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Posts Tagged ‘Conservation’
Saturday, October 29th, 2011
In response to the rapid, and relatively secretive, agricultural budget reductions, advocacy groups across the country are voicing their concern at their lack of input regarding the federal farm subsidy reductions. As a part of the fallout from the debt ceiling debate last summer, a Congressional supercommittee, made of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, was created to cut about $2 trillion from the federal budget.
A significant portion of that budget reduction, it appears, will come from farm programs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The current proposal being considered by the supercommittee is an agricultural reduction of about $23 billion, much of it coming from the elimination of direct farm payments.
Environmental groups are unhappy at the lack of conservation funding. They are concerned that the elimination of direct subsidies, an important compliance tool for conservation programs, without other compliance measures, will lead to a decline in soil and environmental conservation.
Members of the American Farm Bureau, on the other hand, are willing to entertain the loss of direct payments, but are concerned about the speed of the reductions and their overall lack of input. The speed and closed door nature of these discussions all but guarantees that farm groups will have limited influence on the final version of the bill.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, debt ceiling, farm subsidies, usda
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Saturday, October 29th, 2011
Earlier this week, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed farmers at Des Moines, Iowa and discussed the upcoming Farm Bill as well as the agricultural budget in general. This month has been a difficult one for American farmers. In addition to bouts of bad weather, Congress is gearing up to cut billions of dollars from the American farm budget.
Particularly worrisome for many agricultural and environmental groups is the loss of direct farm subsidies. While no bill has been approved yet, the Congressional supercommittee, charged with cutting nearly $2 trillion from the federal budget, has expressed interest in doing away with direct farm payments. While the farm economy is currently good, many farmers are worried that a future drop in crop prices or a string of poor weather, combined with the removal of direct payments, could leave them in a bad fiscal situation.
In addition, environmental groups are concerned about the impact of this subsidy elimination on conservation programs. Currently, conservation measures are required to be eligible for direct farm payments. Many groups have acknowledged that it is an important compliance tool.
With the upcoming elimination of direct payments, many environmentalists are concerned that there will be no incentive to participate in conservation programs, particularly with the budget for such programs being repeatedly cut. This fear was confirmed during Vilsack’s Des Moines visit, when he rejected tying other farm subsidies to conservation, stating, “I won’t be the one to say that compliance should be tied directly to crop insurance.”
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, farm bill, tom vilsack, usda
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Sunday, October 23rd, 2011
Earlier this week, Lubbock Texas experienced a massive dust storm, with some dust walls reaching over 1 mile in height and over 200 feet in length. The storms, a frightening reminder of the 1930s era Dust Bowl, are the latest fallout from the ongoing drought that is devastating the state and crippling the Texas agricultural industry.
The drought, which has been ongoing for nearly a year, is one of the worst in Texas history. Conservative estimates place the potential economic loss from the lack of rain and water at nearly $6 billion, with some estimates reaching much higher.
In addition to crop and livestock losses, the lack of water and the resulting dry, parched land has caused a series of natural disasters, including devastating wildfires. Recently, dust storms have been added to that list of disasters. While not uncommon across Texas, dust storms are typically only 1,000 feet in height, much smaller than the recent 8,000 foot storm that descended on Lubbock.
Meteorologists are predicting more dust storms in Texas and across the Southwest as the drought continues. However, while the recent storms may be reminiscent of the 1930s, experts predict that we will not see another Dust Bowl, largely because of improved soil practices, conservation programs, and modern farming techniques.
However, some farmers have used this storm as powerful evidence of the continued importance of funding conservation programs. With Congress looking to trim over $20 billion from agricultural budgets, conservation programs are at the top of the austerity lists. As the president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts stated, “This storm should show why these cuts can’t all come from conservation and why it’s important that we keep a focus on natural resource protection on working farm and ranch land unless we want to see a new Dust Bowl.”
