Conserving Land for Future Generations - Ohio

Last modified on 2010-02-26 03:06:18 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Part of the 2008 Farm Bill pushes for farmers and producers to conserve their land for future generations. There are a number of programs available through the National Resource Conservation Service as well as the USDA.

However, there are also private, nonprofit organizations working for the same cause. The Western Reserve Land Conservancy is one of the leaders in the Midwest for land preservation.

Currently the organization, formed in 2006 by eight local land trusts, has preserved 333 properties covering 21,402 acres of land. This protects these acres from being used for anything other than agricultural purposes.

Two land owners have added 217 acres to the Western Reserve Land Conservatory this month in Ohio. 74 acres were added from Newbury township and 43 acres from Huntsburg township. The conservation is always looking for new members or additions.

If you are interested in the National Resources Conservation Service click here. Or for more information on the Western Land Conservancy click here.

Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.99% and terms up to 25 years. See our rate sheet or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.

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Humane Society Lobbying Issue 2

Last modified on 2010-02-26 03:04:36 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

In November Ohio voters passed Issue 2 which instates the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (OLCSB). The OLCSB is working to create a set of standards for the treatment of livestock.

Currently the board is headed by producers (both produce and livestock), members of various farm organizations and the American Humane Society. However, the Humane Society is lobbying to have full control of decisions made by the board.

John C. Fisher, president of the Ohio Farm Bureau, said the lobbying is not a shock and that many expected the Humane Society to oppose.

“Ohioans are smart. They’ll see that HSUS’ latest tactic isn’t about reasonable animal care, it’s about power. Ohioans took control of the animal care issue, and HSUS doesn’t like it one bit,” Fisher said.

The OLCSB goes into effect this spring.

Farm loan rates starting at 2.99%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.

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Conservation Deadlines Approaching

Last modified on 2010-02-26 02:54:38 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Ohio producers interested in applying for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) must apply by Feb. 16, 2010.

The program is aimed to help producers pay for improvements or protection of natural resources on their land. The money will be handed out based on eligibility. Producers can use the money for implementing water conservation and other environmental-friendly improvements.

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, Grassland Reserve Program and Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program applications are also due on February 16.

All applications should be submitted to the local USDA Service Center.

Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.

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Ohio’s AEPP Accepting Applications

Last modified on 2010-02-26 02:51:03 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for The Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP).

The AEPP is designed to protect and preserve Ohio’s farmland for future generations. Under this program farmland remains in private ownership and cannot be used for non-agricultural purposes in the future.

$6.25 million is available for the AEPP and those qualified can apply until April 26 at 5 p.m. Those interested can apply online here.

Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms. See our rate sheet here or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.

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Ohio Voters Approve Standards Board

Last modified on 2009-12-29 19:15:03 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Ohio voters approved an initiative to establish a board on livestock care standards.

The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will consist of 13 members including family farmers, a representative from a local humane society, consumers, veterinarians and the Ohio Ag director.

The committee will set standards for treatment, car and welfare of all livestock raised in Ohio. The standards will be based on ethics and science.

Both sides of the issue are allowed to voice their opinions to help shape the best standards for the Ohio livestock industry.

Farm loan rates starting at 2.99%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.

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2010 Budget Includes Relief

Last modified on 2009-12-08 17:23:07 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

A bill passes last week in the senate offering $350 million in emergency funding for the agriculture industry. This comes form $121 billion spending bill set for the 2010 budget year, and of this money $290 million will go as direct payments to farmers.

Aside from payments to farmers, $60 million of this will be used by the government to buy cheese and other dairy products that will be donated to nutrition programs and food banks.

Some struggling farmers are breathing a sigh of relief. Bonnie Ayers, operator at Land of Living Farm, told an Ohio newspaper, “When you take into account the costs associated with the animal’s health issues, the cost of feed, farm employment, and add to that a struggling economy, it’s become too difficult for farmers to survive.” She added that the average farmer with 100 cows is losing up to $10,000 a month.
In the past year, milk prices dropped below $10 per hundredweight, or 100 pounds, a standard measure used on dairy farms.

There is no word on how much each farmers will receive.

Farm loan rates starting at 2.99%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.

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Issue 2 is on Farmers’ Minds

Last modified on 2009-10-30 19:55:23 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Issue 2 is a heated discussion currently across Ohio.

