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Posts Tagged ‘Tom Vislack’
Friday, March 4th, 2011
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the Department of Agriculture is offering loans and grants for over 500 renewable energy programs to help farms and ranchers become more energy efficient and reduce energy costs. The USDA is offering over $30 million in loans to over 500 recipients, with funding provided through the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP.
“These loans and grants will generate and save energy for the nation’s farmers and rural small businesses for decades to come,” Vilsack said. “The funding will help replace outdated equipment, such as old, inefficient grain dryers, insulate buildings, allow recipients to obtain energy audits and incorporate renewable energy technologies into their operations so they can compete in the 21st Century global economy.”
Rural farmers and businesses across the country have benefited from these REAP loans. Keith Alverson, a South Dakota farmer, has received nearly $100,000 in loans and grants to purchase new grain elevators and to make energy efficiency improvements to his Chester farm.
Authorized in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, REAP funding rests upon the recipient meeting various conditions for grants and loans. More information on REAP can be found here.
This article compliments of Farm Plus Financial. 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: REAP, renewable energy, Tom Vislack, usda
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
The National Pork Producers council (NPPC) asked the government to purchase $50 million of pork products for government assisted programs.
The USDA Undersecretary Michael Scuse said the USDA will decide by the end of November whether the government plans to take action or not.
Since September 2009 hog producers have lost $23 per hog marketed and according to the NPPC president, things are not going to get better.
“The department continues to evaluate pork market conditions and, if justified, (USDA) will initiate additional surplus removal purchases this fiscal year,” Scuse said.
During fiscal 2009 the USDA spent $164.6 million on 100 million pounds of pork for donations to food banks.
Many producers said they feel high feed costs are the reason for the current slump in the hog industry. Other factors include the H1N1 scare and lost of U.S. exports.
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.
Tags: hog farmers, NPPC, Tom Vislack
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
President Obama signed a bill in October that provides $290 million for dairy farmers across the United States, and $60 million will buy excess dairy supply to go to food banks and nutrition programs.
Although there is extra money, many wonder if it will help in the end.
On average, every time a farmer milks a cow he or she is losing money. According to the NDSU Extension Service, each farmers loses $1,000 per cow. The problem is that there is so much milk available on the market that there is too much competition. However, more importantly less people are buying milk.
This isn’t just happening in the dairy industry, it is happening across all fields of agriculture.
Farmers look forward to the payment, but they recognize it is not enough to make much of a difference.
“In a dairy like this it won`t even make up two to three weeks for our lost income so far,” North Dakota farmer, Mark Doll said. “It`s some help but it`s not going to get us back to where we need to be.”
Farmers are optimistic that in time the industry will pick back up.
There is no word on how much money each producer will receive, but the amount will be based on the size of the operation.
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.
Tags: dairy industry, Tom Vislack
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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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Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
The USDA is accepting applications for loans to assist producers looking to add value to the commodities they produce. The Value Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG) will award $18 million in loans to farmers across the country.
In a press release Vilsack said, “These grants strengthen rural economies and create jobs by helping farmers and ranchers add value to their agricultural products by using them for planning activities such as feasibility studies, marketing and business plans, or for working capital,†Vilsack said. “This program also supports President Obama’s goal to expand our nation’s renewable energy resources by helping farmers develop renewable energy from agricultural products.â€
Applicants may be awarded grants between $100,000 and $300,000. Projects that use existing agriculture products in non-traditional ways should be proposed; the more creative, the better. Any size business can apply for the loans, but small to medium-sized farms have the best chance (those with income less than $700,000 a year).
Those interested can apply via the internet or by mail. Contact your local Farm Service Agency for more information. Electronic applications must be submitted 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.
Tags: Tom Vislack, usda, VAPG
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Thursday, September 24th, 2009
Massachusetts governor Deval L. Patrick is asking for government help after a cool, wet summer that left farmers and producers’ crops in limbo.
Patrick wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking for low-interest loans up to $500,000 for any farmers affected by the weather problems. In the letter Patrick asked for loans “due to excessive moisture, flooding, hail and cool temperatures.”
To date Massachusetts has experienced losses from 30 to 100 percent from disease or poor weather. Strawberry, tobacco, potato, yellow corn and tomato crops have been greatly damaged.
If disaster is declared, farmers who suffered at least 30 percent loss will be eligible.
Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan with Farm Plus before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.
Tags: disaster, massachusetts, Tom Vislack
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Friday, August 28th, 2009
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and California’s senior senator Dianne Feinstein promised farmers they would work towards a solution for the ever-growing water crisis that has hit California in recent years.
Vilsack toured the state on Wednesday listening to concerns from farmers, meat packers and other producers. These concerns ranged from trade tariffs to problems in the citrus industry. However, the biggest concern was California’s failing ecosystem.
California producers have faced a drought for the last three years. The restrictions on delta water deliveries, to protect native fish, have caused farmers to lose more than a quarter-million acres of land as well as left thousands of people without jobs.
“I understand these are serious issues with serious consequences,” Vilsack said. “I will tell the President it’s not just about California, but it’s about the country and the world.”
Feinstein began a water summit following Vilsack’s visit in Coalinga. Major growers from Sacramento Valley to Los Angeles made the journey to be heard.
“We are the largest agricultural state in the union and if agriculture can’t function here, it means more and more of our food will be brought in from other countries,” Feinstein said. “I think we need to stay out of the courts and sit down around the table … to find solutions.”
Recently there have been a number of legal battles over the slim water supply causuing reduced irrigation flows to the valley. Drought has resulted from the low level of rainfall, leaving delta and rivers for the soul purpose of housing native fish. For the past two years salmon season has been called off due to the drought as well.
Water managers are looking to take steps to prevent harm to the fish by presenting the “Two Gates Proposal.” Water management has $27 million available to finance a gate that would keep fish from being killed by the pumps.
During his tour, Vilsack said this problem may just be affecting California now, but it should be a wake up call for every other state.
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Tags: drought, Tom Vislack
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Friday, August 28th, 2009
According to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, growers who produced wheat, barley and oats will not receive any payments from the USDA during the 2008 counter-cyclical payment cycle.
Price for these crops have averaged above levels that trigger counter-cyclical payments. Marketing year prices per bushel are $3.15 for oats, $6.78 for wheat and $3.82 for barley.
Looking for a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today! We not only have low-rate loans available today, but work alongside government agencies like the Farm Service Agency to get you the loans you need. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information about farm loans.
Tags: FSA, loans, Tom Vislack, wheat
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
It’s no secret that American farmers provide our country with an abundance of food, but also fuel, fiber and feed. Farmers, and many Americans quite possibly, agree that the government needs to protect the industry especially in our current economic crisis.
The USA Rice Federation along with 10 other national and regional farm groups recently wrote a letter to the Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reassuring their strong support for the 2008 Farm Bill’s safety net. The letter not only showed their support, but explained why it is so important for the public.
“That benefit is due to the hard work of American farmers and the safety net that provides both stability and a small degree of certainty to farmers in an industry where risk is enormous and can be impossible for a producer to control,” the letter said according to the Delta Farm Press.
After the passing of the 2008 Farm Bill, commodity prices have greatly decreased. The fixed direct payment, part of the safety net program, is the only thing “currently helping every farmer with base acres to deal with steep increases in input costs, dramatic commodity market swings, and increasing uncertainty in the credit markets that they rely on to keep their farms running.”
The organizations hope to discuss further safety issues with Vilsack.
Despite current economic woes, farm loans are available and now is as good of time as any to make your farm dreams come true. Farm Plus has many opportunities for farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information on farm loans.
Tags: Rice Federation, Tom Vislack
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