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  • Acreage Reporting Deadline Approaching for Fall Seeded Crops

    Oct 31, 2012

    Farmers and ranchers in North Dakota are reminded that USDA’s Farm Service Agency has new acreage reporting deadlines for the coming crop year. Producers must report fall seeded crops and perennial forage, which comprises grass, hay, alfalfa, and pasture, by November 15, 2012. Aaron Krauter, State Executive Director for FSA in North Dakota, says the change comes as a result of a national effort to align acreage reporting dates between FSA and Risk Management Agency. “The big change for North Dakota producers is that we now have two acreage repo...

  • USDA Photo Contest

    Heather Luinstra|Oct 17, 2012

    True to his roots as a frontier farm boy, on May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation to create the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Over the next two months he signed additional legislation that expanded and transformed American farming, including the Homestead Act, and the establishment of the Land Grant agricultural university system. To help celebrate the 150th Anniversary of USDA, a photo contest is being hosted by the Richland County Conservation District, the Richland County Farm Service Center, and the Northern Plains...

  • Montana Winter Weather Awareness Week October 15-19

    Tanja Fransen|Oct 17, 2012

    The week of October 15 through October 19 is “Winter Weather Awareness Week” in Montana. Each year in the United States, there are an average of 7,100 weather related vehicle fatalities, accounting for 24% of all vehicle fatalities. This is more than all other weather related deaths combined. Winter storms also claim dozens of lives in non-vehicle related accidents, and cause hundreds of millions in damages and resources to handle the snow event. In Montana, cold weather exposure and automobile accidents are the main causes of winter wea...

  • People’s 150th Celebration to Features Displays, Historian Hal Stearns

    Julie Goss and Beth Redlin|Oct 17, 2012

    In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law three landmark pieces of legislation creating a new “people’s department” (the US Department of Agriculture); establishing land grant colleges in every state and opening the west to homesteading. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of those historic signings, a “People’s Celebration” is planned for Thursday afternoon and evening, Nov. 8, at the Richland County Fairgrounds’ Event Center in Sidney. A number of USDA agencies (Agricultural Research Service, Farm Service...

  • People’s 150th Celebration to Feature Displays, Historian Hal Stearns

    Julie Goss and Beth Redlin|Oct 17, 2012

    In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law three landmark pieces of legislation creating a new “people’s department” (the US Department of Agriculture); establishing land grant colleges in every state and opening the west to homesteading. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of those historic signings, a “People’s Celebration” is planned for Thursday afternoon and evening, Nov. 8, at the Richland County Fairgrounds’ Event Center in Sidney. A number of USDA agencies (Agricultural Research Service, Farm Service...

  • Governors’ Conference on North Dakota History Explores Agricultural Innovations

    Oct 10, 2012

    Bruce Gjovig, director of the Center for Innovation at the University of North Dakota, will be the keynote speaker for the 24th Annual Governor’s Conference on North Dakota History coming up on October 26-27 at the Bismarck Civic Center. Gjovig’s address will be delivered Friday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The theme of this year’s conference is “Partners on the Prairie: Inventing Solutions for Agriculture.” The conference is sponsored by the state’s history agency, the State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND). Governor Jack Dalrymple h...

  • USDA Announces Disaster Assistance Sign-up for 2011 Crop Losses

    Dan Janes|Oct 10, 2012

    North Dakota USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Aaron Krauter today announced that producers can enroll in the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program for 2011 crop year losses beginning Oct. 22, 2012. Under the 2008 Farm Bill, SURE authorizes assistance to farmers and ranchers who suffered crop losses caused by natural disasters occurring through Sept. 30, 2011. “Eligible producers who experienced a 2011 crop loss can contact their local county FSA office to learn more about the SURE program,” said Krauter. “Al...

  • USDA Announces Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Sign-Up Period for 2011 Crop Losses

    Oct 3, 2012

    Farm Service Agency Administrator Juan Garcia announced today the sign-up period for the 2011 crop year Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program will open Oct. 22, 2012. The SURE program is part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). Under the 2008 Farm Bill, SURE authorizes assistance to farmers and ranchers who suffered crop losses caused by natural disasters occurring through Sept. 30, 2011. “Any eligible producer who suffered losses during the 2011 crop year is encouraged to visit a local FSA office to...

