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USDA Issues Emergency Drought Designation for 12 Minnesota Counties, Offering Financial Aid to Farmers

USDA Issues Emergency Drought Designation for 12 Minnesota Counties, Offering Financial Aid to Farmers

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared a drought-related natural disaster in 12 Minnesota counties. This designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to farmers affected by severe drought conditions. Four counties—Cook, Hennepin, Lake, and Ramsey—are identified as primary eligible counties. Additionally, eight contiguous counties—Anoka, Carver, Dakota, St. Louis, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright—are also included in the designation. The emergency loans are intended to help producers recover from natural disasters by covering needs such as replacing essential equipment or livestock, reorganizing farming operations, or refinancing certain debts. The FSA will assess loan applications based on the extent of losses, available security, and the applicant's ability to repay.
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David Rowe Reflects on 47-Year Career at Hiland Dairy and Arkansas State Fair Involvement

David Rowe Reflects on 47-Year Career at Hiland Dairy and Arkansas State Fair Involvement

David Rowe Reflects on 47-Year Career at Hiland Dairy and Arkansas State Fair Involvement
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Brookes Menswear Owner Mark Harris Announces Retirement and Seeks Buyer for Hull Shop

Brookes Menswear Owner Mark Harris Announces Retirement and Seeks Buyer for Hull Shop

Brookes Menswear Owner Mark Harris Announces Retirement and Seeks Buyer for Hull Shop
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Airbnb Launches 'Farm to Stay' Grant Program to Support Agritourism for U.S. Farmers

Airbnb Launches 'Farm to Stay' Grant Program to Support Agritourism for U.S. Farmers

Airbnb Launches 'Farm to Stay' Grant Program to Support Agritourism for U.S. Farmers
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Big Horn County's History Shaped by Agriculture and Irrigation in Wyoming

Big Horn County's History Shaped by Agriculture and Irrigation in Wyoming

Big Horn County, Wyoming, has a rich history deeply intertwined with agriculture and extensive irrigation projects, according to the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. The county, nestled against the Big Horn Mountains, has been influenced by water resources and the resilience of its inhabitants. Early exploration by fur trappers in the 19th century, including George Drouillard of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, preceded significant white settlement. By the 1870s, cattlemen like Henry Clay Lovell and Otto Franc von Lichtenstein recognized the area's grazing potential, leading to a cattle boom that eventually ended due to overgrazing and harsh winters. Sheep farming also became prominent, leading to conflicts between livestock producers and homesteaders. The county was formally organized in 1897, carved from larger territories, and its original vast size has since been reduced to its current two million acres. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the county's identity, with cattle, sheep, and irrigated crops like s...
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North Carolina Small Farms Face Economic and Environmental Challenges, Seek Community-Based Solutions

North Carolina Small Farms Face Economic and Environmental Challenges, Seek Community-Based Solutions

Small-scale farms in Western North Carolina are confronting significant challenges, including rising operational costs, unpredictable weather patterns, and labor shortages. Farmers like Joe Sabbag of Terramonga Farm, Larry Stepp of Stepp’s Plants etc., and Eric and Nita Bunker of Queen B Farm, despite their diverse products, share a common struggle to remain viable against the backdrop of industrial agriculture. They report that the cost of essential supplies such as fertilizer, fuel, and greenhouse materials has increased substantially. Additionally, weather extremes, including excessive rain and heat, are directly impacting crop yields and animal welfare. These farms are also finding it difficult to compete on price with larger agricultural operations, leading to farmers absorbing much of the financial pressure. The work on these farms is demanding, often requiring continuous attention seven days a week, and involves a wide range of tasks from animal care to equipment maintenance.
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Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Offers Reimbursement Grants for Small Meat and Poultry Processors

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Offers Reimbursement Grants for Small Meat and Poultry Processors

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Offers Reimbursement Grants for Small Meat and Poultry Processors
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60-year-old popular furniture chain liquidates and closes stores

60-year-old popular furniture chain liquidates and closes stores

The furniture chain's owner decided to retire after working at the business since he was in high school.
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Sarah Richmond's 'Bloom' Project Addresses Gentrification in Southeast Portland Through Youth Mentoring

Sarah Richmond's 'Bloom' Project Addresses Gentrification in Southeast Portland Through Youth Mentoring

Sarah Richmond, a Dalai Lama Fellow, is leading 'Bloom,' a community-centered project focused on addressing the impacts of gentrification in a specific neighborhood in southeast Portland. The initiative aims to partner with local businesses to establish youth mentoring and internship programs. The core objective of Bloom is to encourage growing local businesses to contribute back to their immediate community. By doing so, the project seeks to create a collaborative definition of gentrification that acknowledges its varied effects across different community sectors. Ultimately, Bloom strives to make the resources and opportunities arising from urban growth more universally accessible to all residents, particularly the youth.
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Carol Widman’s Candy Co. Undergoes Family Ownership Transition in Fargo

Carol Widman’s Candy Co. Undergoes Family Ownership Transition in Fargo

Carol Widman’s Candy Co. Undergoes Family Ownership Transition in Fargo
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Vermont State Government Seeks Agriculture Marketing Specialist to Promote Agritourism and Local Brand

Vermont State Government Seeks Agriculture Marketing Specialist to Promote Agritourism and Local Brand

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is actively recruiting an Agriculture Marketing Specialist II for a limited-service position. This role is central to supporting and promoting Vermont's agricultural sector and brand. The specialist will manage grant programs such as the Trade Show Assistance and Fairs and Field Days, and work with various partners to bolster Vermont's agritourism. A significant part of the job involves managing the Vermont Building at the Big E fair in West Springfield, MA, which includes vendor relations, communications, and on-site management during the 17-day event. The position requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage shifting priorities, with experience across various media channels, especially digital, being important. This is a non-tenured position established for specially funded projects or programs.
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CHS Inc. Details Role of Cooperatives in Strengthening Rural America and Returns Billions to Owners

CHS Inc. Details Role of Cooperatives in Strengthening Rural America and Returns Billions to Owners

CHS Inc. Details Role of Cooperatives in Strengthening Rural America and Returns Billions to Owners