USDA

Ag Census Deadline Nears

Scott Stuntz — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:11:07 +0000

The deadline for the USDA’s Ag census is at the end of the month. It's conducted every 5 years and collects information on land prices and ownership as well as agricultural practices.

Heavy Rain Delays Planting for Tri-States

Scott Stuntz — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:21:49 +0000

Iowa received almost twice its average amount of rainfall in April. The precipitation replenished soil moisture but delayed this spring’s planting.

USDA Report on Honey Bee Health

Jason Parrott — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:30:48 +0000

A new report from the USDA identifies multiple reasons why honey bees are dying off in the United States.

Drought Hit Western IL Crops Unevenly

Scott Stuntz — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:01:03 +0000

Recently released numbers by the USDA show that the drought affected crop yields last hear differently across Western Illinois.

Corn yields in McDonough and Mason counties were down thirty bushels per acre from last year. Adams and Pike County were down 60 bushels while Mercer County was actually up twenty.

Deadline Looms for USDA Discrimination Claims

Scott Stuntz — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:24:39 +0000

Women and Hispanic farmers who believe that were discriminated against by the USDA have one month left to file a claim with the federal government.

Women and Hispanic farmers who believe they were denied USDA farm service loans have until march 25th to file claims.

USDA Cracks Down on Food Stamp Fraud

Scott Stuntz — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:35:04 +0000

The USDA says it’s changing the rules of its aid program commonly known as “food stamps” to help crack down on fraud.

The agency is expanding its legal definition of “trafficking” to crack down on people exchanging food stamp benefits for cash.

USDA Works with Farmers to Cut Greenhouse Gases

Scott Stuntz — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:28:16 +0000

A program across Illinois and Iowa is looking at ways for farmers to help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases they produce, and to be compensated for it.

The program explores ways farmers can change the way they apply nitrogen fertilizer to reduce the amount of nitrous oxide gas that is created.

USDA Proposes Rules Mandating Healthier Snacks in Schools

Scott Stuntz — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:46:14 +0000

Months after the USDA enacted rules making school lunches healthier, the agency is proposing rules to mandate healthier snacks in schools as well.

The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 set new guidelines for school lunches but also required the USDA to establish nutrition standards for all food served in schools, not just lunches.

USDA Creates New Microloan Program

Scott Stuntz — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:13:02 +0000

The USDA has launched a new microloan program that it says is designed to help small and family operations along with beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers.

According to a local farm loan specialist it may especially help a specific kind of small farmer, and give a boost to the local food movement.

Funding Will Advance Colchester Sewer Project

James Lenz — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:10:31 +0000

Colchester has the last and most important component to move forward with a large-scale sewer project-money.

The USDA's Rural Development program will give the city a grant of a $1.56 million and a loan of $2.35 million. The interest rate on the loan is 2.125%.

Mayor Danny Bice is glad for the money but he still thinks it will put stress on the city's finances.

He says, “We were actually hoping to get a little bit more (in the grant). We're going to have to run the numbers and make sure it's still feasible for the customers in town.”