Main University of Extension website

University of Missouri Extension offers farm lease program on November 10th

Landowners and renters can learn about farm leases from the University of Missouri Extension specialists 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10. Participants can attend in person or through Zoom, says Joe Koenen, MU Extension agriculture business specialist, and longtime presenter on farm leases. “Open communication is the key,” Koenen says. “Communication helps landlords and tenants find […]

USDA Logo

Enrollment begins for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for 2021

Agricultural producers can now make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2021 crop year. The signup period opened Tuesday, Oct. 13. These key U.S. Department of Agriculture safety-net programs help producers weather fluctuations in either revenue or price for certain crops, and more than $5 billion […]

Missouri and State Flags

Trump administration invests more than $250,000 to support rural Missouri communities

The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, today announced that the USDA is investing $254,621 in Rural Community Development Initiative grant funds to bolster rural housing, community programs, and economic development. “The USDA Rural Development RCDI program capitalizes on public/private partnerships to provide training and […]

USDA Issues $1.68 billion in payments to producers enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing $1.68 billion in payments to agricultural producers and landowners for the 21.9 million acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which provides annual rental payment for land devoted to conservation purposes. “CRP is one of the many ‘tools’ that USDA offers to producers and private landowners to […]

Roy Blunt Reservoir

“Public Information Open House” to be held in Milan regarding updates to impact statements for East Locust Creek Reservoir

What’s called a “Public Information Open House” is scheduled next month in Milan regarding updates to the environmental impact statement for the East Locust Creek Reservoir in Sullivan County. A draft of the environmental statement includes the construction of a multipurpose reservoir in Sullivan County to be a water source and offer recreational opportunities. An […]

NW Electric Cooperative in Cameron Website

NW Electric Power Cooperative in Cameron receives $35 million loan to improve infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a $35,381,000 loan to the NW Electric Power Cooperative of Cameron to improve 27 miles of electric line. NW Electric maintains 130 sub-stations and approximately 18,000 miles of transmission line while delivering wholesale power to seven distribution cooperatives including from this immediate area, Farmer’s Electric in Chillicothe, Grundy […]

Linemen on electric tower

Trump Administration invests nearly $42 million to improve rural electric infrastructure in rural Missouri, Iowa, & Nebraska

The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Directors for Missouri Jeff Case, for Iowa Grant Menke, and for Nebraska Karl Elmshaeuser, today announced the USDA is investing $41,967,000 to build and improve critical electric infrastructure.  The funding, made possible through the Electric Loan Program, will benefit more than 77,000 rural […]

School Lunches by Anton Murygin

Trump administration extends free meals for kids for entire school year

 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending flexibilities to allow free meals to continue to be available to all children throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year. This unprecedented move is part of USDA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring all children across America have access to nutritious food […]

Farmer Standing in a Field

A big week for pork and soybean export sales

Pork export sales hit a marketing-year high last week. The USDA says the total for the week ending October 1st of 60,200 tons were up more than 50% from the four-week average, with China buying 29,000 tons, a possible sign of significant demand improvement as Germany remains out of the export market because of an […]

USDA Logo

Trump Administration invests more than $5.5 million to support economic development in rural Missouri

The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, announced eight rural electric cooperatives will receive a total of $5,552,000 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state. Rural electric cooperative partnerships are critical in working with rural communities to increase economic development and providing […]

USDA Logo

USDA is investing $8M in North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission

The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, announced that the USDA is investing $8,017,000 to North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission. “Reliable access to clean, safe drinking water is an absolute necessity for a rural community’s ability to attract businesses, retain residents, improve economic conditions, […]

Great seal of Missouri and US Flag with money

Trump Administration invests more than $1 million in rural business development in Missouri

The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, today announced 20 organizations statewide are being awarded a total of $1,068,984 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state. “When rural, small businesses expand and do well, it leads to a positive impact on the […]

Farmer Standing in a Field

Organic certification cost share program available for Missouri farmers

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced today that funding is available to assist Missouri farmers and food processors in obtaining organic certification for their businesses. Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Certification Cost Share Program, producers may be reimbursed for up to $500 of their certification expenses. This year, Missouri received $62,950 in program […]

Carrollton Missouri Fire Department

Carrollton approved for federal loan and grant that benefits Carrollton Fire Department

Carrollton has been approved for a federal loan and grant totaling nearly $25,000 that will benefit the Carrollton Fire Department. USDA Rural Development for Missouri has announced that the USDA is investing over $2.3 million to modernize fire department trucks, engines, and equipment in eight rural Missouri communities. Funds will be provided to Carrollton Leasing […]

USDA Logo

USDA making an additional $1.4 billion available to assist ag producers impacted by COVID-19

The United States Department of Agriculture has announced it is making up to an additional $14 billion in aid available nationwide to assist agricultural producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program funding provided through the CARES Act. The application period will be open from September […]