In November residents will vote, alongside a number of other issues and government positions, on whether this initiative is beneficial for producers in the state.

If Issue 2 is passed, a livestock care standards board will regulate the treatment of farm animals including chicken, cows and pigs. Farm animal treatment has been a popular discussion since a documentary aired earlier this year on HBO about animal cruelty.

A similar initiative passed in California last year.

Inflation fears?  Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise.  Farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms.  See our rate sheet here or call, toll free,  866-929-5585.

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Land Donations

Last modified on 2009-08-28 21:56:20 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Joan Harris of Licking County could not care for her land any longer so she donated the 170-acre farm to the Ohio Department of Agriculture in June to be used for agricultural purposes.

The cropland, pasture and woods in Madison Township was in the Harris family since 1941.

Harris’ donation is the sixth of its kind leaving the organization with 963 acres of farmland.

The Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District will watch over the land to assure it stays in good condition.

The donation was made under the Ohio Agricultural Easement Donation Program that allows landowners to donate land using voluntary legal agreements restrictring non-agricultural development on farmland and the land stays on the tax rolls and under private management.

Under this program the owners can pass the land down or donate it with the easement perminately on the land. This means no one at any time can develop the land. In a way when people are deceased or cannot take care of the land it leaves them with a piece of mind that their land will always be agricultural.

Are you looking to purchase farm land? Contact Farm Plus today. Low-rate loans are available. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information about farm loans.

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Blight Fungus

Last modified on 2009-08-28 21:37:42 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Officials are asking home gardeners to check tomato plants for a harmful fungus, blight,  that can spread to commercial crops and cause an incredible amount of damage.

In Ohio a small handful of operations have seen a highly contagious fungus on tomato crops.  If the fungus continues to spread the $79 million crop is at great risk. Many are unaware that Ohio is the third highest tomato producing state.

The blight fungus can also be harmful to potatoes.  According to Sally Miller at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, the disease is the same fungus that appeared in the 1840s and destroyed the Irish potato crops.

“It’s a big deal because this disease is likely to affect a lot of home gardens,” she said. “If gardeners don’t control it well, a lot of spores may be floating around.”

One thing Ohio has going for the fight against the blight fungus is warm weather, the fungus grows best in the cold.

Are you in need of a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today. Low rate loans are available for any of your farming needs! Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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Organic Gaining Popularity in Ohio

Last modified on 2009-08-28 21:34:55 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Ohio farmers are seeing an increased need for organic vegetables.

Adam Well is owner of Wayward Seed Farm. In London, Ohio his farm is lined with rows of vegetables that people travel to come purchase.

“I was always around small farms and small producers and I started to gain more and more interested,” Well told WBNS news.

He is considered a leader in his community for going green and growing organically. “That’s what the consumer is starting to want, especially in urban areas.”

Well and company follow many rules to maintain their organic standing. “We cannot use herbicides and petrochemicals, or pesticides on the crops.”

At Wayward Seed Farm crops are weeded by machine unless they are delicate- those are done by hand.

Looking to start your own farm? Farm Plus has low-rate farm loans for all of your needs! Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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Social Networking for Ohio Farm Bureau

Last modified on 2009-05-21 21:28:37 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation has joined the most popular social networks to connect with the community. May 1 was the launch of their Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages.

These free, online tools build relationships between people, companies and all interested in agriculture. Become their friend or fan and learn daily what the bureaus is up to. It is a fresh, easy way to pass on messages and news to enthusiasts.

Additional links give an insight to radio and video production, it will even give an extended behind-the-scenes view.

“Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is to forge a partnership between farmers and consumers,” said OFBF Senior Vice President of Communications Kurt Ely. “Through social media we are enabling direct connections and conversations among consumers, farmers and Farm Bureau in ways that are engaging, informative, responsive and beneficial to all. Social media also allows us to share Ohio Farm Bureau with those unfamiliar with the organization and to serve as an open and trusted resource for agriculture-related content and discussions.”

Look for their new, updated website launching soon. It will include RSS feeds to keep enthusiasts informed constantly.

Visit their Facebook fan pages by searching on your page for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Our Ohio, Buckeye Farm News, Ohio Farm and Country and Town Hall Ohio.

