Growth in Operating Loans Boosts Farm Lending

The volume of non-real estate farm debt continued to increase in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to the Federal Reserve’s Agricultural Finance Databook. Total non-real estate farm loans were up nearly eight percent from a year ago, which was the seventh consecutive quarter of annual growth in loan volumes. In a news release, the Federal Reserve said the increase …

Water-Saving Techniques for Natural Irrigation

In the second of her series on irrigation, Cathy Isom discusses several of the water-saving garden techniques for natural irrigation. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. We are much better off using rainwater for our irrigation needs. It’s fresher, not chemically cleaned, and best of all it’s free. All that’s required, is making small changes to the landscape …

Some FSA Offices Opens Tuesday

Last week USDA announced they were going to temporarily reopen some Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices across the country to perform certain limited services for farmers. Tyron Spearman reports if you were not able to stop by last Thursday and Friday, they will be open this Tuesday, January 22. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps …

Shutdown Costly for USDA

The record-long partial government shutdown is likely to cost billions and has already hamstrung the nation’s 2-million or so farming operations. Everyone knows how tough it is to get back to work after a long absence. But if you’re USDA, with a huge backlog of farm program and other applications, implementing a farm bill, paying furloughed workers, and more, it’s daunting. …

Vilsack: Shutdown Impacts Could Last Years

The government shutdown could cause a ripple effect across the federal government for years, according to former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Vilsack recently told Politico that the effects could take years to realize, like the ramifications of pausing some Forest Service efforts to reduce fire hazards. Specifically, Vilsack said, “You may not see the consequences of this until August of …

Florida Hurricane Michael Relief Fund Reminder

Farmers and ranchers in North Florida that suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael are being reminded that applications are still being accepted for help through “The Hurricane Michael Relief Fund for Agriculture”. Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) created the relief fund to help North Florida farm families recovering from agricultural-related losses from the storm. These applications are limited to North …

Register Now for Georgia Organics Conference

Farmers and those interested in the organics industry are invited to attend the 2019 Georgia Organics Conference & Expo on Feb. 8-9 in Tifton, Georgia. Suzanne Girdner, community outreach manager with Georgia Organics, says this year’s event has something for everyone. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded …

Meat Inspectors, Price Reporting Staff Still On The Job

In response to erroneous reports in the news and (mostly) on social media, the National Pork Producers Council is reminding pork producers and consumers that federal meat inspectors are working in meat packing plants despite the government shutdown. NPPC – and other livestock groups – a year ago urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to deem as essential USDA Food Safety …

EU Won’t Include Agriculture In Trade Talks With U.S.

The National Pork Producers Council said it cannot support a trade agreement between the United States and the European Union that does not include agriculture, after the European Commission today issued draft negotiating mandates to EU member states that doesn’t include talks on agriculture. “We are infuriated,” said NPPC President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio. “The EU …