USDA Reconnect Program

United States Department of Agriculture Accepting Applications for Rural Broadband Program

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Tuesday that the United States Department of Agriculture is accepting online applications for funding through the new ReConnect Rural Broadband Pilot Program. The funds will enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient […]

Smithfield Food Website

Smithfield Foods & RAE launch joint venture to create renewable energy, wildlife habitat

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Roeslein Alternative Energy (RAE) have formed a joint venture called Monarch Bioenergy to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) across Smithfield’s hog farms in Missouri. This partnership converts manure collected from Smithfield farms into RNG, while simultaneously delivering ecological services and developing wildlife habitat. Once complete, all Smithfield company-owned finishing farms in […]

Typical pen style CAFO ( Photo by Darrell Hoemann - Investigate Midwest)

Audio: Controversial agriculture bill could resurface today in Missouri Senate

A controversial agriculture bill could resurface today in the Missouri Senate.     The state Senate could debate today whether to ban Missouri counties from enforcing rules stricter than state regulations required for large animal feeding operations. Jefferson City Republican Mike Bernskoetter’s bill would bar counties from limiting where the farming operations, known as CAFOs, […]

Flood of 2019

USDA hosting public meetings about assistance available for flood damages

Representatives of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and State of Missouri agencies will participate in public meetings May 2-3 in northwestern Missouri to explain various types of flood-recovery assistance available to landowners and units of government. During the meetings, representatives of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development […]

Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson requests Army Corps of Engineers manage Missouri River for flood control, navigation

Governor Mike Parson has submitted written testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.  The committee field hearing in Glenwood, Iowa, will focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers river management following devastating flooding in the region. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley will participate. Witnesses will include officials from the Army Corps as well […]

Farm Field

Funding available to farmers interested in installing edge-of-field monitoring stations

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is making $2 million available to interested farmers to help install voluntary edge-of-field monitoring stations on agricultural land in five states, including Missouri.  “Edge-of-field water quality monitoring provides quantifiable data that supports voluntary-based conservation efforts aimed at reducing the movement of sediment and nutrients off Missouri farms,” State Conservationist […]

Electric Transmission Line

USDA invests in rural electric infrastructure and smart grid improvements in 13 States

Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley announced that USDA is investing $485 million to upgrade rural electric systems and reduce energy costs. The funding includes nearly $7.1 million for smart grid technologies that improve system operations and monitor grid security. “Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is a proud […]

Cattle in ring at sale

Show-Me-Select spring heifer sales set at four auction barns across Missouri

Spring sales of Show-Me-Select replacement heifers are set in four auction barns across the state in April, May, and June. Spring sales offer bred replacement heifers for fall-calving herds, says Dave Patterson, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist.  All heifers sold meet strict standards taught in MU Extension’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. Only owners enrolled […]

FFA logo

Area schools compete in FFA events

Judging occurred in 11 categories Tuesday on the first day of career development events held for FFA members at schools across northwest Missouri. Princeton FFA had teams capture first place in two events: horses and livestock. Grundy R-5 won first place in farm management. Gilman City took first in agronomy. Among individual results: Princeton students […]

Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri

Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri hosts VOICE program

Third through fifth-grade students from Lathrop Elementary School learned about different occupations from real-world employees during a recent Vocational Opportunities Inspiring Children in Elementary program held by the Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri. During the VOICE program, students visit six stations, which represent career areas of which schools and the Missouri Department of […]