The United States Department of Agriculture is accepting comments on its proposed rule to administer the Asparagus Revenue Market Loss Assistance Payment Program (ALAP). The proposed rule is contained in the Federal Register dated July 16, 2010, at www.edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-17407.pdf “Like every farm product, asparagus is an important part of our agricultural offering, so producers occasionally [...]
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced June 30 disaster assistance will be issued to livestock, honeybee and farm-raised fish producers who’ve suffered losses in 2008 because of disease, adverse weather or other conditions. The aid will come from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). “American farmers, ranchers and producers should have [...]
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications in Washington state to increase the production and use of renewable energy sources. Funding is available from four USDA Rural Development renewable energy programs authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants and loan guarantees in the [...]
USDA announced it will accept applications for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised fish Program (ELAP) for losses that took place in calendar years 2008 and 2009. ELAP sign-up ended on Dec. 10, 2009, for 2008 losses and on Feb. 1, 2010, for 2009 losses. However, because of changes to program eligibility provisions, [...]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has announced interest rates for April. The CCC borrowing rate-based of 0.375 percent was unchanged from March. For 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans, the interest rate for loans disbursed during April is 1.375 percent, unchanged from March. In accordance with the [...]
The WSDA is hosting a free pesticide disposal event near Quincy on April 7 and Mattawa on April 8. Agricultural and commercial-grade pesticides accepted for disposal include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides and most chemicals that kill, repel or prevent unwanted pests. To sign up, call toll free (360) 902-2056 or e-mail wastepesticide@agr.wa.gov. Visit the WSDA [...]
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today said the Farm Storage Facility Loan program has been amended to allow producers to build cold storage facilities to store their fresh fruits and vegetables. This program is part of USDA’s ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative and uses discretionary authority provided by the 2008 Farm Bill authorizing the [...]
Farmers who sell their agricultural and food products directly to consumers now have a new tool to help launch a business or expand into new products: The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Small Farm and Direct Marketing Handbook. Announced at the annual meeting of the Washington State Farmers Market Association last week, the handbook [...]
Guaranteed Loans Provided Through Recovery Act Funds Help Local Businesses and Supports the Nation’s Renewable Energy Strategy WASHINGTON, February 16, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $144 million in loan guarantees to assist 54 rural businesses through funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding is authorized through USDA [...]
The Washington State Department of Agriculture is making preparations to award federal grants to increase the competitiveness and viability of the state’s fruit, vegetable and nursery producers. About $3 million in funds will come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s specialty crop block grant program for 2010. Private and non-profit organizations, commodity commissions and other [...]
