Let’s hope we see continued commitment to rural development in the new administration in Washington, DC. The outgoing one has sure done a lot in this area, especially to develop broadband which is providing new opportunities in our rural and farm communities. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced today that Open Range Communications has finalized a $267 million loan agreement with …
Administration Achievements and IFAJ 2009/AMS Update
U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer held a conference call with reporters to discuss accomplishments of the Bush administration. We were on the call and I thought I’d share a segment with you in this week’s program. I’ve been pointing out the increased investment in rural broadband through the Rural Development department here on AgWired since we got started …
Obama Announces Vilsack and Salazar
Thanks to AP we can see President-Elect Obama’s announcement of Tom Vilsack for Ag Secretary and Ken Salazar as Interior Secretary. I have to ask the question, “Why does every ag group out there feel compelled to send out news releases with their thoughts on the matter?” They all say the same thing (exicted about . . . looking forward …
Secretary Schafer at Cellulosic Summit
This may have been the last time I will have the chance to interview the current Secretary of Agriculture – I think this is about the 10th secretary I have been able to report on during my career in ag communications! Anyway – Secretary Schafer was here at the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit in south Florida Wednesday and had a small …
USDA Podcasting Newslines
I knew it was only a matter of time before USDA’s Office of Communications started podcasting their news feeds. I’ve discussed it with them several times since it makes it so much easier for farm podcasters to get them. It also opens the door to farmers who can now directly subscribe to USDA’s news! That’s as it should be since …
Dorr Resigns from USDA
We’ve seen USDA Under Secretary Tom Dorr so many times in the past year or so at so many events that we have gotten to know him pretty well. But, now he is moving on and out of USDA. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced the resignation, effective December 1, 2008, of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas …
USDA Makes Unprecedented Change in Crop Report
The U.S. Department of Agriculture today did something it has never done before – adjusted its official October acreage and production estimates for six field crops. “There has never been a complete reissue of a crop production report, with a lock up and with the secretary’s briefing,” said Joe Prusacki with USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service. USDA revised the numbers …
Ag Cash Income At All Time High
One of our distinguished guests at today’s Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeast Farmer of the Year luncheon was Mark E. Keenum, USDA Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service. If you’re interested in hearing about the economics of what’s going on in agriculture then you may want to listen to him. His full comments are only about 12 minutes. However, I’m …
Ag Secretary Addresses AEM Ag Executives
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer discussed some of the big issues facing agriculture today and in the future during an address to agribusiness company executives meeting in St. Louis Thursday for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers AgExecutive Forum. Two primary issues he addressed were trade and renewable energy, as well as the importance of the financial rescue plan passed by …
USDA Awards $35 Million For Renewable Energy
USDA announced today that 639 individuals and businesses in 43 states and the Virgin Islands have been selected to receive $35 million in grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems or to improve energy efficiency in farm and business operations. On hand to make the announcement here at the Farm Progress Show was our USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development, …