News you can use
News you can use
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Press release BOZEMAN — U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced Monday awards of more than $1.1 million in grant funding to 12 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across Montana through the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, so they can invest in renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. “These projects are part of one of the largest investments in history to foster a wider use of renewable energy. They benefit Mon...
SCOTT McFETRIDGE The Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — Called cover crops, they top the list of tasks U.S. farmers are told will build healthy soil, help the environment and fight climate change. Yet after years of incentives and encouragement, Midwest farmers planted cover crops on only about 7% of their land in 2021. That percentage has increased over the years but remains small in part because even as farmers receive extra payments and can see numerous benefits from cover crops, they remain wary. Many worry the p...
Press release WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced loan interest rates for November 2023, which became effective Nov. 1, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. Operating, ownership and emergency loans FSA offers farm ownership and operating loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, wh...
Press release WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin mailing ballots this week for the Farm Service Agency county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or have their bal...
MELINA WALLING and BRITTANY PETERSON The Associated Press HUDSON, Colo. - Alan Mazzotti can see the Rocky Mountains about 30 miles west of his pumpkin patch in northeast Colorado on a clear day. He could tell the snow was abundant last winter, and verified it up close when he floated through fresh powder alongside his wife and three sons at the popular Winter Park Resort. But one season of above-average snowfall wasn't enough to refill the dwindling reservoir he relies on to...
Press release DES MOINES, Iowa — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $2.3 billion to help American producers maintain and develop markets for their commodities and use U.S. commodities to bolster international food aid. Consistent with a bipartisan request from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, USDA is utilizing funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to address challenges related to trade and food insecurity impacting U.S. f...
Press release KANKAKEE, Ill. — U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week highlighted progress made in partnering with farmers and American businesses to increase innovative domestic fertilizer production and in making it easier for U.S. farmers to grow food through the practice of double cropping. USDA also announced $52.6 million in awards under the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program, which will fund 17 new projects to boost domestic fertilizer manufacturing, support innovative fertilizer t...
Press release The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center announced their 16th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame, including legacy inductee Clarence Cuts the Rope of Hays and living inductee Leon Lasalle of Laredo. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees are honored for their notable contributions to the history and culture of Montana. "The Hall of Fame exists to honor those who...
Press release BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making more than $3 billion in funding available for agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024. As first announced in August, Montana private land managers interested in participating in Natural Resources Conservation Service programs must apply by Oct. 27, 2023, be considered for the current funding cycle. “We know that funding provided thr...
Press release Livestock producers in 14 Montana counties are eligible to apply for 2023 Livestock Forage Disaster Program benefits on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass, and forage sorghum. The Montana counties that have triggered the 2023 LFP drought criteria are Blaine, Chouteau, Flathead, Glacier, Hill, Lake, Liberty, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Sanders, Teton, and Toole. Producers must complete a CCC-853 and provide required supporting documentation no later than January 30, 2024, for...
Press release Helena, Mont. — The Montana Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture have partnered to announce the recipients of the state’s $3.071 million investment in projects through the Montana Specialty Crop Block Grant program. “The quality of Montana’s agricultural products and the producers raising them are unmatched,” Montana Department of Agriculture Director Christy Clark said. “These grants support vital research and outreach efforts that directly benefit Montana’s farmers and ranchers to d...
From https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Montana USDA in Montana reminds agricultural producers of important Farm Service Agency program dates. People can contact their local service center to apply and with any questions and go online to visit https://www.farmers.gov and https://www.fsa.usda.gov/mt. • Oct. 16, 2023: Signup period ends for Milk Loss Assistance for Diary Operations Impacted by 2020, 2021 and 2022 Disaster Events. Read the full news release here: USDA Announces Milk Loss Assistance for Dairy Operations I...