  • USDA Designates 4 Additional Counties in North Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

    Dan Janes|Oct 3, 2012

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has designated an additional four counties in North Dakota as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. Benson, Billings, Eddy and Ramsey Counties were added to the list of disaster designated counties. The complete list of primary natural disaster areas includes Barnes, Benson, Billings, Bowman, Cass, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Golden Valley, Grand Forks, Griggs, Logan, Lamoure, McIntosh, Nelson, Ransom, Ramsey, Slope, Steele, Stutsman, and Traill. In addition, farmers...

  • Montana Farm Bureau Takes Exception To New School Lunch Regulations

    Montana Farm Bureau Federation|Oct 3, 2012

    The Montana Farm Bureau Federation is taking exception to the new school food regulations coming down from the United States Department of Agriculture and the White House. According to the USDA, which released the rules in January 2012, the ‘Healthy and Hunger Free Kids Act’ has new meal requirements that supposedly improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day. However, the state’s largest agricultural organization says that isn’t so. “First Lady Michelle Obama and USDA...

  • USDA Notice to Women & Hispanic Farmers & Ranchers: Compensation For Claims Of Discrimination

    Oct 3, 2012

    If you are a female farmer or rancher or a Hispanic farmer or rancher and you believe that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) improperly denied farm loan benefits to you for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000 because of your gender or race, you may be eligible to apply for compensation. You may be eligible if: · you sought a farm loan or farm-loan servicing from USDA during that period; and · the loan was denied, provided late, approved for a lesser amount than requested, approved with restrictive conditions, or USDA fai...

  • USDA Designates 7 Counties in North Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States

    Sep 26, 2012
    1

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated seven counties in North Dakota as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. The counties are: Bowman, Golden Valley, Ransom, Stutsman, Dickey, LaMoure, Slope. “Our hearts go out to those North Dakota farmers and ranchers affected by the recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the success...

  • Sidney USDA Service Center Gives Back To Community

    Sep 19, 2012

    Employees of the Richland County Farm Service Center provided a total of 274 pounds of food, surpassing their goal of 240 pounds, to the local food bank on behalf of the Feds Feed Families Food Drive....

  • “E-rase your E-waste” Recognition

    Sep 12, 2012

    Richland County Local Emergency Planning Committee member and Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Butch Renders presents Sidney USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) personnel with special “E-rase your E-waste” shirts in recognition of their long-time support and involvement with the community’s electronic waste recycling program. The ARS lab helped initiate the program in 2005 at the instigation of Couture, who currently serves as co-chair of the “E-rase your E-waste” Committee...

  • Weekend Event is Last Chance to “E-rase Your E-waste” for 2012

    Sep 5, 2012

    This weekend is your last chance to clear that old computer out of your closet before the snow flies. The “E-rase your E-waste” program is hosting its final collection for 2012 this Friday and Saturday, Sept 7-8, at the Richland County Shop, 2140 W. Holly in Sidney, next to the Fairgrounds. Already 160-plus individuals, businesses, government agencies and organizations have recycled 291 monitors; 283 processors, 166 printers and 139 TVs, along with thousands of smaller items at the group’s four...

  • USDA Food Drive

    Aug 29, 2012

    For nearly one in six Americans, hunger is a reality. And while USDA employees help millions of Americans put food on their plate each year, we also know that folks turn to food banks and food pantries for additional help during these tough economic times. Too often, food banks don’t have enough to meet the demand. That’s why the Feds Feed Family food, now in its fourth year, is a cause we all need to make an interest in. This summer, USDA employees at over 1,400 offices across the country have been going above and beyond their daily dut...

  • Montana USDA Agencies Host Women Stepping Forward for Agriculture Symposium Annual Agriculture Symposium Coming Sept. 25-27, 2012

    Aug 29, 2012

    Make plans now to attend the 12th annual Women Stepping Forward for Agriculture Symposium at Montana Expo Park in Great Falls, Mont., Sept. 25-27, 2012. This symposium will give women involved in promoting Montana’s agriculture the opportunity to learn about issues affecting Montana’s rural agricultural communities, promote leadership development and further support women’s leadership roles within those communities. Topics for discussion include tax issues and estate planning, USDA agency updates, the carbon footprint of agriculture, grain mark...

