News Update

March 2, 2017

Adding Value Through Education

“Growing up as a child, I always wanted to be a farmer,” said Jake Carter, president of Southern Belle Farm in McDonough, Ga. Agritourism was his way of continuing his family’s farming heritage.

Carter spoke Feb. 1 as part of a panel at the 24th annual Cattlemen’s College® during the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Carter, as well as Butch Jensen of Price, Utah, and Gary Price of Blooming Grove, Texas, educated cattlemen on alternative methods of income to supplement a farming or ranching business.

With Carter’s close proximity to Atlanta, the number of questions being asked by members of the surrounding communities became “overwhelming.” Instead of keeping the gates closed, Carter opened them to consumers who were eager to learn about farming and rural life.

— Adapted from an article by Shelby Mettlen, Angus Media.

Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates

The USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announced interest rates for March 2017. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for March is 0.875%, unchanged from 0.875% in February.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during March is 1.875%, unchanged from 1.875% in February.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for March are as follows, 1.500% with three-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.500% in February; 1.875% with five-year loan terms, down from 2.000% in February; 2.250% with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.250% in February; 2.500% with 10-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.500% in February and; 2.500% with 12-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.500% in February. The interest rate for 15-year Sugar Storage Facility Loans for March is 2.625%, unchanged from 2.625% in February.

Further program information is available from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Financial Management Division at 202-772-6041.

— Adapted from a release by the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Kansas Ag Leadership Program Accepting Applications

The Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program will accept applications through April 15 from state residents interested in participating in KARL’s 2017-2019 class.

The two-year program includes three study tours, as well as nine winter, 48-hour seminars at sites across the state, said KARL director Al Davis.

The program schedules its in-state seminars plus two national seminars and a “capstone” international tour for November through March. The program has consistently taken the production agriculture’s “off season” into consideration in its structure.

For more information, view the K-State news release online.

— Adapted from a release by K-State Research and Extension.

Animal Agriculture Alliance Membership Drive

The Animal Agriculture Alliance, an industry-united nonprofit organization working to bridge the communication gap between farm and fork, launched a membership drive March 1 in celebration of its 30th anniversary. The organization is seeking to add 30 new members during the month of March.

“If your company or organization is part of animal agriculture, now is the perfect time to join the Alliance,” said Allyson Jones-Brimmer, Alliance membership and marketing manager. “We have three decades of connecting stakeholders, engaging influencers and protecting the reputation and future of the industry. We’re ready to build on that history by welcoming new members and finding new ways to serve farmers and ranchers.”

Members who join as part of the 30 for 30th drive will receive recognition at the 2017 Stakeholders Summit, in addition to the benefits of Alliance membership. Membership begins at $500. Interested individuals and companies can learn more at www.animalagalliance.org/join.

For more information, view the Animal Agriculture Alliance news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Hannah Thompson, Animal Agriculture Alliance.

MDA Hiring for Agricultural Marketing Internship

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking applicants for its summer Agricultural Marketing/Hail Internship. The internship will assist in marketing products for Montana farmers, ranchers and food and agriculture companies, while also assisting with the State Hail Insurance Program.

The intern will be responsible for coordinating the Grown in Montana exhibit at the Montana State Fair in Great Falls to promote Grown in Montana companies and products. Other projects will include updating the Montana agriculture company directory and assisting marketing staff with projects, company recruitment and more.

The intern will also support the Hail Insurance Program throughout the summer, assisting producers in purchasing, claims and processing of hail insurance policies. This includes records management, information exchange and verifying hail insurance policies.

For more information, view the MDA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Andy Fjeseth, Montana Department of Agriculture.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Media.

Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.