BioSynthetics Technologies was a featured company during the 2016 Biobased Stakeholders Dialogue that recently took place at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The company is a USDA transfer partner and during the event spoke about their soy-based motor oil. To learn more, Cindy Zimmerman spoke with Greg Blake who is the company’s director of strategic development. Blake explained that USDA …
#Biobased2016 Helps Build Demand for #Soybeans
Lewis Bainbridge is a farmer from South Dakota who serves on the United Soybean Board and is one of the stars of a new video touting the benefits of biobased products for the nation – Red, White and Biobased. “That video is a neat tie-in to show different partnerships,” he told me during the Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue this week in …
Secretary Vilsack Addresses #Biobased2016
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was the keynote speaker at the United Soybean Board 2016 Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue at USDA headquarters today. Vilsack was impressed with the wide range of biobased products on display at the event. “You all are helping to transition our entire economy,” he said. He called the whole biobased products initiative over the past several years a …
USDA Announces $8.4 Million For Disadvantaged Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that $8.4 million in competitive grants are now available to support the work of partner organizations that provide training, outreach and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged, Tribal and Veteran farmers and ranchers. The financial support is offered through USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also …
This Independence Day Let’s Think About Our Military
As we prepare for our annual Independence Day celebration this story struck a chord with me. We may not have had the type of military we have today back in 1776 but we had courageous and committed men and women who fought for and won our independence from a tyrannical government. To this day we still have the finest military …
Record #Soybean, Higher #Corn Acres Planted
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) planted acreage report for this year estimates record soybean plantings and increased corn acres over last year. The report estimates U.S. soybean planted area at a record high 83.7 million acres, up 1 percent from last year, while corn growers increased their acreage from last year by 7 percent to 94.1 million acres, making …
USDA Finalizes Crop Insurance Provisions
The Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the USDA says the final safety net provisions from the 2014 Farm Bill are now in place. The new measures help protect farmers and ranchers agains weather disasters, market volatility and other risk factors. Currently the RMA has put interim rules into place to complete provisions for some programs and give them the authority to …
USDA Provides Assistance to Cotton Producers
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is offering $300 million in cost-share assistance payments to cotton growers to help with the cost of ginning as well as continuing expand and maintain the U.S.’s domestic cotton market. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the announcement shows USDA continues to stand with America’s cotton producers and rural communities. “The Cotton Ginning Cost Share program …
USDA Extends Deadline for Recording Farm Structure
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA will be offering a one-time, 30-day extension on the June 1 deadline for recording farm organization structures related to Actively Engaged in Farming determinations. Operations now have until July 1 to finalize changes or complete their restructuring. This comes as a response to farmers and ranchers who needed more time to provide information …
Promoting Ag Careers With Glycine Max
In a report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), jobs that require degrees related to food, agriculture, renewable natural resources or the environment will see an average of 57,900 openings annually over the next five years, which is far more than the anticipated 35,400 graduates in those fields. The Maryland Soybean Board is stepping up to encourage students …