USDA Sign

USDA announces $16M funding opportunity to support socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced up to $16 million in available funding to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program). […]

USDA Logo

USDA to host flood recovery assistance meetings

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and Missouri state partner agencies are holding four public meetings, July 23, 24, 25 and August 13th to discuss flood recovery assistance available for agricultural producers. The meetings will take place: Tuesday, July 23, 1:30-4:15 p.m. at the URSA Farmers Coop, 307 Elm Street, Canton. Wednesday, July 24, 9:00-11:45 a.m. […]

USDA Logo

USDA extends deadline to report spring-seeded crops in Missouri

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline to file crop acreage reports for agricultural producers in Missouri impacted by flooding and heavy moisture. The new July 22 deadline applies to reporting spring-seeded crops to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices and federal crop insurance agents. “Agriculture operations throughout the state have […]

Chillicothe FFA Members attend HYMAX Academy

Chillicothe FFA members attend HYMAX Academy

One hundred members from across Missouri attended the Annual HYMAX Academy from June 14 – June 16, 2019. HYMAX, Helping Youth Maximize their Agricultural eXperience, is a prestigious State Leadership Academy sponsored by the Missouri FFA Association and held at Camp Rising Sun, located within the Lake of the Ozarks State Park. The 2019 HYMAX […]

Bag of rice

United States makes first sale of rice to China

GUANGZHOU, CHINA – After decades chasing the enormous China market, a sale of U.S. rice was confirmed here last week. “This sale marks a turning point for the U.S. rice industry and its relationship with China as it is the first ever of U.S. rice to a private importer and is truly historic as it […]

Farm Service Agency FSA

Farm Service Agency nominations open for county committee members

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency will begin accepting nominations for county committee members Friday, June 14, 2019. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated for candidacy. Individuals may nominate themselves or others and organizations may also nominate candidates. Members serve three-year terms. The committees are […]

Farm News graphic

USDA reopens continuous CRP Sign-up, extensions available for expiring contracts

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency will accept applications for certain practices under the Conservation Reserve Program continuous sign-up beginning June 3rd and offer extensions for expiring CRP contracts. The FSA stopped accepting applications last fall for the CRP continuous sign up when 2014 Farm Bill authority expired, however, the 2018 Farm […]

CAFO Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

Missouri House approves SB-391 that prevents counties from passing health ordinances aimed at CAFOs

The Missouri House of Representatives has given final approval to Senate Bill 391, legislation that would prevent counties from passing health ordinances aimed at large agricultural operations. The House voted 103-44 to approve the bill, which would prevent county health boards or county commissioners from passing standards stricter than state law. The Missouri House of […]

Overhead view of CAFO

Audio: Missouri House approves CAFO health ordinance legislation

The Missouri House has given final approval to legislation that would prevent counties from passing health ordinances aimed at large agricultural operations.     The House voted 103-44 today to approve the bill from Pleasant Hill State Representative Michael Haffner, which would prevent county health boards and/or county commissioners from passing standards that are stricter […]

Food Stamps or SNAP

USDA urges states to require child support cooperation through SNAP

The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a memorandum to state agencies (PDF, 156 KB) encouraging them to require Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to cooperate with child support programs. “We want states to take action to ensure that SNAP and child support work together to help children,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “Increasing […]

USDA Logo

Cost-share funding available to assist produce growers in paying for Good Agricultural Practices certification

Cost-share funding is available to help produce growers pay for USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification. “These funds are available for Missouri farmers who are applying for USDA GAP certification for the first time or for farms who are reapplying for USDA GAP certification,” said Londa Nwadike, state food safety specialist for the University of […]

USDA Sign

USDA extends deadline for producers to certify 2018 crop production for Market Facilitation Program payments

USDA extended the deadline to May 17 from May 1 for agricultural producers to certify 2018 crop production for payments through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which helps producers who have been significantly affected by foreign tariffs, resulting in the loss of traditional exports. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) extended the deadline because heavy rainfall […]