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, drought, dust storms, texas
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Saturday, October 15th, 2011
According to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report, efforts to clean up the Great Lakes have been paying off. Over the past several decades, soil erosion and pollution into the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways has caused a major environmental crisis in the region. As a result, the USDA created several conservation programs to encourage farmers to reduce soil erosion into Great Lakes waterways and promoted better nutrient management to reduce the amount of fertilizer runoff into surrounding lakes and streams.
The recent report indicates that these conservation efforts have made a significant impact on the environmental health of the Great Lakes. The study indicates that sediment discharge has been reduced by 50 percent and phosphorus and nitrogen pollution have declined by 36 and 37 percent respectively.
In a statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, “The Great Lakes Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) study confirms that good conservation planning and implementation have reduced loadings of sediment and nutrients to waterways throughout the region. The Administration appreciates the actions of every farmer who is stepping up to implement conservation practices, protect vital farmlands and strengthen local economies. At the same time, we also see opportunities for even further progress.”
In addition to providing concrete results, the study also indicated that large-scale conservation programs targeting specific regions were more effective than independent programs. Tailoring specific plans to specific regions, USDA spokespeople said, provides the best results.
While funding for these sorts of conservation programs may be in danger, USDA officials hope that they will be able to continue their work regardless of future budget cuts.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, Great Lakes, usda
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011
The drought in Texas that has crippled agriculture across the state shows no sign of abating. The drought began in October, quickly engulfing the entire state. Over 90 percent of Texas is currently experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions, conditions which have continued with no relief for months.
The severity of the drought has had deep consequences across the state. The financial losses alone have been devastating. At the present, Texas has lost over $5 billion due to crop failures. Entire fields of cash crops have withered and died and the prospects of a late season planting are looking increasingly grim.
In addition to crop farmers, Texas cattle ranchers have lost about $2 billion. Across the state, ranchers are selling their cattle, unable to afford or acquire the water needed to keep their livestock alive. The drought has also sent the cost of hay skyrocketing, adding another cost to an already struggling industry.
The severity of the Texas drought has led many to reconsider state agricultural policy. While some towns have weathered the drought thanks to access to large underground aquifers, towns that rely on rivers and streams are running dangerously low on water, forcing many to rely on long-term drought restrictions. Currently, the state is debating legislation to offer tax incentives to farmers that implement water conservation policies. In addition to tax breaks, the state is pouring money into agricultural research, particularly the development of drought resistant crops.
Overall, the situation in Texas highlights the need to rethink currently debated agricultural policies, specifically the importance of scientific research, as well as the necessity of conservation programs that help preserve the natural resources that agriculture depends on. As Congress meets to reduce federal spending, farmers across the country can only hope that they keep lessons of the Texas drought in mind.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, drought, farm subsidies, texas
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Sunday, August 21st, 2011
Earlier this week, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to crowds in Iowa about the future of the Farm Bill. Renewed every five years, the Farm Bill has been an important part of the American agricultural industry, offering much needed aid to farmers and laying out a broad vision for the future of the industry.
In the past, Vilsack told the Iowa State Fair, policy needs dictated financial investments. However, given the state of the U.S. economy, Vilsack warned crowds that financial pressures might dictate the end result of the upcoming Farm Bill, meaning a smaller and less generous end result.
These financial pressures will almost certainly result in deep cuts to farm spending. Already, Vilsack has warned farmers that direct payment programs are threatened and will almost certainly be reduced, if not dropped altogether, in the Farm Bill. Due to high commodity prices and rising farm incomes (although many farmers say that these increased incomes do little to offset increasing fuel and feed costs), direct payments are first on a long list of Congressional budget targets.
Also endangered in the upcoming Farm Bill are conservation programs. A vital part of federal farm legislation since the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, many budget hawks in Congress have been chipping away at conservation programs. The reduction of conservation funding plus the end of direct payment programs (which frequently required farmers to abide by environmental and conservation standards) has worried both farmers and environmental groups who fear for the long-term damage done to the American landscape.
