The United State Department of Agriculture continues to invest in rural America with more than $4.8 billion in payments being made, starting this month, to agricultural producers through the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs. Approximately $3 billion in payments will be made under the […]
Tag: agriculture
Secretary of Agriculture announces $9.4M in Support of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will issue $9.4 million in grants to provide enhanced training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known […]
Audio: Rusty Black and Dennis Van Dyke participate in forum at NCMC
In a forum held at the campus of North Central Missouri College of Trenton Monday, the two candidates for the Seventh District State Representative in next month’s General Election shared their priorities and goals for entering into 2019. Incumbent Republican Rusty Black of Chillicothe explained his goals had not changed much since he was elected […]
Gallatin FFA members selected to perform onstage at National FFA Convention & Expo
Several area FFA members including Jacob Wilson, Macie McNeely and Bethany Bailey who are members of the Gallatin FFA chapter will be on stage and in the spotlight October 24 through the 27th during the 2018 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Wilson, a senior and the son of Jason and Abbey Wilson, has […]
Audio: Governor Parson proclaims October as Missouri Pork Month
The governor has proclaimed October as Missouri Pork Month, to recognize the commitment of the state’s pork producers. Brian Hauswirth with Missourinet has the story. Governor Mike Parson presented the proclamation at the state Department of Agriculture (MDA) in Jefferson City on Monday. Missouri Pork Association (MPA) Executive Vice President Don Nikodim tells […]
Claire McCaskill investigates Department of Agriculture staffing issues
United States Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri has called for answers regarding insufficient staffing levels at US Department of Agriculture offices in Missouri. McCaskill wrote to Natural Resources Conservation Service Acting Chief Leonard Jordan saying failure to hire and retain full-time staff during hard times puts producers and natural resources at risk. She added that […]
Missouri Department of Agriculture announces grants for urban and non-traditional agriculture
The Missouri Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced up to $100,000 for the Urban and Non-Traditional Agriculture Matching Grant Program. The department will award grants of up to $7,500 for reimbursement of expenses associated with urban and non-traditional agriculture. Eligible projects include introducing a new crop or product to an area or expanding the use […]
Audio: Six District Congressman Sam Graves on trade tariffs and the farm bill
Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves, during a visit to Trenton this week, was questioned on President Trump’s trade tariffs with other countries, including their impact on agriculture. Graves, who’s also a farmer, was asked his thoughts on the USDA programs offering financial assistance in response to the tariffs. The federal farm bill […]
USDA announces investments to support infrastructure and other essential services for rural Missourians
USDA Rural Development State Director Jeff Case announced today that the USDA is investing over $734,000 in eight (8) projects that will build community infrastructure and provide essential services for over 57,000 rural Missourians. “The commitment to improving infrastructure and essential services throughout rural America is a priority of this administration,” said Case. “USDA is […]
Workshops to offer help on hiring, retaining farm workers
The University of Missouri Extension will hold workshops throughout the state on how to attract and keep quality farm laborers. “This one-day workshop was developed by MU Extension to help you improve your labor management and finances and protect your business,” says MU Extension agricultural economist Ryan Milhollin. Attendees will learn tips to recruit, train, […]
Audio: Dicamba crop damage complaints decline in 2018
The number of alleged crop damage complaints has declined this year in Missouri from a weed killer called dicamba. Labeling changes are being credited for fewer alleged crop damage complaints this year in Missouri from a weed killer called dicamba. State Agriculture Department Director Chris Chinn says the staff is working to wrap […]
Deadline to apply for Environmental Quality Incentives Program is November 16th
The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the deadline to apply for the Fiscal Year 2019 funds through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program is November 16th. EQIP allows farmers, ranchers, forestland managers, and landowners to conserve natural resources by making financial assistance available to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals, […]
Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst makes statement on new Mexico, Canada trade agreement
Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst made the following statement regarding the new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, and Congress’s failure to pass a new farm bill: “Missouri farmers are breathing a sigh of relief as the United States, Mexico and Canada have joined together in a new trade agreement. The United States, Mexico, […]
MU Extension receives grant to grow beginning farmers and ranchers program
The University of Missouri Extension will receive a $432,747 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grant through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant runs from September 2018 to August 2021, says MU Extension BFRDP coordinator Karen Funkenbusch. MU Extension is one of 36 BFRDP grant recipients. Teams of experts plan […]
NCMC agriculture students provide demonstrations at Barton Farm Campus open house
Over thirty North Central Missouri College Agriculture & Natural Resources students demonstrated skills and techniques at Elizabeth & Arthur Barton Farm Campus during Open House held on September 19, 2018. Students demonstrated animal handling, crop yield testing, drone demonstrations, and various other agriculture expertise. Attendees heard remarks at the Hoffman-Robbins Shelter House from Student Senate […]
Mission of LEPC is to plan for hazardous materials incidents
The Grundy County Local Emergency Planning Committee plans for hazardous materials incidents. Grundy County Emergency Management Director Glen Briggs says those include agriculture, transportation, rail, and pipeline incidents. The LEPC also provides funding for training. Thirteen individuals are required by law to attend LEPC meetings. Those include representatives of the police, fire, hospital, public health, […]
Grundy Electric receives $10M loan from USDA
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced Wednesday that the United States Department of Agriculture is investing more $398,500,000 to improve rural electric service in 13 states through the Electric Infrastructure Loan Program. Grundy Electric Cooperative, which is headquartered in Trenton, received a $10,000,000 loan, which includes $270,000 for smart grid projects. […]
Missouri Farm Bureau awards mini-grants to teachers
The Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture awarded ten $250 classroom min-grants and seven $500 grade level grants to allow teachers accurate materials to help connect students to agriculture. Several mini-grants were awarded to Livingston County recipients. Grade level grant recipients included Linda Hauck, Rebecca Lewis, Kari Snyder, and Shelby Ward as well as Andrea […]
Barn becomes a classroom for day at MU Thompson Farm
The Thompson Farm calving barn became a classroom for the University of Missouri. The teachers were MU graduate students and their mentors. Their listeners were beef farmers on Sept. 17. In his field day greeting, Chris Daubert said this farm was a classroom as much as any building on the Columbia campus. Daubert, dean of […]
USDA provides additional food options to SNAP participants impacted by Hurricane Florence
The U.S. Department of Agriculture yesterday approved a waiver that will allow participants in the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in North Carolina to buy hot foods with their benefits through October 31, 2018. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue emphasized the importance of the waiver, noting that many North Carolina residents evacuated to shelters cannot […]