The U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing a higher loan limit will be available for borrowers seeking a guaranteed farm loan starting Oct. 1, 2021, from $1.776 million to $1.825 million. “Farm loans are critical for our customers’ annual operating and family living expenses, emergency needs, and cash flow,” FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said. “Raising […]
Tag: production
Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Ryan Tepen, presents program at Trenton Rotary Club
Trenton Rotary Club Member and Edward Jones Financial Advisor Ryan Tepen presented the program at the Trenton Rotary Club meeting on September 30th. He talked about the recent economy and the advantages of mutual funds, which he described as “managed money.” Tepen said mutual funds are a good way to invest by providing risk with […]
Missouri Attorney General files motion to halt St. Louis County attempt to impose a second mask mandate
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a motion to renew and enforce the preliminary injunction in his lawsuit against St. Louis County following County Executive Page’s attempt to illegally impose a second mask mandate. The motion was filed in the existing case against St. Louis County and asks the court to apply the existing preliminary […]
Pearls of Production conference offers hands-on biosecurity training
The Pearls of Production: Women in Agriculture program focuses on leadership and hands-on training for women in livestock production in Missouri. This year’s event, coordinated by the University of Missouri Extension, is Nov. 5-6 in Callaway County and on the MU campus. On Nov. 5, attendees will have a rare opportunity to visit a farrow-to-finish […]
Missouri’s unemployment rate drops by two-tenths to four percent in August, 2021
Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from July 2021 to August 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,300 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in August 2021, […]
USDA and HHS launch resource guide to help rural communities increase access to child care services
United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson and Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development Katie Hamm today unveiled a joint resource guide (PDF, 3.5 MB) to help people in rural and Tribal communities increase access to child care services. “Access to quality, affordable […]
USDA extends deadline to apply for pandemic assistance to livestock producers with animal losses
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing additional time for livestock and poultry producers to apply for the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program. Producers who suffered losses during the pandemic due to insufficient access to processing may now apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals through Oct. […]
Missouri Livestock Symposium keynote speaker, Dr. Frank Mitloehner, to speak on cows and climate change
Dr. Frank Mitloehner, University of California-Davis professor and air quality extension specialist will be the keynote speaker on Friday evening December 3rd at the 22nd annual Missouri Livestock Symposium, says Garry L. Mathes, chairman. The Missouri Livestock Symposium returns to an in-person event on December 3 and 4, 2021 at the William Matthew Middle School […]
USDA launches resource guide to assist rural communities seeking disaster and recovery assistance
United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today unveiled a resource guide as part of National Preparedness Month to help rural communities seeking disaster resiliency and recovery assistance. This guide follows the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement of the American Jobs Plan, which targets investments to support infrastructure in communities that are most physically […]
Missouri monthly jobs report for August, 2021
Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from July 2021 to August 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,300 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in August 2021, […]
TierPoint announces plan to build new data center in the St. Louis Area
TierPoint, a leading provider of secure, connected data center and cloud solutions, announced plans to build a new, 23,000 square foot Tier III data center in the Westport area of St. Louis County, Missouri. Backed by an approximately $20 million commitment, the facility will include 14,500 square feet of production or raised floor space. “Missouri […]
USDA invests $464 million in renewable energy infrastructure to help rural communities, businesses and ag producers reduce energy costs
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Department is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and help rural communities, agricultural producers, and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico. “USDA continues to prioritize climate-smart infrastructure to help rural America build back better, stronger and more […]
Man pleads guilty to the sexual abuse of a two-year-old and a seven-year-old child in order to produce child pornography
A man pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in connection with his sexual abuse of two minor children. According to court documents, Brian Anthony Gilbert, 33, of District Heights, Maryland, uploaded and advertised at least two video files of child pornography depicting an […]
Missouri Department of Agriculture announces grants for funding of urban agriculture projects
The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced funding for the Urban Agriculture Matching Grant Program. The Department will award grants of up to $10,000 for reimbursement of expenses associated with urban agriculture. Eligible projects include urban agricultural projects, which may include introducing a new crop or product to an area, expanding the use of an agricultural […]
Biofuel Infrastructure Incentive Program created to increase distribution and use of biofuels in Missouri
The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) announced the Biofuel Infrastructure Incentive Program (BIIP) to increase the distribution and use of biofuels in the state of Missouri. Funds will be awarded to fuel retailers, fuel distributors, terminal companies, or fleet operations that dispense, or will soon store or dispense, ethanol blends of E15 […]
University of Missouri Extension to host virtual course for women involved in agriculture
The University of Missouri Extension will host a virtual course for women involved in agriculture and who would like to strengthen their farming operation and network with other women in the industry. Annie’s Project will be offered Thursday evenings from 6 o’clock to 8:30 October 7th through November 11th. The course will provide women with […]
USDA updates pandemic assistance for livestock, poultry contract producers and specialty crop growers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19, is part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers […]
Restaurant owner and managers in Missouri among 19 charged in RICO Indictment
The owner of dozens of Mexican restaurants in several states, along with the company’s president, CFO, controller, and sales manager are among 19 defendants charged in a federal racketeering conspiracy to hire undocumented workers. Also among those charged are eight current or former managers of restaurants located in Butler, Springfield, Lebanon, West Plains, Willow Springs, […]
USDA accepts 2.8 million acres for the Conservation Reserve Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has accepted 2.8 million acres in offers from agricultural producers and private landowners for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Program in 2021. This year, almost 1.9 million acres in offers have been accepted through the General CRP Signup, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency has accepted over 897,000 acres for enrollment […]
Meatpacking plants have long relied on immigrant labor. Some now turn to foreign visa workers
(Missouri Independent) – Colored hard hats distinguish different roles and jobs at Seaboard Foods, a major meatpacking plant in Guymon, Oklahoma. Senior management have green. Supervisors wear dark blue. Foreign workers on visas don yellow-green. But Seaboard is part of a small but growing trend in the meatpacking industry, which already largely relied on an […]