $3 billion (13 percent less than previous) and livestock production dropped 12 percent to $923 million.
In need of a farm or ranch loan? Rates are at historic lows. Call 866-929-5585 to speak with a Farm Plus representative today or visit us online for more information.
Tags: oregon, oregon dept. of agriculture, usda
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Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
Photo courtesy of PGE
Oregon’s wind farms are not only growing in number, but size as well.
Portland General Electric Company completed the final phase their 450-Megawatts, 25,000 acre wind farm located in northern Oregon.
The project, totaling $1 billion, was constructed in three phases. The first phase, completed nearly three years ago, included 76 Vestas wind turbines and generated 125 Megawatts of power. 65 Siemens wind turbines were added as a second phase to create 150 Megawatts last summer. The current phase added 76 Siemens wind turbines for 175 more Megawatts of power.
This is just one of the many projects underway to help Oregon meet its renewable energy target of 25% by 2025. The PGE farm will account for 9 percent of the company’s total retail at the closing of 2010. Power agreements for PGE include Biglow Canyon and other previously set agreements.
Shepherd’s Flat, an 845-Megawatt farm, is also under construction. The largest wind farm in Oregon, and the United States, should be completed by 2012.
Looking to join the renewable energy industry? Contact Farm Plus today for information on low-rate loans for your farm or ranch. We work alongside government agencies such as the USDA and FSA to help you get the low-rate loans you need to cover costs. Call a representative at 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information.
Tags: oregon, renewable energy, wind farm
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Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
Photo courtesy of Ecoki
The United States Department of Agriculture reported the nation’s cranberry crop is expected to be the second largest on record.
On average the USDA expects 7.35 million 100-pound barrels for 2010, which is up 6 percent from the 6.9 million barrels in 2009. The highest on record is 7.87 million barrels in 2008.
The biggest producers in the nation are Wisconsin and Massachusetts, but production in Oregon, New Jersey and Washington is expected to decline due to weather conditions.
Wisconsin is the largest producer in the country with 60 percent of the total crop. “We’ve had a real warm, wet growing season that has been good for cranberries,†Tom Lochner of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association told the Associated Press. Producers planted an additional 1,500 acres in 2010.
Massachusetts is also up 7 percent from 2009. “Considering the real challenges we’ve had this growing season…to be able to pull off a number like that is going to be pretty good,†Jeffrey LaFleur of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association said.
In Oregon production dropped 10 percent and Washington experienced a 16 percent loss due to a wet, cold spring that pushed back harvest and reduced berry size. New Jersey also declined by 5 percent.
Though areas are expecting high yields, due to the decline in demand and large crop size farmers should expect a lower price. Cranberry organizations are doing everything they can to keep the price from dropping such as promoting the health benefits of cranberries and encouraging restaurants to use cranberries in their recipes.
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: cranberries, crop yield, usda
Posted in General, Oregon farm loans, Washinton Farm Loans, Wisconsin Farm Loans | No Comments »
Monday, October 4th, 2010
The United States government is working with agricultural groups to stimulate the economy, funding a number of projects across the country. In Oregon, USDA Deputy Under-Secretary Victor Vasquez announced funding for a variety of agricultural projects.
The biggest recipient was the Torii Mor Winery that received $6 million as part of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative. This winery is one of the 11 businesses that received a loan under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Vasquez noted how important the agriculture industry is to stimulate the economy during the current recession. “Right now, how many industries have a trade surplus? In agriculture, we have a trade surplus.”
Six nonprofit organizations including The Oregon State University Food Innovation Center and Cascade Pacific Resource Conservation & Development received funding through the Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program.
“Part of being effective in economic development is paying attention to small business, small manufacturers, small farmers,” he said. “We’re looking at systems, we’re not just looking at USDA at individual projects anymore. We’re not going to be able to do this alone.”
For more information on these programs, contact your local Farm Service Agency or County USDA office.
Are you in the market for farm or ranch funding? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate agriculture loans. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: usda, victor vasquez
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
Five Oregon organic farms have teamed up with Oregon State University, the University of Wisconsin, Cornell University, the USDA and Organic Seed Alliance to form NOVIC, shaping the future of the organic seed industry.
The $23 million, four-year program studies new seed varieties to improve the availability of organic seeds. Farms across the country are testing organic seeds to find durable crops that will entice companies to make the seeds more readily available.
Organic seeds are hard to find and with a loophole found in the organic certification program, producers are looking for cost-efficient organic seeds to plant.
In the past producers used conventionally-produced seeds to grow organic crops due to the cost and availability. The Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC) hopes to fix this problem so producers are 100 percent organic.
Farmers across the country are planting organic seeds and reporting back to NOVIC with their findings. With more organic seeds available, officials hope the certification program will change.
Looking to make the change to organic, but are in need of funding to cover costs? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate loans. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: cornell university, NOVIC, oregon
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
Though corporate wind farms are most popular these days, local communities are working together to create renewable energy for their own livelihoods.
In Wasco, Oregon (located on the eastern side of the state) a family of community members are building an independent wind farm. The $24 million project began construction this summer, but has been in the works for five years.
Ormand Hilderbrand is heading the project. Hilderbrand and family are dry land wheat farmers and have been in the Wasco area since the 1860s. The dry farm is now the location of the project where six wind turbines are being built. It is known as the PaTu Wind Farm.
The community is excited for the project. Paul Woodin, the executive director of The Dalles-based Community Renewable Energy Association anticipates similar projects across Oregon.
Hilderbrand’s project is the first of its sort without direct corporate sponsorship. There is no word on who will purchase the generated power.
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: oregon, patu wind farm, renewable energy
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Renewable energy is at the top of the Obama administration’s agenda as the country looks for ways to cut down its dependency on other countries and fossil fuels. The United States Department of Agriculture provides funding for renewable energy projects around the country as well as other groups such as the United States Department of Energy.
Oregon is the recipient of funding for three major biomass energy projects totally $3 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Governor Ted Kulongoski said the federal funding will not only expand Oregon’s renewable energy production, but will also stimulate the job market.
Lakeview Cogeneration in Lake County is the first recipient of $1.7 million to produce heat for a sawmill and electricity for grid from wood waste. The Farm Power Tillamook in Tillamook County received $1 million for a project that uses manure from local farms to generate electricity. The final recipient is the Integrated Biomass Energy project in Wallowa County. This project was provided with $275,000 to use forest trimmings to create heat and energy with forest trimmings.
If you have a project you would like to be considered for federal funding, contact your county USDA office.
Are you in the market for a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus Financial today for information on our low-rate agriculture loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: biomass project, obama, oregon, renewable energy
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Farmers and investors are watching wheat prices drop on the Chicago Trade Board, waiting for prices to increase or elevate.
The United States is the biggest exporter of grain and the most active contract for September wheat has plummeted by 15 percent.
“What is suffering from the pressure of a harvest that looks to be better than expect in yields and quality.†Agritel, a Paris-based farm adviser, wrote on their website. “The corn market is integrating the very good weather conditions in the Corn Belt.â€
As of June 27 farmers harvested 38 percent of the winter’s wheat crops.
U.S. crop appeal has also dropped causing a decline in soybeans and corn prices. This is because there is less demand for biofuel and the U.S. crops have lost appeal.
The U.S. corn crops are listed at 73 percent good or excellent condition. Drier weather will help crops from the past few days of heavy rainfall while the cooler temperatures are ideal weather for planting seeds.
In need of financing? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate agriculture loans. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information on farm and ranch loans.
Tags: chicago trade board
Posted in Florida Farm Loans, General, Oregon farm loans | No Comments »
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