Visit their twitters at: http://www.twitter.com/OhioFarmBureau, http://www.twitter.com/OurOhio, http://www.twitter.com/BuckeyFarmNews, http://www.twitter.com/FarmandCountry, and http://www.twitter.comTownHallOhio.

If you would like to watch their videos check out their YouTube channels at: (Ohio Farm Bureau) and (Our Ohio)

Looking for a low-interest farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today! Loans are available and ready for you! Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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Farmers Still Waiting

Last modified on 2009-05-07 21:05:30 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Farmers in Illinois are waiting for fields to dry before digging in. The only problem is, farmers want to be planting not discussing wet fields at this time of year.

Most farmers across the Midwest are facing the same problem- watching and waiting to plant fields.

“We’re all sitting on pins and needles waiting for it to dry out,” said Bob Nielsen, a Purdue University agronomy professor. Indiana is one state greatly affected by the weather. Some fear it is like 2008 when planting happened a month later than normal causing prices to increase greatly.

It also made the demand from overseas drop. The northern half of the corn belt left many fields unplanted, farmers dread the thought and are doing anything to assure that does not happen.

Some farmers even have work left from last fall due to the combination of late crops and wet weather. This caused one farmer to leave half the work he’d normally do after crop on top of planting for the spring.

“Things are stacking up on us pretty hard now,” he said as he thought about the 500-plus acres he plans to plant with corn.

Experts assure the Corn Belt is nowhere near the hazardous 2008. It is likely that more than a quarter of the expect $85 million-acre corn crop will come from Iowa to Ohio. It is an understandable fear that late crops risk missing out on crucial days to increase production.

Are you interested in a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today for information regarding low rate farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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USDA Loans to Restore Land in Ohio

Last modified on 2009-03-20 15:51:45 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering up to $30 million in loans to landowners, including farmers, in flood-prone areas of Ohio.

The floodplain easement component of the Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) will be used to frequently restore flooded land.

“We will be working with landowners who voluntarily agree to restore the floodplains to their natural condition by placing their land into easements,” State Conservationist Terry Cosby said. “These easements will convert environmentally sensitive lands into riparian corridors and wooded bottom lands that are so vital for fish and wildlife habitat to mitigate downstream flooding.”

The funding is part of the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Landowners, including farmers, can sign up until March 27 at their local USDA Service Center NRCS Office.

If you are interested in a low interest farm loan contact Farm Plus today. Farm loans are available to fit your needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information about farm loans.

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AEP Purchases an Additional Wind Farm

Last modified on 2009-03-20 00:26:27 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Wind farms are having a huge impact on agriculture. Many farms are turning to wind turbines to make extra money and credits. Large electric companies are buying into the trend and bringing business to new farms.

American Electric Power has sealed a deal to bring 100 megawatts of wind power to Ohio. The company, based out of Columbus, OH made plans to purchase power from a wind farm in northwestern Indiana.

The 100 watts is part of a transaction that will bring 250 megawatts to many parts of AEP’s 11 state coverage.

The farm will be developed by BP Wind Energy and will be up and running by the end of 2009.

AEP owns a total of 38,000 megawatts of power that provides energy for 5 million customers. Currently, Ohio does not see any of this wind-generated energy. Only one wind farm exists within the state in Bowling Green.

If you are interested in taking part of the green movement with a wind farm, please contact Farm Plus today. Farm loans are available for conventional farming or innovated farming. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans. Farm Plus will work with government agencies to provide you a farm loan. Now is a great time to inquire, farm loans have incredibly low rates!

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Ohio Farm Loans - Purchase, Refinance, Expansion

 

Farm Plus Financial is proud to offer government secured Ohio farm loans and Ohio ranch loans.  Ohio is birth place to seven United States Presidents; Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William H. Taft, and Warren G. Harding some of which grew up on Ohio farms. Besides being birth place to some great minds, Ohio also ranks in the top five of the United States in tomatoes, pumpkins and sweet corn.  Seeking a farm loan or ranch loan for your Ohio operation can be challenging.  We’d like you to know that we are here to help you accomplish your goal(s).  We offer low interest rate farm loans, fixed terms, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and a streamlined loan process.  This ensures an overall pleasant loan transaction.  Whether you are in search of a farm loan or ranch loan for a refinance, purchase or expansion, Farm Plus is your source. To speak with a Loan Specialists dial 866-929-5585 or click here.