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Posts Tagged ‘small farms’
Monday, February 6th, 2012
While agriculture remains one of the most important parts of the U.S. economy, over the past several decades the industry has been in a state of flux. The growth of large-scale agribusinesses and the gradual aging of farmers (with fewer and fewer young farmers entering the profession, the average age of farmers is increasing) has put significant pressure on small farmers nationwide.
When farmers quit the profession, their land is frequently sold, often to developers who have no interest in continuing agricultural production. According to the American Farmland Trust, a private organization dedicated to preserving farm and ranchland across the country, over 1 million acres of farmland are lost each year.
While many states have created programs dedicated to paying farmers for preserving their farmland, two private companies are raising test funds for a private preservation program. The Davis and Sacramento natural food cooperatives recently began the “One Farm at a Time” Initiative.
The One Farm at a Time initiative hopes to raise between $300,000 and $400,000 to purchase an easement in the Yollo Valley, the location of the Good Humus Farm, the initial target of the cooperatives’ program, that would preserve the area as farmland in perpetuity. In addition, the easement would help younger farmers purchase the land for its agricultural value, which is significantly less than its outright land value.
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: Cailifornia, local farming, small farms
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Monday, October 3rd, 2011
Earlier this week the Fair Farms campaign kicked off a new movement designed to pressure federal legislators to do more to support small farms across the country. On the whole, farming and agriculture in the United States is a thriving business, one of the few bright spots in the U.S. economy. Despite this overall picture, many small farmers are struggling to stay afloat as the industry increasing concentrates more and more production in the hands of large-scale commercial farm organizations.
Michigan farmer Alex Bryan understands this difficulty first hand. In 1990 his family owned farm, which was started in 1900, went bankrupt, forcing Bryan to sell much of his family’s land. Access to funding is a major prohibition on small farmers, Bryan claimed. “To get funding to play in the game, to purchase equipment or to build infrastructure that follows guidelines that may be more appropriate for a large-scale producer, may be prohibitive to the small producer.”
Bryan, as well as other members of Fair Farms, is pushing for increased federal protection for small farms. In 2008, as part of the Farm Bill, the federal government made sweeping stockyard reforms aimed at helping local meatpackers compete with major meatpacking corporations.
Small farming advocates are pushing to extend this legislation to crop producers, hoping to end some of the red tape and regulations that make it difficult for local farmers to compete. This deregulation, combined with increased access to land and capital, will hopefully make it easier for small farmers to stay competitive.
The movement already has support from major politicians like Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, the chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee.
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: farm bill, farm subsidies, small farms, usda
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Sunday, June 12th, 2011
Recent reports by the National Research Council detailed the need for small, sustainable farms in order to guarantee a viable future for the American agricultural sector. Particularly worrisome was the long-term ramifications of increasingly large agribusinesses. The stresses placed on natural resources and the damage done to the environment, according to the group, were not sustainable in the long-term.
Small farms, however, are increasingly rare in the United States. The majority of American food is grown by large-scale agribusinesses rather than small, sustainable farms. The pressures to stay in business, which include rising fuel costs, weak local economies, and difficulty competing with larger rivals, have driven many small farmers out of business.
However, some innovative farmers have found unique ways to remain profitable without having to rely on profits from the sale of agricultural products. Increasingly, many small farms have turned to tourism to remain in business, relying on curiosity from locals to boost dwindling revenue.
Jim and Christie Maguire of San Luis Obispo County, California run a bed and breakfast out of the farm, using money from guests to pay for livestock feed. Other farmers offer corn mazes, haunted houses, pick-it-yourself outings, and other types of agri-tourism to make ends meet. According to the Department of Agriculture, these efforts are necessary. In a recent agricultural census, the USDA found that the average farm household only gets 13 percent of its income from the farm. Over the last five years, as a result of the decline in small farming, the use of agri-tourism has exploded, with average revenues rising from only $7,000 to well over $27,000.
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: Agri-Tourism, National Research Council, small farms
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Sunday, March 6th, 2011
In a reversal of previous regulations, the Oregon House of Representatives passed a bill allowing small farms to butcher animals on their premises. Previous regulations required small farmers to transport livestock to Oregon Department of Agriculture approved processing plants. This transportation is not only time-consuming, but can be prohibitively expensive for small farmers who don’t have ready access to plants in the state. Costs include crating, transportation, and most importantly, time spent going to and from processing plants.