Press release Agricultural producers in Montana are reminded to complete their crop acreage reports after planting for Apiculture and any fall-seeded crops, such as winter wheat, triticale, or other fall-seeded small grains. Please make an appointment with the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office before the November 15, 2023, deadline. An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch and its intended uses. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and...
Press release WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a USDA proclamation Tuesday recognizing October 2023 as National Cooperative Month to celebrate the vital role cooperatives play in improving economic opportunities and advancing equity in America. This year’s National Cooperative Month theme is “Owning Our Identity,” echoing the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to create more and better markets, address climate change and advance equity. In his proclamation, Vilsack noted that more...
Press release Montana Farmers Union has a new membership ambassador for the Golden Triangle, and some events are set in the next few weeks to let people meet her. MFU announced that Jeri Copenhaver is the new Golden Triangle Membership Ambassador . While her ambassador role is new to her, Copenhaver is not new to MFU. She has been involved in MFU as both a member and as an MFU summer camp coordinator. "I'm most excited to help provide educational opportunities to members and...
From the office of U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. As a part of his continued efforts to champion Montana farmers and ranchers, U.S. Senator Jon Tester introduced Friday his bipartisan American Farmers Feed the World Act, a bill to ensure that American-grown food is prioritized in Food for Peace shipments. Tester's bipartisan legislation will fortify the nation's allies, support American farmers, and contribute to the fight against global hunger by ensuring the continued role of...
Press release WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the deadline for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program to Jan. 13, 2024, to give eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners more time to apply for assistance. The original deadline was Oct. 31, 2023. The new deadline extension is responsive to feedback from potential applicants, nongovernmental program administrators and community-based organizations working closely with USDA to inform and assist eligible individuals. The new d...
Press release U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared drought disasters for Montana counties including Liberty County and including as contiguous counties Chouteau and Hill counties. This secretarial natural disaster designation allows USDA Farm Service Agency to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of...
From MSU News Service BOZEMAN - A pair of events this fall will help incorporate local food into Montana students' meals by connecting producers with schools. The events, called Montana Food for Montana Schools, will be held Sept. 28 in Great Falls at the University of Providence and on Oct. 25 in Missoula at the Hilton Garden Inn, both from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Montana State University's Montana Team Nutrition program, the Montana Office of Public Instruction, Abundant Montana...
Press release WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday a call for nominations to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. First established in 1992, the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers advises the Secretary of Agriculture to enhance USDA’s goals for new farming and ranching operations. Members of the public are invited to submit nominations for themselves or other qualified experts by Oct. 10, 2023. “New and beginning farmers — whether they come from farm familie...
Press release U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared drought disasters for Montana counties including Liberty County and including as contiguous counties Chouteau and Hill Counties. This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows USDA) Farm Service Agency to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items...
Press release WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last Wednesday that USDA is awarding $266 million in loans and grants to agriculture producers and rural small businesses to make investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operation. This funding is made possible in part through the Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the cli...
From the MSU News Service BOZEMAN — The Montana State University Extension Pesticide Education Program is offering a pest management tour for pesticide applicators at six locations across northwestern Montana Oct. 2 - 4. In order, the tour will visit Kalispell, Ronan, Superior, Plains, Missoula and Hamilton. At each stop, speakers will present on a variety of topics, including forage pests, integrated weed management and herbicide resistance, management of vertebrate pests, proper pesticide use and integrated pest management,...
Press release GREAT FALLS — The 2023 Wheat and Barley Variety Survey report was released Monday by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Mountain Regional Office. Funded by the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, this survey generates vital information to assist breeding programs around the state and beyond select varieties for seeding with the goal of increasing farm profitability. “In the Treasure State, one of the most impactful bottom-line decisions a wheat and barley farmer can make is varietal sel...
July 7, U.S. Department of Agriculture and its partner vendors announced the opening of the application period for Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act — IRA — which directs USDA to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. The opening of the application process is an important step in delivering on USDA’s commitment of providing financial assistance to those who have faced discrimination in USDA farm...
