Students from Chillicothe were among the more than 250 high school students and teachers from around the state who attended a career awareness day on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Litton Agri-Science Learning Center in Chillicothe. The conference, “Communicating News About Science and Agriculture,” focused on storytelling in science, agriculture, journalism, and communication-related areas. The […]
Tag: Department of Agriculture
GRM Networks in Princeton receives USDA grant of $41.6 million dollars through ReConnect Program
GRM Networks of Princeton recently received a $41.6 million grant/loan from the United States Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program helping GRM Networks fulfill its commitment to bring fiber-optic connectivity to northern Missouri and southern Iowa. USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce awarded the grant/loan to GRM at a reception held at the David Callaway […]
Educational program on industrial hemp to be held at Forage Systems Research Center near Linneus
Industrial hemp was once widely grown in Missouri as a fiber crop. The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 made it illegal to produce or possess any form of the cannabis plant. Recent changes in federal and state legislation have increased interest in growing hemp for fiber, grain, and CBD oil. An educational program will be […]
USDA Risk Management Agency to defer accrual of interest for 2019 crop insurance premiums
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency announced Thursday that it will continue to defer accrual of interest for 2019 crop year insurance premiums to help farmers and ranchers affected by this year’s “extreme weather.” The USDA will defer the accrual of interest on crop insurance premiums to the earlier of the applicable […]
Heifer buyers at Kirksville SMS sale get free trucking for volume buys
Beef herd replacements bought at the Show-Me-Select heifer sale, Nov. 22, at Kirksville, may be trucked to new homes for free. “Free trucking is a first this year,” says sale manager Zac Erwin. Herd owners selling in the sale give the perk to attract bidders. Benefits go to those buying 10 or more heifers. Heifers […]
Grundy County resident, William “Bill” Siebenborn, honored with national award
The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board honored William “Bill” Siebenborn as the 2019 recipient of the Richard E. Lyng Award for his contributions and distinguished service to dairy promotion. Siebenborn, a dairy farmer from Trenton, Missouri, was recognized at the Joint NDB/ National Milk Producers Federation/United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) Annual Meeting in NewOrleans. […]
Missouri Department of Agriculture releases proposed rules for industrial hemp program
The Missouri Department of Agriculture is working to establish regulations and procedures in advance of the 2020 industrial hemp growing season. As part of the rulemaking process, the Department is asking for public comment on the proposed industrial hemp rules, and citizens may submit their comments beginning today. The proposed rules are currently available for […]
Audio: Missouri farmer fined for violations of Dicamba rules
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Plant Board has fined a Missouri farmer $105,000 for violating Arkansas’ dicamba laws and regulations in 2018. Greg Hay, president of the state Plant Board says the farmer committed four egregious violations of the state’s dicamba rules. “There were two drifting off-target violations,” he says. “And two violations of using […]
Workshop in Warrenton focuses on industrial hemp
The University of Missouri Extension is offering a workshop on the emerging industrial hemp industry in Missouri. MU Extension field specialist in horticulture Justin Keay says speakers will include MU Extension specialists, the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s hemp program director, Missouri Hemp Trade Association representatives, and hemp growers and processors. Keay says it is important […]
USDA opens 2020 enrollment for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs
Agricultural producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs – two U.S. Department of Agriculture safety net programs – for the 2020 crop year. Meanwhile, producers who enrolled farms for the 2018 crop year have started receiving more than $1.5 billion for covered commodities for which payments […]
Great Value pork and turkey sausage products recalled due to possible Salmonella
George’s Prepared Foods, a Caryville, Tenn. establishment, is recalling approximately 6,444 pounds of ready-to-eat pork sausage patty and turkey sausage patty products that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The ready-to-eat pork and turkey sausage patty items were produced on April 19, 2019, April 27, 2019, May 7, 2019, and May 9, 2019. The following products […]
Six Show-Me-Select heifer sales set for fall season across Missouri
Six sales of Show-Me-Select heifers from spring-calving herds are set for this fall with the sales extending a Missouri benefit for beef farmers. The fall auctions offer bred heifers with known development and genetics. They come from farms in the University of Missouri Extension heifer program. Six sales run from November 15 to December 15. […]
Community of Laredo receives loan and grant for nearly $534,000
The City of Laredo will receive funding from the United States Department of Agriculture to assist with making improvements to the city’s wastewater system. The city will receive a loan for $187,000 and a grant for $346,310. The USDA notes Laredo’s wastewater system was constructed in the 1980s and needs upgrades to meet ammonia standards. […]
Missouri Industrial Hemp Program posts proposed regulations
The Missouri Department of Agriculture posted proposed rules for the Missouri Industrial Hemp Program three weeks early. The rules, as required by provisions in Senate Bill 133, will amend existing regulations and transition the legal growth of industrial hemp in Missouri from a pilot research program to a commercially regulated program. The Department posted the […]
Deadline extended for NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program
The application deadline has been extended in Missouri for the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Protection Program. The deadline has been extended to November 27, 2019, due to the addition of 14 Missouri counties recently added to a federal disaster declaration following flooding this year. Missouri State Conservationist J. […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve bidding out of repairs
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen has approved bidding out electric barn roof repairs following a discussion on the number of electric reserve funds released when the city refinanced electric bonds last year. City Administrator Lance Rains and City Clerk Hattie Rains led the discussion. The cash amount deposited in March 2018 was $98,220.31. The last […]
USDA to provide $150 million in help for rural communities affected by natural disasters
U.S. Department of Agriculture Missouri State Director Jeff Case highlighted $150 million in grants available through the Community Facilities Program to help rural communities continue their recovery from the devastating effects of hurricanes, fires, and other natural disasters such as the recent severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Missouri. This announcement is in conjunction with […]
City of Carrollton receives grant to purchase skid loader
Carrollton has been awarded over $66,000 from the US Department of Agriculture, rural development division, to purchase a skid loader for snow removal and street maintenance. The USDA website listed the applicant as the Carrolton Leasing Association Incorporated. The community facilities program funding includes a loan of $43,400 and a grant of $23,300. A total […]
Career awareness day to be held at Litton Agri-Science Center in Chillicothe
A career awareness day for high school students will be held at the Litton Agri-Science Learning Center of Chillicothe focusing on the importance of storytelling in sharing news and information. The Missouri School of Journalism and the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri will hold “Communicating News About Science […]
Useful USDA resources available for farmers hurt by 2018, 2019 disasters
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced that agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including Hurricane Dorian, can apply for assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Signup for this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program began Sept. 11, 2019. “U.S. agriculture has been dealt a hefty […]