  • RMA Approves 30-day Ownership Waiver for Livestock Program and Interest Deferral for Spring Crops

    Aug 29, 2012

    USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announces approval of the voluntary waiver of Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Basic Provisions 30-day ownership requirement due to severe drought. In keeping with USDA measures to assist producers in managing drought conditions, Approved Insurance Providers may waive the 30-day ownership requirement for LRP Specific Coverage Endorsement (SCE) policies. Possible eligibility for the waiver would apply to policies purchased August 2, 2011 through August 16, 2012, subject to verification of proof of ownership. I...

  • Only Two More ‘E-rase Your E-waste’ Events Planned For 2012

    Aug 15, 2012

    The final summer “E-rase your E-waste” collection event is coming up Thursday, August 16th from 3-7 pm at the Richland County Shop in Sidney. The event is FREE and is the last of four mini-collections planned for the summer months as part of the 2012 E-rase your E-waste campaign. However, the program still has its annual fall weekend collection event to go yet on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7-8, so if you can’t make it this Thursday, you’ll have one last chance to clean your closets before winter gets here. All collections are held at the cou...

  • Feds, Farmers & Friends Feed Families

    Aug 8, 2012

    This summer, USDA employees at over 1,400 offices across the country are going above and beyond their daily duties to collect and donate food for the 4th annual Feds Feed Families food drive. Last month, they raised an impressive 78,518 pounds of food! But there is still much to be done, and they will need everyone’s help to reach the goal of 1.8 million pounds by the end of August. Please help the Sidney USDA office by dropping off food donations at 2745 West Holly in Sidney. All food donations received will benefit our local food bank! If y...

  • Additional CRP Practices Authorized for Emergency Haying and Grazing

    Aug 8, 2012

    USDA’s North Dakota Farm Service Agency, with concurrence of the State Technical Committee, has authorized emergency haying and grazing on certain otherwise ineligible CRP practices for 2012. Due to continued drought conditions across the state, emergency haying and grazing will now be allowed on practices CP8A, CP23, CP23A, CP25, CP27, CP28, CP37 and CP41. All emergency haying and grazing provisions will apply to these practices as they apply to other practices, including: Authorization must be received from the producer’s local FSA off...

  • Feds, Farmers & Friends Feed Families

    Aug 1, 2012

    This summer, USDA employees at over 1,400 offices across the country are going above and beyond their daily duties to collect and donate food for the 4th annual Feds Feed Families food drive. Last month, they raised an impressive 78,518 pounds of food! But there is still much to be done, and they will need everyone’s help to reach the goal of 1.8 million pounds by the end of August. Please help the Sidney USDA office by dropping off food donations at 2745 West Holly in Sidney. All food donations received will benefit our local food bank! If y...

  • Montana USDA Agencies Host Women Stepping Forward for Agriculture Symposium

    Aug 1, 2012

    Annual Agriculture Symposium Coming Sept. 25-27, 2012 Make plans now to attend the 12th annual Women Stepping Forward for Agriculture Symposium at Montana Expo Park in Great Falls, Mont., Sept. 25-27, 2012. This symposium will give women involved in promoting Montana’s agriculture the opportunity to learn about issues affecting Montana’s rural agricultural communities, promote leadership development and further support women’s leadership roles within those communities. Topics for discussion include tax issues and estate planning, USDA agenc...

  • USDA Announces Sign-Up Date For Highly Erodible Land Initiative Under The Conservation Reserve Program

    Aug 1, 2012

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin sign-up for the Highly Erodible Land Initiative under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on July 23, 2012. The purpose of this initiative, announced by Secretary Vilsack in February, is to protect up to 750,000 acres of the nation's most highly erodible croplands. Producers may enroll at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office. Enrollment will continue until the 750,000 acre limit has been met. "CRP is an important program...

  • USDA Authorizes Emergency Haying and Grazing of CRP Acres in North Dakota

    Aug 1, 2012

    USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Aaron Krauter, today announced that in response to drought conditions, FSA has authorized emergency haying and grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for all North Dakota counties. "North Dakota producers interested in emergency haying and grazing of CRP must contact their local FSA offices to obtain approval to hay or graze CRP," said Krauter. Any approved emergency haying and grazing of CRP cannot begin until August 2, 2012, which is after the end of the primary nesting...

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