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Posts Tagged ‘obama’
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman met with House and Senate agriculture committee leaders asking them to support a new aggressive trade agreement.
The trade agreement would export American goods to Colombia, Korea and Panama, bringing in $3 billion for the struggling agriculture industry.
“About 25 percent of the total volume of U.S. farm production is exported, and many U.S. commodities have a much higher dependence on trade,†Stallman said. “The positive impact of exports will be diminished as long as the United States is not moving forward with an agricultural trade agenda. The drop in U.S. agricultural exports from 2008 to 2009 is estimated to have cost roughly 160,000 American jobs in the production, processing and transportation sectors.â€
Stallman also added that the agreement would help reach President Obama’s goal to double exports in the next five years.
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.
Tags: american farm bureau, legislators, obama
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Monday, February 8th, 2010
President Obama signed a bill authorizing an additional $125 million in loans for the Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on December 18.
The ARRA is set up to help small businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain guaranteed loans. The popular program has been in effect since February 2009.
Funding for loan guarantees and to pay borrower’s loan guarantee fees were available until December 31, 2009 or until the funding ran out. The SBA announced in November that they were out of money already.
The additional $125 million is to be used for new loans made after December 28. Congress expects this money will last for months into 2010.
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.
Tags: ARRA, obama
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
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The Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment is asking the USDA to suspend loans and loan guarantees that are intended to expand poultry and hog production.
The campaign sent a letter containing 25,000 signatures to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack asking for a suspension much like the one that was made under President Clinton in 1999.
According to the letter hog farmers have been “looking at below-cost-of-production for two years now.” While the hog industry is a slump, economic experts believe the industry would overall have to cut breeding stock by 10 percent. However, so far three percentage cuts have been made.
Despite these swindling numbers, the Farm Service Agency has given up $264.4 million in loans for hog and poultry expansions.
Other groups that are involved include The Missouri Rural Crisis Center and Iowas Citizens for Community Improvement.
All groups agree that the freeze would not make producers unable to pay back debts, but in return help the struggling industry to get out of debt.
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.
Tags: hog farmers, obama, Tom Vislack, usda
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke with activists in Des Moines on October 13 in support of Obama’s administration’s efforts to promote farmers markets and locally-grown food in schools, hospitals and other government-ran buildings.
These views were crowd-pleasers, but when he refused to agree with a questioner’s view that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are dangerous, the crowd booed.
Vilsack agreed that he’s open to research on the safety of GMOs, but never said they were a bad idea. “You all see one answer. I talk to other people who see completely different answers,” said Vilsack.
The visit’s main purpose was “Know your farmer, know your food” campaign which is popular with most people in the agricultural industry. Over the past year the popularity of farmers markets has increased by 13 percent. The program would not only promote local farms, but it offers loans to help co-ops and rural businesses to begin food processing.
He added that the locally grown food industry has reached $5 billion in the United States and can help not only improve nutrition, but rural economies in the recession as well.
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.
Tags: obama, Tom Vislack
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Monday, June 8th, 2009
$1 billion in electrical loans have been set aside for rural communities. 60,000 rural customers will have improved electricity quality.
Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 37 rural utilities and cooperatives in 29 states will receive funding from $1 billion that has been set aside. The loans will be used to build and repair over 10,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines.
“President Obama is delivering on his commitment to invest in rural American’s infrastructure by funding upgrades to rural utilities and cooperatives,†Vilsack said in a press release. “rural communities need affordable up-to-date electric service in order to broaden economic opportunities. These loans will enable cooperatives to deliver improved service to more customers.â€
The loans will help provide more reliable electrical sources to the rural communities. 402 rural electrical cooperatives use USDA Rural Development Energy Resources Conservation programs and need to improve their quality.
Here is a full list of availability.
If you are looking to purchase agricultural land contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans and ranch loans are available for you today! Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.
Tags: obama
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Friday, May 15th, 2009
President Barack Obama proposed the government use $1.25 billion to settle discrimination claims by black farmers against the USDA.
The proposal is included in the president’s budget request for 2010.
Black farmers have criticized Obama for neglecting the need of money to fund the claims from a decade ago.
Obama feels that the money would “close this chapter” in the USDA’s history and everyone can move past it.
“My hope is that the farmers and their families who were denied access to USDA loans and programs will be made whole and will have the chance to rebuild their lives and their businesses,” he said.
So far officials form the National Black Farmers Association are happy with the proposal and feel it is a step in the right direction. However, they feel $1.25 billion is not enough money to cover all the claims.
The claims include farmers suing the USDA for denying them government loans and assistance that white farmers have no issue obtaining. In 1999 the government settled most of the claims with nearly $1 billion in damages for 16,000 cases.
If you are in need of a farm loan contact Farm Plus today. Low-rate farm loans are available. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.