Vilsack has been candid that he has few options in the face of Congressional budget knives. He has already pledged not to submit his own Farm Bill, trusting the current members of the House and Senate agriculture committees, stating that “we’ll work together through the process.”
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, farm bill, farm subsidies, tom vilsack
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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011
A series of Florida farms received praise from environmental advocacy groups for their commitment to sustainable, green farming. Project CARE (which stands for community action for a renewed environment) recently nominated several Florida farms, praising their commitment to environmental stewardship and holding them up as examples for the future of American agriculture.
The farms in question enact a wide variety of environmentally friendly practices. One farm, for example, schedules irrigation in the evening in order to minimize water evaporation and maximize efficiency. Some utilize “spoon-feeding” fertilization, a practice that uses significantly less fertilizer in order to minimize waste. Other farmers have invested in computerized livestock care, allowing a computerized system to control temperature, watering, feeding, and maximizing efficiency.
The CARE project, which was started in 2001 by the Florida Farm Bureau and other environmental organizations, recognizes outstanding voluntary resource conservation (including practices that save water, reduce energy consumption, and minimize fertilization).
Efforts to conserve natural resources and build a long-term sustainable agricultural infrastructure are vital, environmentalists claim. Recent reports by the National Research Council, as well as several United Nations studies, have indicated that American agricultural production, as it currently exists, is not sustainable. ‘
Agricultural producers, in order to cope with future ecological changes as well as support a growing world population, will need to focus on resource conservation and green farming. Project CARE, and the farmers and practices that it honors, are an important part of realizing this long-term goal.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, farm bureau, florida
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Sunday, June 26th, 2011
Across the country, farm advocacy groups are rallying to support conservation programs as a continued part of American agricultural policies. In recent months, Congress has begun embracing austerity measures, resulting in spending cuts to avoid enlarging the federal deficit. Some of the major programs on the chopping block have been funding for the Department of Agriculture and farm subsidies. In recent weeks, Congress has cut almost 30% of the USDA’s budget and has threatened further budget cuts to conservation programs across the country.
Many farmers have objected to these across the board cuts, particularly those affecting conservation programs. Conservation advocacy groups are worried that budget cuts could threaten endangered bioregions (like wetlands) and could threaten the long-term viability of agriculture in many areas. In addition to these direct cuts, many groups worry that ending direct payments to farmers could further threaten conservation efforts. Currently, direct payments are often tied to land conservation.
Many farmers, led by groups like the Farm Bureau, have begun advocating crop insurance as a way to replace direct payments. By linking crop insurance programs to conservation programs, farmers would maintain a safety net in bad agricultural conditions (while avoiding the inefficiencies of direct payment programs) while simultaneously retaining valuable conservation programs that help protect the future of agricultural production.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, crop insurance, farm bureau
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Friday, June 17th, 2011
Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved over $1 billion in budget cuts to agricultural programs, including conservation programs. The budget cuts come in the middle of increasingly heated debates about the federal budget and fears of deficit spending. Sara Hopper, the agricultural policy director of the Environmental Defense Fund, summed up the sentiment from many agricultural groups, stating, “We realize that Congress faces tough budget choices, but making draconian cuts to voluntary conservation programs that help farmers and ranchers provide all Americans with cleaner air and water, more productive soils and habitat for wildlife is penny-wise and dollar-foolish.”
Last month, over fifty agricultural groups sent an open letter to the House, defending conservation programs and urging Congressmen to avoid cutting these vital agricultural programs. Citing the over $500 million already cut from conservation programs in 2010, these groups pointed out the environmental benefits offered by conservation programs.
The cuts passed by the House reduce funding for several popular conservation programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program, which lost $210 million, and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which lost $350 million. In addition, the bill slashes funding to programs that protect and restore wildlife habitats and programs to protect farmland from suburban development.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Conservation, Environmental Defense und
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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
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