The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) is accepting applications for funding through its new Show-Me Entrepreneurial Grants for Agriculture (SEGA) program. Missouri entities seeking to add value to agricultural products or provide educational opportunities to those seeking to do so should submit their application by Friday, April 28. “Missouri has a long-term […]
(Missouri Independent) – State agriculture officials from across the country sought this month to remind a new crop of lawmakers in Congress of their states’ needs for a robust farm bill to address a host of food issues. Members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture gathered in Washington for their annual winter […]
A petition signed by more than 2,000 farmers, ranchers, and consumers urging enforcement of antitrust laws has been sent to the White House by the Missouri Rural Crisis Center and the Western Organization of Resource Councils. Tim Gibbons, communications director for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, called President Joe Biden’s 2021 “Executive Order On Promoting […]
(Brownfield) – The Association of Equipment Manufacturers says there are several roadblocks for farmers and ranchers to adopt new precision ag technology. Curt Blades, Senior Vice President with AEM, tells Brownfield the lack of rural broadband tops the list. “There’s a ton of attention and dollars paid to rural broadband. There are still a lot […]
(Brownfield) – Twenty-four state attorneys general, including Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota, say the rule goes beyond the power Congress delegated in the Clean Water Act and raises serious constitutional concerns. Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins says this is a repeat of what happened during the Obama administration. “Honestly, that’s what needs […]
(Brownfield) – A Midwestern hunting outfitter says hunting leases can be a new potential source of income for producers. Bill Hill, who owns and operates Border Bucks Outfitters in northern Missouri and southern Iowa, talks more about hunting leases in this week’s episode of Outdoor Adventures. (Photo via Envato Elements)
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin applying for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup starting February 27 through April 7, 2023. CRP is a cornerstone voluntary conservation program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a key tool in the Biden-Harris administration’s effort to address climate […]
A workshop on Farm Succession Planning will be held in Saint Joseph next month. Preparing for Farm Succession Planning will be at the Buchanan County Extension Office on March 10th from noon to 2:30. Participants will learn how to navigate family and business roles, improve communication, share farm decision-making during a short-term crisis, and form […]
Armchair farming may not be here yet, but it’s getting closer. “Autonomy in agriculture isn’t as far away as you think,” says Kent Shannon, University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist. Agriculture is rapidly shifting to technology that can increase land efficiency, reduce labor shortages and streamline food production, says Shannon. Imagine a world where […]
(Missouri Independent) – In its first meeting of the new congressional session, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry gathered Wednesday for a hearing on the trade and horticulture titles in the upcoming farm bill. The legislators prioritized enforcing the nation’s agricultural trade agreements, expanding access to international markets and supporting underserved producers. […]
Ohio farmers and their advocates head to Washington, D.C., to push for shifting federal programs toward growing nutritious food, as lawmakers gear up to reauthorize the Farm Bill. The cost of groceries has increased by 13% over the past year, driven largely by global supply-chain issues and the war in Ukraine. Angela Huffman, co-founder and vice president […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the details of additional assistance for dairy producers, including a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP) and a new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The update to PMVAP and the new ODMAP will enable USDA to better support small- and medium-sized dairy […]
Farmers who want to purchase or apply restricted-use pesticides on property owned or rented by them must have a private pesticide applicator license. Currently, there are two options to obtain certification or renew a license. The first option is a training session via Zoom. Anyone can join these meetings from their home computer. Visit this […]
As farms continue to see increased input costs and fluctuating returns in 2023, proper planning and decision-making will be critical for the year ahead. Updated enterprise planning budgets from the University of Missouri Extension can help producers manage costs and project revenue for their operations. More than 30 interactive budgets and calculators are available for […]
Tractor maker Deere and Company has reached a deal with the American Farm Bureau Federation to allow independent mechanics to work on John Deere brand farm equipment. Until now, if a mechanic not certified by Deere touched the high-dollar gear, it could void the company warranty, much like cellphone companies which void your warranty if you or […]
A Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Ag Update will be held at the Barton Farm Campus in Trenton. Free sessions will be held on January 31st from 10 am to noon and from 2 to 4 pm. The private pesticide applicator license issued by the Missouri Department of Agriculture is required for producers wanting to […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture made updates to several conservation, livestock, and crop disaster assistance programs to give more farmers, ranchers, and tribes the opportunity to apply for and access programs that support recovery following natural disasters. Specifically, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded eligibility and enhanced available benefits for a suite of its programs. […]
(Brownfield Network) – Missouri Governor Mike Parson told the State Cattlemen’s Convention limiting government intervention will remain a priority for the 2023 state session. Parson tells Brownfield it could be a balancing act as state lawmakers address foreign ag land bills in the legislature. “I think we all want to encourage the American dream for […]
At the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several major developments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will benefit farmers, ranchers, and producers across the nation. “At USDA, our goal is to provide all farmers, including new and underserved producers, with the opportunity to receive the assistance they […]
(Missouri Independent) – Lance Lillibridge, a farmer in east central Iowa, knows farming’s ups and downs. He has been in this business since he was “knee-high to a grasshopper” and is the first of a family of farmers to own his land. But he said the sharp increase in fertilizer prices this year has put […]