Tags: descrimination, obama, usda
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Monday, April 6th, 2009
Grain industry leaders in Oregon, Washington and Idaho wrote a letter to President Obama opposing his proposal to cut payments to farms with revenue over $500,000.
“The purpose of the five-year Farm Bill is to provide stability for producers, agricultural operations and our nation’s food system,” the letter stated. “We believe it’s unwise and unacceptable to dismantle this critical piece of legislation before it has even had a chance to be fully implemented.”
This change would effect over 1,200 Oregon farmers. “The premise is that USDA farm dollars would be going to those who are most in need of money,” Jane Harden, the executive director of the Umatilla County Farm Service Agency told The East Oregonian. “But $500,000 is not much money- it’s actually a very small dollar amount.”
Many expect the proposal to not pass because 50 Congress members already signed a letter opposing it. “Direct payments are necessary to shore up the operating loans needed to make a farm work,” Tammy Dennee of the Oregon Wheat Growers League added.
Denee said the purpose of the letter wasn’t to stop the proposal, but better inform the president of the impact this decision will have. “It’s our opportunity and challenge to help Congress and the new administration understand the interdependence of these programs and how they are viewed in the countryside by growers and their bankers.”
If you are interested in purchasing farm land contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available for a variety of needs. Call 866-929-5585d or visit online for more information about farm loans.
Tags: bill, FSA, grain, idaho, obama, oregon, washington
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Farmers and politicians strongly disagree with President Obama’s plan to cut U.S. Farm Subsidies to any farm that generates over $500,000 in revenue.
Senate Agriculture Committee chairman Tom Harkin and North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgon (D.) have developed possible alternative solutions.
Harkin suggest to shut off direct payments to grain, cotton and soybean growers based off adjusted gross incomes… perhaps between $200,000 and $250,000. This would put subsidies in the hands of farmers that need the money most.
Dorgon suggests the first step in decreasing farm spending is to limit all payments to growers. Dorgan is and has been a longtime supporter of $250,000 payment limit as is Obama.
Either of these suggestions would help the medium sized farms and some large farms that fall under Obama’s plan. Dorgan agrees that the multimillion dollar payments to some corporate farms should be stopped.
Currently there are 126,000 farms with sales above $500,000 and 1.2 million farms have less than $10,000 in sales.
If you are interested in purchasing a farm farm loans are available. Contact a representative by phone (866-929-5585) or online at Farm Plus to assist you in obtaining a farm loan.
Tags: farm subsidies, obama
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
Another state is lashing out against President Obama’s budget. Although there is no way to entirely make everyone happy, each state seems to have their own response to the problem.
Congressional farm leader, Collin Peterson, from Minnesota, is standing up against the announced plan. If the plan would go into play, thousands of Minnesota farms would see a huge portion of their income disappear.
However, at the same time many farmers like Fred Dauer see the importance of the cuts and think it will greatly benefit Minnesota agriculture.
“If you gross over $500,000 you don’t need to get any help from the federal government,” Dauer told Minnesota Public Radio.
Dauer himself does receive some payments from the federal government, but many of his crops including sweet corn, peas and alfalfa do not qualify for subsidy programs.
He pointed out that many of the larger farms use the money from the government to buy more land and slowly squeeze out small farms. This has a huge impact on Minnesota revenue because according to census, most agriculture sales come from small farms.
Others point out that farms, such as soybean farms, that have a revenue of $500,000 ultimately only make $36,000 a year in the long run. That is well below the average income of Americans.
Regardless of the debate to the “proper” solution, few point out that Obama is offering alternatives for farmers to make extra money. His plan includes subsidy payments for “environmental services” including wind turbines and sequestering carbon on the land.
If you are interested in purchasing, refinancing, or expanding a farm, contact Farm Plus. Farm loans are available at low rates. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
Tags: minnesota, obama, subsidies
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
Many powerful farm lobbiest are not seeing eye to eye with President Obama after he announced his budget includes a proposal to cut government subsidies to large farms.
President George W. Bush suggested similar ideas but was fought off by the same lobbyists.
Bush planned to limit annual farm subsidy payments to $250,000, and Obama’s plan looks very similar. Obama wants to eliminate one type of subsidy to farms with sales over $500,000. This subsidy is in the form of direct payments.
According to an Agiculture Department spokesman this change would affect 81,000 farms, or 4 percent across the United States.
Rice and cotton farms would be most effected. These large farms are spread across California, Texas and the Southeast.
Many suspect that Republicans who represent cotton and rice will fight hard against this proposal alongside Democrats from the Plain States.
The spokesperson also pointed out that although this is not a good thing for large farms, ultimately medium to small sized farms will see more money coming their way, especially those growing soy beans and corn.
If you are interested in purchasing a farm please contact Farm Plus for more information on farm loans. Farm loans are available, call 866-929-5585 or visit online.
Tags: obama, subsidies
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