The recently passed bill allows small farmers to butcher their own livestock and sell directly to local consumers. These small farms would not face inspection by the ODA, but would be held to the same standards that processing plants currently face. The proposed legislation would not only free small farmers from strict regulation, but would save them money in a tough economy.
Few people are worried about the impact of this deregulation. Small farmers are confident that transparency would guarantee quality products and protect consumers. By selling directly to their neighbors, they argue that their customers would be their inspectors. Consumers have also expressed support for the idea, praising their newfound ability to know where their food is produced.
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: oregon, small farms
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Monday, April 6th, 2009
In response to recent food scares such as the salmonella outbreak in a Georgia peanut-processing plant, The Food Safety modernization Act of 2009 (H.R> 875) is making its way through congress.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), would establish the Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services. Ultimately leading to a new set of rules for food production for the masses.
Members of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) are concerned the bill will force small, organic farms to use pesticides and other chemicals they do not want to use to prevent disease. CSA farmers feel that it is being sponsored by industrialized food to keep small farms from competing with them.
The bill can be tracked at: http://www.govtrack.us
If you are interested in purchasing farmland- large, medium or small- contact Farm Plus today. With low rate farm loans your dream farm can be an easy reality. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information about farm loans.
Tags: Food Safety Administration, Rosa De Lauro, small farms
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
Many people believe professional farmers get most attention, but in Clark County, Washington the ones who seem to count most are the independent amateur farmers.
“This is something I’m doing because I love doing it,” said Jacki Johnson, 64, of Ridgefield told The Seattle Times. A newly retired citizen, Johnson was looking for extra cash and made $4,000 last year for selling plants at shows and farmers markets. With husband Rick, Johnson owns one of 1,943 farm operations that brought in less than $25,000 in 2007 according to the latest census. This number is up by 36 percent compared to the census taken in 2002.
Johnson never planned to go into farming, she just enjoyed to garden as a hobby. Her early sales were a few plants at church fundraisers and at the garden club. She never imagined it would turn into a part-time job for her. Johnson spends eight hours a day in her garden during the summer and eight hours on Saturdays selling them.
Although small farms are booming, many feel larger farms are slowly declining. In Clark County this is happening more than anywhere in Washington. Many large farms are being developed into various projects. 41 of the county’s 94 farms disappeared between 2002 and 2007.
If you are interested in purchasing a large or small farm, farm loans are available today. Contact Farm Plus Financial for more information about farm loans today. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online to answer any questions or concerns about farm loans.
Tags: small farms, washington
Posted in General, Washinton Farm Loans | 1 Comment »
Friday, February 6th, 2009
The 2007 Agriculture Census is out and contains surprising numbers. Regardless what economical problems the country seems to have, agriculture profits were high and the number of farms is increasing on a national level.
According to the census, the number of farms grew by 76,000. It may be a large number, but the farms are generally “small farms†that are more diversified and have lower sales. In Minnesota farms have increased by 2,200 in the small and micro category. 100 mega farms were also added in Minnesota.
“Agriculture is still a big part of this state’s economy,†Gene Hugoson, the Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner said.
The state of Utah is slowly losing farmland, but the number of small farms and ranches are increasing. The large livestock industry keeps the remaining farms strong. 42 percent of the farms in Utah are labeled as hobby or small farms.
Many feel the interest in small farms is pushed by the interest in organic farming.
Delaware is another state with less farmland than in 2002. The state, dominated by poultry, vegetable, grain and melon crops, is losing 6,000 acres of land a year.
In 2007 Delaware, despite losses, produced over $1 billion in crops, making $210 million in profits. “It tells us Delaware is still a very strong, viable and successful agriculture state,†Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture said.
The state is making an effort to preserve more land, including the already preserved 90,000 acres. “The best way to preserve farm land is to see the farmers are making a profit,†Mark McGrath of the State Department of Agriculture said.
Aside from seeing the number of farms increasing, Ohio found that more women have gained interest in farming. 19 percent more women declare themselves farmers in 2007 than in 2002. Overall the average age of farmers ranges from 55-58.
Despite what anyone thinks now is the time to make farm and ranch dreams a reality. Farm loans are available across the country. Profits are still there and as Mark McGrath said people need to preserve the land by farming. Contact Farm Plus Financial by calling 866-929-5585 or visiting their Web site for more information on farm credit and farm loans.
Tags: agriculture census, small farms
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